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Would you buy an AU50 coin? Why? Why Not?

CatbertCatbert Posts: 7,459 ✭✭✭✭✭

The ANA Grading Standards book describes the AU50 level generically as "Shows traces of wear on many of the highest parts of the design. On many of these coins, some of the original mint luster is still present. May have a few noticeable contact marks or flaws."

Many consider the 50 grade as signifying a problem coin, much like 60 is for uncirculated. As such, a tepid designation.

Even so, I own a couple (both in old holders) that I think are great coins.

Would you automatically reject coins graded AU50? If not, do you own one that you'd share a picture here?

Seated Half Society member #38
"Got a flaming heart, can't get my fill"
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Comments

  • coinhackcoinhack Posts: 1,169 ✭✭✭✭

    I agree with all of the above posts. There are definitely nice coins in 50, 53, 60, 61 and 62 holders. As always you must be discerning in your choices.

  • OuthaulOuthaul Posts: 7,440 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @Catbert said:
    ...> Many consider the 50 grade as signifying a problem coin, much like 60 is for uncirculated.

    A problem coin has damage and will not grade or will end up in a "Details" holder. Natural wear is not damage.

  • dogwooddogwood Posts: 1,935 ✭✭✭✭

    I’ve never heard of AU50 signifying a problem coin, or about unc but for issues.

    Sure, many should be considered XF50, if there’s any lines to redraw.
    Nothing wrong with that.

    We're all born MS70. I'm about a Fine 15 right now.
  • lkeneficlkenefic Posts: 8,263 ✭✭✭✭✭

    I've never considered AU50 as "problem coins". In fact, that grade is about my collecting sweet spot... at least for my type set anyway. That said, there are AU50 details coins that definitely have problems... rim hits, gouges, AT, damage, corrosion... etc.... I don't collect those.

    Collecting: Dansco 7070; Middle Date Large Cents (VF-AU); Box of 20;

    Successful BST transactions with: SilverEagles92; Ahrensdad; Smitty; GregHansen; Lablade; Mercury10c; copperflopper; whatsup; KISHU1; scrapman1077, crispy, canadanz, smallchange, robkool, Mission16, ranshdow, ibzman350, Fallguy, Collectorcoins, SurfinxHI, jwitten, Walkerguy21D, dsessom.
  • ParadisefoundParadisefound Posts: 8,588 ✭✭✭✭✭

    I WILL do AU50 on those rarities because that's the only grade I may be able to afford :s:#:D:)

  • ashelandasheland Posts: 23,511 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @Paradisefound said:
    This is one of my example desired AU50 .... currently on Bay BIN

    <3

    That's SWEET!

  • BaleyBaley Posts: 22,663 ✭✭✭✭✭

    I've got every grade from 1 to 70 in my collection. An 50 might be, as others have said, a scarce coin for which a higher grade becomes prohibitively expensive. Something like a seated dollar, or a classic head quarter eagle in my case.

    Liberty: Parent of Science & Industry

  • SmudgeSmudge Posts: 9,681 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Sure. Some very nice 50's out there.

  • lkeneficlkenefic Posts: 8,263 ✭✭✭✭✭

    I actually like the grade BECAUSE they were used in commerce and then tucked away. I feel a connection with that part of history and it's one of the reasons I enjoy coin collecting as a hobby.

    Collecting: Dansco 7070; Middle Date Large Cents (VF-AU); Box of 20;

    Successful BST transactions with: SilverEagles92; Ahrensdad; Smitty; GregHansen; Lablade; Mercury10c; copperflopper; whatsup; KISHU1; scrapman1077, crispy, canadanz, smallchange, robkool, Mission16, ranshdow, ibzman350, Fallguy, Collectorcoins, SurfinxHI, jwitten, Walkerguy21D, dsessom.
  • shorecollshorecoll Posts: 5,447 ✭✭✭✭✭

    The last coin I bought was an AU-50, although it's an NGC no-line fatty that I think is 5 points undergraded. I also think oih82w8's quarter is also undergraded.

    ANA-LM, NBS, EAC
  • GazesGazes Posts: 2,315 ✭✭✭✭✭

    I'd take an 1848 CAL liberty quarter eagle in AU 50

  • RogerBRogerB Posts: 8,852 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Sure. The "AU-50" bit on a label is meaningless since the coin in such a holder is really EF.

    It's the coin that counts, my opinion about appearance, and my opinion on value that matter.

  • WalkerfanWalkerfan Posts: 9,595 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited March 1, 2019 1:31PM

    Only if a higher grade was out of my price range and if it had good eye appeal with a lot of DETAIL left.

    Sometimes, it’s better to be LUCKY than good. 🍀 🍺👍

    My Full Walker Registry Set (1916-1947):

    https://www.ngccoin.com/registry/competitive-sets/16292/

  • NysotoNysoto Posts: 3,818 ✭✭✭✭✭

    AU50 is the old EF45. They can be nice. It is AU53 that often has issues.

    Robert Scot: Engraving Liberty - biography of US Mint's first chief engraver
  • BillJonesBillJones Posts: 34,575 ✭✭✭✭✭

    I used to buy AU-50 graded coins all the time, but of late (last couple of years) I have been disappointed with them. It seems like it's got to be at an AU-53 for me to pull the trigger.

