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Do you lose respect for a collection that has lower condition coins?

ZoinsZoins Posts: 34,117 ✭✭✭✭✭
edited December 12, 2019 11:17PM in U.S. Coin Forum

Of course, collections can strive to have the best of the best, but when a lower condition coin is added to the collection, do you lose a bit of respect for the collection / collector / provenance?

As a collector, I love getting the best but sometimes I also like lower condition coins for fun, whether it is to add a different look or simply to have some variety. Would it be better to associate or not associate the lower graded coins with the collection provenance?

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Comments

  • BroadstruckBroadstruck Posts: 30,497 ✭✭✭✭✭

    No as I can appreciate a lower grade collection if surface condition wise it's wholesome original.

    I've personally down graded when I found an example I felt possessed better overall qualities which appealed to me.

    I own one HTT in VF that I've passed upgrading to every XF or AU seen as all have been molested a bit to some degree.

    To Err Is Human.... To Collect Err's Is Just Too Much Darn Tootin Fun!
  • BroadstruckBroadstruck Posts: 30,497 ✭✭✭✭✭

    David Kahn once had a 1795 50c in AG3 which I was majorly drooling over and still today regret not having purchased.

    It was oozing originality as it hadn't been boinked in any way since it was plucked from circulation.

    To Err Is Human.... To Collect Err's Is Just Too Much Darn Tootin Fun!
  • FranklinHalfAddictFranklinHalfAddict Posts: 671 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited December 13, 2019 4:39AM

    Not at all. Everyone likes what they like. Someone could turn their nose up to any Morgan that isn’t at least MS66 but also love the look of AG/G Washington quarters. Why lose respect because of that? It’s all about the enjoyment of the hobby. We should all be happy there are 10,001 ways to enjoy it.

  • johnny9434johnny9434 Posts: 28,330 ✭✭✭✭✭

    No as long as it looks decent. To each our own

  • rickoricko Posts: 98,724 ✭✭✭✭✭

    No... It is that person's collection... and as with art or wives, his choice and his taste.....Your opinion is no more valid than that of the person assembling the collection....actually less so, since the coins were his/her choice. Cheers, RickO

  • oldUScoinsoldUScoins Posts: 243 ✭✭✭✭

    No I don't lose respect for anybodies collection for a lower condition coin. In a coin I see history - and whether it is one that was well preserved and kept out of circulation or one that was transferring hands and buying items for a hundred year or more years - each has an appeal to me.

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

    @Broadstruck said:
    No as I can appreciate a lower grade collection if surface condition wise it's wholesome original.

    I've personally down graded when I found an example I felt possessed better overall qualities which appealed to me.

    I own one HTT in VF that I've passed upgrading to every XF or AU seen as all have been molested a bit to some degree.

    It's driving me crazy (short trip) but what is a HTT???

  • BroadstruckBroadstruck Posts: 30,497 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @DIMEMAN said:

    @Broadstruck said:
    No as I can appreciate a lower grade collection if surface condition wise it's wholesome original.

    I've personally down graded when I found an example I felt possessed better overall qualities which appealed to me.

    I own one HTT in VF that I've passed upgrading to every XF or AU seen as all have been molested a bit to some degree.

    It's driving me crazy (short trip) but what is a HTT???

    Hard Times Token

    To Err Is Human.... To Collect Err's Is Just Too Much Darn Tootin Fun!
  • DIMEMANDIMEMAN Posts: 22,403 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @Broadstruck said:

    @DIMEMAN said:

    @Broadstruck said:
    No as I can appreciate a lower grade collection if surface condition wise it's wholesome original.

    I've personally down graded when I found an example I felt possessed better overall qualities which appealed to me.

    I own one HTT in VF that I've passed upgrading to every XF or AU seen as all have been molested a bit to some degree.

    It's driving me crazy (short trip) but what is a HTT???

    Hard Times Token

    Duh.....sorry it's early in the morning here.

  • JimnightJimnight Posts: 10,846 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Absolutely not.

  • CCGGGCCGGG Posts: 1,267 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Not really, in some ways I like the looks of a nice VF to XF collection as much as a 63/64 MS set... Actually I'd prefer a nice XF rather than a bag marked 61 or 62.

  • Walkerguy21DWalkerguy21D Posts: 11,444 ✭✭✭✭✭

    If I did, I would be quite the hypocrite, since my Large Cent collection runs the gamut from G to MS64, including some details/genny specimens....people that live in glass houses, yada yada.

