I don't know if I'll be submitting any more Moderns. Might just be better to buy them already graded.

I have some holes to fill in my Statehood Quarters collection. Quite a few, actually, and I just happened to see that some 2001 and 2003 Silver quarters, NGC-graded PF69 UC were going for dirt cheap on eBay. While I'd much prefer 70s (who wouldn't?), I figured if I could fill a couple of holes for next to nothing (I picked up a Silver Alabama PF69 UC for $5.77), then what the heck.

I felt sorry for the Seller, but, c'est la vie. I let myself get a little out of hand for one quarter, bid $12 for a Silver Arkansas, and was outbid. Again, I felt bad for the Seller. (Not too bad, though. The S&H was a bit on the extreme side, which helps lessen the blow, I'm sure)

Now, here is where the story gets interesting (at least to me). I got a Second Offer notice from the Seller on the Arkansas. That amazed me, and got me to wondering. How much is this guy paying to get a coin graded vs. myself?

I appreciate that there must be a bulk discount available for grading services, but if a bulk dealer can sell Statehood Quarters that cheaply, then why should I bother getting mine graded? After all, most of mine seem to end up with a grade of PF69 UC anyway, and getting a set of 5 quarters graded is a $70+ proposition. Why bother when I can get them from him for less than it costs me, even with the exorbitant S&H?

Of course, there is that thrill of waiting for the grades to come in.... Sigh, what a dilemma...