Are MS Liberty Nickels moving up in value?

dbldie55

There are numerous MS65 Liberty Nickels on Ebay right now. The high bidder on many is JP-TheMint! (Jay Parrino). Are high end Liberty Nickels finally seeing their due?

Also, I have been out bid on many MS64 examples, even when I am bidding well over trends for the lot. Are Liberty Nickels finally getting their time in the lime light?

BigD5

They may be on their way up, but I can't see anything that would sustain a large/long increase. The coins are too darn ugly to keep collectors flocking to the series. The design itself isn't bad, but the quality of the coins, is what makes 'em ugly. It's hard enough to find a decent type example.

STOCKFORD

I think the coin is quit pretty when in mint state condtion. I think they are moving up in price for the high end grade.
Why? If you look at the pcgs pop report for each coin they are very low numbers in ms 65 and with the same pop number in some other series the price would be a lot higher. mint state lib nickels are finally get there due!

CarlWohlforth

I'm attracted to the cameo proof ones. I'd like to buy a nice PR 66 or PR 65 Cam 1907 Lib nick. (Hey, isn't that someone's handle, libnick?) I haven't looked at MS ones and have no idea on populations or popularity.

RELLA

dbldie55;

I'm not sure who the seller is on the eBay auctions you are talking about; but he seems to be selling his personal collection of high grade certified nickels and getting out-of-this-world prices on some of them. A few weeks ago he had about 20 high grade Buffalos up and some of them went for prices close to retail guides to dealers while others went wild. Some of his best sales were a 1937 in MS67 for $960, 1931-S in MS66 for $1525 and a 1935-D in MS66 for $1366. All these were PCGS coins by the way.

Having said that, I still think that prices are trending upwards for Liberty Nickels; with the low pops in MS65 and better it doesn't take many new collectors of this series to push prices upwards rapidly. I haven't seen the prices running on MS64 coins yet myself, but I have noticed that common dates in MS64 are selling rather than sitting in dealer stock. I think that this is going to be happening in a lot of classic coin series over the coming years as the base of active collectors seems to finally be growing after many years of stagnation.

RELLA

keithdagen

This latest batch seems to be of pretty good quality and eye appeal, two factors that Liberty nickels tend to not have in common. It took me a long time to find a MS-65 example that I liked for my Type set for the 1900-forward slot. Most of the ones I saw had the rust colored toning that looks out of place.

Keith

Typetone

I think nice looking Lib Nickels are one of the most undervalued series in U.S. Numismatics based on sheet prices. However, sheet prices do not represent where MS65 and better pieces can be acquired for all but the common dates. Before I bought the Frank Thomas collection, I placed sight seen bids at 20% to 30% over grey sheet offer for about 20 dates in MS65 through a major dealer. I did not get one piece offered. Actually I was offered an 1885 for $4,000 by a Board member (with Grey sheet offer at about $2,650). I countered at $3,200 but we didn't get together. I bought the Thomas collection at well over Grey Sheet, and have already been offered significantly more than I paid. Truth to tell, I think most of the dates in MS65 are worth double grey sheet bid. An 1885 in 65 is being offered in Bowers & Merena's March auction (currently $3,100). Watch that one for market tone. I would guess these eBay pieces would also go higher than offer.

Quality is the key. As mentioned, many do not look very nice, which is why 65s are scare in any date. If you buy the nice richly toned or brilliant ones, with good strikes they should be a great value. Keith, one of my commons does have rust toning, so I know what you mean about those being generally unattractive. For value, compare prices to Buffs with comparable pops. You will be shocked at the differential.

Not sure about the 64s as I don't track below gem prices, but I would guess that they are low as well. Nice 64s are probably a great value as they are priced well below 65s. But go for the attractive pieces.

Cheers

Greg Samorajski

Typetone

Had a chance to review the eBay offerings. Some of these dates are really difficult. The 87, 89, 92, and 94 are really tough. The 08, 09, and 10 are harder than one might expect. If you are interested in putting together a set of these, or just some select examples, don't miss the chance to bid. Before you bid, check quality for yourself. I can't really judge from the photos.

Cheers

Greg Samorajski