Some people in the Numismatic community feel like there should be NO price increase for a higher graded error coin specimen.

   Then why would there be any difference for a higher graded specimen on a non-error coin, ex: Morgan dollar. Do we collect a specimen of a series? Of which a Grade should play NO part in Collecting.

   Or does eye Appeal come into play when purchasing a coin? Do we want the very best specimen for our monies worth? So what difference is there between a Non-error coin and an error coin! We certainly want Eye appeal, clean planchet, Luster, good strike on Both! Don't we? I mean with either coin category, who would want a porous, dull, poorly struck specimen?

   So its apparent that Grading plays an important part in Both parts of numismatics. So we can expect higher graded, eye appealing coins to cost more as they are scarcer, more desirable and easier to sell.

   How much should we pay for a higher graded coin? That depends on the seller and buyer. Since grades like MS 65,66,67, and the occasional MS 68 are much scarcer than lower grades. You can probrally expect anywhere from 50% to 100% and MORE over a AU/Unc. specimen. That is if you want the very finest specimen available in the market place for your collection.

   Then there is the grading services, I for one recommend NGC and PCGS when it come to error coins, there are others! But I personally do NOT feel the "others" are equal to the two I mentioned in either the authentication and the persons doing such. They are also considered the 2 major authentication firms in the market place and the hobby and for these reasons their coins draw a higher premium that other services.    One last thing! when buying an error coin. Purchase the most eye-appealing example you can afford, NOT the cheapest one you can find. When it comes time to sell, you'll be glad you did!

Have an error subject you would like us to write about? Email us and we'll try.

return to the main news page | on to the next news story

All content in this newsletter is the opinion of the author and should not be taken as sound investment advice.