Getting Coins Slabbed - An Economics Question

ar

I know someone who has a 150-200 coin collection that he wants to sell. It consists of mainly commemorative and proof coins and sets, approximately 50 of which are gold. None of the coins are slabbed. If he wants to sell them, at what approximate coin value is it worth the cost to get them slabbed? My economics background tells me that any time the expected increase in value is greater than the cost, he should have it professionally graded. Does anyone know what dollar range that cutoff point is? What percentage premium do people pay for slabbed coins?

thanks,

Andrew

dthigpen

If they're 'common' modern gold commemoratives, unless they're sure to hit 69 or 70 dcam, don't bother. As far as when to get them slabbed, if I sold, like you already said, I would only slab them if the very likely increase in value would be higher than the grading cost; opting on the side of not slabbing them when they were borderline.

lava

The unknown factor is the condition of the coins. Unslabbed, the public may assume the coins are crap. If in fact the coins are crap, slabbing is not going to help, but simply confirm what people would have thought. If the coins are good, slabbing may be worthwhile. I'd try and consult with a reputable numismatist in your area.

ar

Is it safe to say that it is more worthwhile to get them slabbed if the intended buyer is John Q. Public, but less so if the buyer is a dealer?

dthigpen

It will give the dealer less room to 'haggle' the grade if they are slabbed; which can mean a substantial price difference (Unless you're really stubborn).

relayer

Modern Commemoratives bring about the same amount in their original US Mint boxes compared to PCGS slabbed coins.

The exceptions are

1) If PCGS grades the coin less than PR69DCAM it will bring less
2) If PCGS grades the coin PR70DCAM it will bring more (10-35+? times more, depending on the coin)

However, PR70DCAM coins from PCGS are about 1 in 150.

You should probably list just them on eBay with the opening price set for what you want for them

Also - you may have trouble finding a dealer who will buy them without a substantial discount.

coinguy89

I would only submit modern commems that you know will get MS-67 to MS-70 or PR-69DCAM or PR-70DCAM. Look through the sets for the exceptional coins. Grading is usually expensive. On another note don't go for a crapy grading service either, stick with the good ones, ANACS, PCGS, NGC.

kranky

I agree with relayer - just list them on ebay.

If you want an idea what you would get from a dealer, buy a current Greysheet online at greysheet.com, and subtract 10-20% from the "bid" prices. You can compare that to what people are getting on ebay by reviewing completed auctions.

pursuitofliberty

I'd try and consult with a reputable numismatist in your area.

I think this is the best advice if you are truely looking to maximize potential. However, their time is money also.

Modern Commemoratives bring about the same amount in their original US Mint boxes compared to PCGS slabbed coins.

This is also true ... and unless you know how to get the maximum grades on the coins that are superior, you are probably better off leaving them in the mint packaging and putting them up for sale that way ... consult a current Greysheet (Coin Dealer Newsletter) for approximate Bid prices so you don't set you minimum's or reserves to high, and if you're selling them to a dealer, don't expect the full Bid price.

edited to say ... welcome to the boards!

ar

Thanks for your help. I'm new, but I'm already very impressed with the people on these boards.
Andrew