Are collector's buying raw $1000 coins?

Wondo

I am a collector. I will sell someday. I do not have the confidence in my grading ability to buy expensive coins without a third party opinion that is reasonably well-accepted. Does that make me gullible/smart/ignorant?

Catch22

Smart

MacCoin

if it ain't a super key date thats the best road to follow

Barry

Depends on who and what. Ebay, never. Well-respected dealer, sometimes. Depends on the coin series.

ccr

I agree with whats said, it`s the smart way to go. The main thing is obviously to have fun and enjoy what you do. At least that`s what I try to keep in mind.

LincolnCentMan

I have a general rule to not buy $100+ coins unless they're in slabs (PCGS, NGC, ANACS). I've bought a few above that, but in my area of specialization... and sight seen. I have a in stone rule to NEVER buy coins above $1000 if they're raw. I've never broke that rule.

David

ddbird

I would say smart...but learning to grade and trust your own grade is an important part of the hobby.

darktone

I do with stuff I am familiar with. mike

BAJJERFAN

<< <i>The main thing is obviously to have fun and enjoy what you do. At least that`s what I try to keep in mind. >>



Its a lot easier to have fun if yer not always second guessin yourself or gettin shanked!!

majorbigtime

If it ain't slabbed, it's questionable!!

ajia

I was going to same that makes you smart, but if you were smart you wouldn't need to ask the question, which makes you ignorant, but you collect slabbed coins which makes you
smart, but you asked this question, which makes you..........

Actually my answer depends on what you intend to do.

1. Start a registry set....ONLY buy graded, even if you were to buy raw the grading fees will KILL you, I know, I'm doing that now.

2. Collect MS coins.....buy graded coins, after a couple of years I still have a hard time telling an MS64 from a 65, even harder is a 65 from a 66, & so on.

3. Collecting on a limited budget & only want to fill that album. Buy raw from a member here or one where the seller has a HIGH pos. rating or local dealer.
Raw coins on eBay have become a good value (IMO) if you can find a reputable seller...that may be harder than you think. But nice Unc's can still be found at bagain prices...I also know about that as I sold nice Uncs a few weeks ago that were great deals for the buyers.

Colorfulcoins

I've bought raw $1000+ coins and been burned and I've bought $1000+ coins and made out like a bandit. Rule #1, don't buy from pictures or descriptions. Buy from a coin in our hand. If you're not comfortable with the coin OR your grading skills when looking at the coin in hand, don't "wing it."

rhedden

Depends on who you're dealing with. I bought a set of raw half dimes from a trusted friend last week, and many individual pieces were over $1000. I have no doubt that if one turns out to be fake or repaired, I'll get every cent of it back. Would I go to a Long Beach show and do this kind of business with a dealer? Hell no. I might as well head to the rest room and flush handfulls of $100 bills.

Conder101

<< <i>I do not have the confidence in my grading ability to buy expensive coins without a third party opinion that is reasonably well-accepted. Does that make me gullible/smart/ignorant? >>


A beginner.

jbsteven

<< <i>I might as well head to the rest room and flush handfulls of $100 bills >>



funny statement!

mhammerman

Ohhhhh...you just have to go to this site to get some fun reading material. I went there and filled my shopping cart.

from a post by ER:

"Go to coingrading.com and read How to Grade U.S. Coins by James Halperin. That would be a good start. "

matteproof

Hi rhedden. You said; "I bought a set of raw half dimes from a trusted friend last week, and many individual pieces were over $1000...."

Wow! When you say you bought a set of raw half dimes, are you talking about a set of Early, Bust, or Seated Half Dimes? Can you list the dates and grades? Sounds like an incredible find. A half dime set is a large amount of coins. Thanks! matteproof

ColonialCoinUnion

I buy raw frequently, because I know what I'm looking for and what I want it to look like.

Too often slabbed coins - particularly early type and colonials - have been oiled or otherwise 'prettied up' for slabbing and are frequently rewarded by the grading services for luster or gloss which has been applied the previous Thursday. I don't want that.

I buy choice original looking coins which are very hard to find. And when I submit them, I get the same grades that the far inferior recently enhanced pieces are getting. But such is life and I don't worry about it too much. I know I wouldn't buy some of those other slabbed coins - and certainly not for strong money - but I'm sure there are plenty of buyers who do and thats fine too.

MrEureka

A beginner.

Bingo!

oldcameoproofsguy

I bought a $500 coin raw, but it was sight seen and I also feel it was undergraded. I would never buy a raw coin from an image or description.

majorbigtime

I onec dealt with an ebay seller who promised a freebie, and he was a scumbag scammer!!

TommyB

Sounds like a couple of people here look down on beginners. I guess that is why we see so many posts about arrogant dealers. Jeez, the guy is looking for help!

majorbigtime

IMO anybody who spends big buck$ on a raw coin is either stupid or trying to score if it slabs.

rhedden

Matteproof,

You should turn on your private message feature to allow others to chat with you. To answer the question, my recently purchased half dime set is missing the 1802 and the unique 1870-S, but not much else. It's in the safe, so no photos for a while.