POLL: Do you prefer rarity or grade?

Barry

After seeing some of the comments in the thread on average grade of your collection, I wonder...

Do you prefer a rare coin in lower grade or a common coin in higher grade?

For example, assuming both these coins were equally valued, would you want:
1. an 1877 IHC VF20, or
2. an 1881 IHC MS66Red ?

relayer

As a type collector, I prefer grade, but rarity can also be derived from the grade.

ms70

I try to balance out a little of both.

fc

as a collector of just one series, i am learning rarity is everything.

i desire the harder coins and they simply do not exist in quantity.

Scavenger

I would take for example a 1915-s Philippine 10 centavo in VF condition over a 1917-s 10 centavo in MS simply because of the rarity. Assuming they are the same price.

cladking

The two terms are not exclusive. If you want an equally matched set then you are going
to have to pay more for the tough dates than for the common dates. If you don't care about
a collection matching then there are more options and you can get similar "rarity" for each
date or you can still put more money into the keys.

Most collectors seem to prefer getting the keys in slightly lower condition than the average
grade but there are many ways to define a set. There are some who collect only the key dates.

In moderns it is usually possible to afford even the tougher dates unless you want the very
highest grades.

dbldie55

Rarity

nwcs

Grade. I will always lean towards an attractive common coin over rarity in low grade.

BillJones

Rarity

"Grade rarity" does not mean much to me unless the underling coin is scarce overall. A scarce or rare in coin in a great state of preservation is a slice of heaven. A rare but ugly coin low grade coin, or a very common coin in PR or MS-70 don't do much for me.

Numismanic

Since I collect "widgets" I voted for grade.

TommyType

I went with grade. The coin detail is more important to me than rarity. Even knowing that the rarity factor is a better long term "investment", I'd still rather have a solid looking common date.

Added: ....for the same money. With unlimited funds, I'd be happy to buy that rarity in strong grade! (Send contributions to.......)

mgoodm3

I'd probably go for the high grade 1881, but in 66BN.

fivecents

Rarity over grade.

Dismeguy

Rarity is much easier to resell when the time comes

1jester

Both: 1904 Swiss 10 Rappen specimen, mintage of 5, PCGS SP-68.