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Your Opinions on the Value of Low Grade Shield Nickel Varieties

CRHer700CRHer700 Posts: 2,142 ✭✭✭✭✭
edited December 27, 2025 3:31PM in U.S. Coin Forum

I actually have come up with a plan to collect these, as I find their diversity to be quite interesting. However, I have one issue: many of the coins that I look at for varieties are low grade, and I don't know how to put a value on a coin that is an AG-3 or a G-4. I don't care about the grade(as long as you can see the variety in question, and it isn't damaged), but I also don't want to really over pay on something of little value because of the grade. Sorry if this doesn't make sense, but I wanted some guidance before I jumped into this.
For example, the following coin, a 1870 DDR FS-801


I wouldn't mind it in my collection, but I also wouldn't want to pay an amount that I couldn't live with. So, if anyone specializes in this type of thing, I would really appreciate some advice. Thanks.

God bless all who believe in him. Do unto others what you expect to be done to you. Dubbed a "Committee Secret Agent" by @mr1931S on 7/23/24. Founding member of CU Anti-Troll League since 9/24/24.

Comments

  • yosclimberyosclimber Posts: 5,283 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited December 27, 2025 4:41PM

    This is a nice easily visible variety and seems relatively common in the Population Report.

    In general, your reservation price for any coin should depend on the price distribution at the grade you are looking for, and how long you are willing to wait to find one.
    When I was actively buying on ebay, I did not mind waiting to buy at a lower price, and I would set my reservation price at about the 20% percentile of what I saw in past Sold Items. So I would only "win" in about 20% of auctions.
    A "reservation price" is a price rule where you only buy if an item is priced less than or equal to that amount.

  • CRHer700CRHer700 Posts: 2,142 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @yosclimber said:
    This is a nice easily visible variety and seems relatively common in the Population Report.

    In general, your reservation price for any coin should depend on the price distribution at the grade you are looking for, and how long you are willing to wait to find one.
    When I was actively buying on ebay, I did not mind waiting to buy at a lower price, and I would set my reservation price at about the 20% percentile of what I saw in past Sold Items. So I would only "win" in about 20% of auctions.
    A "reservation price" is a price rule where you only buy if an item is priced less than or equal to that amount.

    Makes sense, I’ll give it a try.

    God bless all who believe in him. Do unto others what you expect to be done to you. Dubbed a "Committee Secret Agent" by @mr1931S on 7/23/24. Founding member of CU Anti-Troll League since 9/24/24.

  • 291fifth291fifth Posts: 25,120 ✭✭✭✭✭

    There are simply too many minor varieties in the series. Pay no premium for any minor varieties. Just pay for the date in the appropriate grade. If you go to shows bring a few of your own varieties with you. When a seller asks for a premium pull out your varieties and offer them for sale to him. You will likely find that minor shield nickel varieties are a one way market.

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  • Walkerguy21DWalkerguy21D Posts: 12,058 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Not sure if you have access to shows, but if this was something I was seeking, I’d be digging through dealers’ box stock and binders, to cherry-pick my own.
    Just be courteous and don’t hog up prime viewing areas over the cases for extended periods.

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  • CRHer700CRHer700 Posts: 2,142 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @Walkerguy21D said:
    Not sure if you have access to shows, but if this was something I was seeking, I’d be digging through dealers’ box stock and binders, to cherry-pick my own.
    Just be courteous and don’t hog up prime viewing areas over the cases for extended periods.

    I am going to the FUN show and am planning on doing just that.

    God bless all who believe in him. Do unto others what you expect to be done to you. Dubbed a "Committee Secret Agent" by @mr1931S on 7/23/24. Founding member of CU Anti-Troll League since 9/24/24.

  • CRHer700CRHer700 Posts: 2,142 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @291fifth said:
    There are simply too many minor varieties in the series. Pay no premium for any minor varieties. Just pay for the date in the appropriate grade. If you go to shows bring a few of your own varieties with you. When a seller asks for a premium pull out your varieties and offer them for sale to him. You will likely find that minor shield nickel varieties are a one way market.

    I get it. It's just something I am interested in.

    The only thing is is that I know that the prices listed in the Cherrypickers guide, and those listed for sales don't always actually line up, and sometimes it is hard to know which ones qualify as minor or major.

    God bless all who believe in him. Do unto others what you expect to be done to you. Dubbed a "Committee Secret Agent" by @mr1931S on 7/23/24. Founding member of CU Anti-Troll League since 9/24/24.

  • Cougar1978Cougar1978 Posts: 9,668 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Pass on them

    Investor

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