Need some expert advice on buying generic gold Saint Gaudens

hchcoin

Does it matter if they are PCGS or NGC?

I noticed these grades and prices:

MS62: $1360
MS63: $1418
MS64: $1485
MS65: $1792
MS66: $2250

Any advice on which grade/price is best and why? Is it just spot plus a premium for the generics?

Anything else to look out for? For example, spots, puttied look, etc...

Are certain generic dates or mintmarks more desirable?

Thanks in advance.

FullStrike

CAC it all the way. All Saints were resubmitted a million times trying to get an upgrade.

Boosibri

I'd only buy PCGS/CAC saints. Much more liquid and will hold up better if prices fall and will go up just as fast if prices rise.

Sonorandesertrat

<< <i>I'd only buy PCGS/CAC saints. Much more liquid and will hold up better if prices fall and will go up just as fast if prices rise. >>

georgiacop50

You want an MS66 CAC especially if you don't have to pay too large a premium for the bean.

Then you'll have a specimen that is very likely going to to have considerable eye appeal and you'll never be 2nd guessing wether or not it is graded properly.

lunytune2

Reading the forums make me feal like such a loser , I can't even buy my generic gold right !

MilkmanDan

Are you buying bullion or coins for collectible value?

RYK

The 64 looks like the value play, at this point.

The 66/CAC trades more like a numismatic coin than a generic. Expect to pay in the $3600-3800 range, not the number in the OP.

joebb21

Prices there are mostly fair and can be shopped around for better pricing.
Ultimately you want spot free coins.

Up to and including ms63 there is little difference between pcgs and ngc.
Once ms64 and above it, you can expect to pay $10-$30 more per coin pcgs vs ngc.

Cac ms64's are incredibly cheap right now and can be found in the $1450-$1500 range.
I just sold an ms64+ cac today for $1525.

hope that helps.

lunytune2

I get ms63 and 64's and try to CAC myself.

Timbuk3

PCGS/CAC, MS grade, no copper spots !!!

lunytune2

<< <i>PCGS/CAC, MS grade, no copper spots !!! >>



+1

puffer

It's definitely a buyer's market.

Greeniejr

It depends on your purpose for buying them. If you are buying them as a semi-bullion item I would almost certainly go with unspotted MS64 maybe MS65 non-CAC. They have taken the biggest price hit and likely have room to move upward with the price of gold. CAC coins are great if you are looking for coins you may actually look at and want to pay extra for quality. It is not exactly the same but it would be similar to buying USGE in MS70. There really is no reason to pay the premium especially on MS65 and MS66 CAC Saints. The other thing is that the price on CAC pieces has not come down that much so the upward potential is probably not there either. This is purely addressing this as a semi-bullion play and not looking for high quality US coins.
Another area that has really taken a hit is MS64 $2.5 Indians. In that case prices on everything including CAC coins has been decimated and CAC examples are probably the best buy.

roadrunner

The 64 grade is probably the best value right now....assuming gold doesn't visit $1050 in 2015. If you can get 64 CAC's for <$50-$75 premium those might be worth it. But the coins are so generic that a quality 64, without a sticker, spot free, and with original looking surfaces, PCGS or NGC, is a decent value....at little premiums to 63 and lower grades. If or when gold recovers again in price, history has shown that CAC premiums in the 64 and 65 grades will shrink considerably. The current premiums for 65 and 66 stickered coins is pretty sizable. And the reason for that is that only 5-15% of those grades typically sticker. A stickered MS65 is probably a lot harder to find than a generic 66....and they are roughly equivalent coins. As long as the 62's to 64's you consider are wholesome and eye appealing I wouldn't get too hung up on stickers or holders. If the gold price does recover in the years ahead the 0.9675 oz of pure gold will be what matters most. 64's can increase their premiums considerably from current levels.

veryfine

Although the price gold is lower than it was, it's still way too high for my taste. That is the main reason I would go for the 66 grade, as the tie to gold prices is less important.

DKenny

But if you're looking to collect, quality must be important and that is why people should stick with beaned Saints. Especially if it is the case that most Saints have been submitted a million times for a higher grade. The main question that I would have is how to get the best quality coin (MS64-66 CAC) for the best price, and also get a better date as the 1924 and 1928 (and also 1908 No Motto, 1923-D, 1925, 1926, 1927) Saints are so common any dealer who regularly trades gold must get tired of seeing them and will not be inclined to offer as much if people want to sell.

BillJones

I would by generic St. Gaudens $20 gold pieces in MS-64 or MS-63+. I would stay away from anything graded lower than MS-63. Those coins are mostly "lumps of gold."

The prices for the MS-65 and 66 pieces do look attractive right now, but I'd be concerned about the "C" coins that are marginal for those grades and therefore over priced. The CAC thing does make sense if you are not comfortable with your grading, but I would not pay huge premiums, like a couple hundred dollars, for them. Generic $20 St. Gaudens gold coins are not rare, and you should have to have stretch to buy them at the current market levels.

Never, never buy raw coins. Getting stuck with one counterfeit will more than off set whatever saving you get on a group of genuine coins. The prices generally have the certification costs built into them, and it's not much.

puffer

I bought a large lot of generic Saints including a number of MS65 NGC and PCGS coins. None CAC'd, carries a big upside, was over $500. One with stuff on the surface was rejected by HA who makes bids on these when they need them. I sent it through PCGS restoration and sold on ebay where the lady customer got upset that she didn't think it was a true gem, I just told her to send it back. These do not belong in auction with the % cost. HA and Rarcoa have them based on their bid/ask sheets but you take the chance of getting dogs unless you check their online images.

DKenny

<< <i>I would by generic St. Gaudens $20 gold pieces in MS-64 or MS-63+. I would stay away from anything graded lower than MS-63. Those coins are mostly "lumps of gold."

The prices for the MS-65 and 66 pieces do look attractive right now, but I'd be concerned about the "C" coins that are marginal for those grades and therefore over priced. The CAC thing does make sense if you are not comfortable with your grading, but I would not pay huge premiums, like a couple hundred dollars, for them. Generic $20 St. Gaudens gold coins are not rare, and you should have to have stretch to buy them at the current market levels.

Never, never buy raw coins. Getting stuck with one counterfeit will more than off set whatever saving you get on a group of genuine coins. The prices generally have the certification costs built into them, and it's not much. >>



There are plenty of counterfeit gold coins out there particularly with Saints, and the Indian Head $10, $5, and $2.50. But from what I know, it's more the Indian head coins which attract more people with a lower price point.