With increase in value in mind . . .
 

Speaking specifically of the 2008 W unc. gold Eagle, 1/4 oz, cost from the mint right now is just under $300.
Would it be worth the premium to buy already slabbed, graded MS70 by NGC, as opposed to buying the raw coin?
I've seen them as MS70 in the $400 range, so the premium is a substantial $100 or a little more.

I think in the long run, this coin may be rare enough to command a premium, just wondering if better to pay for the
grading up front, or take a chance on the raw version from the mint . . . I wouldn't be buying it just because I wanted the coin, but because of the possibility of a low minting figure making the 2008 W appreciate in the future due to how few are available.

I started out as purely a 'bullion baby', but am coming to the realization that I can have bullion that might also have added value from a numismatic standpoint - and I think the 2008 W
uncirculated gold Eagles look pretty well positioned in that direction.

Re: With increase in value in mind . . .
 

My suggestion, if you are inclined to invest in numismatics, is to steer clear of graded modern bullion. I have had coin shops sell ngc ms69 first strike coins at the same price they do their unslabbed counterparts.

The dealers don't really acknowledge them as numismatic for good reason. The problem with bullion is that it doesn't circulate like the truly numismatic coins did. There are millions of bullion coins that are still in pristine condition because people just tuck them away.

Consider graded $20 St. Gaudens, other old U.S. gold, or Morgan dollars. They have well established collector communities.

Re: With increase in value in mind . . .
 

I totally agree with Texan. Graded modern bullion is not a very good numismatic choice.

Re: With increase in value in mind . . .
 

Look at the original question - the value of this particular bullion coin would be its rarity, not its condition (as Texan noted). I personally don't know the mintages of this coin, but if it is a low mintage example, than its rarity would be the driving factor in any upward trend in value, not the grade. Buy a raw coin in this case.

Re: With increase in value in mind . . .
 

Thanks, guys.

Yes, the point of it all is that it is very low mintage, at least so far as anyone can tell - in the under 10,000 range.

I went ahead and ordered another one from the Mint - already had one, wanted another.

Re: With increase in value in mind . . .
 

IMO, if you want to try for an increase in value, stick to the well known popular key date coins. 1909-SVDB, 1937-D 3-leg, 1916-D Merc, etc.

A lot of people here shun numismatics, but there are good returns to be made down the road if you're careful and patient.