What would you look for in an indian gold piece?

bsshog40 · July 6, 2014 7:10AM

So I'm looking at some $2.50 indian gold pieces. Looking at about MS62 in an NGC slab. Besides the 1911D, what are some good dates and prices to look for. I was looking at a 1913 MS62 that looked pretty nice with no spots. Price is $485. Any opinions and help would be appreciated. Btw, I know I can get a1925 and up date for a little cheaper, but was looking at 1915 and below. Thanks!
I forgot to mention that the $485 price tag is still a little over my budget but was going to stretch for it if it was worth it. I can get 1928's and 1929's all day for $400 but was looking at a better date for the money.

mozin · July 6, 2014 7:32AM

If you have any interest in Registry Sets, you might want to consider the PCGS Everyman Indian Quarter Eagle Set. No MS graded coins are allowed. NGC does not have such a set. The regular PCGS Registry Sets for Indian Quarter Eagles numbers 87. The similar NGC registry set has 495 sets. The NGC Registry allows PCGS coin to be included. A full set of MS62 Indian Quarter Eagles will not rank very high, only about number 200 with NGC.

My Everyman Indian Quarter Eagle Set

crypto79 · July 6, 2014 7:38AM

I personally look for two things

1- strongly defined mint marks
2- any semblance of an O mint mark

BillJones · July 6, 2014 7:39AM

My grade of choice for these coins would be MS-64. I would rather have few very carefully selected MS-64 graded pieces that larger quantities of well selected MS-62 graded coins. The trouble with MS-62 graded coins is that they fall into a less than well tread path. There are prices in the many catalogs for MS-63, 64 and 65 graded coins, but the MS-62 coins tend it get lumped with their less desirable MS-60 and 61 graded sisters. To me it's better to form the collection slowly that to try to fill a bunch of holes all at once.

Still there are some good values in MS-62 graded coins, but you have to go to a big show and select them; you can't do it with photos; or you have to have a dealer who is really looking out for you to buy them without a personal inspection.

The second most expensive coin in the set in the better grades is the 1914, but that coin how has a Gray Sheet bid of $1,755 in MS-62, which places it beyond the reach of your stated budget. The 1914-D is also higher than your budget.

Although you say that you don't want the 1925-D to 1929 coins, those are the dates that best fit in with your budget. I'm just saying this as a reminder.

As for what to avoid, I'd advise you this way.

• Stay away from coins with spots. I don't care about light copper stains that are not in the focal areas of the design, but too many collectors do. DEFINELY stay away from any coins with dark distracting spots. It does not matter what the grade is, if the coin has any significant dark brown or blue to black spots, avoid it. These coins are very hard to re-sell.

• Stay away from scratched coins and pieces with rim nicks. Nice coins are available so there is no need by coins with even minor problems.

I really like this 1908 quarter which is in a PCGS MS-64 holder because the color and preservation. If I could for a entire collection that looked like this, I'd so it. The only drawback to the 1908 as a date is that the eagle on the reverse does lacks feather detail on the shoulder (upper wing). This was due to defect in the dies, which was corrected in all of the later years.

And to wet you appetite for something really nice, here is a 1925-D in MS-65.

BillJones · July 6, 2014 7:41AM

<< <i>I personally look for two things

1- strongly defined mint marks
2- any semblance of an O mint mark >>

"O mint mark?" The New Orleans mint did not strike any Indian quarter eagles. The last New Orleans mint quarter eagle was the 1857-O.

bsshog40 · July 6, 2014 7:54AM

Very nice examples Bill. Anything over MS62 is over my budget. I wish I could say I could save for one but life always seems to get in the way. My small work bonus sets at about $450 and I was going to add about another $50 to get a decent indian. This is not for resale but just a gold coin that I've always wanted in my collection. My heart is set on an indian gold also. Not interested in anything else.

ricko · July 6, 2014 8:19AM

I really like the Indian gold coins.... I have a nice one that is one of my favorite coins... not as nice as that 65 though Bill, that is very nice. Cheers, RickO

TwoSides2aCoin · July 6, 2014 8:25AM

These came from the same guy (Bob Osterholm RIP, the Tidy House Soap guy that few people ever heard of )

Hard to tell the difference in grades, huh ? One is AU 58 the other MS 62

PerryHall · July 6, 2014 8:31AM

Why are you only looking for an NGC slabbed coin? In the MS62 grade there are some with lousy eye appeal while others have nicer eye appeal so I would suggest going to a larger show and look at as many examples as you can and select one that is nice looking. It's good that you want a slabbed example because this series has been very heavily counterfeited and you'll at least be assured that your coin will be authentic.

bsshog40 · July 6, 2014 8:32AM

<< <i>

These came from the same guy (Bob Osterholm RIP, the Tidy House Soap guy that few people ever heard of )

Hard to tell the difference in grades, huh ? One is AU 58 the other MS 62 >>

You are correct. Both look nice!

Bochiman · July 6, 2014 9:16AM

I'd go with a very nice AU over a low grade MS "almost" every time.
Really depends what the coin looks like, but most AU (55/58), to me, look better than most MS60/61/62. MS63 and above are where I start to notice overall being more nice.

PerryHall · July 6, 2014 9:31AM

<< <i>I'd go with a very nice AU over a low grade MS "almost" every time.
Really depends what the coin looks like, but most AU (55/58), to me, look better than most MS60/61/62. MS63 and above are where I start to notice overall being more nice. >>

Agree. Some AU58's are very lustrous and appear to be mint state.

bsshog40 · July 6, 2014 10:01AM

Btw, I'll be working out of town this week and stuck in a hotel room in the evenings so my ipad will be running strong to check comments and opinions. If anyone happens to see something nice and works with my budget, then links are appreciated. MS is not an issue as much as quality is. Thanks guys!

bsshog40 · July 6, 2014 10:05AM

<< <i>If you have any interest in Registry Sets, you might want to consider the PCGS Everyman Indian Quarter Eagle Set. No MS graded coins are allowed. NGC does not have such a set. The regular PCGS Registry Sets for Indian Quarter Eagles numbers 87. The similar NGC registry set has 495 sets. The NGC Registry allows PCGS coin to be included. A full set of MS62 Indian Quarter Eagles will not rank very high, only about number 200 with NGC.

My Everyman Indian Quarter Eagle Set >>

Nice indian set! Some very nice AU's. I like the 26'. My preferences from only wanting an MS coin has changed. Lol

darktone · July 6, 2014 11:14AM

My advice is to look for one with original surfaces. With these in MS62 look for luster in the fields and don't mind the little marks. A coin with really clean looking fields is sure to be cleaned. Field luster is the key to getting a good coin.

Swampboy · July 6, 2014 11:35AM

I love quarter eagle Indians.
Here's an AU.

agentjim007 · July 6, 2014 11:40AM

#1 thing to look for is a PCGS or NGC slab.

What would you look for in an indian gold piece?

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