How much do you do lateral upgrades?

saintguru

Buying a better MS65 than your MS65?

I find myself doing it more lately and I have to say that it has really enhanced my set.

LincolnsRule

Most of my coins I am on the second or third coin I've owned of the same grade. I've owned 5 64rd 16-d Lincoln Cents, each nicer than the last.

tradedollarnut

Sometimes, but not often. Of course, there aren't as many opportunities to do so in the earlier dollars.

badger

I've done it on occasion with proof cameos. The problem is that outstanding proofs are priced high and it is seldom a net zero $ trade. I do look for better coins in the same grade though.

Badger

saintguru

I have done 4 key dates in the last 3 months and it has added GREATLY to my set.

Justhavingfun

Hi Saint Guru: I do it any time I find an upgrade coin I can afford at the time.

I'll go after an NGC same grade, if it's really an upgrade to my PCGS coin. In the Jeffersons, I'll go after a 6-stepper passionately if I only have a 5.5'er. In the SLQ's I'll go after a 68 NGC not full head if it's nicer than my 67 Full Head PCGS. My friends think I'm obsessive about it. I agree. But what the heck, after all I'm just having fun!

tradedollarnut

I have done 4 key dates in the last 3 months and it has added GREATLY to my set.

Yeah, yeah - it's easy to do with Saints .... the keys have top pops in the billions.

leothelyon

Here's a thought! Perhaps you folks are upgrading overgraded coins!

Leo

Bear

Actually that makes a lot of sense.

Its all about overal appearence rather

then grade for collectors who are not in the

registry race. A 65.5 can be a whole lot better

then a just made it 65. A highly lustrous 65

can be a lot better then a 65 with sudued or

dipped out luster. Finally sharpness of strike

or toning can make one coin superior to another

in the same grade.

bosox

SG - As a Canada Vicky cent collector, I find that many dates have a very wide 64 range and no 65's in existence. It's a way of life to shop for high end 64's. - Rob

saintguru

jhf, bear, and bosox (sorry about MYSOX this year), you get it.

Dippeddollarnut is just jealous because all he has is those stained silver coins. Step up Bruce...Laura can buy you gold too..I've seen her do it!

Cameonut

I'm with Badger on cameo proofs.

There often is a significant difference in contrast and eye-appeal within the same grade. So I keep the one I like best and sell off the other.

Colorfulcoins

Always looking and I have no problem upgrading laterally!

saintguru

I am certain that it is the real key to building great sets. So many collectors become complascent with filling a spot, and not really being pleased with the coin. For 5% or so, I have increased many coins as much a .3-.5 grades...and it pays off.

EXAMPLE:

I sold my 1909/8MS64 for 18K hammer at Dallas auction. Morse sold his MS64 for 12K.

numonebuyer

I don't recall doing it at all. I have far too many to upgrade before I reach that point. However, I can see a point in the future when this would be true.

ellewood

I recently purchased this coin from a dealer and, before I had even received it, I won this one at the same price on eBay. They are both MS66RD's...but what a world of difference huh?

Bear

I upgrade on the oblique bias.