Text 637, 48 rader
Skriven 2009-10-19 13:04:32 av Robert Bashe (2:2448/44)
    Kommentar till text 631 av Roy Witt (1:387/22)
Ärende: Real coins and junk
===========================
Roy Witt wrote to Robert Bashe on Sunday October 18 2009 at 16:06:

[Double eagle prices]
RW> After reading this, I had to take a look. The coin I thought was a
RW> 1907 is a 1908 Saint without the "In God We Trust" motto.

Still an interesting coin.

RW> thegoldcoinstore.com rates its value at $1841. It doesn't have a
RW> scratch on it and looks to be Gem BU65.

Conditions are hard to determine, particularly nowadays, when people make such
subtle distinctions. The only real way to know is to submit the coin for
grading to one of the accredited places you find on the ANA website. In any
case, use a good magnifying glass to judge the condition, otherwise you have no
chance at all.

This used to be _much_ easier.

RW> I don't find a mint mark on it, so I assume it was minted at the
RW> Philadelphia mint. Too bad it isn't a Denver minted coin, as it would
RW> be worth about ten grand.

The mint mark is very small and difficult to see, above the date on the
obverse. Take a look at this 1908-D No Motto double eagle:

http://tinyurl.com/yhduxwr

However, the $10,000 appears pretty high. The final bid on this MS-64 coin was
$1,840.00.

RW> The other gold coin is an 1891-s and in the same condition as the 1908
RW> coin. www.collectorsinternet.com only goes as high as BU64 and their
RW> value is $4900. Side by side, it doesn't seem as bright as the 1908
RW> Saint.

As I say, only the professionals can say for sure nowadays. In my day
(1960-66), there was only a simple "good", "fine", "very fine", "almost
uncirculated", "uncirculated" and "proof". Nowadays the graduations are much
finer and only a real professional can tell the differences. I have my doubts
as to whether such graduations are really justified, but people pay an enormous
amount of money on that basis. The difference between MS-60 anbd MS-65 is
sometimes astounding, and in my eyes hardly justified.

Cheers, Bob

--- GoldED+/W32 1.1.5-0613
 * Origin: Jabberwocky System - 02363-56073 ISDN/V34 (2:2448/44)