POLL:Do you include duplicates in your collection?

wingedliberty

I find this topic often comes up at coin club meetings that I attend as well as at shows.
I am curious how many collectors out there, include duplicates in their collection?
I didn't used to, but now cannot resist a quality coin. An example from my collection follows:

-1881S S$ PCGS-65PL white.
-1881S S$ PCGS-66 gorgeous gold peripheral toning.
-1881S S$ NGC-63 deep green toning.

I have been seriously collecting for over twenty years. When I first started in the early eighties, I
collected by strictly date and mint mark, I carried a wantlist and a RedBook with checkmarks in it
of what I had, careful not to buy a duplicate. Now I find myself realizing that every coin is UNIQUE and
I don't mind adding quality duplicates. Has anyone else found themselves going through the same
transition. I find that this is a process that advanced collectors go through. A friend of mine has 10
1938D Buffs ranging from PCGS/NGC-MS63-66. Because this date exhibited such quality, each coin
seems unique, with toned coins in particular.


Thanks.
Brian.

Endocrinologist

I agree with you, I don't mind duplicates if the coin is original.

I tend to sell of any duplicates that appear the same (brillant all white coins). I tend to hold on the nice unique toned examples.

Endo

wingedliberty

I agree with you. I see that you use an Ike as your ICON. Do you find it difficult to
find nicely toned Ike's. I certainly do. I have only seen a few Ike's that are nicely toned and those
bring a huge premium.


Brian.

FC57Coins

I also will try to keep duplicates if they offer something unique to the collection, a toned piece versus a gem white piece for example, at times I was keeping examples of MS66 Franklins that I had run across along with the 65FBL's in my collection, but alas, when I started upgrading I couldn't afford that luxury so I've had to sell most of my dups to support my "habit"

Frank

wingedliberty

-That seems to be the general concensus within the hobby. Those who like toned coins, will
generally have a white example, with multiple unique toned coins to supplement that date/mintmark.


Brian.

LanLord

There are some coins that I don't mind having dups of. For instance, I will buy every flying eagle cent I can, I just love that design. Other times, it bothers me to have not updated my records which may cause me to pick up something that I already have in my collection. This only causes me about 10 seconds of emotional distress, then all is beautiful again. I can't ever be really upset about owning a coin.

wingedliberty

You're right, the more you love a series, the less distress there is about duplicates.


Brian.

stujoe

I rarely keep duplicates except in the stuff I have in bulk, wheat cents, buffalos, etc. When I upgrade, the old one goes.

Blade

I am in the same camp. I collect type coins, and once fretted over having 2 of the same. Then it only concerned me to have 2 of the same date. Now, I just don't care as long as each brings something unique in terms of eye appeal.

Brian - Interesting notes on the 38D Buffs. I've got a golden toned MS66 beauty with explosive luster and recently saw a monster toned PCGS MS67 at a show. I chose to pass at the time, but am now trying to track down the dealer because I can't stop thinking about that coin. I will be proud to own both.

dakra

At this point, I'm collecting mostly modern coins. I have plenty of duplicate coins or sets. My intention is to sell the dupes in the future in hopes my hobby will pay for itself.

-Dave

RGL

How about triplicates? As long as each coin brings something different to the table ... I have my complete DCAM/CAM set of Jeff proofs, with a lot of high-grade brilliants, and the non-CAM coins will be transferred to my 86-percent complete Brilliant registry set of Jeff proofs as I upgrade. I credit or blame BNE for having both D/CAM and Brilliant registry sets. Then, there is a third set of coins which were too big of a bargain/wonderful toning/etc. to pass up, but which are not listed on the registry. These are likely to be sold someday, but for the moment, I cannot let go of them. It's a sickness, I tell you ...

IrishMike

I have over 20 1916-S Mercs. Most raw but also slabbed MS63,64,65,66. IHC's LOL I have lots of duplicates and triplicates. I hope one of the 16-S's is finding its way around the board, nice coin, nice history. Thanks to TomB.

Hunt

Generally, I only have duplicates for a short time and usually unload the "lower grade" coin. Since most of my coins are on the expensive end, it gets a little costly to hold duplicates--especially when there's so many more I need

In general, I will be more inclined to keep doubles or triples of coins that are my favorites (rarer dates, variations, etc.). Also, as a rule I feel that keeping duplicates of scarcer/rarer coin is a better idea than common dates. Unless you're a toning lover, then I guess every coin has a uniqueness.

-Hunter