Decision time, which should I keep for the type set?

coinlieutenant

All right y'all.

Some of you have seen the 1885 PCGS MS66 Quarter that I have had for sale on the BST forum. The only reason why I was selling this coin was because I already had a very nice coin for our type set, an 1870 NGC PR66 Quarter. Both coins are gorgeous, both original, both with great surfaces and both with tremendous colors. They do have much different looks though. As I have had this new coin however, it has been growing on me until I have reached this present state of indecision. Which one do I keep? Will post pictures of both plus some NGC pops numbers (any PCGS numbers would be appreciated)

This might turn into a thread of MS vs. PF but try to look at the individual aspects of each coin.

Here we go.


1885 Mintage: 13600 (+ 930 proofs)
1870 Mintage: 1000 (+86400 business strikes)
1885 NGC pops: 58 graded(6 in 66, 9 higher)
1870 NGC pops:109 graded(7 in 66, 4 higher)





Both coins have a shot at the "coveted" star designation if resubmitted/crossed although the proof has more of the "look" that NGC likes. The 1885 just as attractive but not as bright as the proof. It has more olives and oranges/yellows in it.

Here are the pics. Both are much nicer than they look...


Thanks for the help.

V.r, John

airplanenut

PCGS Pops:

1870 Proof:

Desig 45 50 53 55 58 60 61 62 63 64 65 66 67 68 Total
1870 25C PR 0 0 0 0 3 7 13 34 30 31 8 1 0 0 127
85569 PRCA 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 10 1 0 0 0 11
95569 PRDC 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 1

1885 MS
PCGS No Date Den Variety Desig VG-VF 40 45 50 53 55 58 60 61 62 63 64 65 66 67 68 Total
5517 1885 25C MS 2 1 0 4 0 1 5 0 4 13 24 15 10 10 3 0 92

Sorry that they're not really lined up

I love them both... keep one in your heart by giving it to me

coinlieutenant

Thanks Jeremy.

It will be in the mail next week!.

John

291fifth

I'd keep the 1870 simply because it is an earlier, more interesting date. I've never been excited by the 1880's dates in this series.

RYK

Both are very nice--I think that the 1870 is the more attractive of the two.

Robert

darktone

I like the 1870.

mgoodm3

1870 is a purty coin. Keep it.

coinlieutenant

Wish you could see them side by side. The 1885 pictures sucks!

roadrunner

I'd go with the 1870 too. For one reason that date is very tough in gem MS so the proofs become more desireable. The color on the 1870 is better too. The 1885 looks like it may have some slight field weakness in the luster around the reverse devices. Could be the scan too. The stars on the 1885 aren't full up and there are buyers out there who demand full stars on their 25c and 50c. While I love MS seated as a rule, and the 1885 is much less seen than other more common dates in the 1879-90 run, I like the 1870 overall.
Like the other Philly dates from 1863 to 1872 it's tough to find them in gem MS, and the survival rates of these early proofs was dismal compared to the 1880's vintage.

I like the line that the "1870 is more interesting." Anyone got a gem UNC for sale???

roadrunner

jdimmick

I also like the 1870, very nice color.

Placid

Tough call, both are about the same in $ value both are nice but based on the pictures the 70 seems to have better eye appeal.

Keep them both

coinlieutenant

Thanks everyone for the advice.

Most likely will keep the 1870.

Placid,

Wish I could keep them both.

V.r,
John

mrpaseo

I say grab one of them and flip it in the air...Heads you keep the earlier 70's one and tails the 80's one. Just be sure to flip the one your not going to keep......


Whoooow, there is a paridox in there....Weird.

Good luck on the flip and BEAUTIFUL coins.

Ray

lordmarcovan

Like 'em both, but I knew what I'd say even before I saw the pics.


PROOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOF!