Circulated vs. Uncirculated 90%

tresgatos · October 15, 2011 3:52AM

Does it make sense to pay a premium for uncirculated 90%? If it comes down to where we are paying for goods and services in old silver will anybody care that you're paying with an VG-35 quarter and not a BU one?

57loaded · October 15, 2011 4:14AM

no, not in the market today. a BU vs VG should be the same.

single coin may still depend upon year, MM, etc.

pursuitofliberty · October 15, 2011 4:16AM

If you are stacking for a real STHF scenario where you would be expecting to use 90% as a form of everyday barter/currency, or if you are stacking just for silver (i.e. - "silver is silver") then absolutley not. The greater the premium, the less overall ounces you can buy.

If you believe that some silver will carry a premium (numismatically and/or just artistically/asthetically) then I think it can be a wise move, especially if the premiums are relatively modest. It offers a down-side protection (silver value alone) and two upside potentials ... silver value (although as prices rise, premiums typically drop on Unc 90%) and numismatic premium.

I paid about 43x face last spring for a pristine roll of 47-D dimes. I think 90% was right about 30x when I made the purchase. I was happy, and still am ... a nice bit of history, and there really are some gem+ coins in that roll. Based on the actual silver content, I am underwater, by a ways ... but Gem 47-D Roosies are not the most common, and I suspect I could even produce a mild profit if I broke the roll up and sold it piece meal. I might take a small hit if I sold them as a roll to a roll collector, but silver is down $10. from when that purchase was made.

Just my opinions (and an experience) ... as always, consider your moves for yourself

piecesofme · October 15, 2011 4:17AM

As long as it's a common date and mintmark, I absolutely offer no premium when buying. You're buying the silver, not the condition these days til further notice.

chumley · October 15, 2011 4:45AM

looks down at his rolls of proof halves...absolutely devastated

BigE · October 15, 2011 5:00AM

I absolutely would pay a premium for unc vs circ bags, especially if they were rolls(rolled)----------BigE

PerryHall · October 15, 2011 5:10AM

Since there is no premium, I would buy the uncirculated 900 fine silver coins.

Wingsrule · October 15, 2011 5:15AM

Always an interesting question. Some will say a premium is deserved because there is 'more' silver in an UNC than a VF and a VF versus a cull. It depends on whether you are doing the buying or selling as to your position.

Jinx86 · October 15, 2011 5:15AM

ask around you should be able to buy proof coinage at the same cost as circ 90%.

mkman123 · October 15, 2011 5:20AM

for collecting, uncirc is nice to have. For just general stacking doesn't matter except you will probably be bored so its fun to try and get uncircs, proofs, etc for your stack.

piecesofme · October 15, 2011 5:38AM

Some will say a premium is deserved because there is 'more' silver in an UNC than a VF and a VF versus a cull

That is exactly the way the buyer that I sell to around here looks at it. But when I point out to him that there is more heavier (coins that aren't worn down, i.e. proofs) coins in the Lot than there are culls, we come to an agreement that it evens out at a minumum for him, and he gives me the 90% silver price.
So, if you're selling a large Lot that has some proof and a few culls mixed in...it's just all 90% silver.
To sit there and pick thru a pile just to try and get all the proofs, guess what, you've tipped your hand to the B&M seller and then yes...you will pay a premium because he now knows that's what you're exclusively looking for and can use that against you in the bargaining that will go on to purchase.
If you can see that it all just about evens out with the culls and proofs that are mixed, then just buy all of it and get a better price then do what you want to with the proofs.

DrBuster · October 15, 2011 5:43AM

I dunno, I always ask to pick from his rolls when I buy 90% at my guys shop. I look for a mix of solid stuff and then good looking stuff, so I mix it up and get the same price. The barber and slq rolls I've put together from him vs. the frankies and good walkers range and I get the same price. I'd swallow a coinflation+1 tick on the older stuff if it looks good though.

57loaded · October 15, 2011 5:59AM

<< <i>If it comes down to where we are paying for goods and services in old silver will anybody care? >>

to stay on topic the core answer to your question again is no. (IMHO)

FistFullOfDollars · October 17, 2011 12:04AM

My local b&m sells culls, circ & proofs for the same price. Every week I was buying 5 60-64 proof sets, there were probably 100 sets in the beginning. I got about 40 sets total before someone came in one day and bought the rest of the sets, I was highly disappointed on my next visit.

GrumpyEd · October 17, 2011 11:01AM

<< <i>Since there is no premium, I would buy the uncirculated 900 fine silver coins >>

I agree. This gives some extra protection.
In a SHTF scenario it won't matter but part of being prepared means being prepared for anything that comes which could be a SHTF or it could be nothing that major happens and silver drops or stays the same but unc rolls get a premium. Given a choice I'd get the unc rolls if there's little or no premium even if they're common dates.

Circulated vs. Uncirculated 90%

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