rarity vs. grade

DisneyFan

Given a choice and with the same amount of money to spend, would you prefer buying a rarer coin or a higher grade coin?

PeakRarities

I can’t answer this. This isn’t quantifiable for me, it will depend highly on the specific coin in question.

lermish

I prefer rarer coins

@DeplorableDan said:
I can’t answer this. This isn’t quantifiable for me, it will depend highly on the specific coin in question.

This is the correct answer but I strongly lean towards rarity as a basic qualifier for my interest in a coin in most/all circumstances.

124Spider

I didn't "vote," because it's not a binary issue for me; for me, it's not "one or the other."

I like rare coins. I like high grade coins. Generally speaking, I don't like very low-grade, rare coins, and (also generally speaking), I don't go after top-pop coins, generally being happy with MS63 or MS64 even for common coins.

So I wouldn't spend extra (generally speaking) to buy a coin in a grade higher than MS63 or MS64. And I generally wouldn't buy a very low-grade rare coin.

I would buy a decently high grade rare coin over a spectacularly high grade common coin.

And I would always love to buy high grade rare coins, but rarely can afford to do so.

alaura22

Can you add a "both" button.............

Steven59

I prefer rarer coins

Coins and steaks - rare.

yspsales

I prefer higher grades

The answer is both...

Realistically, for me, modern and high grade is my main interest.

The chase is enjoyable, and it fits my budget.

johnny9434

I prefer rarer coins

Both works for me as well

jfriedm56

I tend to lean towards the higher quality rarer coins so one or the other doesn’t work for me. Add that both button and I’m in.

WaterSport

I prefer rarer coins

I pursue the rarity and hope to find a higher graded example later on... which is often very difficult to find because...it's rare.

WS

silverpop

can't answer as i follow one rule if the coin gets my notice it's got doesn't matter the grade or how rare it is if it gets my notice it's bought

Applejacks

I prefer higher grades

@alaura22 said:
Can you add a "both" button.............

Read my mind 😂

OAKSTAR

Today it's rarity, tomorrow it could be grade. That's what makes this hobby so great!

Catbert

I prefer higher grades

If one characteristic has to be sacrificed, it would be rarity since I want to fully appreciate the coin’s design elements. I suspect this is true for most type collectors.

Manifest_Destiny

I prefer rarer coins

I collect seated quarters in mid circulated grades, so it's all about the rarity.

Extremeengineer

As I do not as of yet have a narrow focus with respect to what interests me, and what I am buying, I would also agree I cannot answer this given only the 2 options. I am not overly wealthy, so were I to be considering a rare coin, I would likely have to lower my standards with respect to grade as opposed to say a Morgan where often rarity would not even be a part of the equation.

alefzero

I prefer rarer coins

I am all about rarity. If doing a set where some are not so rare, I like to find the oddball examples (wild toning, double strikes, strike-throughs, off-centers, ...) rather than shoot for high grades.

Walkerfan

I prefer rarer coins

I prefer rarity just as long as the grade is not substandard.

FOR ME that range would be 45 to 64 depending on the coin.

Dave99B

I prefer rarer coins

Easy choice for me.

Dave

TheGoonies1985

I prefer rarer coins

Rarity

BillJones

I can't answer this because for me it's combination of both.

I will not a rare coin in a junky grade. I will do without the coin. When I didn't have the 1796-7 half dollar type coin, I could have scraped together enough money to buy one that was polished and holed with Fair sharpness. NO WAY! I would rather have no coin in that slot.

My minimum grade is Fine with zero problems. My prefered grades are VF and better. I buy Mint State coins when I can afford it.

Floridafacelifter

I want both!

ShaunBC5

I prefer rarer coins

Typically I go for rarer. I have plenty of low, mid and high grade common stuff, though (and my entire collection is both low grade AND common compared to some on here).

ctf_error_coins

I prefer higher grades

High grade unique rare coins with exceptional eye appeal works for me.

Colonialcoin

@124Spider said:
I didn't "vote," because it's not a binary issue for me; for me, it's not "one or the other."

I like rare coins. I like high grade coins. Generally speaking, I don't like very low-grade, rare coins, and (also generally speaking), I don't go after top-pop coins, generally being happy with MS63 or MS64 even for common coins.

So I wouldn't spend extra (generally speaking) to buy a coin in a grade higher than MS63 or MS64. And I generally wouldn't buy a very low-grade rare coin.

I would buy a decently high grade rare coin over a spectacularly high grade common coin.

And I would always love to buy high grade rare coins, but rarely can afford to do so.

Your reasoning is pretty much spot on. One extra thing for me personally is that a rare coin needs to have eye appeal or quaintness to it even if it’s a good or vg. I refuse to keep rare colonial coins in my collection that are so ugly that I won’t take them out of its envelope. Nothing grosser to me than a dark, heavily porous, poorly struck coin. Attractive rare colonials in any grade are a super easy sell once I happen to upgrade.

JerseyB

I prefer higher grades

I prefer higher grade coins. But I wouldn't hesitate to buy a rarer coin in low grade. Depends on the coin really.

asheland

I prefer higher grades

Prefer higher grade, even when common, but low grade with great eye appeal in a rare coin is very satisfying as well.

So truthfully, both!

Sometimes, with my limited budget, I can stumble upon both:

high(ish) grade and somewhat rare

But usually I have to choose so I go with common and pretty:

These two happen to match well.

Avocet

I am in the "combination" camp. I patiently await opportunities to pick up rare coins at a higher grade. If a rare coin becomes available with a poor grade, I would likely pass (assuming that a higher grade version may come up someday). Another aspect is, of course, eye appeal. Sometimes, the higher-grade rare coins are not very appealing. All of these aspects are part of the art of collecting, and after a while, our collections seem to take on an 'individual brand.'

Jimnight

I prefer rarer coins

BUT...High grade as well.