Would you rather have a low grade key or a high grade common???

majorbigtime

If you had a choice between a 1901-S Barber quarter on G-04 and a 1901 in PF-67, both about equal in value, which would you take??

There is no correct answer, it's a matter of preference.

The old school would probably say go for the high grade, but some conventional wisdom would be to favor key dates. I would favor the key date, but it would be a difficult choice.

What say thee???

ziggy29

I'd be more likely to choose the key date. I feel that the ultra-high end, registry-set quality coin is more likely to implode in value if we hit a 1989ish bubble than a key date ever will.

DHeath

It's an investor's question. I'd just pick the coin I liked best.

MacCoin

I like to have high grade keys but with my budget I lucky to have any. my 77 IHC would hardly grade G.

braddick

<< <i>If you had a choice between a 1901-S Barber quarter on G-04 and a 1901 in PF-67, both about equal in value, which would you take?? There is no correct answer, it's a matter of preference. The old school would probably say go for the high grade, but some conventional wisdom would be to favor key dates. I would favor the key date, but it would be a difficult choice. What say thee??? >>

fcloud

One of my dream coins was (at one time) a 1901-S, so that would be my choice. I don't think a 1901 PR67 is a common coin with a mintage of 813! In the long run I think the PR67 is a better choice.

prooflike

I'd take the high-grade common... but I am working on a type set, so would want the best example I could afford.

airplanenut

The high grade piece... I'm a type collector

jdimmick

As a key-date collector, I would prefer to have the 01-s quarter in Good. However, this coin has exploded in price during this past year and actually is not all that scarce in AG and G. But has strong demand because of the high price it takes just to get in the door sort of speak . Its only when you get to Vg-10 or better that this coin really gets scarce and down right rare in mid circ grades especially in problem free condition.

I am not a follower of the proof market, but if the price on proof barber 67's have not risen sharply, then it might be a better buy currently to pick up the proof 67 barber if nice vs the 01-s in plain ol good. (Cant believe I am saying this?)

XpipedreamR

I'll take the higher grade every time. I want a nice coin to look at.

roadrunner

From an investor's standpoint the PF67 is the choice for me. If attractive and fairly graded it has room to double or even triple in this market (or lose value too). While the 1901-s AG probably won't lose anything down the road, I don't see it advancing in price all that much. Filling a hole with anything less than a Fine has always been a problem for me. But the G-VG key date coins have done ok in the past few years.

A high grade proof, even if fairly common is more impressive to me than an AG slug. I don't care if it's an 1804 dollar or chain cent.

roadrunner

razorface1027

Mid-grade key is okay for me. If yer talkin' key, KEY, then I guess I'd have to settle with low grade.

ziggy29

<< <i>From an investor's standpoint the PF67 is the choice for me. If attractive and fairly graded it has room to double or even triple in this market (or lose value too). While the 1901-s AG probably won't lose anything down the road, I don't see it advancing in price all that much. Filling a hole with anything less than a Fine has always been a problem for me. But the G-VG key date coins have done ok in the past few years. >>

That's a good point. For the mega-keys, down markets rarely take out too much of their value; the supply is so constrained that even reduced demand can't cause the value to crater.

I guess if you're looking at it mostly from an investment perspective, you have to ask whether you want slower and steadier (the keys) or something with explosive potential growth in bull markets, but with potential for far greater declines (the registry-quality pieces). From that perspective, it becomes a risk/reward question, I think.

It's tough for me, as I both like to grab the keys and nice specimens by type...but I've become a bit more risk-averse over the years, and I just feel like the keys have more capacity to hold their value. For example, using one of my specialties -- Indian cents -- I can compare my new avatar, a recently-acquired XF 1877 to (say) an MS-66RD 1893 cent. Both have the same Trends value. I think the gem has more capacity to explode in value in a red-hot market...but I don't think the 1877 cent -- ALWAYS in very high demand from date collectors -- will significantly decline in ANY market. it may go flat for a while, and it may rise more slowly than the registry coins in some markets -- but if there's a bubble and it pops, I know I'd much rather have the 1877. If my preference was to buy and hold a kick-butt type set, I'd prefer the MS-66RD coin (though I'd pick a different date that's barely half the current value).

