Starting SAE set: recommendations on Proof? Slabbed? or MS?

skydivdav

Any recommdations on what exactly to go with on completing a set of SAE's? My goal it to put away for a 7-yr.old nephew, so in it for the loooong haul. Thanks for advice here! Since some type's proofs aren't as valuable as MS coins, would it be wise to not go w/ the proofs? Would you buy slabbed?
blue skies!
david

TerrapinWill

Even though I really like the slabbed ASE's in MS69, mainly because I feel they will be easier to liquidate when I want to, I would have to recommend buying the ASE's raw and putting them in a nice album. This year I bought three 2005 ASE's and submitted them to NGC with a few other moderns, and two came back MS69 and one MS68. The lesson I learned is that most will grade MS69. JMHO

vega1

Might depend on how much you want to spend. You could go for all raw MS for the least expensive, to all slabbed Proofs for the most expensive (mainly because of the 1995-W).

Given the goal, I would recommend a compromise of all slabbed MS coins. This keeps the cost from going too high, while still providing value, reasonable chances of completing the set, and a nice set for your nephew in the future.

skydivdav

thanks for the speedy replies, since i MUST go to work in a few min.
you guys are great!

sounds like the 1995-W is pricey? I'm on a shoestring budget here, but god knows i've got lots of time, except that they (hopefully) aren't getting any cheaper!

many thanks, again.
blue skies!
david

ER

Raw.

CoinHusker

<< <i>Even though I really like the slabbed ASE's in MS69, mainly because I feel they will be easier to liquidate when I want to >>




I've found just the opposite to be true.

Nocerino18

I would buy whichever type YOU like better, not what other people like. They are going to be your coins.

TerrapinWill

Coinhusker......you have found the opposite to be true.....please explain....

CoinHusker

I can't tell you the number of people, dealers & collectors alike, that have told me that slabbing ASE's is a waste of money. Don't get me wrong, I think they are beautiful, and have enjoyed my '86-'04 registry set, BUT it appears to me that there is just a small market for MS69 slabbed bullion and the long term upside to them is speculative. The reasons I've heard run from out right hostility at slabbing "fluff bullion", to "not being 'real' coins, and "not being worth more than unslabbed because most raw ASE's are 69's any way". I've found it hard to get back what I have in my set back if I had wanted to sell. Just my experience, other's may be completely different.


A few weeks ago, I posted about some of the problems I've noticed about re-sale (trade?) of MS69 ASE's. Here's a link to that the some of the feedback i got then.


My previous post about my MS69 ASE set

TerrapinWill

I have a set registered with NGC, to which I will be adding my 2005 ASE soon. I saw one 86-05 sell for $911 on ebay....I've seen others sell for $800....If I could sell it tomorrow for $800 I'd make a couple bucks.

CoinHusker

I've only asked locally. I'm not an eBay seller so I haven't looked into that option. those #'s are good news compared to the $500-$600 I've heard on my PCGS MS69 set!

Merc

Buy them if you like them. They are silver bullion coins. They are usually found in high grade and are plentiful (except the 1995-W). If you enjoy the coins and having the set, then buy them raw. Don't expect much (or any) price appreciation over the years unless the price of silver shoots back up.

Baley

If I were your nephew, I'd probably prefer a single ASE (from my birth year) and instead of the rest of the set (which differ only by date), I'd like to have one or two or three real, old coins. How about a nice Saint or $10 Indian?

ychange

If I were your nephew, I'd probably prefer a single ASE (from my birth year) and instead of the rest of the set (which differ only by date), I'd like to have one or two or three real, old coins. How about a nice Saint or $10 Indian?

why stop with one, if i were his nephew, i'd want a whole roll of my birth year, raw, maybe 2 rolls, no no, the monster box! might be fun to break out a roll and sell/spend them 15 years down the road, though a set is something that can grow over the years.

if you are set on the set, i'd go with the other's suggestions, pick them up in MS69 slabs as you can, or get a complete set in 69. "let other's make the 68s" (heard that one here from someone, smart move)

can't agree more with the "real, old coins" suggestion either, maybe mix it up a bit.

Bochiman

I bought my son's birthyear.
Then, I bought a roll from his birthyear for him.

Then, I bought all of them raw and got a dansco album.

Then, I did the same, but for myself.

Then, I did it is PCGS MS69 for him. Last year. Had to buy one for this year now.

I think, if he does like coins at all, just a birthyear won't work. Also, just raw is not a good idea. No matter what the "modern/bullion haters" say, there is value in them (maybe not much, but a little) when they are pristine/slabbed.

There are 20 years. That's ~$300 in slabbing fees. Let's say another (highend) $300 to get them all raw. That's $600. You can sell them for $700+ in PCGS all day long. Make sure 1996 is not spotted though....the milky white spots

I also did the proof SAEs. But, not slabbed except for '03 and '04 for some reason. At a minimum, I would get 1986 (first years), his birthyear, and then one from each different mint not accounted for.

TerrapinWill

I have notices that some of these dates in MS69 are starting to climb in value, or at least selling price on Ebay. It looks like 1997 is starting to climb, as I saw a few on Ebay in MS69 fetch a good dollar. I think, not that I know much, that these sets in MS69 will at the very least hold their value, and probably go up a few bucks. If you like big silver dollars in near perfect condition, I think they are a pretty safe bet.

UncleWiggly

I gave up trying to "complete" a set because there is no end date to production or talk of a design change. Or is there? So, by accident at first but now on purpose, I have a small set of AT SAEs.



Jerry

meos1

I love the series. Its my main series of collection. I even have the key date coin! I know they are bullion. I don't care what the others say. There is no schedule design or production change. I don't care. These aren't for me anyway. As far as upside. Give it 100 years and lets check back. Time has a way of changing perception. As more collectors enter the market and they begin these sets the prices will rise. Thats economics. So nay say away! I like my set. I am proud to own a beautiful design and have a completed set.

Dan

TerrapinWill

AMEN

BlueCole

Kind of OT,

but i've got an ASE with a bit of a "lamination" (for lack of a better word) error. something came between the coin and the die during striking, so the proof finish has no luster in one clearly defined area. All my ASE are raw (I'm slowly trying to build a set, but i'm like you: shoe string.

B.

pf70collector

I love this series and you can get a complete set of MS 69 on ebay for around $600- $650.00 if you look hard enough. I have completed sets in both NGC MS 69 and NGC PF 70(except 95 W and 1993 in PF 69). It may be bullion but it is a very popular series.

xbob

I'm pretty sure you can get a whole raw MS set and Dansco album for around $250 or so.

For my kids, I got a proof in the mint box for them, plus a raw that I put in one of those H.E. Harris holders.

H.E. Harris also has some nice Happy Birthday holders that I use to give SAE's whenever we go to a kids party. The kids and the parents love them. It's a little more unique than just gettting another toy. I am amazed how many people have never even seen them before.

xbob

David PM'd me about the H.E. Harris holders. Here's a link for anyone else interested:
http://www.whitmanbooks.com//default.aspx?page=80&subcatoid=17

They are cheap, 89c, so I keep a supply on hand to fill with a coin for kids gifts. Not to many dealers seem to have them.