1) This question depends on how you value the coin. I’ve always valued things I buy in USD along with the rest of the world. Casascius coins are no different. So while it’s cute to talk about when to get the most BTC premium, taxes and reality would dictate you value it in USD and I’d recommend trying to get the most USD possible when selling. The number one factor in how much $ you get is the Bitcoin exchange rate and this is why peeling can be better than selling at a premium because you have more control over when you cash out and no risk of shipping.
2) I’d recommend keeping them at a bank out of state. Downsides being you’ll never see them and definitely won’t ever show anyone. You don’t want easy access to your Casascius coins.
3) Grading has historically been pretty worthless. They can’t spot fakes and their grades are all over the place. If you resubmit a coin it will get a different grade the second time. Not to mention more hands on it and more shipments is never a good idea. I am a minority in this view, but I would recommend avoiding grading.
4) Selling on the forum with escrow is the preferred method historically. I’ve escrowed dozens over the years and never had an issue, but shipping is always scary. Auction houses are also becoming a popular option, but the fees and swings in BTC price can make this option worse than just peeling.
1) I’m with you on this. 1 Bitcoin = 1 Bitcoin just doesn’t compute for me, not yet anyhow.
3) Depends where it’s graded. You can feel extremely confident that you’ve got a real deal crypto coin when graded there as they have the worlds foremost knowledge person on physical bitcoins verifying the authenticity (MJ, of course). However PCGS is the most trusted and desired slab company on the planet, so while they absolutely can’t authenticate on the level ICG does, most people won’t know that, and the value will be driven up by the prestige of the company. I personally don’t love either slab, and PCGS has been EXTREMELY unprofessional about this whole grading crypto coins now deal. Some stuff gets accepted and graded, some doesn’t, one person will reply to an email with one thing and the next email on the same topic a few hours later coming form a different employee gets a completely different answer. NGC imo has the best slabs by far, but they suck even more as a company than PCGS. Either which way, even ANACs slabs bring value to the coins. BUT..above all..for me it’s the coffin that keeps your coin as snug as can be and protected from the elements and that’s what I like. Grading I don’t even care about.
4) Concur. Auction houses potentially can really pay off, but then again they might not and to me it seems like such a hassle. The last Cas coin I sold I brokered through btalk, met the buyer at a very public location and it was a great experience that wouldn’t have been better any other way. But, that of course has its risks.