Grey Sheet

I lost rack of the posting thread where Garryn, Loosechange and Drummer were chatting about recent sale prices of Carson City coins as reported in Gobrecht Journal. Garryn was also saying somthing about the Grey Sheet.

For my use, I like to log on to the big auction house web sites to learn about current and past coins sale pricing. Their archival information is as close to the horse's mouth as one can get. Keep in mind that archival price listings include at least a 15% commission paid to the auction house.

Isn't the grey sheet more of a wholesale price reference guide for dealers? It quotes both bid price (wholesale price dealers are paying) and a sale price (wholesale price where dealers are selling). I don't know for certain, but suspect that the information is based on wholesale buying and selling as reported by dealer from across the country.

I would think that the information relating to Carson City coins, as well as other premium rarity coins, would not be too useful for several reasons. First, there aren't many sales of these very rare coins taking place in the first place and second, I really doubt that many dealers would be willing to share the buy and sale prices of premium rarity coins which have transacted in private treaty sales.

But what the heck do I know...I'm a real estate guy.

Belay Off

Belay,
You bring up an interesting point. Most dealers I know use the gray sheet as a guide and when they are buying usually buy at $20 or so back of the bid price listed on the sheet depending on what the coin is. I agree with you that archival prices listed by the big auction houses are a very useful tool when looking at what would be a fair price to pay. Because all the minor denominations are of the Liberty Seated design, I looked at what dealers from the LSCC ( Liberty Seated Collectors Club ) are selling as well as buying the coins from our favorite mint. I know that most will say throw away the gray sheet prices and if the were able to buy at gray sheet, that they would all day long. As Drummer said in another thread, Find a dealer that is a specialist in Carson City coinage and cherish them. ( not an exact quote but I think you know what I am trying to say.
I also want to say that you are one knowledgeable guy when it comes to "CC" coinage

Long winded Loosechange