New icon - have you ever purposefully downgraded a coin in your collection?

seanq

So I recently sold the clipped 1909-S VDB cent that I had been using as my icon here for several years. I figured since I no longer own the coin, I should replace it. The obvious choice was to use a pic of the coin that replaced it in my date set, seen below:

I have to think I have shared this coin here before, I picked it up late last year off eBay. Since the new coin is raw, it now lives in the same album as the rest of the set, which I find much more satisfying than having the centerpiece of the collection sitting off to the side in a TPG slab.

With so much focus on quality and "buying the nicest coin you can afford," has anyone else ever purposefully downgraded a coin in your collection? IF so share the before and after pics below.

Sean Reynolds

jmski52

Nice-looking S VDB! No, I can't recall ever downgrading intentionally, but I do give serious thought to a VG-F set of Lincolns in nice, evenly-worn shape.

ricko

I have mentally downgraded some of my raw coins.... back in the late '90's as I learned more about grading...Having looked at some of those recently, I was right, and maybe one needs to be mentally downgraded again Cheers, RickO

BillJones

I have not downgraded like that in a very long time. The last time I did it, I replaced an MS-65 graded Roanoke commemorative half with an MS-64 because the lower grade coin was better. I called it “registry suicide.”

CCGGG

No, dealers do that for me, without even asking, when I'm trying to sell to them.

Cameonut

If downgrading includes removing artificially frosted cameos from the marketplace via the PCGS guarantee, then yes, I've done it a number of times.

Here is one example. Note the bluish haze on the coin. That was not there when I bought it - the coin changed in the holder over time. PCGS stood up and made me whole.

Broadstruck

I've downgraded or completely passed on some top pop stuff I just didn't see as really being there.

Sometimes a lower graded item comes along that's just better fit for your overall collecting goals.

Aspie_Rocco

Yes I have down graded several top population coins from my registry set in order to upgrade others in addition to replacing the coin -1 grade point. Sometimes I got cash and coins in trade for high grade varieties.

It made sense to me as trades since most of my top pop coins sent for grading and attribution were picked unattributed.

Knowing I have no chance at the Number One spot on the registry, I am content with #3, and I got there and held it by downgrading at least 10 coins to acquire upgrades for many others.

Down ms66 to 65 a few times, pr67 to pr66 a few, ms67fs to ms66fs one, MS65FS to ms63fs, and most regrettable ms66fs to au58.

oih82w8

Yes, for a more eye-appealing coin.

astrorat

Yes, I have replaced several 'place-holder' die marriages or die states when a more appealing, but lower grade coin became available.

Edited to add ... nice S-VDB clip, Sean!

Walkerfan

Though neither will ever be complete; I participate in both Registries---here and across the street. My NGC 42d and 44d coins are 66s, while my PCGS coins for those same issues are 65s. The 65s are not necessarily as good as the 66s, but rather, I just like them enough and they are in old green holders. For those reasons; I find them appealing and don't need them to be 66s, too. That is my best example in relation to the OP's question.

Boosibri

I downgraded an 1858-S $5 in P58 CAC, the the time the finest know , to a P40 CAC as I was afraid of pops expanding. Good move in retrospect