    Retired dealer and avid collector of U.S. type coins, 19th century presidential campaign medalets and selected medals. In recent years I have been working on a set of British coins - at least one coin from each king or queen who issued pieces that are collectible. I am also collecting at least one coin for each Roman emperor from Julius Caesar to ... ?
  • ashelandasheland Posts: 23,511 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @Stupid said:
    I will sometimes buy one if the look appeals to me.

    That's really nice!

  • ARCOARCO Posts: 4,422 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited March 1, 2019 3:10PM

    @Catbert said:
    The ANA Grading Standards book describes the AU50 level generically as "Shows traces of wear on many of the highest parts of the design. On many of these coins, some of the original mint luster is still present. May have a few noticeable contact marks or flaws."

    Many consider the 50 grade as signifying a problem coin, much like 60 is for uncirculated. As such, a tepid designation.

    Even so, I own a couple (both in old holders) that I think are great coins.

    Would you automatically reject coins graded AU50? If not, do you own one that you'd share a picture here?

    AU50 is just another circulated coin on the grading spectrum. In some series an AU50 coins is much harder to find than an MS coin. 1897-O Barber half springs to mind. I would rather find an original AU50 97-O than an Unc. coin. You could throw in the 96-S & 97-S Barber halves also. If you are looking for a 70-CC or 78-CC half, AU50 might be the highest grade you ever come across.

    As for being graded AU50 for problems, I have never seen that. There are a lot of ugly AU50 coins as there are a lot of ugly 58, 55, 53 ,45...etc graded coins.

  • CatbertCatbert Posts: 7,459 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @Broadstruck said:
    I've owned some AU50 coins that looked far higher on the AU grade range.

    Which I hadn't traded this one... I've never found a AU58 that bettered it :(

    That coin, regardless of grade, is dynamite.

    Seated Half Society member #38
    "Got a flaming heart, can't get my fill"
  • cameonut2011cameonut2011 Posts: 10,169 ✭✭✭✭✭

    I wouldn't auto-reject any coin based on a subjective label. If it has good eye appeal and is original, I would consider it.

  • stevebensteveben Posts: 4,621 ✭✭✭✭✭

    what does it look like? ;-)

  • jgennjgenn Posts: 747 ✭✭✭✭✭
  • coinbufcoinbuf Posts: 11,688 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Would not and does not bother me if I like the coin and I want it.

    My Lincoln Registry
    My Collection of Old Holders

    Never a slave to one plastic brand will I ever be.
  • Cougar1978Cougar1978 Posts: 8,602 ✭✭✭✭✭

    No not at all. Nice coins.

    Coins & Currency
  • RayboRaybo Posts: 5,334 ✭✭✭✭✭

    I would and I have bought an AU50 coin.
    I'm still trying to get a grip on the OP's question....?

  • fcfc Posts: 12,793 ✭✭✭

    I am jaded now days with grade inflation. A 45 is a 50-53 in most cases when it comes to gold coins. So that 50 better be quite the eye appealing and lusterous coin for me to get the urge to buy it. Last few years or more the urge has been missing. I dont feel like changing with the times. Rather just sit it out and I bet the market will come to me one day.

  • CatbertCatbert Posts: 7,459 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @Raybo said:
    I would and I have bought an AU50 coin.
    I'm still trying to get a grip on the OP's question....?

    I got the response I expected and wanted to test the myth. That's all! :)

    Seated Half Society member #38
    "Got a flaming heart, can't get my fill"
  • savitalesavitale Posts: 1,409 ✭✭✭✭✭

    I've never heard that AU50 indicates a "problem" coin, unless one feels that a little bit of wear is a problem.

  • RayboRaybo Posts: 5,334 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @Catbert said:

    @Raybo said:
    I would and I have bought an AU50 coin.
    I'm still trying to get a grip on the OP's question....?

    I got the response I expected and wanted to test the myth. That's all! :)

    :)

    I also sold it Catbert…………….

  • DIMEMANDIMEMAN Posts: 22,403 ✭✭✭✭✭

    I would and have many times for reasons already stated here.

  • coinhackcoinhack Posts: 1,169 ✭✭✭✭

    What a nice group of coins. Totally dispels the myth that AU50 coins can't be exceptional.

  • santinidollarsantinidollar Posts: 1,056 ✭✭✭✭✭

    There are eye-catching coins and totally ugly dogs at most every grade.

  • TennesseeDaveTennesseeDave Posts: 4,794 ✭✭✭✭✭


    Trade $'s
  • deefree49deefree49 Posts: 282 ✭✭✭

    It would depend on the coin - for example, an AU50 1916 Standing Liberty Quarter, I'd love to own!

    Another BIG consideration...not all AU50 coins are equal. Not even close! Whatever coin you're in the market for, be on high alert for under graded examples. A friend of mine bought an AU58 and it came back MS64 when resubmitted.

    Eye appeal is also personal. If you come across an AU50 coin but you were in the market for a higher grade, still give any attractive "sliders" a good long look. If it appeals to YOU, that is worth more IMHO than a TPG's opinion.

    Lincoln coin lover, especially Matte Proofs
  • veryfineveryfine Posts: 1,763 ✭✭✭

    Speaking of SLQs, I like the AU50 grade for this series. Mine shown here has a very muted luster, and the scan doesn't help, but it's still better than a 45. In general this is the minimum grade that I look for in this series. Would I rather have an AU58 FH? Of course, but if "the look" is right, I'm happy with a more affordable AU50.

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