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Which company's FSBs sell for more?
mcarney1173
Posts: 927 ✭✭✭✭✭
I want to start a 1939-1945 FSB Mercury Dime Set (minus the 1945 P) and some coins I have are ANACS, while others I plan on buying raw. If I was to join either NGC or PCGS:
Which company is stricter in their FSB grading?
and
Does a PCGS or NGC FSB Merc sell for more?
Which company is stricter in their FSB grading?
and
Does a PCGS or NGC FSB Merc sell for more?
0
Comments
but designations are over rated and virtually useless anway. Just buy nice well struck coins that are solid
for the grade regardless of designation.
Have fun with your new adventure. Buying raw, either toned or white, and submitting yourself is very doable at a quite cheap price if you take your time and watch pricing.
Ken
<< <i>Thanks for the advice so far. Why is the 1945 so much in FSB. It's mintage is 100 million! >>
Very low pop coin. They are often poorly struck and rarely found with FSB.
Did I mention that designations are meaningless and over rated?
Don't worry about who's plastic they are in, look at the coin and buy the coin on its merits. Be open minded and don't fall into the trap I fell into early... I was one of those "it has to be white" thinkers. What you find out pretty quick is many of those white coins were dipped and that is why they are white.
Simply go for the best quality you can afford. Also look at the coin and if you like it most likely others will, too; however, if you think they are ugly, so will others. Don't settle for something you don't like or you will just be replacing it later on...
Many years ago I would have said NGC was stricter on the bands because all three sets had to be split. PCGS just looks at the center bands. Both companies are reputable and it simply comes down to your choice. Some would say I'm a Kool-Aid drinker on this, but it seems PCGS graded coins many times will be easier to sell and will sell a bit higher.
President, Racine Numismatic Society 2013-2014; Variety Resource Dimes; See 6/8/12 CDN for my article on Winged Liberty Dimes; Ebay
What Ken and Tony said. And bands are over rated and verrrrrrrrrrrry expensive on some issues!
Stick with the FB's. The only marketable post 1931 non-full band dimes are the 1942/1 dimes (which is all about the obverse) and PCGS MS-68 graded non FB dimes.
Also stick with PCGS unless you find a very old (fatty) NGC slabbed mercury dime.
<< <i>I do not agree that FSB (or FB) are overrated. In fact, when I converse and discuss mercs with other mercury dime collectors they want FB's at a 10 to 1 ratio or more! >>
To paraphrase: Kool aide is preferred 10-1 over other beverages.
<< <i>To paraphrase: Kool aide is preferred 10-1 over other beverages. >>
Exactly. Demand is much much more important than the supply.
Do not fight what the crowd wants.
The only way you can buy non full band dimes is to think outside the box and do what fcloud is currently doing. Buying non FB varieties. They are very interesting to collect, not too expensive but a comparatively tiny group of followers. But that could change.
Oreville make that a 9 to 2 ratio......
Ken
One last comment, about 5 years ago when I had my set, the common thinking was that NGC was a full point more liberal in grading. That is VERY important when buying 68s. I have not followed the grading over the past few years for this series, but I suspect there are still a lot of coins where that spread is still applicable.
The key is seeing lots of coins and learning to grade for yourself. It takes a while and of course I would only buy PCGS or coins I would crack out and send into PCGS as that will protect your market value for the coin the best. I have nothing against the other services, but when you go to sell you will generally get more money for a PCGS coin.
This advice is worth exactly what you paid for it. Have fun and good luck with your Mercs, they are fabulous coins!!!
Getting back to the OP's question: I think PCGS is stricter with the numerical grade, and that alone is enough to make me prefer PCGS. I used to purchase an ocassional NGC coin through auctions or look at them at shows, and often felt the grade should have been a point lower. Not that PCGS is perfect, but their grading tends to be more in line with mine.
Jim
"Buying raw, either toned or white, and submitting yourself is very doable at a quite cheap price if you take your time and watch pricing."
Ken
<< <i>relicsncoins your coin and one I will attach is exactly why I put the following statement in a previous post to this thread. Many raw nice mercs are still available for a very good price if you take your time and keep watching. The 23 was a ebay win for $22.50 delivered.
"Buying raw, either toned or white, and submitting yourself is very doable at a quite cheap price if you take your time and watch pricing."
Ken >>
Nice 23 Ken!!
<< <i> I don't know if one is tougher with the designation, but designations are over rated and virtually useless anway. >>
<< <i> Did I mention that designations are meaningless and over rated? >>
<< <i>
<< <i>I do not agree that FSB (or FB) are overrated. In fact, when I converse and discuss mercs with other mercury dime collectors they want FB's at a 10 to 1 ratio or more! >>
To paraphrase: Kool aide is preferred 10-1 over other beverages. >>
Why do you keep saying this?
The OP stated what HE was looking for.
The name is LEE!