"Lowball" (Dollar) Coins: How to know which are worth submitting?

ProfHaroldHill · January 22, 2011 6:24AM

I'd appreciate comments/advice from anyone with experience in the field of 'lowball' coins.

Are they best perhaps just sold on BST (or ebay,) without cert'ing?

Is there any other way to guage which ones are likely to be subject to demand, or is checking the Pop-Report for low #'s ('supply',) and guesstimating likely demand, the only way(?)

Supply AND demand info would naturally be best, but the only thing I can think of is the "supply side", using the Pop-Report.

If this adds anything, at the moment I've got...

Morgan: 1884-P, 1890-S, 1901-O

Peace: 1922-S, 1923-S, 1935-S (35-S (approx AG3) Looks like maybe the best, but I don't know level of demand.)

TIA

Rampage · January 22, 2011 7:17AM

In my opinion, these are worth common melt value and nothing more. The only reason I would submit a lowball grade such as this for grading is for the sole purpose of building a grading set or if the coin was a key date (worth more than a couple hundred dollars). I have done this on a couple of times, but will not do it on a regular basis.

Rampage · January 22, 2011 7:18AM

I have been building a Hot Lips grading set over the years. I recently submitted one that has yet to grade, but I expect an FA02 out of it. Still need a PO01, but will search for it on my own.

sinin1 · January 22, 2011 7:25AM

you need to check the population reports

there are only a few strong lowball buyers - but a new low can command MS63 prices from some buyers, if it adds to their set

PCGS slab helps because of the closeness of PO-01 and F-02
and the problem coins that will not slab

Unknown · January 22, 2011 7:56AM

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Unknown · January 22, 2011 8:05AM

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AMRC · January 22, 2011 9:26AM

Keep in mind that the "low-ball" demand in question are for coins that are in the Poor to Fair range, and the allure of such a set is that it is very difficult to find a coin with that much wear and no problems. If you had photos we could probably be more help. The best way to know if a coin is worth submitting is to show it to a knowledgeable collector or dealer.

MadMarty · January 22, 2011 9:37AM

It's not as easy as everyone thinks to build a lowball set of Morgans (I spent 6 years to finish mine). The keys are easy, but there are some coins you just don't see in low grades. Now with silver way up, they are all heading for the melt buckets!! I just made a 1901-O in PO01, I'm not building a set, but just wanted to see if I can still find them! Plus I need a 5th coin for the order...