Which has more value: MS65+ or MS66?

TConn

Which would you pay more for?

dbcoin

Is this a trick question?

66

ricko

Depends on which one I liked the best... I buy the coin, not the opinion. Cheers, RickO

ziggy29

The flippant answer is: the nicer coin. But all else being equal and in the same generation holder, a 66 should still be more valuable than a 65+ to the marketplace, and that has to mean something regardless of which I think is the nicer coin.

chucknra

66 if I can afford it...if not then a 65...I don't need a +

PerryHall

Depending on the coins and their prices, the MS65+ might represent the better value.

airplanenut

<< <i>66 if I can afford it...if not then a 65...I don't need a + >>

Why wouldn't you buy the nicest coin you can afford? Forget the semantics of the label. If a "65+" is nicer than a "65," why not buy the nicer coin? As it is, the market has already held nicer coins at a premium, even without pluses.

ziggy29

<< <i>Forget the semantics of the label. If a "65+" is nicer than a "65," why not buy the nicer coin? As it is, the market has already held nicer coins at a premium, even without pluses. >>

That's what gets me about this whole thing: If we recognize that the market already does pay a premium for superior coins despite the grade on the holder, why exactly is it necessary to change the holder? Sounds like the marketplace is working without it.

RedTiger

<< <i>

<< <i>66 if I can afford it...if not then a 65...I don't need a + >>

Why wouldn't you buy the nicest coin you can afford? Forget the semantics of the label. If a "65+" is nicer than a "65," why not buy the nicer coin? As it is, the market has already held nicer coins at a premium, even without pluses. >>



There are a lot of reasons to avoid the most dangerous cliche in the hobby (buying the best coin you can afford). The reason for novice collectors is that they haven't taken the time to learn how to grade. So the novice becomes dependent on the opinions of grading services and dealers. Fine if the novice finds an honest, ethical dealer who also has a great eye for coins, and there are a good many dealers in that category. It is not so fine, if the novice finds a shady dealer that can't grade that well, or doesn't care if he/she rips their customers, selling low end coins at a full boat price. Unfortunately, there is a relatively large group of these kinds of dealers.

All collectors will tend to be better off buying coins that he/she can understand and grade for himself/herself. For the novice that will typically mean lower grade, less expensive examples. If the coin is overgraded, the monetary loss isn't so bad, the tuition isn't so steep. As the novice learns more about grading, they can move up the ladder if their budget and desire permits, but not before that. That's why I opine that the cliche "buy the best grade you can afford," is the most dangerous cliche in the hobby.

For the average novice, it will be typically a year or more of involvement at the hobby level, to learn the basics of grading. Five years or more of hobby time, to learn the finer points of high grade mint state grading. Sure there are a few exceptional novices that learn much faster, but there is also a large group that will take more time than average. A one-year novice will be doing well if they can separate MS65 coins from MS67 coins with consistency. Getting to competency for one grade separation, or the new half grades is going to take more time than that, often a lot more time.

lkeigwin

<< <i>

<< <i>Forget the semantics of the label. If a "65+" is nicer than a "65," why not buy the nicer coin? As it is, the market has already held nicer coins at a premium, even without pluses. >>

That's what gets me about this whole thing: If we recognize that the market already does pay a premium for superior coins despite the grade on the holder, why exactly is it necessary to change the holder? Sounds like the marketplace is working without it. >>

Many coins are bought sight-unseen. A plus, star, or sticker is an element that helps assure the buyer of a certain quality or appeal.
Lance.

ziggy29

<< <i>Many coins are bought sight-unseen. A plus, star, or sticker is an element that helps assure the buyer of a certain quality or appeal. >>

I understand that, but I'm looking at it from the standpoint of a collector, not an investor. I can't imagine too many collectors wanting to fill their holes sight unseen unless it's something that almost always looks the same (such as a PR69 SAE). I don't think most collectors would say "I need a bust dollar for my type set and I don't care what it looks like as long as it's PCGS 50+."

And IMO, the more we try to "price" a coin with designations on the holder, the more we are catering to sight-unseen investors than collectors.

PerryHall

<< <i>

<< <i>66 if I can afford it...if not then a 65...I don't need a + >>

Why wouldn't you buy the nicest coin you can afford? Forget the semantics of the label. If a "65+" is nicer than a "65," why not buy the nicer coin? As it is, the market has already held nicer coins at a premium, even without pluses. >>



What if the "+" coin is grossly overpriced and the plain 65 is a nice coin that's priced quite reasonably. Doesn't it come down to price versus quality?

Baley

It Depends, (i mean, it Secure Pluses) which one is more attractive at first glance to a willing buyer.

Constantine

Doesn't MS-65+ mean the grade is between 65-66? Well then, why would it have a premium over the full 66? That is with everything else being equal. I know I would prefer the coin that had the greater eye appeal etc.

LindeDad

Value is expressed in dollars just like grades are expressed in numbers. the higher number is worth more dollars.

littlebear

<< <i>Depends on which one I liked the best... I buy the coin, not the opinion. Cheers, RickO >>




The best answer ever. Truly this is what numismatics is supposed to be about.


Larry L.

TwoSides2aCoin

I will pay less for more and that's a plus.

NewParadigm

No matter what pluses or stars you put next to the grade, it still is the grade - nothing more, nothing less. I will never find myself paying more or a "+" sign......