Many newbies (new collectors) have similar questions in their mine. What to buy be it banknotes, coins or gold coins. Certainly you can't buy "everything" from the first year of issue till today. But some useless "junk" today may turn out to be "precious gem" in future.
Some commemorative issue price have surge sky high whereas some are stagnant. Let's look at the factors that drove the prices upwards.
1)Mintage - the least number of issue (Key Dates)
2)Popularity - even though the mintage aren't the lowest but the commemorative are popular.
3)Errors - in minting / manufacturing
* I will elaborate on each category for Bank notes, Coins and Gold Coins on my next posting.
Many newbies did not actually know what they are buying, they tend to believe what the seller tell them. Many
unscrupulous
dealers tend to over grade their items and sell them at higher price to the unsuspecting newbies.
Some banknotes are "washed" and "pressed" and claimed they are "UNC" condition and were selling them at exorbitant prices. Some notes have some faint fold due to counting marks or rounded edges (four corners) still claimed to be UNC. Some may have yellow stains due to foxing or aging are still graded as UNC. These are some of the examples of "over grading" by unscrupulous dealers.
If you can't distinguish the difference between the original banknotes and "modified" (washed and pressed) banknotes please refrain from buying until you have learn the know-how. But on the safest side you can still protect yourself by buying only "graded" banknotes or coins by world recognized third party grading company "NGC" & "PCGS" (for coins) and "PMG" & "PCGS" (for banknotes).
Of course there are price difference between graded and non graded banknotes and coins. When you decided to sell your collections (graded ones) you will be rest assured the demand are more even from foreign collectors and the price are higher compare with the non graded ones.
Examples of graded coins and banknotes as below :-
1st Series 1967
An Exceptional Paper Quality (EPQ) note is, in
the opinion of PMG graders, original and has not been physically, chemically,
or materially processed to lend the appearance of a higher grade.
1999 10th Series Ali Abul Hassan centre signature "ZA" replacement note.
An Exceptional Paper Quality (EPQ) note is, in the opinion of PMG graders, original and has not been physically, chemically, or materially processed to lend the appearance of a higher grade.
Very tough to achieve the grade of MS67 (Mint State) and is considered as Brilliant Uncirculated (B.U.)
Malaysia Parliament Coin series in NGC Edge View "new" holder
Malaysia Tapir .900 gold coin PF69 (Proof) in NGC "old" holder
Reverse
China pure .999 gold coin PR69 (Proof) graded by PCGS
Reverse
China 1923 5 Yuan Provincial Bank Honan Tientsin Rainbow Technicolor graded by PCGS 66PPQ. The definition of PPQ is similar with EPQ by NGC
Reverse
For those who want to send your collection for grading, you are recommended to personally deliver to Mavin Singapore (authorized agent for NGC,PMG and PCGS) and let them send your collections to these three grading companies of your choice located in the Unites States on your behalf.
