Best on-line price guide? PCGS? Newbie

[LateApex-migration]

What is the best on-line price guide? I have been using pcgs.com. Is there one the is considered the "standard"? Are those prices full retail?

 

I do check ebay, as well of course, but wonder what the standard reference is for this new hobby I am getting into.

 

Thank you!

[DaveG]

Actually, the standard retail price guide is "Coin Values", which comes with Coin World (although you might be able to get it on their website, too).

 

The standard wholesale price guide is the Coin Dealer's Digest (the Grey Sheets).

[LateApex-migration]

Thank's for the quick reply Dave G. I do pick up Coin Values on occasion. Seemed to me an on-line price guide would be more current/up-to-date. Coin Values is monthly, correct?

 

Also, what do people mean when they say "trends to $500"? It seems to me those prices are high....

 

I am familiar with Grey Sheets. Would love to have them, but don't need to spend the money at this point for my hobby.

 

Just hoped there was a free on-line version that was accepted as the standard, with the most up-todate prices.

 

In other words, how would people rate pcgs.com prices? And, are there others I should check?

[Oldtrader3]

I use Heritage Rare Coin, "Auction Prices Realized" which is an historical index of their auction sales. These are the most reliable prices that I personally have found.

[gmarguli]

The PCGS price guide is a joke. The prices are either wishful thinking on the part of PCGS dealers or what were they thinking prices. I've seen coins listed for under $10 where the pop is ZERO. I've seen coins listed for big money where you'd never get that price unless it was monster toned. If you must use it, take 1/3 off the price listed as the average retail price.

 

Don't assume that since it is online that it is updated frequently. It is not.

 

Purchase a set of Greysheets. It's around $14 for a complete set. You don't need them updated weekly. I buy 3-4 sets a year that that is good enough for me.

[jom]

I use Heritage Rare Coin, "Auction Prices Realized" which is an historical index of their auction sales. These are the most reliable prices that I personally have found.

 

Wholehartedly agree. It is by FAR the best resource....not even close. And...in most cases you can pictures. Not great photos but it's better than nothing. How long is it going to be until they start charging us to use it?

 

Also, Greg's suggesting is good too. With the Greysheet you can carry it to shows and gives a good guideline of the "typical" price for a "typical" coin. With the Grey you can at least find out how much of a premium you'll have to pay when you are quoted a price.

 

jom

[LateApex-migration]

Great advice guys. Thanks very much. I have wanted to try the deal Grey sheet's offers, I will move on it. I also like Heritage coins. Great point about their practice of posting auction prices, etc.

 

Thanks again!

[CarolinaCollector]

I use Heritage and Teletrade auction archives. Heritage Prices for Numismatists is very helpful as it supplies a price range.

 

The grey and blue sheets (certified coins) are also helpful. [Coin Dealer Newsletter]

 

I've found that key date and some low population coins may be listed at lower prices with these resources than what the maket will bear (or require if you're buying). This is especially true in a strong market as we have today.

 

I use PCGS pricing as an upper bracket - i.e. in general don't pay that much. However, there are PCGS coins that are worth that money and more because (in my humble opinion) the service is too conservative in grading some of its submissions. They were even more conservative in the 80s and early 90s, but virtually all services had tighter standards back then. That's why older holder coins from PCGS, NGC, and ANACS often sell at a premuim.

 

Don't be afraid to establish a relationship with your local dealer and ask advice. (Remember, that even dealers are wrong once in a while). My local dealer taught me how to grade in the 1980s, gave me great advice, and sold me many coins that have been a profitable investment. You need to find the right dealer, though, and that's not easy.

 

Coin clubs are also a another good way to learn. Our club meets every Tuesday. Our more senior numismatists are always willing to share their knowledge with those who are new to the hobby.

 

You've started out right - asking questions! Welcome to the hobby.

[michael]

www.heritagecoins.com

 

www.teletrade.com

 

the best price guides and they are free to join aND you go to prices realized and this is the ultimate price guide you get a photo of the c0oin and the price it sold for to me this is the true ultimate price guide

 

 

good luck and welcome to the boards

 

www.ecoinage.com

 

 

hope to see you here more often and remember to ask anything you want to on here many friendly helpful collectors on here

 

 

[James_OldeTowne]

I will echo what others have stated - that the PCGS price guide is about as worthless a price guide as could be imagined. I'm not saying this with any particular bias toward or against the company, either. But the values are extremely high in most cases, and simply cannot possibly be based on any realistic measure of the market.

 

I'd say in general, Trends is a decent barometer, but it tends to "smooth out" spikes that should exist in certain series. For example, Trends shows basically the same value for all "common date" Indian cents, but collectors who pursue the series know that there's "common" and there's "common but not really common" coins that are significantly tougher, and should trend higher. But in general, you can bet on Trends being too high on any particular coin. If you estimate at 80% of Trends, your playing it pretty safe.

 

The Greysheet is the best reflection of the direction of the market, but because it reflects (or is supposed to) "real" transactions, coins that trade infrequently tend to lag way behind. Good examples include the 1801 and 1802 half dollars, which in reality are so far ahead of sheet that it isn't even funny.

 

James

[rexcat]

Hi LateApex,

 

I agree with what the others have said about using auction results form sites like Teletrade and Heritage, I do so myself often, I feel that you are seeing what people are actually willing to pay for coins. What better market indicator could you find?

 

The greysheet package is a good deal, and like Greg said, I buy the set a few times a year, usually right before the coin shows in my area. They are a must have if you are planning on selling your coins.

 

I also use the greysheet as my benchmark in my coin records; I record what the bid was at the time of a purchase and then up-date my spread sheet when I get new set of greysheets. (BTW, if any one is interested in a copy of my excel spreadsheet for a US type set, send me a PM and I’ll e-mail you a copy, with out my data of course.)

 

As far as trends and the PGCS “lack of value guide”, (oops, I only meant to think that), go, I feel their prices usually run high, I call this “feel good prices”, a seller on E-bay, or an ad in Coin World quotes that price and you’re suppose to feel good when you buy it for less. At times although I have seen prices in Trends that are below the current greysheet bid, so I don’t trust any of the prices to be very accurate.