Are slabbed Gillicks less than MS64 worth collecting?

[Divmad]

I'm new to the grading side of coin collecting. I haven't yet sent any of my sovereigns for grading but I can see a growing interest and demand for slabbed sovereigns on public market places. My question is, where is the line drawn for genuine collectors of Gillick sovereigns for the acceptable MS grade? 64? 63? Or does it just come down to the price point for each grade being deemed to be "good value"? And will the higher grades appreciate at a faster clip in the long run (assuming a rising POG) than the lower grades?

[Silverlocks]

MS-63 to MS-64 Gillicks are pretty common, as Gillicks were never circulated as currency.  Therefore, graded ones in these grades are fairly common, and don't attract a large premium.  Grading Gillicks in this condition is likely to be fairly marginal in terms of increase in value; you might or might not get the cost of grading the coins back.  It's mostly down to rarity.  Coins that are rare in the grade will attract a higher premium.  There are, for example, Victorian-era sovereigns where the best grade on any example is perhaps MS-62 or something like that.  In this case, an example graded MS-62 will go for a premium.  I think for most Gillicks, the highest grades are about MS-66, and you're really looking at MS-65 or so to see a significant premium.  The grading company web sites have statistics for this, and you can look at auction histories to get some other stats.

 

 

 

 

[refero]

as said before, Gillicks were never meant to circulate, and they are normally found in Mint State.

In my opnion, once this top pop bubble/mania will be over, many will cry holding an overpaid bullion (i see crazy ms67 going for 1500 gbp) which will hold a little numismatic premium.

Millions were minted... and as more and more go for the certification, i guess there will be more and more iper super ultra top, meaning that prices will drop

[dicker]

My view, having tried to collect the very best Gillicks possible is no.

It is possible to obtain very nice Gillicks without buying graded. The very best I have bought were from a main dealer (1959’s) that were n vvv condition.

Personally, I don’t buy graded coins.

[Britannia47]

Just enjoy them for what they are…….!

 

 

 

 

Edited September 15, 2023 by Britannia47

[Spyder]

Most Gillicks look excellent from the St George side, the effigy side tend to let them down as marks and scratches stand out like a sore thumb. 

Personally I would not grade a Gillick, paying £65 leaves very little upside to profit. 

[Britannia47]

Most Gillicks look excellent from the St George side, the effigy side tend to let them down as marks and scratches stand out like a sore thumb. 

These seem O.K. to me, but agree about the G&D @Spyder

[Silverlocks]

Gillicks tend to show marks on the effigy quite badly for some reason.  The portrait itself doesn't have a lot of relief, so it's not easy to get really good pictures of.  Then you get marks on Liz's cheek that makes her look like she's got vitiligo or cystic acne.  I think the main cause of this is that the finish is usually intact on Gillicks, so where there are blemishes on it, these tend to show up.  Ironically the good condition of the coins works against them in this respect.

 

  

[jultorsk]

I guess if you can buy an MS63 1957 cheaper than a raw, why wouldn't you? Crack the holder and enjoy the coin.

It is correct to assume that the price of an MS66 will fall if and when an MS67 is graded.

The prices in top grades are still very strong, see eg. the current TCC Premium auction. 

[pricha]

Similar sort of question could be asked for Victoria shields.  MS60s + go for top dollar.  Is it worth paying over for AU 53 or worse with details?  In my opinion no , and I'd break them out of the slabs. Gillicks less than MS64 bit pointless I'd say to pay over . Use your own judgement.  Buy a nice raw coin and enjoy it.