Which do you prefer
coastaljerseyguy
Posts: 1,437 ✭✭✭✭✭
Was looking at some coins for potential upgrade to my set and noticed 2 that I liked. Wondered whether folks had a strong preference for a coin with a 'cleaner' surface and most apparent luster (although likely was gently dipped) or the one that looks like it still has original surfaces with circulation dirt and grime.
They are not the same grade (the 1st is higher) so don't pick because of that but because of the look - however they are the same date & mint. I assume coin # 1 looked like the 2nd coin before the dip. By the way, I have no issue with TPG's assigning a clean grade with the look of #1 since the luster does not appear negatively impacted, at least in any material way.
Do folks generally agree when dirt hides in many of the crevices, around the stars and date, and around the full profile but not on the flat surfaces that there was a dipping at some point?
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"Do folks generally agree when dirt hides in many of the crevices, around the stars and date, and around the full profile but not on the flat surfaces that there was a dipping at some point?"
I don't agree with your premise at all.
In honor of the memory of Cpl. Michael E. Thompson
Neither do I.
Coin 2 for me.
Paper money eventually returns to its intrinsic value. Zero. Voltaire. Ebay coinbowlllc
@TomB,
Agree almost nothing is 100% guaranteed. Since I value your opinion, what would cause this look of a clean surface except for dirt in these areas and around 'all' the stars & Liberty's full profile - from the top of the head to the bottom of the neck? Know additional circulation will remove some previous dirt/grime, but I wonder when it is around all these key areas.
Notwithstanding my overall assumption, do you think coin #1 was dipped? Didn't want to show full coin as it is not my coin and don't want opinions on someone's else's coin.
From what little I can see of either coin, I would not suggest either was dipped.
I believe an analysis of how things move would give a different perspective. If you have snow and wind where does the snow generally accumulate? It doesn't accumulate over the highest and flattest portions of the terrain, but instead you get snow drifts up against buildings, walls, trees, cars or any other raised surface. Similarly, if you take some coffee cups or hammers or wrenches or books or whatever else you want and fix them in place on a table or other surface and then sprinkle salt or oil or something else on it allow it to sit for a while with folks touching the surfaces and then you remove the coffee cups or hammers or wrenches or books or whatever else I would bet you'd find the salt or oil built up along the outlines of what had been fixed to the table. Simply put, raised devices (stars, letters, dates, portraits, dead cats, etc...) are an impediment to the flow of surface contaminants (oil, crud, dirt, etc...) and cause a physical barrier whereby such contaminants can build up over time. Circulated coins got handled a lot and many grimy fingers and hands unintentionally worked the surfaces and helped build up schmutz in protected areas. That's what I believe happens in many/most of these cases and I take it as evidence that surfaces might not have been screwed up intentionally by collectors and/or dealers.
In honor of the memory of Cpl. Michael E. Thompson
Tom, I like your analogy of the snow accumulation building up when it hits impediments. Also makes sense why dirt is most prevalent going from fields to devices. But, I would think there is still snow mostly everywhere, even if much lower. I think photo # 2 reflects that look - overall dirt with the least on the flat fields. I would also think the high points get the most handling action and not remove all the field dirt except for around all the devices. Good discussion and we can all agree to disagree. I definitely do not think #2 was dipped and that coin & look was my current preference. When I began collecting I would have chosen #1.
Dipping is something that is rarely [should absolutely never be] done to well circulated coins. Dirt hiding in the protected areas is a sign that the coin could have been wiped, cleaned, burnished, call it what you will, or just regular old handling from circulation.
I think I prefer coin B
Collector, occasional seller
I don't agree either.
It would help if you posted full pictures of both the obverse and reverse of both coins.
If you are considering purchasing, can you ask for a video of the coin being rotated under a light source?
As to which to purchase, that depends on your goals and which look YOU prefer. If you are still hesitant, consider waiting for another example - this is not a rare coin and you should be able to find other examples fairly easily.
With some issues, i'm looking specifically for coins with some dirt around the devices, but it has to match the appearance of the rest of the coin. I prefer "crustiness", and with the limited pictures of examples you've shown I think I like coin #2 better.
Im fairly certain this coin below is 100% original, and Id be surprised if someone didn't agree.
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I don't know about anyone else, but I cannot give an opinion of which I like better seeing only one half of one side of any coin.
My Collection of Old Holders
Never a slave to one plastic brand will I ever be.
@DD
Agree your coin looks 100% original, small amount of dirt/grime around devices and matches appearance with the rest of coin. Very nice.
Coin 1 for me
Coin 2
Thanks for all the feedback. As noted, looking to upgrade so not making a quick decision on either coin. Just wanted comments on the 'look' that others prefer for a circulated coin. Appears #2 was the preferred choice. Also appears maybe I'm a little harsh or ultra-conservative on whether a coin may have been cleaned in the past.
Anyway, currently have a VF35 and looking to upgrade to XF or low AU. As some might have guessed it is the CC mint. There were several coins similar to these on EBAY with the dirty vs clean look. I know some folks wanted to see full coin but I hesitate to display someone else's coin, & maybe get some negative comments, esp if I'm not ready to pull the trigger yet.
I like 1
That $5 gold is a keeper (so beautiful) in AU58.
It is a crapshoot as to which of the OP coins are more desirable.... Not enough pictorial imagery to evaluate the coin as a whole. Coin number one appears to have more hair detail, that would give it credit over number two. Cheers, RickO