Upgraded from the 65 (top coin) to the 66 (bottom coin). Strike is a bit softer on the 66, but the eye appeal is much nicer, especially on the obverse.
For the 1951 dimes, 1956 half dollars and 1963 half dollars pictured above, the differences between each of the two coins (CAM vs. no CAM for the dime; 68 v. 68+ for the 1956 half dollar; and CAM v. DCAM for the 1963 half dollar) are very slight.
Viewed in hand, under good lighting, each of the sets of two coins look almost identical.
The first coin. A 1795 Flowing Hair Half Dollar in EF-45.
The upgrade, A 1795 Flowing Hair Hair Half Dollar in AU-58. This was once in an NGC MS-61 holder!
A second example.
1800 V-1 Half Dime, eventually to an NGC EF-40 holder.
The replacement, 1800 half dime MS-64
As you can see, the better coin has to be a major jump to be worth it to me.
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 ... ?
@winesteven said:
Unfortunately I upgrade much more often than is financially “smart”. It’s better to be patient and wait for the grade you really want for the coin, instead of not having patience, buying a coin, only to upgrade that coin a short time later. Then when you sell that lower graded coin, you often net less than you had paid for it!
Here’s just a very few of the hundreds I have upgraded in my collection. I know that some seeing these will indeed feel they like the lower grade coin(s) better:
Steve
Wow, Steve, I don't think anyone could complain about these upgrades. Such a beautiful bronze Indian and I love the 20 cent piece and SLQ. Yes, I love the coins replaced as well, but great job.
Jim
When a man who is honestly mistaken hears the truth, he will either quit being mistaken or cease to be honest....Abraham Lincoln
Patriotism is supporting your country all the time, and your government when it deserves it.....Mark Twain
@winesteven said:
Unfortunately I upgrade much more often than is financially “smart”. It’s better to be patient and wait for the grade you really want for the coin, instead of not having patience, buying a coin, only to upgrade that coin a short time later. Then when you sell that lower graded coin, you often net less than you had paid for it!
Here’s just a very few of the hundreds I have upgraded in my collection. I know that some seeing these will indeed feel they like the lower grade coin(s) better:
Steve
Wow, Steve, I don't think anyone could complain about these upgrades. Such a beautiful bronze Indian and I love the 20 cent piece and SLQ. Yes, I love the coins replaced as well, but great job.
Jim
Jim - Thanks for your VERY kind words!
Steve
A day without fine wine and working on your coin collection is like a day without sunshine!!!
@Barberian said:
The "upgrade" is on the bottom. I'm selling the F12.
Is that for a lowball set? Or do you just like the 10 more?
This isn't for a lowball set. I like coins in all grades and prefer the 10 much more than the 12 because it looks more original and has less pitting and hairlining. CAC likes it as well, though the 12 hasn't been sent to CAC for approval (and it won't because it doesn't pass my approval).
I posted a brightly dipped AU 55/54 earlier that I 'rejected' for an original F02. I did that deliberately as humor as I have 55/54s with a variety of different looks. I sincerely like the look of the F02, though, better than the overdipped AU. However, the F02 is environmentally damaged (corroded) and one can barely make out the overdate.
From an MS65 (top coin) to an MS66+ (bottom coin). I really like the wild & funky 65, but the 66+ is the ideal grade for the 1949-D in my set, and there's plenty to like about that one too.
For Large Cents, I don't typically sell off pieces I "upgrade". Case in point, my 1831's... I bought the first coin, an N-14, because it's a tougher variety and it was attributed by Grellman and came with his card...
I just recently purchased this coin (N-2) to accompany the first...
Collecting: Dansco 7070; Middle Date Large Cents (VF-AU); Box of 20;
Comments
One more…..
My old 1817/3 CBH PCGS AU53 CAC
My new 1817/3 CBH PCGS AU58 CAC
Dave
@drddm
Yup, looks like a slippery slope. Those are beautiful adds that replace wonderful coins.
Successful BST with BustDMs , Pnies20, lkeigwin, pursuitofliberty, Bullsitter, felinfoel, SPalladino (CBH's - 37 Die Marriage's)
$5 Type Set https://www.pcgs.com/setregistry/u-s-coins/type-sets/half-eagle-type-set-circulation-strikes-1795-1929/album/344192
CBH Set https://www.pcgs.com/setregistry/everyman-collections/everyman-half-dollars/everyman-capped-bust-half-dollars-1807-1839/album/345572
Went from a basic 63 NGC to this:
My YouTube Channel
Old PCGS/CAC VG08
New upgrade PCGS/CAC F12
Managed to upgrade my 74S ANACS soap bar Ike from 66 to 67.
Upgraded from the 65 (top coin) to the 66 (bottom coin). Strike is a bit softer on the 66, but the eye appeal is much nicer, especially on the obverse.
Nothing is as expensive as free money.
MS65
MS66+
https://www.smallcopperguy.com
I haven't upgraded much of my collection, but this one was a huge jump for me. Upgraded from VF25 to AU50 CAC.
Downey mail bid 54, lot 40, PCGS AU53
👇🏼
PCGS AU58, had a CAC sticker, someone probably sent it in for a regrade? Will send back to get the sticker.
Here’s the trueview from when it was CACed
BHNC #248 … 130 and counting.
F12 old coin:
VF25 new coin (which happens to be a flip-over double strike):
PF62RD (it has numerous hairlines)
Upgraded to this PF66RD
PF67
Upgraded to PF67CAM
PF68CAM
Upgraded to PF68+CAM
PF67CAM
Upgraded to PF67DCAM
For the 1951 dimes, 1956 half dollars and 1963 half dollars pictured above, the differences between each of the two coins (CAM vs. no CAM for the dime; 68 v. 68+ for the 1956 half dollar; and CAM v. DCAM for the 1963 half dollar) are very slight.
Viewed in hand, under good lighting, each of the sets of two coins look almost identical.
This was a biggie for me and the only one to date;
1889-CC
From: AU50
To: MS62 CAC
.
I try to do it right the first time. Lol
USAF (Ret.) 1985 - 2005. E-4B Aircraft Maintenance Crew Chief and Contracting Officer.
My current Registry sets:
✓ Everyman Mint State Carson City Morgan Dollars (1878 – 1893)
✓ Everyman Mint State Lincoln Cents (1909 – 1958)
✓ Morgan Dollar GSA Hoard (1878 – 1891)
The first coin. A 1795 Flowing Hair Half Dollar in EF-45.
The upgrade, A 1795 Flowing Hair Hair Half Dollar in AU-58. This was once in an NGC MS-61 holder!
A second example.
1800 V-1 Half Dime, eventually to an NGC EF-40 holder.
The replacement, 1800 half dime MS-64
As you can see, the better coin has to be a major jump to be worth it to me.
Original (wonderful VF)
Upgrade (wonderful AU)
Two stage upgrade:
Raw Fine+ details
PCGS F12
PCGS XF45 OGH
Does it count if you kept both coins?
MS64BN CAC and Photo Seal
MS65BN CAC and Photo Seal
Of course it does, as long as the newer coin is an upgrade 🌞
Mr_Spud
And here I'm thinking that one day I may upgrade my 1889-CC from a VF35 to a XF40. Lol!
That is a beautiful coin. I'm envious.
My Carson City Morgan Registry Set
Wow, Steve, I don't think anyone could complain about these upgrades. Such a beautiful bronze Indian and I love the 20 cent piece and SLQ. Yes, I love the coins replaced as well, but great job.
Jim
When a man who is honestly mistaken hears the truth, he will either quit being mistaken or cease to be honest....Abraham Lincoln
Patriotism is supporting your country all the time, and your government when it deserves it.....Mark Twain
Jim - Thanks for your VERY kind words!
Steve
My collecting “Pride & Joy” is my PCGS Registry Dansco 7070 Set:
https://www.pcgs.com/setregistry/type-sets/design-type-sets/complete-dansco-7070-modified-type-set-1796-date/publishedset/213996
1799 BB-165 Die State III (yes, I collect by die state) Bust Dollar
Before (PCGS F Details)
After (NGC AU53)
VF35
AU55
I wonder if anyone here beside myself would call this an upgrade?
Same grade, but lost in the swap..
Pcgs holder
CAC sticker
Excellent provenance
Gained?
Very cool, hard to find ANA holder
Possible upgrade
Both coins have fantastic eye appeal, but my newer one has a very uncommon look to it... so yeah, in my book an upgrade all the way!
“Upgraded” from a 65 to…a 65. The brighter coin fits the rest of my set better.
Old coin:
New coin:
Nothing is as expensive as free money.
I just upgraded this Civil War Token Storecard from this:
To this one:
Mr_Spud
The "upgrade" is on the bottom. I'm selling the F12.
Is that for a lowball set? Or do you just like the 10 more?
Mr_Spud
This isn't for a lowball set. I like coins in all grades and prefer the 10 much more than the 12 because it looks more original and has less pitting and hairlining. CAC likes it as well, though the 12 hasn't been sent to CAC for approval (and it won't because it doesn't pass my approval).
I posted a brightly dipped AU 55/54 earlier that I 'rejected' for an original F02. I did that deliberately as humor as I have 55/54s with a variety of different looks. I sincerely like the look of the F02, though, better than the overdipped AU. However, the F02 is environmentally damaged (corroded) and one can barely make out the overdate.
@Barberian That totally makes sense!
Mr_Spud
...> @Mr_Spud said:
Thanks!
By the way, your upgrade on the token is gorgeous. Beautiful color and it has a cud now. Both tokens are nice.
XF45 CAC
AU58 with a very scarce variety to boot - CAC pending
Chopmarked Trade Dollar Registry Set --- US & World Gold Showcase --- World Chopmark Showcase
1894/3 TF Peru 1 Dinero N1 to start the registry set, then VF35. Tough coins to find.
A VF30 and EF45 CAC/Fairmont. I still have the VF coin.
Old AU53 CAC
New AU58 CAC
https://www.pcgs.com/setregistry/gold/liberty-head-2-1-gold-major-sets/liberty-head-2-1-gold-basic-set-circulation-strikes-1840-1907-cac/alltimeset/268163
to
From an MS65 (top coin) to an MS66+ (bottom coin). I really like the wild & funky 65, but the 66+ is the ideal grade for the 1949-D in my set, and there's plenty to like about that one too.
Nothing is as expensive as free money.
55 CAC (color in hand is almost a gun metal, not orangey. This is common for the 74-S due to a slightly different planchet prep):
To 63 (heading to CAC soon):
Chopmarked Trade Dollar Registry Set --- US & World Gold Showcase --- World Chopmark Showcase
I upgraded from this 1957 PF67 nickel
to this 1957 PF67CAM nickel.
I also upgraded from this 1951 PF67 dime
to this 1951 PF67CAM dime
F12 to XF45
For Large Cents, I don't typically sell off pieces I "upgrade". Case in point, my 1831's... I bought the first coin, an N-14, because it's a tougher variety and it was attributed by Grellman and came with his card...
I just recently purchased this coin (N-2) to accompany the first...
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.
Here's another... I had a tough time finding a decent 1825...
then, I acquired this one... cheap...
...and then finally got it right, sort of... the coin is a little lighter in-hand..
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.
you should just have adjusted the coin's white balance