    One of the things I've learned from the EACer's, that changed my thinking, and is along the lines of what Broadstruck was saying above: lower grade but nicer, more appealing surfaces trumps higher grade.
    I actually paid double for an 1821 large cent with choice color and surfaces, that was technically a lower grade than one I already owned.

    Successful BST transactions with 171 members. Ebeneezer, Tonedeaf, Shane6596, Piano1, Ikenefic, RG, PCGSPhoto, stman, Don'tTelltheWife, Boosibri, Ron1968, snowequities, VTchaser, jrt103, SurfinxHI, 78saen, bp777, FHC, RYK, JTHawaii, Opportunity, Kliao, bigtime36, skanderbeg, split37, thebigeng, acloco, Toninginthblood, OKCC, braddick, Coinflip, robcool, fastfreddie, tightbudget, DBSTrader2, nickelsciolist, relaxn, Eagle eye, soldi, silverman68, ElKevvo, sawyerjosh, Schmitz7, talkingwalnut2, konsole, sharkman987, sniocsu, comma, jesbroken, David1234, biosolar, Sullykerry, Moldnut, erwindoc, MichaelDixon, GotTheBug
  • scubafuelscubafuel Posts: 1,850 ✭✭✭✭✭

    I might lose some respect for lower QUALITY, but never for lower condition.

  • ZoinsZoins Posts: 34,117 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited December 13, 2019 8:13AM

    @BryceM said:
    Nope, as long as the collector is having fun. :)

    Great answers everyone. I've heard a number of opinions that you shouldn't take lesser coins into your set, but sometimes, it's nice to have fun too.

  • SmudgeSmudge Posts: 9,523 ✭✭✭✭✭

    No, I prefer a scarce low grade to a common high grade. I do not play the condition rarity game. As long as the coin is nice for the grade looks good to me, and straight grades.

  • lkeneficlkenefic Posts: 8,160 ✭✭✭✭✭

    No... collections like these (coins) can be a highly personal thing. I still have a run of Indian Head Cents that I collected from a coffee can at my gradfathers' summer home. They'e all common dates, G4-VG8 , but they were from my grandfather... sometimes provenance trumps condition...

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

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  • HydrantHydrant Posts: 7,773 ✭✭✭✭✭

    No. If I did then I would lose respect for my collection and that wouldn't be any fun. It's hard enough as it is.

  • stmanstman Posts: 11,352 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Sounds elitist imo. :)

    Please... Save The Stories, Just Answer My Questions, And Tell Me How Much!!!!!
  • mannie graymannie gray Posts: 7,259 ✭✭✭✭✭

    No I would not.

  • jmski52jmski52 Posts: 22,849 ✭✭✭✭✭

    No.

    Q: Are You Printing Money? Bernanke: Not Literally

    I knew it would happen.
  • KkathylKkathyl Posts: 3,762 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @Broadstruck said:
    David Kahn once had a 1795 50c in AG3 which I was majorly drooling over and still today regret not having purchased.

    It was oozing originality as it hadn't been boinked in any way since it was plucked from circulation.

    Great point and example

    Best place to buy !
    Bronze Associate member

  • BillJonesBillJones Posts: 33,981 ✭✭✭✭✭

    It depends upon how low you go and how nice the coin or token in question is known to exist. For some rare early U.S. cent die varieites, the best known coin in collector hands is a VG. Therefore if you have a nice Good, that's nothing to laugh at. If you plug the 1853 hole in a large cent date set with an AG-3, I might question your taste.

    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 ... ?
  • Insider2Insider2 Posts: 14,452 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @Zoins said:
    Of course, collections can strive to have the best of the best, but when a lower condition coin is added to the collection, do you lose a bit of respect for the collection / collector / provenance?

    As a collector, I love getting the best but sometimes I also like lower condition coins for fun, whether it is to add a different look or simply to have some variety. Would it be better to associate or not associate the lower graded coins with the collection provenance?

    :) It's a slow, slow day on the boards...

    I think you answered your own question. I should hope that "respect" would not enter into the assessment due to several reasons we all can think of including those you mentioned.

  • privatecoinprivatecoin Posts: 3,383 ✭✭✭✭✭

    No.

    Paper money eventually returns to its intrinsic value. Zero. Voltaire. Ebay coinbowlllc

  • KkathylKkathyl Posts: 3,762 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited December 13, 2019 10:42AM

    HTT acronym guesses:
    Hard to Trade
    Half the time
    Hawaii Territorial Token
    Holder too traditional
    Hoarded Top Ten

    Added correct answer is

    Hard Times Token 🤩

    Best place to buy !
    Bronze Associate member

  • jmlanzafjmlanzaf Posts: 34,213 ✭✭✭✭✭

    No, I lose respect for collectors who look down on someone else's collection.

  • KkathylKkathyl Posts: 3,762 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @jmlanzaf said:
    No, I lose respect for collectors who look down on someone else's collection.

    🎤

    Best place to buy !
    Bronze Associate member

  • keetskeets Posts: 25,351 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Would it be better to associate or not associate the lower graded coins with the collection provenance?

    while I don't really have an opinion about the question as posed, I am none the less pleased to see you choose the word Provenance!!! B)

    hope springs eternal.............................

  • crazyhounddogcrazyhounddog Posts: 13,969 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Personally I couldn’t care less what the grade of a coin is. It’s the eye appeal that counts.
    Grade smade show me the coin.

    The bitterness of "Poor Quality" is remembered long after the sweetness of low price is forgotten.
  • BroadstruckBroadstruck Posts: 30,497 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @jmlanzaf said:
    No, I lose respect for collectors who look down on someone else's collection.

    Most upper echelon collectors I know still buys some widgets in between larger purchases just to get something in the mail.

    To Err Is Human.... To Collect Err's Is Just Too Much Darn Tootin Fun!
  • ElmerFusterpuckElmerFusterpuck Posts: 4,722 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Maybe not respect but I would wonder about their eye, and then only when they have a collection full of blast white silver F's and VF's instead of nice, original coins in the same grade.

  • BaleyBaley Posts: 22,660 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Respect is a tough word for the grade-Quality of the contents of a Collection, rather than the completeness, cohesiveness, difficulty of attainment, time and effort required to achieve and hypothetically duplicate the group, historical and artistic meaningfulness of the assemblage.

    It's very easy to simply buy high grade easy to find coins.

    A collection that takes a lot of work to assemble commands more of my respect than a collection that only takes a lot of money

    Liberty: Parent of Science & Industry

  • coinkatcoinkat Posts: 23,097 ✭✭✭✭✭

    There is something to be said for a collection that chooses to capture a series in various states of preservation. Seems many collectors forget that coins were meant to be spent and there is no shame in owning those coins that served their intended purpose.

    Experience the World through Numismatics...it's more than you can imagine.

  • HemisphericalHemispherical Posts: 9,370 ✭✭✭✭✭

    “Do you lose respect for a collection that has lower condition coins?”

    No, to each their own.

  • DCWDCW Posts: 7,316 ✭✭✭✭✭

    I dont think "respect" is exactly the right word for it, but it would be a head scratcher if the entire collection were mint state and a VF is thrown in there for no other reason than it saved some bucks.
    That is why it is important to get a handle on prices and the particular grade youd like before taking on set building.

    Dead Cat Waltz Exonumia
    "Coin collecting for outcasts..."

  • Tom147Tom147 Posts: 1,483 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Absolutely not. # 1 We all don't have the same budget. # 2 Beauty is in the eyes of the beholder. # 3 Who are we to belittle another collectors taste.
    If I like my collection, then I'm happy. If you don't like it, Just be happy for me.

  • oih82w8oih82w8 Posts: 12,208 ✭✭✭✭✭

    No, a wide variety of grade conditions further emphasizes the uniqueness of a collection.

    oih82w8 = Oh I Hate To Wait _defectus patientia_aka...Dr. Defecto - Curator of RMO's

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  • blitzdudeblitzdude Posts: 5,894 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Not at all. Only thing that makes me lose interest/respect in a coin are cac stickers and taco bell nasty on once blast white silvers.

    The whole worlds off its rocker, buy Gold™.

  • MrEurekaMrEureka Posts: 24,258 ✭✭✭✭✭

    I’ve seen coins in collections that led me to think less of the collector. Not because the coins were low grade, but because they were bad choices, i.e., obvious mistakes.

    Andy Lustig

    Doggedly collecting coins of the Central American Republic.

    Visit the Society of US Pattern Collectors at USPatterns.com.
  • ZoinsZoins Posts: 34,117 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @MrEureka said:
    I’ve seen coins in collections that led me to think less of the collector. Not because the coins were low grade, but because they were bad choices, i.e., obvious mistakes.

    Okay, now we’re getting somewhere!

  • privatecoinprivatecoin Posts: 3,383 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @MrEureka said:
    I’ve seen coins in collections that led me to think less of the collector. Not because the coins were low grade, but because they were bad choices, i.e., obvious mistakes.

    What may be obvious to some may be unknown to others.

    Paper money eventually returns to its intrinsic value. Zero. Voltaire. Ebay coinbowlllc

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