grading bullion
 

so I see that NGC grading can be as little as 12.50 per. now I am looking at prices of SAEs and the like on the internet and wondering if it isnt a sure fire way of getting a premium if you can get some BU type SAEs and submit them for grading, then sell em on the net as certified. any thoughts on this? would it be worth the time of setting up an ebay account, for example?

Re: grading bullion
 

no thoughts on this eh? I thought that surely I would get a comment here.

Re: grading bullion
 

what if you dont get perfect grades as planned?

Re: grading bullion
 

OK - I'll bite.

I don't think there's 'honest' money to be made in modern bullion coins. Fundamentally, there are far too many bullion coins minted, virtually all uncirculated and in near perfect condition, for these coins to ever develop numismatic premiums of any significance vis-a-vis metal content.

As to SAEs, if one has to spend $12.50 per coin graded, then already the wholesale breakeven price is pushed up to about $26-30, which is certainly more than what typical uncirculated and lower grade SAEs are selling for on Ebay. Now, the game with bullion coins is to find the 'rare' perfect coin with a "70" grade. The problem is, the 70's will comprise no more than 2-5% of the SAEs out of a random green monster. The bulk of SAEs will probably grade 67-69; and even 69s don't command much premium.

Personally, I am very skeptical of the grading game as applied to modern bullion coins. Not to disrespect graders, but I own thousands of bullion coins, and they are all virtually identical. If one is going to start deducting points for the microscopic scratch or ding, or a percieved lack of luster, so be it. But, I think that the differences between these mass-produced stamped coins are so small that I have to believe that grading is highly subjective and therefore not very reproducible.

Frankly, I think only two kinds of concerns can derive a significant profit from the grading and sale of modern bullion coins:

1. Those who can do their own grading!
2. Those who move huge volumes of bullion coin and can negotiate discounted grading fees and generate a reasonable volume of grade '70' high-markup coins (i.e. Tulving).

Do yourself a favor: find an honest business instead of grading bullion coins.

...and don't call me Shirley!

Re: grading bullion
 

Thanks, excellent reply, just the sort of thing I was looking for.

btw I do have a decent "day job" :Zzzz: