Expert Collector’s Guide: Navigating the SBA PR70 DCAM Market with Confidence

The Savvy Collector’s Guide to Susan B. Anthony PR70 DCAM Dollars

Let’s be honest – there’s something magical about holding a perfect proof coin. The Susan B. Anthony PR70 Deep Cameo dollar represents the absolute peak of modern minting artistry, with its razor-sharp strike and those mesmerizing mirror-like fields. But as our passionate forum discussion revealed, even these certified gems can hide surprises. As a numismatist who’s handled hundreds of these miniature masterpieces, I’ll share the insider strategies that separate casual buyers from discerning collectors.

Where True Connoisseurs Source Their SBA Gems

While our forum members debated eBay finds, the smart money knows that building a premium collection requires multiple avenues:

• Major Auction Houses: Heritage and Stack’s Bowers offer museum-quality pieces, but prepare for white-glove premiums
• Specialized Dealers: Seek out PNG members who eat, sleep, and breathe Susan B. varieties
• Coin Shows: Nothing replaces holding a coin under proper lighting – the FUN Show’s bourse floor is hallowed ground
• Online Marketplaces: eBay can yield treasures (as our forum member tried), but requires X-ray vision for details

The original poster’s ‘Sirius Auctions’ experience proves even 99.7% feedback isn’t bulletproof. Always verify a seller’s numismatic chops – generalists often miss subtle cameo contrast issues that slash collectibility.

Flaw Detection: Seeing Beyond the Slab

When our sharp-eyed forum contributor spotted discoloration “visible without any magnification” on their PR70 DCAM, it exposed critical truths about modern certification. Consider these warning flares:

Grading Mysteries Revealed

“I’ve had 69s in 70 slabs before. Graders look at these moderns for about half a second” – Forum Member

The dead giveaways:

• Photos shot with potato-quality cameras (where’s the luster?)
• Missing NGC/PCGS certification numbers – the golden ticket of provenance
• “Too good to be true” pricing (remember: 1979-P Type 1 PR70 DCAMs command $125-$150)
• Generic stock images hiding the coin’s true eye appeal

That vertical discoloration between cheekbone and eye? In our world, that’s a career-ending flaw for any PR70 contender. True DCAM perfection demands:

• Crisp, unbroken cameo contrast that makes the devices pop
• Flawless surfaces under 5x scrutiny – not a stray mark allowed
• Centering that would make a Swiss watchmaker weep (especially crucial for 1979 Type 1 wide rim varieties)

Mastering the Art of the Deal

Using our forum case study as your playbook, deploy these battle-tested tactics:

• Flaw-Focused Negotiation: That discoloration isn’t a defect – it’s bargaining gold
• Market Savvy: Hammer home how true PR70 DCAMs hold their numismatic value
• Timing Is Everything: Strike during auction twilight hours when sellers sweat
• Bulk Buying Power: Multiple coins? There’s always room for “What’s your best price for the set?”

Never settle without:

• High-res photos showing every angle under proper numismatic lighting
• Live verification of the certification number with NGC/PCGS
• A rock-solid return policy (3 days minimum to examine under your loupe)

The Great Debate: Raw Potential vs. Slabbed Security

Our forum member’s slabbed coin surprise reignites this eternal collector’s dilemma:

Why Slabs Seduce Us

• Third-party authentication (PCGS/NGC or bust)
• The siren song of grade guarantees
• Instant liquidity in a competitive market

The Raw Coin Allure

• Diamond-in-the-rough potential (that patina tells a story!)
• Entry prices 30-40% below slabbed equivalents
• The sweet satisfaction of spotting what others missed

That 1979-P Type 1 SBA dollar from the forum? It’s poster child for why certification matters – its wide rim variety gets misidentified more often than a double die in poor lighting.

The Naked Truth About PR70 DCAM Values

Don’t let “not valuable” fool you – these perfect proofs command serious respect:

• 1979-P Type 1: $125-$150 (the undisputed king)
• 1979-P Type 2: $85-$110 (the underappreciated sibling)
• 1981-S: $75-$100 (the sleeper hit)

Remember: DCAM means frost-white devices so sharp they could cut glass, floating on mirror-proof fields. That forum coin’s discoloration? It didn’t just lose points – it slashed numismatic value by half.

Conclusion: Collecting With Wisdom and Wonder

The Susan B. Anthony PR70 DCAM dollar offers that rare blend of accessibility and sophistication. As our forum deep dive revealed, even certified moderns demand Sherlock-level scrutiny. By mastering marketplace navigation, flaw detection, and the delicate dance of negotiation, you’ll transform from buyer to connoisseur. Let our forum friend’s hard lesson be your guide: “Buy the coin, not the holder” isn’t just advice – it’s collector gospel. Armed with these insights, go forth and hunt those proof marvels with the confidence of someone who knows every secret in the book. What hidden gem will you uncover next?

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