To what extent do you use pop reports in making your coin purchases?

bidask · June 23, 2011 8:23AM

Do you look at pop reports before making a coin purchase?

If so do you use PCGS, NGC, CAC?

I normally use PCGS but check out NGC just to get an idea of total POPS for the coin I am buying.

I understand pops may be overstated on some coins due too collectors successfully crossing or cracking out and getting an upgrade .......but I am not really sure which coin series that is prevalent in......do you?

More recently I am using CAC though I recognize their data is somewhat in an early stage of information.

Your thoughts?

llafoe · June 23, 2011 8:26AM

We have a spreadsheet that documents population by PCGS, NGC and CAC, for every coin we collect. We just began collecting PCGS CAC coins and the NGC population helps a little in viewing the CAC population.

LeeBone · June 23, 2011 8:26AM

Sometimes if I`m deciding on a couple coins, I`ll check the PCGS Pop. to maybe sway me to one or the other.

Really though, hardly ever.

bidask · June 23, 2011 8:35AM

<< We have a spreadsheet that documents population by PCGS, NGC and CAC, for every coin we collect. We just began collecting PCGS CAC coins and the NGC population helps a little in viewing the CAC population. >>

how does the ngc pops help in viewing the cac pops?

keyman64 · June 23, 2011 8:35AM

I use all POP Reports with a "grain of salt" if you will. It is like the price guides...they are guides or ballpark figures to help you make decisions. Just another tool in the toolbox if you will. Only when you use as many references/tools as possible can you make the most informed decision.

devious · June 23, 2011 8:39AM

<< I use all POP Reports with a "grain of salt" if you will. It is like the price guides...they are guides or ballpark figures to help you make decisions. Just another tool in the toolbox if you will. Only when you use as many references/tools as possible can you make the most informed decision. >>

I agree with this statement. Since precision is hard to obtain with population reports, it is much like the guides and we can only be guided by it and not make definite informed decisions. I still have some inserts yet to send in

FilamCoins · June 23, 2011 12:49PM

Together with a half dozen other data points to make an informed decision.

pruebas · June 23, 2011 1:49PM

<< Together with a half dozen other data points to make an informed decision. >>

I agree.

And the NGC Census is more useful for world coins.

Unknown · June 23, 2011 1:56PM

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Tiny · June 23, 2011 2:04PM

WHY ??

I use the coin and if I want it

blu62vette · June 23, 2011 2:10PM

I use the pops quite a bit. I only use PCGS pops.

breakdown · June 23, 2011 2:19PM

Not much for small purchases. For larger ones, I definitely pay attention to PCGS and CAC pops. Another "pop" I find helpful for bigger potential purchases is the number of auction records for a particular issue in CoinFacts.

Bochiman · June 23, 2011 2:33PM

Depends on the coin I am looking at.
If it is a nominal price, I check recent history, look at the coin, and try to evaluate based on how nice the coin looks at what they go for around that price.

If it is for 4 figures+, I do the same as above and also look at the pops for PCGS, which is what I am buying the coin in most likely. CAC doesn't have a lot for some of these at the moment so their reports wouldn't matter to me for their pops.

savoyspecial · June 23, 2011 2:48PM

pop reports are meaningless.......if you had some idea of how many quality coins are out there that will never see a holder, you would agree

OKbustchaser · June 24, 2011 2:35AM

None. I use the "Look at the balance in my checkbook." method.

Bankerbob56 · June 24, 2011 2:41AM

ZERO!

As a true collector, pop reports are unimportant.

pocketpiececommems · June 24, 2011 2:41AM

I use the pop reports to see what lowball commems are out there somewhere that I don't have.

roadrunner · June 24, 2011 6:48AM

Have used them extensively when making comparisons between denominations, grades, different types, etc. For example how do MS64 $20 Libs stack up against say MS64 $10 Indians? Which might be the better value long term. Or comparing pops of $10 Indians from MS61 to 65 over several years to learn that the 61's have barely budged while 63's and up exploded. Or comparing total pops in Unc of say an 1872-s seated half vs. an 1869-s. Have also used it a lot to compare type coins to each other to see if any are lagging in price...such as an MS64 1854-55 half vs a MS65 Barber half or a MS63 Seated dollar. Excellent tools for making comparisons where the pops are large enough as well as when hardly any coins have shown up. When it comes to type coins the percentages that have been submitted across the board is pretty equal. So it matters little if 75% of all worthwhile coins have been slabbed, or only 25%.

Just a tool, but a worthwhile one when employed properly. If not for these you'd be individually counting all the appearances of coins in the auction house archives. When it comes to coin purchases I find myself comparing pops quite frequently to squeeze out some extra value when you already know the value of comparable coin.

roadrunner

IrishMikey · June 24, 2011 6:57AM

I have never used a Pop report when buying a coin.

roadrunner · June 24, 2011 7:02AM

If one is a "pure" collector, the price you pay for a coin is irrelevant and unimportant as well.

Fortunately, that's the one "badge of honor" I don't have. I'll just have to live with being less than "pure."

roadrunner

coinman23885 · June 25, 2011 12:40AM

<< Do you look at pop reports before making a coin purchase?

If so do you use PCGS, NGC, CAC?

I normally use PCGS but check out NGC just to get an idea of total POPS for the coin I am buying.

I understand pops may be overstated on some coins due too collectors successfully crossing or cracking out and getting an upgrade .......but I am not really sure which coin series that is prevalent in......do you?

More recently I am using CAC though I recognize their data is somewhat in an early stage of information.

Your thoughts? >>

I do consider both PCGS and NGC population reports, but I take them with a grain of salt given the number of resubmissions. I am, however, very interested in the CAC population reports.

tcmitssr · June 25, 2011 1:15AM

I don't use pop reports at all.

However, since I submitted my Silver Classic Commem Registry typeset, in its entirety for Secure Plus, I've looked at it a few times. I was pleasantly surprised to find I made several Pop 1's, especially in the + grades which capivate my interest in looking in on them, periodically, to see if they are still pop 1, which they are.

bidask · June 25, 2011 1:53AM

<< I don't use pop reports at all.

However, since I submitted my Silver Classic Commem Registry typeset, in its entirety for Secure Plus, I've looked at it a few times. I was pleasantly surprised to find I made several Pop 1's, especially in the + grades which capivate my interest in looking in on them, periodically, to see if they are still pop 1, which they are.

>>

Congrats!

TwoSides2aCoin · June 25, 2011 2:19AM

I use a coin counter more than a population report when making coin purchases.

BAJJERFAN · June 25, 2011 2:32AM

<< None. I use the "Look at the balance in my checkbook." method. >>

THIS!! For what I buy or can afford to buy, pop reports usually aren't a consideration.

To what extent do you use pop reports in making your coin purchases?

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