Strike vs Surface Preservation Defining Grade–Which Coin Would You Choose?

CalGold

Assume you are considering two coins (Coin A and Coin graded MS or PR 64.

On Coin A the grade is limited by contact marks (eg. well struck portrait coin but shows a hit or two to Liberty's cheek or perhaps there are hairlines on a proof).

On Coin B the grade is limited by weakness in strike (eg. Liberty's face is clean and hairlines are not a problem but the hair/eagle's feathers are a bit soft).

All other factors being equal (color, luster etc), which would you choose?

Would your answer be differ for proofs rather than business strikes?

CG

KlectorKid

Coin B.

Ronyahski

I choose B. Hits and hairlines are more distracting to me than strike, MS or Proof. Just my preference. Current market grading trends has relegated the importance of strike, I go along.

tjkillian

Coin A, without a doubt! Strike is far more important than a couple of ticks/hairlines.

Tom

Mrpawn

most likely coin A Good strike is important to me and the contact to cause it to grade 64 is usually acceptable to me

Jr

shirohniichan

I don't usually buy proofs, but when buying MS coins I'd rather have a strong strike and a few ticks.

rkfish

Coin A.....I prefer a strong strike also.

oldcameoproofsguy

On proofs, strike is rarely an issue. Surface preservation is more important to me, including suface problems caused by die imperfections or poorly prepared planchets.

My focus on mint state coins has always been to collect gem examples. Usually, there are few hits on a gem piece, so strike is far more important to me than the surface quality. Nothing to me looks worse than a gem without a full bold strike to get every little detail of the coin's design.

coppercoins

My only question would be exactly where the hits are, and whether or not they are eyesore hits. MS64 or PR64 according to the grading companies can have quite a gash on them. Anyhow, I would almost certainly choose the stronger strike. I prefer a slightly hit coin over one that wasn't struck well enough to show 100% of the design.

kranky

I'd go with the strong strike. A 64 - even if solely due to contact marks - would still look good to me if the strike is all there.

mr1931S

given the choice of sharp strike with a few contact marks or weak strike with no contact marks i will go for sharply struck coin A almost always...

contact marks,while i know i will wish they weren't there sometimes,do not detract me from the pleasing effect that the sharply struck coin will have on me...contact marks or "hits" are not a big deal to me if they aren't numerous or large and especially if they are on a coin i know to be uncommon,scarce,or rare with full,sharply struck features,in which case,i will also blind myself to the grade number that may have been assigned to the coin...

contact marks that can't be called gouges by any stretch of reason...not a big deal,in my opinion...unquestionable full strike on some mint issues is a big deal,in my opinion...

roadrunner

B: Clean surfaces over strike for me. Though I try to stay away from poorly struck pieces if I can.

roadrunner

Elcontador

I'll always go with the well-struck coin in this situation. The choice re PF coins wouldn't work, because typically, hairlines 9and sometimes ugly toning) are the grade limiting problems with them, not weak strikes.

EVillageProwler

Coin A for me. I'll take a few more small marks if I can get the strike. Of course, this depends on the size and location of the marks vs the degree and location of the weakness as well.

EVP

MrKelso

Strong Strike.

cladking

Strike! A few of these answers are surprising.

FatMan

Strong Strike-

I can always see past a few contact marks but can never truly appreciate a weak strike.

prooflike

Depends on the size of the coin, for larger coins I prefer fewer hits and can accept a weaker strike and on smaller coins, I prefer a stronger strike and can tolerate a few hits.

dorkkarl

open-collar coins - strike

closed-collar coins - surface preservation

that's for unc's. for circ's, i'd go w/ surf. pres. for both

K S

CalGold

ttt

drsvenghali

Strike over contact marks if all else is equal.