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Sharp strike vs. weak strike, which would you choose ?

Hypothetical situation,
You find two coins of the same year and mintmark.
#1 is weakly struck but has few visible problems.
#2 is sharply struck but has several marks and scratches.
Both coins cost the same.
Which would you choose for your collection ?


Skipper

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    goose3goose3 Posts: 11,471 ✭✭✭
    Neither, I don't do problem coins.

    I'd wait for another.
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    mgoodm3mgoodm3 Posts: 17,497 ✭✭✭
    I would probably take the sharp strike, but it all depends on the series.
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    fcloudfcloud Posts: 12,133 ✭✭✭✭
    The one that looks the best to you, or both if they both look good.image

    President, Racine Numismatic Society 2013-2014; Variety Resource Dimes; See 6/8/12 CDN for my article on Winged Liberty Dimes; Ebay

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    ShamikaShamika Posts: 18,762 ✭✭✭✭
    I also don't believe in buying problem coins, but if I had to choose I'd pick the weak strike.
    Buyer and seller of vintage coin boards!
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    CoinosaurusCoinosaurus Posts: 9,619 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Depends on overall eye appeal I guess. I have an 1857 quarter which has a really crappy strike but absolutely killer toning. Had to have it, it was too pretty.
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    I'd take the sharply struck coin that had a few problems.
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    I tend to favor strong strike/early die state. As long as the "problems" weren't spots, I'd probably go with the strong strike.
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    Dog97Dog97 Posts: 7,875 ✭✭✭
    Neither, but just to give you an answer I would pick the coin with the best surface, i.e. the weak strike without the marks & scratches.
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    BaleyBaley Posts: 22,659 ✭✭✭✭✭
    I'm a big fan of sharp strike; how many and how bad are the marks and scratches?

    I guess my answer would depend on the specific coin. sorry for the non-commital reply.

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    relayerrelayer Posts: 10,570

    I'd wait for the 3rd coin to arrive on the market
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    Part of this discussion for me depends also on what series we're talking about. Franklins and Peace dollars are especially lousy coins with a weak strike. Other series I feel strike is not as important, such as Walkers and Morgan dollars. The detail is always pretty good on these coins and in my opinion never really adds or detracts from the coin unless it is really poorly struck.

    I know that someone will say "I've got to see the hand on my Walker or I'll just hate it." IMO, it's not that important.
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    stmanstman Posts: 11,352 ✭✭✭✭✭


    << <i>I know that someone will say "I've got to see the hand on my Walker or I'll just hate it." IMO, it's not that important. >>



    Man, I've just got to see the hand on my Walker.image
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    << <i>

    << <i>I know that someone will say "I've got to see the hand on my Walker or I'll just hate it." IMO, it's not that important. >>



    Man, I've just got to see the hand on my Walker.image >>



    Absolutely!!!!!!image At least it's important if you specialize in Walkers!image
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    GeminiGemini Posts: 3,085
    If it were an older coin that was made in an earlier period say the 1800's or before it wouldn't bother me much either way. I would take into consideration the minting capability of the day and the way coins were shipped in those times.

    I probably would pass either of these problems on the newer coin issues unless the coin happened to be outstanding in some respect.
    A thing of beauty is a joy for ever

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