When you buy a coin, how important is the strike?

mdwoods

It seems that luster is the single most important feature when graders assign a MS# to a coin. Strike does not seem to matter that much. I have seen MS68 Slabbed coins that have fairly weak strikes, but a ton of luster. I tend to favor strike over luster, but then again, I usually lose money on coins. How important is the strike to you? mdwoods

FrattLaw

With peace dollars it is critical. Many people selling raw coins on EBay mistake MS coins for AU based upon strike alone. With this series, certain dates/mintmarks are well known to have weak strikes. I always look for raw coins with known weak strikes that are being sold on EBay as an AU. Matter of fact there's a 21 without luster that is selling for AU prices but is probably a MS 62/63.

I guess it really depends on the series.

Michael

BillJones

The quality of the strike can be VERY important, especially for certain issues. Some New Orleans mint Morgan Dollars are worth FAR more if they are well struck. The grading services recognize this and assign higher grades for exceptionally struck coins. The same is true of Buffalo Nickels.

From a mark and luster standpoint some New Orleans dollars and buffalo nickels can lose 2 or 3 grading points because of poor strikes. i.e. A coin that would otherwise be an MS-64 or ever 65 can end up graded 62 or 63.

In general a sharp strike is right up there with luster. It essential for a high grade mint state or even a Proof coin. (YES there are some Proofs that lack full sharpness.)

Placid

I always thought a coin had to have a sharp strike to make 67.

Russ

For me, it depends on the series. In my Walker set, (MS64), strike is secondary to luster. In my Two Cent pieces, (EF to low-end MS), strike is secondary to originality. In my proofs, of course, strike generally isn't an issue.

Russ, NCNE

Bulldog

All Important! Unless they are all weakly struck. Weak Strikes are why I have problems with Peace Dollars!

BD

tjkillian

To me, strike if MORE important than luster. Give me a fully struck Seated Liberty coin with marginal luster any day. Sure, eveyone likes luster, but strike is everything for me.

Tom

mdwoods

I always thought a coin had to have a sharp strike to make 67.

Placid, you would think that would be true, but check out some of the MS68 FB Mercs in the upcoming Heritage auction. There is one out of several that I would say is fully struck. Of course I am not a Merc expert by any means at all, but it seems that way to me. mdwoods

MrKelso

Strike and Luster go hand in hand with me. Then i look for the distractions. So i would have to say strike and luster are equal in my insane world.

dpoole

Luster probably is the bigger immediate factor for "eye appeal," but strike inevitably contributes, and does ultimately make for the superior coin, IMO.

leothelyon

Oh, yeah! Strike is right up there with luster and condition, add a touch of toning on the peripherals and you'll have a pretty nice coin. Depends on the denomination and their minting history. How does a book sound detailing the strikes of every date in every series with commentaries for most of those troubled
years. Many books discuss strikes and provide good reading. Check your local library, a mind is a terrible thing to waste.

Leo

cladking

Series which have a lot of poor strikes tend to be collected more on the
basis of strike, hence it is more important to grade and most collectors.

KlectorKid

A little weack strike doesnt bother me, but if it is weak enough i wont buy the coin, or atleast wont pay retail for it.

coinrookie

I would rather have a strong strike and marginal luster than a weak strike and alot of luster.

FatMan

Strike gets the nod.

jdimmick

I am a strike man, rather see a nice solid strike on issues like buffalo nickels, Indian heads, standing lib quarters etc, in grades of au, then to have tons of luster with no detail?

Dog97

If it's a $50 toned eBay Morgan I don't worry much about the strike and just buy it because it's eye catchy.
When the price is $500+ I start getting picky and like the > over the ear where the 2 lines make the 3 strands of hair. Luster is important too but but you have to wiggle the coin to see the full luster but you see the strike no matter what. Like other members said luster and strike go hand in hand and unless the coin has been dipped a few times and is impaired a high grade is lusterous.

stman

So Dog97, Does that crescent Morgan in a ACG slab on your sig line have a good strike?

Dog97

You bum.

mdwoods

You bum.

Apparently not an ACG afficianado.

Elcontador

While I agree that eye appeal (of which luster is a critical component) seems to be more important to graders than anything else these days re Unc. coins, I'll sacrifice some luster for a better strike.

As a practical matter, you're not going to get booming luster on a 19th Century type coin with original surfaces. An excellent example of a dipped coin with beautiful eye appeal is a Capped Bust Quarter in 5 at Heritage's current Signature Auction.

Lakesammman

It's critical to me. If not fully struck, I won't even consider the coin (unless it's a notoriously weakly struck coin , for instance the 1909-S IHC). Anyone can put together a set of impaired coins!

michael

i have seen fully original thick skinned mint state seated coins with booming lustre!!!!!!!! they are rare but out there!!!!!!!!!!!!!

sincerely michael

CharlieB

I think eye appeal and near perfect surfaces is just about all that
is needed to carry a coin. My opinion, a coin's strike is the secondary
consideration.