When basal value isn't too much different than gem or superb gem prices...

dan1ecu

There are a few commemoratives that you can buy in MS67 for not too much more than you'd pay for an MS60 (Iowa, York).

I wonder why the market allows such a thing? Even if MS67s are relatively common and deserve to be inexpensive, who's propping up the prices of the lower mint-state pieces? Why, for instance, would there be a demand for a $200 MS60, when there are lots of $400 MS67s floating around?

Does anyone have any insight on how the market works in these cases? Can you think of any other examples of coins with seemingly disproportionately high basal values?

Dan

DennisH

1885-CC and 1903-O Morgans are almost as bad

michael

great question that i cant come up with a reason for

jimmyc

The market works. Some collectors don't care if they have a 60 or a 67, others may want matched sets at or near the ms60 level.. If there are alot of 67s and only a few 60s the price difference may be small. This will not happen in series who's coins are mainly bought by type collectors.
By the way, when did ms60 become the basel state?

morgannut2

Boy you're sure right about the 1885CC and 1903O Morgan as low as VF. The reason of course is these were almost as scarce as the key date 1893S before the Treasury/Banks dumped a ton on the market. If you have a circulated set and want the coins to match, the bright MS coins look stupid in the album. But basal state is almost no detail-- not MS-60-- so they're not nearly as expensive. The only exception I've seen is for low value common coins that are unusual to find totally worn, and so are bid up because they are oddities.

MrEureka

Actually, a VG York would sell for more than a 66.

braddick

<< <i>Actually, a VG York would sell for more than a 66. >>

I've never seen one. I'd be a buyer.

DHeath

In series in which the keys are very expensive, many collectors opt for AU/low MS sets. Sets with AU keys and MS67 commons don't look like sets, and the supergems only highlight the coins for which you compromised.

Shamika

One thing to consider is that $200 maybe a stretch for some budgets already. Thus $400 would be too much money.

Shamika

One more thing, where did you get these prices? If they appeared in a price guide, I wouldn't necessarily believe them.

Check auction prices for more accurate pricing.

1907Quarter

1931-s Lincoln in circ has a famous, no movement price list for G-XF

DennisH

1950-D Jefferson nickel is another.