A Preference Question....

Clankeye

I'm building a short set within the classic commemorative series. And I was wondering how people feel about this:

1. With these 12 coins I could put together a set that would show a variety of luster and toning to represent the series. The set could be a showcase for the various way these coins can look, even in mint state grades.

Or...

2. I could build a set where each coin is chosen to match the other coins in the set by look as close as possible.

Which way would you go about it? Which do you think would be more interesting? One thing that got me thinking about this, is there is a coin I am considering right now for my set, but the reverse does not have the kind of look that I usually gravitate to. But... it is a legitmate way a lot of these coins look in mint state and others would find it appealing. I am wondering if I should include it in the set for the sake of variety. What do you think? Do most of you who collect by series want the same look for most of your coins?

Clankeye

nwcs

Myself, if I had the resources to pull it off, I would like a set where each piece showed something interesting, distinguishing, or unique in some way and have no two alike.

coinrookie

I would probably collect a variety. But I would have to have one that was as close to the appearence of the day it was minted as possible.

coinguy1

Clankeye,

A question and then a few comments (hopefully, this is allowed, even though I'm a dealer and not a collector)....

Question - which 12 coins are you referring to?

Comments - I'd go with whatever YOU like best. And, don't feel like you need to include something just because it happens to match, or even because it's representative of something or other. If you become a slave to the rules of your set, you will not get the enjoyment from it that you should.

In general, I prefer variety, in both color and design. Classic silver commemoratives constitute my favorite semi-affordable set, for that reason. There are many beautiful, varied designs and you can still find attractively toned ones at reasonable prices. But, even if you prefer color-free examples, you still get the benefit of the design variations.

Enjoy!

Clankeye

NWCS and coinrookie-- interesting and good responses. Thanks for your perspectives.

Coinguy1--
The twelve coin set would be the amazing, unheralded George Washington Carver series (of course). Minted in PDS sets, from 51 to 54.
Matched sets are coveted (by those who care) and hard to come by.
I recently picked up a 52 set (all NGC65) and each coin has it's own unique look. I really like each one of them, and they all show something different in luster, toning etc. I have decided (I think) to try to put together a set with every coin being included on it's merits alone-- not how it fits in a matched set. I think once finished these 12 coins could look pretty dramatic together. You said one very interesting thing:



<< <i>If you become a slave to the rules of your set, you will not get the enjoyment from it that you should. >>



I couldn't agree with you more about this. And that brings me to the coin that I am considering buying. The reverse is stark white. A lot of Carver's come with kind of a mellow, satiny luster, even if they are white. But, this coin isn't like that. The reverse is almost kind of a metal white. I've seen the look before, and usually passed on those coins. But, in this case I like the obverse and I'm thinking the reverse might be interesting to include in the set. It's not unappealing, just not what I usually would go for. Sometimes maybe you can become a slave "to a personal preference" that you may want to reexamine evey now and then?

Clankeye

coinguy1

Clankeye,

Thanks for the clarification. In that case, I typically prefer matched sets, whatever the degree or lack of toning.

You said :

" You said one very interesting thing". << If you become a slave to the rules of your set, you will not get the enjoyment from it that you should. >>


I'm deeply wounded - I thought I'd said at least two very interesting things!

You, on the other hand, said more than one very interesting thing, but in particular "Sometimes maybe you can become a slave "to a personal preference" that you may want to reexamine every now and then?"

Absolutely, now go ahead and buy what you want (as long as you KNOW you want it and it's in our inventory - oh, what the heck, it need not be in our inventory), even if it isn't what you would have wanted before your recent metamorphosis.

shirohniichan

Hmmm... I usually like the matched set idea, but I find it nigh impossible to accomplish.

As I get ever so close to completing my Philippines type set I came across Texas Bullion Traders' two nicely toned 1936 commemorative pesos. I could have passed by them since the rest of my coins are brilliant white, but I liked the way they looked. If I were to try to go back now and find colorfully toned versions of all the other coins in the set, I don't think I could without the help of some coin doctors. I'd rather add the two colorful oddballs and move on. Another one of my sets is similar. There's only one deeply toned coin in it, but I haven't found a brilliant one as nice in an affordable price.

I collect according to what I find appealing. If they have "the look" of superb eye-appeal, I don't care if they're toned or blast white, satiny or prooflike, etc.

coppercoins

I would always go for the matched set, and would stay away from damaged, toned coins. A little light toning around the peripheral areas is fine, but some of the encrusted, baked, and completely unnatural colors I have seen here would be coins I would happily let the others have access to. I wouldn't want most of them. Toning, to me, becomes a detriment to a coin when the devices become obstructed by the dark, often unattractive, appearance of unnatural color. I want to see the full design, not having to wade through the tarnish to see what was intended on the coin.

Clankeye

<< <i>Toning, to me, becomes a detriment to a coin when the devices become obstructed by the dark, often unattractive, appearance of unnatural color. >>



And I would say toning to me, becomes a plus for a coin when it frames the devices, highlights them, and in many different ways brings a depth to the coin that they sometimes lack when brilliant.

Not all toning enhances, some does indeed detract. But, I have a feeling I would have a greater tolerance level for certain varieties of it than you would coppercoins.

Via la difference! And to each their own.

Clankeye