questions - 20 Francs French Rooster 1906 1 1

[mele]

Hello guys, 

I have a couple of newbie questions regarding my 20 Francs French Rooster 1906 but I guess it relevant to any coin.

*please find pictures of my coin in the end of the post

A. I noticed there are different grades to a coin quality - how do I determinate what is my coin's grade?

B. I have checked different website and resources for the coin's value and each one of them showed different value (from $250 to $2000). How can I tell what is the expected coin's value?

Thanks

[physics-fan3.14]

Welcome to the Forums! 

The value of a coin is often highly dependent on teh grade - if you figure out the grade, you can figure out the value. The Rooster you posted is often traded for its gold content, so its value (unless in extremely high grade) will usually be based on the current spot price of gold. 

As for learning to grade.... that is a bit lengthier of a question. The grade of a coin is based on it's strike, luster, eye appeal, and contact marks. (If the coin has more marks, or if it is dull, or if it is unattractive, the value will be lower, and the grade will be lower). Your pictures are a bit out of focus, but I would estimate your coin is MS-64 or MS-65. This is an attractive coin. 

If you are truly interested in learning how to grade, I wrote a book about the subject: https://smile.amazon.com/Art-Science-Grading-Coins/dp/1492356107/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1502463169&sr=8-1&keywords=art+and+science+grading+coins

[VKurtB]

No, not a third-party grader. He can only influence the range of negotiations. Only a buyer and seller coming to an agreement can determine what anything is worth.

[VKurtB]

29 minutes ago, Quintus Arrius said:

Ebay and the larger, well-known auctions houses are giant juggernauts which for the most part eschew discussion and negotiation.  Two of the more notable responses I have received, both from highly regarded, long-time establishments are a curt reference to a coin's "Fair Market Value," and a gleefully snarky: "How badly do you want it?" (Both were evoked through exceedingly polite, well-reasoned texting on my part.)

While I cannot argue with VKurtBs premise, I cannot help but recall that sequence in the movie Trading Places where Dan Ackroyd, down on his luck, is compelled to enumerate the various attributes of his "sculptured" $6,953 roche foucault wristwatch, functional to a depth of "three atmospheres," when the proprietor of a pawnshop cooly responds with, "Here in Philadelphia [your watch] is worth fifty bucks," effectively ending all negotiation.

Last year when I called a well-regarded Florida dealer to complain that the MS66 Rooster he had sold me had a distinct thumb print on its reverse prompting me to examine it more closely with a 30X glass, I was told, "you should be using 7 magnification!" When I persisted, he offered to take it back, but I demurred as it was not he who had graded the coin but one of the TPGs. Would that same coin have been graded MS67 minus the 'print?  Could I have used the "defect" as a bargaining chip [as VKurtB undoubtedly would have done]? Undoubtedly.

 

 

He was right about magnification. Take a grading course or two. The range used is 5x-7x. NOBODY goes to 30x except rank amateurs who naively believe more is always better. Also, watch an episode or two of "Pawn Stars". The negotiation pattern is nearly always the same. He who has the fewest options always loses.

Edited July 14, 2020 by VKurtB

[VKurtB]

30x is fine for jewels, not for coins.  No grader, repeat NO GRADER, has ever used a 30x. Full stop.

[VKurtB]

Quintus, 

You have revealed you do not understand what grading companies do, or how their people do what they do. Congratulations on putting together a short set of high quality Roosters. That doesn’t mean you know anything about anything. You need some ANA educational programs.

 

Do you even know what goes on inside a grading service?

Edited July 15, 2020 by VKurtB

[Johnny Reed Collection]

What goes on in the grading room stays in the grading room🕺