The Extremely Fine 45 grade can sit frustratingly short of the AU grade. August auctions offered some examples showing how just a touch too much wear or diminished luster can hold a coin at the EF level.
Two November auctions by GreatCollections give collectors a chance to own quality Flying Eagle and Indian Head and Barber dimes from the registry set collections of the late Stewart Blay.
Stack's Bowers Galleries Aug. 16 offered the collection of Dr. George Schwenk, an investor who diversified into gold coins, including a PCGS MS-68+ 1880 Indian Head gold dollar, which realized $19,200.
One of only 1,120 1854-D Indian Head gold $3 coins came to the block in the George Schwenk Collection auction of the collector's PCGS Registry Set by Stack's Bowers Galleries.
Stack's Bowers Galleries Aug. 9 offered more of the Fairmont Collection's classic U.S. gold coins in the Rhone Set, which included a PCGS AU-50 1871-CC Coronet gold double eagle, few of which still exist.