Which would you rather have?

Steve27

For two coins in the same series, a high grade common date coin or a rare date coin in a typical grade (both having the same current value).

shirohniichan

I usually go for the "rare" dates if they are truly rare. If they are key dates that are relatively easy to find, I'd probably go with the higher grade piece if it had wonderful eye-appeal. Then again, if the rare date in typical grade had better eye-appeal for the grade, I'd go with it.

Come to think of it, there are too many other variables for me to give a clear-cut answer.

Russ

Since I mostly buy coins because I want to look at them, gaze upon them, admire them, show them off and generally love them, I'd take the higher grade common date because it would be prettier.

Russ, NCNE

mdwoods

I'm with Russ on this one. I want the nicest specimen I can find even if it is the most common of the series. mdwoods

FC57Coins

hmmmm - good question. Depends on whether I'm looking for just a sample of the coin or whether I'm building a collection I guess. With some coins I don't mind trying to pick up an outstanding quality piece if it's going to be the one I look at when I want a good "example" of the coin. With others, the date and mint are important so I'll sacrifice some grade for the opportunity to have the coin in the set.

Frank

ara

Higher grade.

michael

it depends............................................................ i would need to see two specific coins sight seen

to let you know

as again it all depends and could go either way depending on many variables

sincerely michael

mbbiker

it depends what series your talking about, for ex. if you where talking about washington quarters i would rather have a 1932-D thats grades XF than a 1996 in MS-69 but if we were talking about SLQ's then i would take the high grade one because they look alot nicer when they are in higher grades.

greghansen

Easy question. I'll take the rare coin in common grade. I can't immediately think of an exception. Of course I'm answering with my current collection in mind, which has some hgih grade samples from most series I'm interested in. So at this stage in my collection evolution, I'm ALWAYS looking for the the rarer stuff. When I first started however, and had NO coins, getting a common date high grade example would have been more pleasing to me than a beat up key date.

airplanenut

I agree with Russ... but it depends...

There are some coins where a key date in AG has the value of a common date in mid to high MS... I would certainly enjoy looking at the MS more, most likely... I'd have to see the coin to decide whether or not the rareness factor or condition gives it more value.

Jeremy

asnooker

Rare date in a typical grade. No question about it! The already rare date will continue to have more and more people trying to find it in ANY condition. Therefore it should rise in price faster than the common coin.

prooflike

I'd go with the one with better eye appeal... a lower grade coin can have better eye appeal than a higher graded coin.

UncleJoe

Rare(r) date is almost always my preference.

Joe.

Bulldog

Very tough Question! Are we talking about a $100 coin or a $10,000 coin. The circumstances would guide my decision!

Bulldog

Steve27

I wasn't sure of my own preference when I originally asked the question, and now after reading the responses, I'm still not sure. However, I would agree that the particular series and coins might make a big difference in my decision.

jom

Rare date. Hands down...

jom

dorkkarl

rare-date, no question. consider: 1885 v-nickel in VF at $400, or 1989 wash-quarter (or whatever) in ms-69 at $400. no-brainer for me, the nickel every time.

K S

Russ

Uh, Karl, he asked about coins within the same series.

Russ, NCNE

dorkkarl

even so, then i'd rather a 1885 5c in VF over a 1908 in ms-65/6 - price would be about the same.

another example, an 1802 half-dime in ag+ at $5G vs a ms-66, i'd take the ag coin.

K S

goose3

I'd take a Problem Free Key date coin of ANY series in any grade over a higher graded/priced common date.

Catch22

I go for rarity. In fact, 95% of my collection are well worn, problem free, R4+ to R6 coins; many grading G-6.
Other than a few moderns, the only coins I own in Mint State are my 3 cent nickels.

mr1931S

>>For two coins in the same series, a high grade common date coin or a rare date coin in a typical grade (both having the same current value).

if i'm collecting by type i'll usually go for the high grade "more common" coin over the "less common" lower grade coin...if collecting by series and have decided on the acceptable lowest grade for the key coins needed that fits my $ budget (dirty six-letter word),i'll go with the "rarity" because my set is incomplete without the keys...

SVDB cents,'85 nickels,'16-D dimes,'32-D quarters,etc.,to name just a few keys needed to complete a series, are not rare...

if the question is whether i would select what i recognize (not necessarily what everyone else recognizes) as truly rare or truly scarce coin in a lower grade over a high grade known to be common coin,i will go with what i recognize to be true rarity/scarcity every time...

the time to buy a rare coin is when you see it...

i'm assembling a set of early Lincolns...i'm shopping for the '14-D at this time...'14-D's are readily available in the circulated grade i can afford and would be acceptable for this short set i'm trying to assemble for under a $1000...i'll go up to $200 for a nice chocolate colored,problem free '14-D...i will not go $200 for an uncirculated '14-P...i'm in no hurry to buy a '14-D but when i see the "right" one i'll be ready with my money...