MS or Low Grade Key For Type Set?

moosesr

Which would you select for a type collection, a low grade key date or an uncirculated common? For example: G4 1895-O Barber dime or an uncirculated common date Barber Dime.


Charlie

mirabela

This is just me -- but for an example of type, I'd pick a good looking coin. Not necessarily MS, but aesthetically pleasing in a way most low-grade coins, key or not, aren't. From my point of view, the point of a type set is basically to enjoy looking at the designs, ergo you might as well have a coin on which the design mostly or entirely visible.

Betta285

I agree with Mirabela. In some cases an MS example might look the best or comply with the theme of a type set, but i myself prefer a nice XF example with great eye appeal. It shows a con has done it's job as well as providing a collector with an element of interest..

jim

granddad

Betta, I hope you meant coin and not con.


Have a Great Day!
Louis

airplanenut

MS... type sets are just that... type. Find the best example of the type, not the best date of the type (although a type set of only keys would be interesting...)

skier07

For a type set I want the best looking coin I can get for my buck. Look at it this way, you have one slot in your
album for your coin, what would you rather look at, a nice looking AU/MS gem or a beat up dog (regardless of how rare it is)?

Bruce

mirabela

Another angle on my original point -- I recently learned you can get a very satisfactory example of type in not necessarily high grade. I lucked into a common date Barber quarter in VG10 with, believe it or not, great appeal. I keep looking at it thinking it will dawn on me that it sucks and I need a better one, but each time I like it more. Something about the color, the bold contrast of devices & fields, and the just-sufficient detail works for me. There's that many $ left over for something else!

sliderider

For a type set I'd go with whatever happens to be cheap, because I wouldn't be looking for appreciation. Go with whatever makes you happy, though, and remember that if you're doing it for a registry, some coins can fit many categories, so you might want to get the highest grade piece you can afford to get the most points that you can.

michael

i would get the so called common date barber dime in ms but the eye appeal would need to be killer

michael

Elcontador

Agree w Michael, but would like to add that if you can get a slightly better date with a much lower pop at a slight premium over a generic type coin at the same grade, go for it. Ie., I picked up a nice 1883 Half for 5-10% more than a generic coin of the series.

Another thing is that it is hard to find attractive circulated coins of certain series, ie., most nickels.