Another newbie question re bluesheet/grey/green
curiousgeorge
Posts: 35
I was searching for what is the difference between a bluesheet and a greysheet when I came across a reference to a greensheet. However, I never found a good answer to my questions. If anyone can answer these questions I will owe a debt of gratitude.
1. What is the greysheet
2. What is the bluesheet
3. What is the greensheet
4. What is the difference between these three "colored sheets"
5. How do I obtain the "latest grey/green/blue sheet". Is there a subscription service for this information?
1. What is the greysheet
2. What is the bluesheet
3. What is the greensheet
4. What is the difference between these three "colored sheets"
5. How do I obtain the "latest grey/green/blue sheet". Is there a subscription service for this information?
0
Comments
Click here to subscribe or buy single copies.
I use it mostly just to be able to tell which Morgan dollars are the common ones and which are the more difficult.
Russ, NCNE
Doggedly collecting coins of the Central American Republic.
Visit the Society of US Pattern Collectors at USPatterns.com.
The "Graysheet" is purportedly a wholesale price list of buy and ask prices although it is widely subscribed to by collectors as well. It should be used only as a guide to pricing. Always combine other price sources (auction records, retail ads, direct dealer quotations) to determine market prices.
The Bluesheet is for sight-unseen pricing of certified coins. These would typically be coins that are low-end for the listed grade.
Please stay with me here,as I tend be very slow and ask numerous questions, thus my handle.
Should certified coins bring a higher premium than non-certified coins? If so, why should I just pay the raw price + slabbing fees? Or is the difference for the safety of knowing company x certifies my coin is MS-XY grad? Do these independent grading services stand behind their guarantees? If so, is this insurance (for lack of a better word) transferrable from one owner to another? Why couldnt the grading company simply state this coin is MS-xy and the other party is wrong on the grade? Is there an ultimate source for a grade? i.e. Does the ANA or some non-profit org have the final say?
<< <i>It appears the greysheet is the "Coin Dealer Newsletter" and the bluesheet is the certified coin dealer newsletter. So, other than the fact that one is aimed at certified coins what is the difference between the two? >>
As Veep said, the Bluesheet is for sight-unseen slabbed coins, typically the low-end ones for the grade. That implies the worst coins in a particular grade. Let's say someone had a bad day at the grading company and put a ugly, unattractive coin in a 66 holder, and the coin is worth double in 66 what it is in 65. No one who sees the coin is willing to pay a 66 price, since it's just an ugly coin and there are 66s out there which are nice looking. So that coin can be sold sight-unseen at the Bluesheet price, but the vast majority of 66s will bring more.
<< <i>Should certified coins bring a higher premium than non-certified coins? >>
They often do, but not always. For example, any of the designations (CAM, etc.) will usually add to the value of a certified coin, compared to the same coin raw.
<< <i>If so, why should I just pay the raw price + slabbing fees? Or is the difference for the safety of knowing company x certifies my coin is MS-XY grad? >>
Not really for the safety, but for the guarantee and the knowledge the coin is genuine, not altered, not tooled, etc.
<< <i>Do these independent grading services stand behind their guarantees? If so, is this insurance (for lack of a better word) transferrable from one owner to another? >>
The top companies do. I believe some of the third-tier services only refund the grading fee if it's determined they screwed up, which isn't really any protection at all. If you find a counterfeit coin in a top service's holder, they'll refund what you paid for the coin (within reason.) The top services guarantee is good as long as it's in their holder, regardless of who owns it.
<< <i>Why couldnt the grading company simply state this coin is MS-xy and the other party is wrong on the grade? Is there an ultimate source for a grade? i.e. Does the ANA or some non-profit org have the final say? >>
All grading is an opinion. Even the experts can and do disagree on the grade of a coin at times. There's no "ultimate source", and no one has the final say. Also, grading standards can change. What was a MS65 in 1989 might be a MS67 today, or it might not.
New collectors, please educate yourself before spending money on coins; there are people who believe that using numismatic knowledge to rip the naïve is what this hobby is all about.
Kranky,
The only thing I might quibble with is this:
<< <i>There's no "ultimate source", and no one has the final say. >>
I'd argue that the collector has the final say.
Russ, NCNE
Official Guide to Coin Grading and Counterfeit Detection, by PCGS
How to Grade U.S. Coins, by James L. Halperin
Official A.N.A. grading Standards for United States Coins, by the ANA
After you reading these, you will see that grading is some combination of art and science. I actually believe the best graders have a true gift.
Regarding your question... The Greensheet is the Paper Money Price Guide from CDN.
Numonebuyer
The fourth edition was published a few years ago. It gives great descriptions and good advice about grading services, how to buy coins, how to sell coins, etc.
I wish I had read it first when I was a new collector!
Check out the Southern Gold Society