These two sale prices seem astonishing to me...
gscoins
Posts: 313 ✭✭✭
Yesterday, Heritage auctioned two 1941 proof Walking Liberties: a PCGS 67+ and a 68. The 67+ sold (with buyer's premium) for $1,140, the 68, again with buyer's premium, for $10,200, almost 9x the lower-graded coin's price.
Here are their respective obverses:
67+:
and the 68:
Perhaps my grading skills are lacking, but I am unable to distinguish between a 67+ and a 68. So too with these two. I suppose the Registry set competition had something to do with the price differential, but both coins (judging from these photos) seemed gorgeous to me. Given the difference in grades, the disparity in prices is amazing...
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Comments
Just because you can't see the difference doesn't mean no one can.
All comments reflect the opinion of the author, evn when irrefutably accurate.
The guide for 68 is 6k. Not sure why it garnered 10.2k. Spot at the rim on a 68 would have me passing on the coin.
Strike weakness that you see in the sun on the 67 is the main issue or difference that I see. The rainbow color of the 68 may have been part of what lifted the price.
My Collection of Old Holders
Never a slave to one plastic brand will I ever be.
As a plus being more of a grade increaser than without, I’d put the obverse of the first one as a 67 grade
I would also suggest that it may be rainbow related as well as number related
All comments reflect the opinion of the author, evn when irrefutably accurate.
67+ is nicer I think.
Great transactions with oih82w8, JasonGaming, Moose1913.
Tho I have complaints about the 68 grade
Oh, thank GOODNESS! (I thought you were talking about me)
Could there be a more obvious difference on the reverse sides?
In general, it’s virtually impossible to provide meaningful grade/quality assessments of Proof coins based upon images.
Mark Feld* of Heritage Auctions*Unless otherwise noted, my posts here represent my personal opinions.
Playing the registry game to win can be an expensive proposition.
Keeper of the VAM Catalog • Professional Coin Imaging • Prime Number Set • World Coins in Early America • British Trade Dollars • Variety Attribution
It may also be that someone is planning on cracking out that 68 for a + or maybe to cross at a higher grade or even planning some “help” to improve it for a higher grade.
I have a very hard time grading at that level. I consider myself a pretty solid grader for ms64-66Walkers, but at this level I just don’t have the experience to voice an educated opinion. I have to imagine that not many people have examined a ton of these in hand to appreciate the different.
My opinion is a straight 68.
I am usually wrong in GTG posts but I do learn from I say it is.
Wayne
Kennedys are my quest...
At least two bidders were willing to go very, very high. Will at least two be around when the coin comes up for sale again?
Depends, what do you think the chances are that it might be in a different numerical holder next time.
My Collection of Old Holders
Never a slave to one plastic brand will I ever be.
I like the details on the 67+ but that just might be me. (and the almost $9000 savings)
Indeed, That’s why I don’t.
Putting aside Mark's comment (the validity of which I don't question) there are two issues at play. Can you tell the difference and whether those differences (which have to be relative minor in those grades) warrant the $9,000 difference in price. On the second question it's obvious the buyer thought so.
Can you post the pictures of the coins in there actual pcgs holders?
I certainly will not try to explain the price difference..... If it appears in a registry set, then we will have an answer. Those coins would have be examined 'in hand' (I agree with @MFeld ) to reach a meaningful decision - maybe. Both are certainly well preserved coins. Personally, the 'burn mark' tarnish on the 67+ would put me off. Cheers, RickO
The 67+ looks better to me as well, fwiw
I like the overall look of the 68 better. Any chance a CAC sticker is involved? I have been seeing crazy prices for coins that are CAC approved. In many cases up to double non-CAC coins.
Successful BST with drddm, BustDMs, Pnies20, lkeigwin, pursuitofliberty, Bullsitter, felinfoel, SPalladino
$5 Type Set https://www.pcgs.com/setregistry/u-s-coins/type-sets/half-eagle-type-set-circulation-strikes-1795-1929/album/344192
CBH Set https://www.pcgs.com/setregistry/everyman-collections/everyman-half-dollars/everyman-capped-bust-half-dollars-1807-1839/album/345572
Doug Winter recently said this about a 1924 Saint:
“Here’s my simple pitch for this coin: you can buy it for $6,350 or you can spend $30,000+ on a PCGS/CAC MS67. And unless you are one of the three world-class collectors who can actually tell the difference between a 66+ and a 67, you now have an extra $25,00 to spend on other coins for your high grade golds type set.”
I don't find the 67+ attractive. The premium for the attractively toned 68 seems modest.
Would have to see them in person to know if either were worth bidding on.
Yes, I'd like to add a few pieces to my 1936 to 1942 Proof set run which I "nibble at" now and then, but I can't evaluate these coins from photographs. I can do it for circulated pieces and most Mint State coins, but I've learned that the Proofs end up looking the same after you get passed 63. I have to look for those coins at the shows, in person.
Although the seller currently only has a couple of dozen PCGS coins for sale, he does offer 342 NGC coins- all in new holders. So, perhaps he is submitting some.
peacockcoins
And ... It's a 1941 Proof Half Dollar, which is not a great date.
For what it's worth,, here is a 1942 which is in an NGC PR-67 holder. This one has never been dipped with some interesting colors and no spots.
2021 has been the year of astonishing Walker prices, like the one below. Yes it has nice toning, but there are 78 in this grade and 10 higher, yet it sold at 12x the price guide price of $5000.
