Thoughts on coins with few certified 0

[ShaneG]

I am starting a collection for a country that has limited certified coins. Wanted to see what suggestions everyone would have to be able to build a certified collection. I know the cost will outweigh the value on the more modern coins but I do want them certified. 
 

I can keep watching for sales and auctions on the ones that are certified or I could start looking for raw coins that seem to be high grade (still working on my grading skills). Any other thoughts?

 

if I do buy raw and send in to NGC, should I send in more than one of a coin to try to get better grades?  

[World Colonial]

It depends upon how important the cost of grading fees is to you and how long you are willing to wait.  You didn't identify the series, but not all in it might be graded.

It also depends how selective you are with the grades and whether you mind getting a "details".  You'll find far fewer problem coins with more recent series but the coin still might not be eligible for a numerical grade.  Make sure you have large enough images to identify surface problems to avoid it.  This is one of the biggest challenges for the coins I collect; the image doesn't accurately represent the coin but I have become a lot better at it since I almost never inspect any coin prior to purchase.

[ShaneG]

I am looking at Ireland coins so starting with the shillings I think. 1928-1968. There are some years that have as little as 10 graded coins. I wouldn’t expect to ever make my money back but I don’t want to be wasteful either. I do want them to be all MS. The majority of the cost would be in the grading so I figure the cost to have an MS62 coin vs an MS66 coin isn’t much. 
it may make sense to wait until coin shows start up again but my local shows (Texas/Oklahoma region)have 1-2 dealers per show that have decent foreign coins. 

Seeing any rub is tough with pictures so I stick to dealers that will state their coin is uncirculated then examine the pictures closely. I try to stick to dealers that are more focused on foreign coins. I am sure I will make a few mistakes along the way but really looking over the pictures as closely as I can. 

[World Colonial]

To my knowledge, most if not all of these coins have reasonable availability as an UNC.  I believe a few from the entire Republic Ireland series are scarce but I can never remember which ones.  So, I would expect you should find a sufficient supply to choose from.

If you are comfortable buying the coins ungraded, I wouldn't wait as long as you really like the coin you are buying.  A population of 10 isn't that few, but it still might take awhile for it to become available.

I would look on eBay if you don't know any dealers.  Karl Stephens is also a long time dealer predominantly sells world coins who issues price lists quarterly which does include Ireland.  However, he doesn't include pictures.  From my limited experience, he describes his coins reasonably accurately.  I have only returned a coin once for this reason.

[ShaneG]

I appreciate it! I found Karl’s site and will check it out.

[gmarguli]

For the most part these coins are available in gem condition and fairly cheap. I looked through my records and show I have sold 60+ of these that were graded over the past 10 years or so. Even the "scarce 1933" are available. I was offered a deal with several hundred of these in UNC. 

I second Karl Stephens as a dealer to trust with his grading. Del Parker is a big Irish coin dealer in the US. He has some nice stuff. 

[zadok]

...just a few observations re collecting Ireland free state and republic coins, do not kid urself into believing that either of these sets of coins will be easy or cheap to assemble, with a few exceptions in the later republic years all of these coins are low mintage, assembling complete denomination sets in mint state is prohibitive unless u r willing to accept ms60-61 with issues, attempting to complete higher grade ms63-64-65 denomination sets is a long term ambition....some denominations in certain dates n grades simply do not exist, I have the most complete set in north America n have been assembling it for over 50 years, I have three complete sets minus the '43 florin in mint state, the result of continuous upgrading during those years n I am still looking for specific dates in specific grades...I have want lists with the dealers u mention n virtually every major auction house in the world n they have not ever handled some of these coins in the higher grades, the price deferential between ms62 n ms66 can be 10 fold, my highest graded set has easily surpassed $100K n yes they r all certified, not an easy task as most of the grading services r not totally familiar with some of the sublities of mint state Ireland issues n accurate certification can be iffy...collecting these sets has been especially rewarding n challenging n remains so today n frustrating...this area of collecting is very competitive n should u continue on ur goal of assembling a mint state set im sure u will enjoy the hunt n have many hours of personal satisfaction of reflecting on the fruits of ur efforts.....I know I have.....good luck n enjoy...