One Grade, Many Prices by Dean Albanese Hello everyone, Thanks for checking in on the newest "market insight". As we wrote previously, we were headed to Baltimore for the coin show held by Whitman. Overall, the action for us was very positive even though it didn't seem like a lot of people roaming the floors at all times. There was a feeling of positive vibes for buying, searching, and selling. We actually did one of our best (Baltimore) retail shows that we've done in a long time. Even though buying coins that you will want is still a hard task, as so many eye appealing coins are off the market (making it more expensive to buy at this point), the coin market is moving forward and I feel strong. At the show there was a lot of interest by the public about the CAC sticker program and so many people asked questions about that subject. It was good because we felt like we had the chance to educate people in a positive way about that subject. Most everyone my father and I talked to felt great about it and thought it was a very positive thing to be done in the market today. It gives buyers the extra security that they are buying the correct grade and the credit to have that extra eye appealing quality (PQ in other words). This also gives these coins (CAC) 10% - 15% premium when buying and selling, we've realized. Do I agree? Sure I do. For a particular date and grade there are only so many that deserve the credit of being PQ. You can have an 1879-CC Morgan Dollar in MS64 (say it's certified by PCGS) and retail you'll probably pay between $10,500 - $11,500. But if it has a CAC sticker you might pay between $12,650 - $13,500. The reason: it's a tougher date, because in MS64 there are 749 graded (non PL) which is really not a lot considering how many people collect Morgan's. Of all the 749 coins in MS64 there may only be 50 to 100 deserving the recognition of being labeled "PQ" and those should definitely be more expensive then the rest because they stand above the rest! It's not saying it could one day be in a MS65 holder. Actually that sticker says it will never be in a MS65 holder because it's been viewed and you now have the assurance of it never being played with. Overall the CAC program is here to benefit the customers, not the dealers, whatsoever. I was browsing my old market talks and read the one from last year March 2007 and I said "No doubt that people who are hesitating on beautiful rarities are missing the train because beautiful rare proof gold eagles and double eagles you can purchase now between $80k - $100k you won't be able to touch under $150k in a year". And that's the truth! All the very best, Dean's father David Albanese is a Nostomania coins advisor. Albanese Rare Coins can be reached at their outstanding web site. Visit our Coin News Archive.