What is Your Definition of a "Cool Coin"?

braddick

For me it's the bit unusual, for one reason or another. For example, first up, the Mexican Peso. It's a large, silver coin that was treated so poorly (even worse than U.S. standards) during the minting and storage procedures that few, if any, are true GEMS. Couple that with heavy circulation and finding these is a daunting task in GEM, let alone Superb GEM MS67.

Second, Two headed coins. I don't know... they're just cool. The NGC MS65 R/B 1975-D Lincoln is one of my favorite coins.

Third, old U.S. Tokens in GEM grade. The designs are killer and with well preserved surfaces (the one featured, a 1860 Loder & Co. sports PL fields!) are a sight to behold. My definition of a "cool coin" (even though Medals and Tokens are not coins!).

Fourth, large silver Medals that are sculpted well. (The one shown is next to a Morgan dollar and weighs about a pound). Deep dish designs that are attractive. Especially with mintages in the teens.

Don't get me wrong, I love the 'normal' stuff, but it's fun to bust it out every now and then and hunt down these toughies.




What is your definition?

RYK

What is Your Definition of a "Cool Coin"?

1. Scarce.
2. Neat story behind it--something sexier than the 5th rarest CC Morgan.
3. Attractive for the grade.

Goober

I'm a Morgan fan, but as of late I've really been checking out all bust silver, and early proofs, now to me, those are cool coins.

sliderider

I've always liked these for some reason.

cladking

I assume the large silver Freedom America medal is from the California coin club?

They made an extensive series of medals and tokens with this design.

UncleWiggly

The coolest of the cool coins is the 1792 Silver-Center Cent


Jerry

LincolnCentMan

What is Your Definition of a "Cool Coin"?

Ones that are found by metal detecting in the tundra.

Better date nes that are circulated, but have nice even wear with no issues.

Nicely natural toned ones.

The first example of any particular varriety that on might get (I still have my first gold coin. A friend of mine still has his first Morgan dollar.)

David

shylock

Your triple struck Lincoln is very cool, especially the placement of the 3 strikes. I find errors & varieties that are so eye-catching they look intentional to be the coolest coins:

1. Two headed IH, a no date off-center reverse mirrored brockage
2. Misplaced 1 in neck
3. Misplaced 1 in bust
4. DDR (1865)
5. 1909-S struck thru a piece of wire (smiley face)

coinlieutenant

For me, a coin is cool if it has a particular feature that stands out as attractive or above average. Color, originality, strike and luster are big for me...as is rarity and of course eye appeal. It is a hard to put my finger on just any quality, but here are some examples of some "cool coins" All have their own charm and appeal in my opinion. Price is not a factor as you can see the price range in these coins. I can honestly say, I get equal enjoyment in looking at all of them.

mgoodm3

Most anything rare is cool to me.

bohica268

This week it was an Arkansas D state quarter. Superior strike! Clean devices and fields. Not a ding on the rims and quite lustrous. Under a 10x loupe the detail was incredible. Probably at least a CAM. I spent it on a bag of CHEES-ITS.

JRocco

I have been into many areas of interest in this hobby, but I find myself drawn back to varieties and errors. Anyone with a large bank account can do a search on EBAY and buy some really expensive plastic - almost anything if you think of it, but a lot of varieties are "found" by real collectors, not rich investors. The supply of nice varieties/errors are also much more scarce. Take this crying Lincoln for example---WHAT A COIN !

matteproof

For me, a coin is cool if it is rare and if it has some OBVIOUS unique feature. For example, the 1888-O Scarface dollar is rare and it has a very powerful die break across Liberty's cheek. It is a very very cool coin. The 1795 "6 curls" half dime is rare and it has only "6 curls" while most of the others have seven. The 1796 "no stars" $2.50 gold coin is rare and it has a special "no stars" feature lacking in the others. Matte Proof coins are super cool because proof coins are supposed to look flashy and mirrored but the Matte Proofs like silky and understated (the Patek Philippe of Proofs). Finally, vicious die breaks on any rare coin are COOL COOL COOL. matteproof

sliderider

<< <i>This week it was an Arkansas D state quarter. Superior strike! Clean devices and fields. Not a ding on the rims and quite lustrous. Under a 10x loupe the detail was incredible. Probably at least a CAM. I spent it on a bag of CHEES-ITS. >>



Doh!! You are banned from posting in these forums.

matteproof

Hey jrocco. That "crying lincoln" is fantastic! I've never seen one before. Is this unique or are there other "1955- S crying lincolns" out there? Very cool coin! Thanks. matteproof

bohica268

<< <i>

<< <i>This week it was an Arkansas D state quarter. Superior strike! Clean devices and fields. Not a ding on the rims and quite lustrous. Under a 10x loupe the detail was incredible. Probably at least a CAM. I spent it on a bag of CHEES-ITS. >>



Doh!! You are banned from posting in these forums. >>



- Seriously, I am not making fun of the responses to braddick's question. My reply pretty much sums my collecting philosophy. The big money coins are cool but not for me. I collect from pocket change. I can't keep it all but that doesn't mean I should stop looking. If I find something interesting I hold on to it (at least until I can see it under magnification) and then maybe keep it but usually spend it. The last "keeper" was a Deleware P struck through grease. A lot of ghost or missing letters on the reverse earned it a spot in my collection.

BaronVonBaugh

I like that two headed IHC that shylock put in alot. I have a die adjustment strike 1892 IHC that is high on my list. I like the 1858 transitional pattern cents. They are pretty tough to get unless you have lots of money. I have only found two that I could afford when they were available. Sorry, I don't have any digital photos of them right now.

JRocco

It is a lamination error matteproof. Another would be possible, but I doubt it. It is probably the only one in the world like it, so it kind of makes the 1804 dollar look like childs play .... All kidding aside, that is why varieties and errors can be so cool, they can be sooo unique.

Baley

to me, a Cool Coin is one you can show to a non-collector and they go, "Wow!"

Almost anything obsolete is cool, the older it is, the cooler. US coins minted in the 1700s are very cool,
almost anything gold is cool, denominations like half cent and 3 cent are cool, pretty toning is cool.

coins with a "story", famous coins, are cool, and big, shiny coins like Morgans and Saints are cool, colonials are very cool.

Patterns that show what might have been are very cool. Anything very very rare is cool.

Colorfulcoins

Blue coins.......

onlyroosies

Craig, I think you ment to say Blue Roosies....

clw54

1955 DDO

Stuart

This fits within my definition of a cool coin:

sliderider

Hey!! I think I recognize one of those blue Roosies. Is one of them the MS68 that Goldbergs had up recently with an $1100.00 minimum?

JRocco

In deference to our Darksiders. Here is a 261 year old beauty.