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To grade or not to grade

Mitchell56Mitchell56 Posts: 6
edited October 7, 2025 12:59PM in U.S. Coin Forum

Hi,

I recently came into possession of several coins. I’m wondering if I should get them graded or if they are not worthy and if I should just sell them for melt value. The climes are two double eagles 1887-S. Indian head-D 1909, and two $5 liberty heads 1891 and 1903 both S mint.

Regards



Comments

  • Morgan WhiteMorgan White Posts: 11,046 ✭✭✭✭✭

    I'd just sell them as is. I doubt certifying them will add enough value to overcome the cost.

  • Mitchell56Mitchell56 Posts: 6
    edited October 7, 2025 12:56PM

    I’m adding this picture of the Indian head.

  • Coins3675Coins3675 Posts: 652 ✭✭✭

    To not to grade

  • PerryHallPerryHall Posts: 46,989 ✭✭✭✭✭

    These are essentially bullion coins. Not worth the expense to get them slabbed.

    Worry is the interest you pay on a debt you may not owe.
    "Paper money eventually returns to its intrinsic value---zero."----Voltaire
    "Everything you say should be true, but not everything true should be said."----Voltaire

  • @Rexford said:
    What date is the 5 Roubles?

    The five roubles is 1902

  • RexfordRexford Posts: 1,323 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @Mitchell56 said:

    @Rexford said:
    What date is the 5 Roubles?

    The five roubles is 1902

    Not worth submitting then in that state.

  • pcgsregistrycollectorpcgsregistrycollector Posts: 2,001 ✭✭✭✭✭

    You got money but I would keep them raw

    Proud follower of Christ!

  • Cougar1978Cougar1978 Posts: 8,918 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited October 8, 2025 7:52AM

    I would get them graded. Big ticket coins. Would want to know. The world coins likely low pop coins. Not something I would give away at melt. Otherwise potential buyers will try lowball you get them at melt. Furthermore many are biased against world material will try rip you too. For world I look at the NGC world app. Find out what CV is. Once slabbed you can research what online sellers selling them for. Then arrive at some idea for you - proper retail pricing. For the US after getting graded research what CDN CPG is. With gold going up like it has, would get the retail price I want or just sit on them.

    Investor
  • sanddollarsanddollar Posts: 365 ✭✭✭

    @Cougar1978 said:
    _** I would get them graded. Big ticket coins. Would want to know. With gold going up like it has, would get the retail price I want or just sit on them.**_

    Agree. The 1878s are two great coins and deserve encapsulation.

  • Cougar1978Cougar1978 Posts: 8,918 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited October 8, 2025 7:34PM

    Yes getting the 1878 issues graded certainly a top priority. I believe their CPG after grading wb considerably above melt. Once graded we can see what their CPG MV says.

    Their CPG MV is $4850 VF 20- AU 58. Gold spot is $4010.80. At this time. I would not call them bullion coins.

    Investor
  • TomBTomB Posts: 22,153 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @Cougar1978 said:
    Yes getting the 1878 issues graded certainly a top priority. I believe their CPG after grading wb considerably above melt. Once graded we can see what their CPG MV says.

    Their CPG MV is $4850 VF 20- AU 58. Gold spot is $4010.80. At this time. I would not call them bullion coins.

    Those 1878-S double eagles are heavily circulated. No one is going to pay much of a premium for them in that condition. The issue is quite scarce in mint state, but coins like those imaged are not valued with a high premium.

    Thomas Bush Numismatics & Numismatic Photography

    In honor of the memory of Cpl. Michael E. Thompson

    image
  • MFeldMFeld Posts: 15,232 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @TomB said:

    @Cougar1978 said:
    Yes getting the 1878 issues graded certainly a top priority. I believe their CPG after grading wb considerably above melt. Once graded we can see what their CPG MV says.

    Their CPG MV is $4850 VF 20- AU 58. Gold spot is $4010.80. At this time. I would not call them bullion coins.

    Those 1878-S double eagles are heavily circulated. No one is going to pay much of a premium for them in that condition. The issue is quite scarce in mint state, but coins like those imaged are not valued with a high premium.

    Agreed. That poster appears to be fixated on published retail values rather than realistic market pricing.

    Mark Feld* of Heritage Auctions*Unless otherwise noted, my posts here represent my personal opinions.

  • Maybe these pics would offer slightly better clarity.


  • logger7logger7 Posts: 9,154 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Little if any numismatic value; I'd look for a precious metals dealer who has a top line gold assayer and try to get around spot price based on that.

  • MFeldMFeld Posts: 15,232 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @Cougar1978 said:
    I would get them graded. Big ticket coins. Would want to know. The world coins likely low pop coins. Not something I would give away at melt. Otherwise potential buyers will try lowball you get them at melt. Furthermore many are biased against world material will try rip you too. For world I look at the NGC world app. Find out what CV is. Once slabbed you can research what online sellers selling them for. Then arrive at some idea for you - proper retail pricing. For the US after getting graded research what CDN CPG is. With gold going up like it has, would get the retail price I want or just sit on them.

    Your recommendation “Once slabbed you can research what online sellers selling them for” is perfectly backwards. Coins should be researched before (not after) spending money to have them graded. If you do the research afterwards you might discover that the coins didn’t merit the cost of grading. And contrary to your advice, that’s probably the case here.

    Mark Feld* of Heritage Auctions*Unless otherwise noted, my posts here represent my personal opinions.

  • Thanks for the comments. I decided to sell them as bullion.

  • ajaanajaan Posts: 17,660 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @Mitchell56 said:
    Thanks for the comments. I decided to sell them as bullion.

    Wise move IMO.


    DPOTD-3
    'Emancipate yourselves from mental slavery'

    CU #3245 B.N.A. #428


    Don
  • @ajaan said:

    @Mitchell56 said:
    Thanks for the comments. I decided to sell them as bullion.

    Wise move IMO.

    With gold up over 50% in à year I think regression to the mean is in order so I think $4000/ounce is a good price to sell.

  • logger7logger7 Posts: 9,154 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Dillon Gage used to offer 99% on gold, not sure what they're doing now.

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