By Mark Ferguson for COIN VALUES

While more experienced collectors may scoff at the idea of third-party grading for recently issued United States coins, the concept is clearly popular with the general public.

If this year’s Christmas catalogs from mail-order coin businesses are any indicator, a growing segment of the marketplace is willing to pay the price for “slabbed” moderns.

How about a graded and encapsulated Mint State 68 1982-D Washington commemorative half dollar for $29? Why would a person pay such a lofty premium for a coin that sells for well less than $10 as a “raw” or unslabbed item? Read Full Story

Related posts:

1. A fascination worth its weight in silver
2. AU-58 coins often worth worth more than Mint State coins
3. HOW TO PRICE VERY RARE COINS
4. David Lawrence Rare Coins Auctions to Offer the “Picky Collection” of Bust Coins
5. A Market analysis of the eBay Price Performance of PCGS Certified Genuine Coins.
6. What should I collect? Tips for building a meaningful set of U.S. Coins. Part Two.
7. The Greatest Collection of Costa Rican Coins Ever Auctioned (Part 3): Silver Coins from 1850 to 1889
8. One of the Greatest U.S. Gold Coins in Existence
9. PASS THE BUCKS: Campaign on to collect presidential coins
10. Coin Rarities & Related Topics: Collecting Modern Coins