Key Date or Common - which would you?

matteproof

If you had the choice to buy a "key date" in XF or a common date in UNC, which would you purchase? Assume that the values of each are the same. Thanks!

matteproof

bohica268

Key Date!........a common date is a common date is a common date.

BigD5

Depends on how pretty the unc. piece is/was. I'd probably still go for the key date though. A nice unc. with a bit of color though.........tempting.

MastaHanky

Key date usually, but not always.

Given the choice between a 1914-D in Fine condition or a 1931-S in MS64RD (both around $130), I'd take the 1931-S.

Given the choice between a 1914-D in XF or a 1931-S in MS65RD (I believe both are around the $400 mark), I'd take the 14-D.

I guess that just means that I'd take the key date first, as long as it meets a minimum grade requirement.

toyonakataro

Depends on eye appeal.
I'm trying to collect seated half dimes by date and mm and I realized that I rarely look at a few key dates I already have.
They are white and boring. On the other hand, I frequently look at some common dates with pretty toning even in low grade.
I think it's meaningless to spend big money to buy a coin whitch you rarely look at.


By the way, it will be great to get a key date with "super look"
I'm looking for someone who can offer me a 1858 inv.date in NGC64 with super golden toning on obverse

BillJones

Yes, I agree with the others. It depends upon the eye appeal. A REAL EF (not many slab EFs) is a very respectable grade to collect. I generally don't collect anything below Fine and NEVER below VG. If I can't afford better, I don't own it.

UncleJoe

Assuming you have two coins accurately valued the same with one of them a "key" date and the other a common date, I would go with the "key" date everytime.

"Key" dates are key because they are scarcer. A common date that has the value of a "key" date is usually based on condition rarity which has little or no value to me when I can purchase a perfectly nice example of the common date for 90 or more % less than the condition rarity price.

Joe.