Speculation tends to focus more on the "uber-quality" coins, so as an investor, you have to ask yourself whether you're a "slow and steady" type or a riverboat gambler. And again, there's no right or wrong -- it depends on why you collect. what you like and/or your tolerance for investment risk.

ksteelheader

dbldie55

Key date everytime. Proven winners.

centmaster

I'd like an 01-S in 67, but I don't think that was one of the choices.

anablep

Low grade key.
I can always get the high grade common later on down the road.
Not so with the key date.

cladking

It depends on the collection. In some series grade is more important and in others completeness is paramount.

If you're collecting these in F/VF neither is appropriate.

jhar

<< <i>I'll take the higher grade every time. I want a nice coin to look at >>


I agree!!

Colorfulcoins

Low grade key for me! Like this one:

majorbigtime

I like the 1796 quarter, but man, that's a lot of "honest wear"!

At the risk of being called a basher, I'll take your classic (1st year of issue) quarter over any Kennedy or Frankie on the Planet.

1946Hamm

I'll take the key every time.


I uploaded my icon on the 15th and majorbigtime must have liked it. Glad to see someone else likes bust dollars. This one is in my type set.

Use it all you want.

cladking

majorbigtime

Even though Gary said i could use his icon (thanks), I tried another icon switcheroo as I don't want to be accused of identity theft--I hope thins one is inactive!!

tradedollarnut

High grade common date ... unless talking about a classic rarity. Then it would be a tougher choice.

For instance: An 1894-S dime in circulated condition vs an MS68 bust half.

cladking

<< <i>I like the 1796 quarter, but man, that's a lot of "honest wear"!

At the risk of being called a basher, I'll take your classic (1st year of issue) quarter over any Kennedy or Frankie on the Planet. >>



This is not honest wear and that is a bashing statement.

merz2

I would choose the low grade "KEY DATE" everytime.

AuldFartte

I'd go with the key every time. They seem to appreciate a bit faster than the commons, IMHO.

majorbigtime

As one 'ol fart to another, I agree wholehartedly!

Nic

I'll take the 67 .... including the 01s quarter. K

braddick

Which would you rather have? (It's a retorical question, but something to think about.)



Or:



They're valued about the same. Me? I'd take the 09-S VDB.

tincup

Gotta have the Barber Proof!! If it is a good looking one.... I don't necessarily consider it a 'common' coin either.

BillJones

Although a lot of people view me as an "old school" collector and dealer, I'd go for th high grade. I don't have a problem with scarce and rare date coins in grades that range from VG with no problems to VF and EF. Heck I can even appreciate a Good if it is attractive for the grade.

Still I draw the line in AG and lower. I'd sooner do without than having to restort to buying something like that. That's the reason why I don't have a 1796-7 half dollar in my type set. I just would not pay $8 grand for an ugly piece of silver. I know, I know, that same coin is now worth $20 grand, but to me it's still an eye sore, not a treasure.

As a collector I really like high grade coins, BUT I have a problem with the extremely high premiums that many of them bring. I'd sooner have a case full of really attractive, moderately priced MS-64 coins than one MS-67. I like variety, and I like coins that are priced within the range of more collectors.

Crackout

I agree with Bill - AG coins do nothing for me, high grade coins rule!!

And don't hi-jack my ICON!!!!

KlectorKid

Somewhere in the middle. I would rathe rhave a tough date in a medium grade. I dont like going below vf unless I have to but Im not a real fan of common dates.

majorbigtime

I'd sooner have a case full of really attractive, moderately priced MS-64 coins than one MS-67. I like variety, and I like coins that are priced within the range of more collectors.

.............................................

Well said, I agree but also still enjoy owning the occasional "top pop"piece.

foodude

A problem free 1901-S Barber quarter on G-04. One of my favorite coins in my private collection is a totally problem free (PCGS )G-04 1917/18-D Bufallo Nickel.

Bikingnut

High grade common. The really worn, key dates that have no detail just don't have the appeal for me.

canadiancoinguy

High grade common.

In Braddick's comparison, I'd go with the '09S VDB since I'm not a fan of moderns.

Hoot

I collect buffalo nickels and have both low- and high-grade coins. I definitely prefer the high grade pieces to the low-grade coins, key dates or not. The higher grade coins generally have much greater appeal to me aesthetically.

Hoot