"+" Pricing

erwindoc · February 6, 2013 12:17AM

Since the plus has been out a while now, what has it done to the pricing for classic coins?

DennisH · February 6, 2013 12:27AM

In general, the premium for + coins tends to be much smaller than I expected would happen. That's not to say there aren't some big premiums out there, but they are mostly for coins we all expected to have them -- things where the price gap between one grade and the next is truly massive.

kookoox10 · February 6, 2013 12:30AM

The pricing for + coins carry no where near the premium as "star" designated examples do. They're really no different than their non-+ graded examples as far as money goes.

Tiny · February 6, 2013 12:50AM

I agree that the + (plus) does not add that large of a premium as a * (star) does. I all ways thought that
the + means the coin is a tad better than the posted grade but a * to mean the coin is a more desirable
one with enhancements to the surface like color or proof qualities. I bought several 1879 S Morgans at
FUN last month in MS 65 + and several in MS 65 * with the stars slightly higher. Then I bought two in
MS 65 + * coins that where very reasonably priced but still higher than the others. As usual, a plus or
a star and even the plus / star value is in the eye of the buyer. Sellers of a plus coin will want a higher
price but I see alot of them not selling at auction.

TahoeDale · February 6, 2013 1:04AM

My experience has been somewhat different, especially in cases where the + separates a large number pop into a top 3 or 4 for the date.

See the pops for the 1811 sm 8 CBH. One 64+, then only 3 higher in 65, 66, and 67.

There could have been a premium for the coin without the +, but it is just about guaranteed with it.

Not as much where there are multiple coins higher--a 63+ will not garner much premium if there are 20 coins graded 64 and 65.

BryceM · February 6, 2013 1:17AM

In my experience, dealers place a big premium on them but they don't command much when it's time to sell them.

Still, I like them, and one of my favorites is a coin with a plus (and maybe a sticker) in a series where the next grade up is a huge increase in price. A good example would be a 1923-S Peace Dollar. These are available for $500-600 in 64+ but a "C" coin in a 65 gem holder will sell for almost $4k.

MFH · February 6, 2013 1:50AM

As my learned friend, TahoeDale mentioned, I think
it all depends on the POP's above it.

Let say coin X sells for $100 in MS 64 ( POP of 100 )
and the same date in MS 65 ( POP of 6 ) sells for $2,500.
and there are 3 in MS 66, and one in MS 68 with zero finer.
I would think that a 64+ ( POP 2 ) would command a hefty
premium. I would venture to say it could get many multiples
of the MS 64 price.

It's all in the POP's, Doc.

lusterlover · February 6, 2013 3:06AM

<< <i>As my learned friend, TahoeDale mentioned, I think
it all depends on the POP's above it.

Let say coin X sells for $100 in MS 64 ( POP of 100 )
and the same date in MS 65 ( POP of 6 ) sells for $2,500.
and there are 3 in MS 66, and one in MS 68 with zero finer.
I would think that a 64+ ( POP 2 ) would command a hefty
premium. I would venture to say it could get many multiples
of the MS 64 price.

It's all in the POP's, Doc. >>

+1 (no pun intended)

When you're dealing with the condition rarities where the pops get thinner, the + is significant. Differentiating what is high-end for the grade with a plus is a lot more helpful than differentiating what is supposedly more eye-appealing with a *.