Coin grading

[H20Bug55-migration]

When should you consider getting some coins graded? I am a novice and have recently come into some uncirculated silver dollars.

[DaveG]

You might consider having your coins "slabbed" (submitting them to a grading service and having them encapsulated) if the coins are rather valuable and you're planning on selling them to someone with whom you don't have a good business relationship and you want to make sure you get full value for them.

 

If you just want to protect them from mis-handling, there are a number of plastic holders you can buy for the coins.

[BillJones]

Make sure that they are really "silver" dollars. The Eisenhower dollars that were issued for general circulation from 1971 to 1978 were made of copper-nickel clad just like the dimes and quarters in your pocket. Unless they are super high grade, they are not worth the certification fees. I've seen some accumulations in the hands of non-collectors of Kennedy "silver half dollars" that were really copper-nickel clad coins that were worth no more than their face value.

 

Chances are you have Morgan (1878 - 1904 and 1921) or Peace (1921 to 1934 with some years missing) silver dollars. Those coins must either be better date and mint mark combinations within the series, or they must be at Choice Mint (MS-63 or better) to be worth the slab fees. Circulated grade common dates are not worth the certification fees.

 

[bsshog40]

This question has many answers to it. If the collection is fairly large, I advise finding someone you trust, that is knowledgeable about coins, and see if there are any that are worth the grading fees. Most collections, unless the collector was a serious collector, mostly contain common silver dollars. You can also make a list of the dates and mintmarks and post them here, then maybe some can be sorted down to any high value/grade coins. Then pictures for an actual attempt to grade them. I would start with just a list of them here for now. You can also purchase a book such as "Photograde" to help you with some of the grade determination, just to help you with circulated and uncirculated characteristics.

[Kurtdog]

When should you consider getting some coins graded?

When you're considering selling them.

[messydesk]

If you're able to post pictures of what you have, we'll be able to give more accurate advice.

[gmarguli]

When should you consider getting some coins graded?

 

When the value added to the graded coins exceeds the cost of having them graded.

 

Do some research on their value. Look online. Go to the library and get a book on coin values and grading.

[coinman_23885]

Try using this site (to help you grade the coins) and either check out a Red Book/buy one or look at the NGC Price Guide.

 

http://www.pcgs.com/photograde/#/Dollars

[JKK]

When should you consider getting some coins graded? I am a novice and have recently come into some uncirculated silver dollars.

 

If you mean professionally graded and slabbed, that would be when you suspect they are worth enough to merit it, or just decide that it's worth it to you.

 

If you mean just graded, you should learn to do that yourself (it is a lifelong learning type thing). Get a copy of one of the grading references and get started. The more you grade, the more you will come to understand about grading.

[Raisethis2]

If you just came into these dollars DON'T clean them or handle them by anything but the reeded edges.

 

There are books readily available or online that will show you mintages. A coin's population will determine it's value. Unless it's rare, it almost has to be Mint State 64 or finer to warrant being slabbed. For a quick appraisal post pictures here or find a local coin club.

[RWB]

Most Morgan and Peace dollars are not worth enough to justify the high cost of third-party authentication, grading, encapsulation and postage. Only the highest quality pieces and/or scarce coins will benefit in sale price from independent grading.

[H20Bug55-migration]

Thanks for the info, I am now in a position to get more serious about my collection.

[James_OldeTowne]

If you are convinced a coin is worth more than $300, MAYBE have it certified.

 

If it's worth more than $500, PROBABLY have it certified.

 

If it's gold, DO have it certified.

 

Make sure you have high confidence, which a trusted friend's or dealer's advice can help with. Don't throw away perfectly good money on needless certification fees.