Home› U.S. Coin Forum

which would you rather buy? vf rarity or au scarcity

goldisgoodgoldisgood Posts: 173
in U.S. Coin Forum
If you could only spend a certain amount on a particular coin which would you rather purchase?

a rarity key date (pop < 75) in vf condition or a scarce coin (pop ~200) in au condition

and tell me why please

Comments

  • shirohniichanshirohniichan Posts: 4,992 ✭✭✭


    << <i>If you could only spend a certain amount on a particular coin which would you rather purchase?

    a rarity key date (pop < 75) in vg condition or a scarce coin (pop ~200) in au condition

    and tell me why please >>



    It depends on the coin.

    There is a coin I would rather have in VG for $500 than another in AU for the same price simply because I haven't been able to find one in any grade after years of searching. If I do find one I imagine it won't be too expensive relative to its rarity because it isn't in much demand. Once I find the rare one in any grade I can move on to upgrading the scarce coin I already have in Fine.
    image
    Obscurum per obscurius
  • BochimanBochiman Posts: 25,441 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Agreed.....would depend on the coin......if the VF had the right look and I liked it, I would take that any day.
    If the VF didn't look right to me, then the AU IF it looked good.

    I've been told I tolerate fools poorly...that may explain things if I have a problem with you. Current ebay items - Nothing at the moment

  • MrEurekaMrEureka Posts: 24,302 ✭✭✭✭✭
    I'd opt for the coin that will be more difficult to upgrade.
    Andy Lustig

    Doggedly collecting coins of the Central American Republic.

    Visit the Society of US Pattern Collectors at USPatterns.com.
  • pursuitoflibertypursuitofliberty Posts: 7,045 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Although it would certainly depend on the coin ... personally I like AU/Choice AU coins more than just about anything. Well, I actually prefer Superb Unc's but that is not something that goes with my wallet really well. image

    They still have almost all the highpoint detail (providing they were struck well ... which is an issue I look for) and at least a fair amount of original luster (also a plus for me).

    VF's with the look can also be outstanding, so it really would depend on the coin.

    “We are only their care-takers,” he posed, “if we take good care of them, then centuries from now they may still be here … ”

    Todd - BHNC #242
  • CladiatorCladiator Posts: 18,062 ✭✭✭✭✭


    << <i>I'd opt for the coin that will be more difficult to upgrade. >>

    good answer
  • rec78rec78 Posts: 5,747 ✭✭✭✭✭
    VF rarity every time-because you can hardly ever-find them--while au scarce coins are usually around-All ones personal preference i guess---Try finding a 1866 dime in problem-free VF or a 1849-O quarter !! The scarce coins you can usually find somewhere but the rare coins you have to wait until they come on the market and most aren't there very long. Bob
    image
  • BECOKABECOKA Posts: 16,961 ✭✭✭
    It really depends on the coin and purpose. If it is the same series I would go for AU in a type set. If it is for investment then vf.

    Unfortunately the one coin I need is not available in low grade period. I need the 1929 Half Eagle and because it was never really released it is only available in high grades above most collectors wallets including mine.
  • rec78rec78 Posts: 5,747 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Yes i was not thinking of Gold coins myself. That would be quite different as VF in gold is generally equal to a cull in silver or copper,IMHO. Most collectors that collect gold want at least XF/AU or better coins.JMHO- Bob
    image
  • PerryHallPerryHall Posts: 46,348 ✭✭✭✭✭


    << <i> VF in gold is generally equal to a cull in silver or copper >>



    rec78----I don't understand your rationale. Could you elaborate?



    Worry is the interest you pay on a debt you may not owe.
    "Paper money eventually returns to its intrinsic value---zero."----Voltaire
    "Everything you say should be true, but not everything true should be said."----Voltaire

  • BillJonesBillJones Posts: 34,222 ✭✭✭✭✭
    It all depends upon the coin.

    In my type, my 1796 Quarter is a VF-25. That's the best that I could afford when I bought it, and I'm happy. At the same auction at which I purchased my 1796 Quarter there was an EF-45. I would have loved to have purcahsed that coin, but at the time (the 1980s) the coin was out of my reach.

