Two questions from a newbie.
hedgehog847
Posts: 371
Hey everyone. This board has taken up a significant portion of my spare time lately! Thanks for the great posts. I have two questions:
1. Is it advised to break up my proof sets (1959-present) and send them off to be graded?
2. I have 3 proof sets and a few BU Morgan and Peace dollars that I know have been dipped (nothing rare, thank goodness). The proof sets were junk (already broken up) that I bought as a kid and had hairlines all over them, but a couple of the dollars were pretty nice. Are any of these coins worth keeping? Should I tell whoever I sell them to they've been dipped?
Thanks!
1. Is it advised to break up my proof sets (1959-present) and send them off to be graded?
2. I have 3 proof sets and a few BU Morgan and Peace dollars that I know have been dipped (nothing rare, thank goodness). The proof sets were junk (already broken up) that I bought as a kid and had hairlines all over them, but a couple of the dollars were pretty nice. Are any of these coins worth keeping? Should I tell whoever I sell them to they've been dipped?
Thanks!
0
Comments
Glenn
A good dip job is sposed to be undetectable and even PCGS does not usually use "dipping" as a reason to bodybag a coin. No reason to tell unless they ask as I see it. It is quite a common practice in the coin biz and is accepted by many [but not all] collectors.
As for keeping coins, keep what you like.
#2- If the silver dollars are worth over a $100 each I would consider slabbing but if they arecommon dates in the 63-64 range or lower the grading costs will not be worth it. The proof coins with hairlines are not worth grading unless they are rare dates or rare in CAM/DCAM.
Welcome to the forums!
I would say do not send your proof sets in to be graded at this time. When you have more grading experience and knowledge, and can recognize which of those coins (certainly not all of them) will be worth the cost of grading, you can reconsider.
New collectors, please educate yourself before spending money on coins; there are people who believe that using numismatic knowledge to rip the naïve is what this hobby is all about.
Does anyone have any literary suggestions which might help me gain some knowledge about grading uncirculated and proof coins? I'm presently reading "The Coin Collector's Survival Manual" by Scott Travers, and I'm learning a huge amount about this hobby/industry.
Thanks again all!!! I love this board!!
<< <i>Does anyone have any literary suggestions which might help me gain some knowledge about grading uncirculated and proof coins? I'm presently reading "The Coin Collector's Survival Manual" by Scott Travers, and I'm learning a huge amount about this hobby/industry. >>
You picked a good bood to read - it will really help you.
With respect to grading unc and proof coins, I don't believe that you can do that from a book. Oh, you could get the general idea, but unc and proof coins are the hardest to grade because the differences between grades is ever so slight. And because of the very minute differences, you need to see coins in person. A static, 2-d photo in a book doesn't allow you to see luster and eye appeal like you could in person. And the problem with the written descriptions is that they don't work for unc and proof coins.
For example, here's the ANA criteria for MS66:
Must have above average quality of strike and full original mint luster, with no more than two or three minor but noticeable contact marks. A few very light hairlines may show under magnification, or there may be one or two light scuff marks showing on frosted surfaces or in the field. The eye appeal must be above average and very pleasing for the date and mint. Copper coins display full original or lightly toned color as designated.
Look at how many subjective terms there are in that description: above average, two or three, minor but noticeable, few, very light, one or two, light, very pleasing. You can't learn the difference between two adjacent grades from descriptions.New collectors, please educate yourself before spending money on coins; there are people who believe that using numismatic knowledge to rip the naïve is what this hobby is all about.
Only seeing lots of examples that are graded. You can also find one of the ANA's seminars or mini-seminars on grading. that can help.