Question on Classic Commemoratives..
denali12
Posts: 101 ✭
Been doing a lot of research and asking about Classic commemoratives lately, and really like all the different coins and stories in the series.. But here is the Conundrum- A lot of the Coins seen are obviously "cleaned" and see a lot that have been slabbed as "cleaned".
As of right now can't afford many of the MS65( and better) slabbed Coins in series- see many really nice commemoratives in 2X2 for what seems "cheap".. but i'd guess if bought and submitted, just come back "cleaned".
Is it better to buy even a AU50 or 58 or ms62 correctly slabbed, then get involved in unslabbed coins that have probably been cleaned, until I learn more and can recognize cleaned commemoratives? It is not about a return on investment so much as don't want to waste money on something without value
Thanks for any input that can help!
Comments
Wow- hope can grab some then : ) have a few ms-65 and ms-63's now...and
I would agree with the advice to go now lower than MS-63 on these coins. Pieces graded lower than that sometimes have a rub, and at any rate they are not the coins that advanced commemorative coin collectors want. I also agree with the concept of only buying these coins in the top two grading service holders, at least until you learn how to grade coins.
Grading this series is tough for some collectors because there are no detailed grading guide books for each of the 50 silver and 13 gold designs.
Many of these issues, especially from the 1930s and later were sold to collectors who carefully preserved them. Some pieces like the York, Maine almost always come in high grade (MS-65 or better). For that issue and some others, an MS-64 is "low grade."
As for "cleaned" you have decide if dipped coins are okay with you. I don't dislike them, so long as the has not been dipped so much to where it has lost its luster, but some collectors don't agree with that opinion.
The market for these coins is weak and has been that way for a long time. Collect these coins for the joy of it and hope that the market improves so that you might make a little money when you decide to sell. There are many good books that can give you advice. One of the more obscure ones is the "Encyclopedia of the Commemorative Coins of the United States" by Anthony Swiatek. The book is probably out of print, and it had a high cover price of $150
, but it contains a lot of good information, like how to tell an Unc. from an AU.
Swiatek also co-authored a book with Walter Breen many years ago that is good, but not as good as the later one in my opinion. There have been some other books written since then that are better.
thanks! will look for the book- that's been what have been struggling with, if not slabbed, just seems such a wide difference in price and in quality hard to know what really getting. And just don't want to be ripped off- do not mind paying for value.
These are so cheap nowadays that they are almost FREE!
Virtually every classic silver commem is common, common, common in high end mint state, which means buying them in AU or low mint state will generally result in only slight savings, but much less liquidity later.
In honor of the memory of Cpl. Michael E. Thompson
I'd buy as many MS63s as you can, crack them out and submitt to pcgs for the grade of ms65.
I have an old Commemorative book that I received from a forum member. It details each example with what to look for and how to grade. The pricing is no longer valid but an interesting read. I will send it to you for free if you want it. PM me your address.
I would collect 64 up already slabbed. There has been a lot of debate recently here on the forums about collecting white examples with luster and naturally toned examples. You will have to decide what you like. Flat white coins have been dipped and stripped of there original luster. Some of these flat white coins have been retoned in albums and such. Stay away from anything that has lost the original luster.
You might consider something less than a full set of 50 examples. My favorite 10 in my signature line link below. Just recently completed with an MS64 Gettysburg in an OGH Gen 3.0 holder. Always choose the high end for the grade.
I collect 64-66, but have a couple of 63's. There are some nice slabbed 63's out there...just be very picky...and prices are down.
I wouldn't recommend buying commems in AU or low MS. The value is in the nicer, high grade examples. Buy a copy of the current greysheet and look at the prices. You'll find that most coins become "expensive" (still dirt cheap compared to other series) in the ms67 grade. I would save up and try to buy ms64-66 examples. There are some beautiful designs in the series. Save up and and buy an ms65-66 Oregon. You really can't go wrong with a coin like that.
As these are so depreciated now, I wouldn't bother with anything other than nice PCGS in 65 or 66. Expensive ones like Hawaii would be an exception, but I would not buy unless could see in hand.
So many wonderful commemorative designs. Superior to circulating silver.
Buy them because you love them and won't mind losing money when you sell.
Lance.
I've found some very nice toned early commemoratives in AU and low MS.
Patience wins the day.
If buying Raw, having someone you trust look at them for you and give there opinion before you buy is key.
Enjoy
When it comes to early commems the only thing that matters today is eye appeal. They are so common that you can put together a complete 50 pc type set of MS65 at any large show. And few of the selling dealers will have any interest in buying back your set unless the coins are big on eye appeal.
Joseph J. Singleton - First Superintendent of the U.S. Branch Mint in Dahlonega Georgia
Findley Ridge Collection
About Findley Ridge
thank you so much!.. very appreciated!.. the more knowledge the better
thanks!- that is why very interested in series, really like all the different, beautiful designs and many of the very interesting stories about the Coins.
That is my big concern, see a lot, and mean a lot of the slabbed commemoratives in "cleaned" AU... so figure most of the raw coins must be cleaned, and hate to buy them and get them slabbed as cleaned. That is why so far have just bought slabbed
A poster named iwog, had some really nice ms65-67 Commem's last week on ebay, got sniped on a few thought may get. just trying to be patient.they were really nice coins
If I enjoy the Coins, that's the "value" for me..
It's like that old saying "Price is what you pay...Value is what you get"
I'm not looking at this as some investment and rate of return over the next few years, but an enjoyment of a hobby , that i'm very interested in learning more about. Like anyone, do not want to be rip-off.. that is where the knowledge and learning comes into play. If start at the right place, IMO you have a much better chance at ending at a better place.
+100 Amen.
"If I say something in the woods and my wife isn't there to hear it.....am I still wrong?"
My Washington Quarter Registry set...in progress
If you appreciate color or lightly toned undipped coins, take your time and search for coins that you would like to keep forever when you purchase for your collection. The price differences are so close for many grades 63-65 that you should try to assemble a gem MS65 or MS64 set if you can.
Commems and Early Type
Don't overlook the 3 coin P-D-S sets, sometimes on of the 3 might be a real sleeper. Lots of the sets have been broken up and sold as singles so a intact set might be a great thing to have.
Very nice.
I like the design of most of the Classic Commems, I buy them when I find ones I like. They are super cheap right now, and have been getting cheaper for years. If I were on a tight budget, I would skip buying a large number of AU and low grade MS coins and save my money to buy few nice original PCGS coins in High grade MS. I think at some point there will be a renewed collector interest in the series and/or a promotion that will stabilize prices. In the meantime I think now is a good time to buy the right coins.
thanks!.. think that will likely be the strategy go with... so far have a ms-65 Columbian.. ms-64 stone mountain..ms-66 1946 btw...and high bid on a really nice Oregon trail..
very nice stone mountain- one of my fav designs and the story behind the coin
I would stay with MS64 minimum in the top two holders IMHO
100% Positive BST transactions
Can't say have seen these sets.. will def. keep an eye out for them at shows now.. thanks!
Another facet I find interesting is locating original correspondence, holders, etc...
Adds to fun.
Aknowlegement of order envelope and letter.
Coin envelope, etc...
"If I say something in the woods and my wife isn't there to hear it.....am I still wrong?"
My Washington Quarter Registry set...in progress
If you pursue PDS sets, make sure the coins match (evidence they were kept together for years) and preferably they should have sequential slab numbers as these have:
Commems and Early Type
All very nice Dr. Mikey.
Commemoratives are really nice coins.... a buyers market right now... Great advice above.... Cheers, RickO