    For the Draped Bust, large eagle type, my 1807 quarter is an AU-55. That was the best I could afford at the time. I would not have been happy with a VF for that type because I knew I could afford better.
    Retired dealer and avid collector of U.S. type coins, 19th century presidential campaign medalets and selected medals. In recent years I have been working on a set of British coins - at least one coin from each king or queen who issued pieces that are collectible. I am also collecting at least one coin for each Roman emperor from Julius Caesar to ... ?
  • JRoccoJRocco Posts: 14,277 ✭✭✭✭✭


    << <i>I'd opt for the coin that will be more difficult to upgrade. >>



    Couldn't answer this any better.
    Some coins are just plain "Interesting"
  • Conder101Conder101 Posts: 10,536 ✭
    I'd take the VF rarity. For many R-5 coins if you have a VF you are already into the condition census (especially in the series I collect) An R-4 in AU MAY also be in the condition census, but it may also be tied with several others.
  • shirohniichanshirohniichan Posts: 4,992 ✭✭✭


    << <i>I'd opt for the coin that will be more difficult to upgrade. >>



    I'm not so sure.

    If I could find an 1876-CC double dime in VF and could afford it, I'd grab it! Since they weren't released for circulation most survivors would be in higher grades, but I'd happily take a problem-free VF if it were drastically discounted! image
    image
    Obscurum per obscurius
  • rec78rec78 Posts: 5,747 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Ok-I have been collecting coins for 46+ years-i have yet to encounter anyone that collects gold coins in less than XF condition. While there are a lot of people who collect copper, nickel, or silver coins in series or type in circulated conditions down to G. The Gold coin collector seems to be more advanced and of a different breed actually and wants the higher grades. Note Perry - This is just my opinion and may not reflect the views of others. While i have a few gold coins(maybe 6 or 7)- i do not really collect them per se. Bob
    image
  • fivecentsfivecents Posts: 11,207 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Depends on the coin, but I prefer lower grade rarity over higher grade scarcity.
  • BillJonesBillJones Posts: 34,222 ✭✭✭✭✭


    << <i>Ok-I have been collecting coins for 46+ years-i have yet to encounter anyone that collects gold coins in less than XF condition. While there are a lot of people who collect copper, nickel, or silver coins in series or type in circulated conditions down to G. The Gold coin collector seems to be more advanced and of a different breed actually and wants the higher grades. Note Perry - This is just my opinion and may not reflect the views of others. While i have a few gold coins(maybe 6 or 7)- i do not really collect them per se. Bob >>



    The reason is that gold coins usually are not very attractive in grades below EF. About the only exceptions where people do collect gold coins below EF are the C and D coins, which mostly saw a lot of circulation.
    Retired dealer and avid collector of U.S. type coins, 19th century presidential campaign medalets and selected medals. In recent years I have been working on a set of British coins - at least one coin from each king or queen who issued pieces that are collectible. I am also collecting at least one coin for each Roman emperor from Julius Caesar to ... ?
  • PerryHallPerryHall Posts: 46,348 ✭✭✭✭✭
    The vast majority of US gold is XF or better so in most cases XF, AU or MS coins are available for collectors. When it comes to rare date gold, this is not always the case and a collector has to settle for a VF or less. Pre-Civil War gold (especially D & C mint coins) is affordable to many collectors only in the lower grades. A VF gold coin is not necessarily unattractive especially if it has nice color and is free of problems.


    Worry is the interest you pay on a debt you may not owe.
    "Paper money eventually returns to its intrinsic value---zero."----Voltaire
    "Everything you say should be true, but not everything true should be said."----Voltaire

  • GemineyeGemineye Posts: 5,374 ✭
    which would you rather buy?
    I would base my judgment on possibly these three things....

    1...Price..
    2..Priority in my collection if I'm collecting more than one series..
    3..Availability to purchase it again..........
    ......Larry........image
  • shirohniichanshirohniichan Posts: 4,992 ✭✭✭


    << <i>which would you rather buy?
    I would base my judgment on possibly these three things....

    1...Price..
    2..Priority in my collection if I'm collecting more than one series..
    3..Availability to purchase it again.......... >>



    That about sums it up.

    If the price were the same for both, it boils down to how much you "need" it for your collection and how likely you are to see one again.
    image
    Obscurum per obscurius
  • goldisgoodgoldisgood Posts: 173


    << <i>how likely you are to see one again >>



    Yep. This is my main concern. It wouldn't be very hard to find the scarce coin but a nice vf rarity doesn't come along very often.

Leave a Comment

BoldItalicStrikethroughOrdered listUnordered list
Format
SpoilerCodeQuote
Heading 2Heading 1
Emoji
:):D:(;):/:o:s:p:'(:|B):#:*<3o:)>:)
Url
Image
Align leftAlign centerAlign rightToggle HTML viewToggle full pageToggle lights
Drop image/file
Home • U.S. Coin ForumComment As ...