Poll: Different approaches by gold specialists in describing coins. Which approach do you prefer?

Longacre

I was taking a look at two gold specialists' websites. I noticed that both take different approaches in describing the coins for sale. The first dealer seems to take a more general, background-approach to describing the coins. In other words, Dealer #1 does not speak about the coins themselves, but rather gives the context in which a coin should be viewed, by comparing the date in question to past auction appearances, historical vagaries, and other matters. Dealer #2 seems to describe the coins themselves, with very little contextual information (however, Dealer #2 does provide population data and Trends data). Which approach do you prefer? I am not saying one is right or wrong, but the approaches are definitely different. Please also state why you prefer one over the other. Here are the examples:


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Dealer #1 (three different coins, chosen at random):

"This is one of the true condition rarities of the series. It ranks as the 3rd most difficult date to obtain in Gem or higher grades with a total of 6 coins graded that high or finer between the two grading services. Even in MS64 this date is difficult, with a total of 26 graded that high. Obviously the vast majority of these were melted and few survive for numismatists to choose from to form a date collection. Forget the reported mintage, virtually all were melted during the 1930s, and only a few thousand likely survive in all grades, and most of those are in circulated condition. A classic condition rarity that is one of the cornerstones to a great collection. When found in mint state, this date is often quite attractive and lustrous. Auction records include Stack’s Sale January 2004 PCGS MS66 @ $83,375; and Bowers and Merena’s Bass IV Sale November 2000 PCGS MS66 @ $36,800; and Rarcoa/Akers Chicago ’96 Sale July 1996 PCGS MS65 @ $66,000."



"The 1897-S Eagle is slightly rarer than the 1896-S, but not as rare as the 1894-S and 1895-S. Most examples are in circulated condition, although a small number of Uncirculated examples appear to have been found in Europe over the past two or three decades. As with most dates, the coins that have been recovered tend to be baggy, low-end Uncs., and any superior Mint State pieces are extra rare. Two Gems have been certified of this date (one PCGS MS-65 and one PCGS MS-66), but the finest example could turn out to be the MS-67 example in the Smithsonian. Prooflike examples are known."


"Prior to 1985 the 1857-S double eagle was mostly available in grades of VF to EF. A few nice specimens were known, but none was choice. The discovery of the S.S. Central America changed the landscape of double eagle collecting profoundly. There were over 5,000 examples of the 1857-S double eagle aboard when the ship sank. Many were in the same state of preservation as the day they left the Mint. The fabulous condition of the coins is what makes them so special. Type One double eagles are now collectable in high-grade. The interest in gold coins and double eagles in particular rose sharply. Over 400 lives were lost when the S.S. Central America sank, and the story of her voyage is one of the greatest in U.S. maritime history. The 1857-S double eagles are an amazing, tangible link to that episode. When the double eagles from the S.S. Central America entered the market they were closely studied for die variety attribution. At least eight different varieties of the 1857-S were identified."


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Dealer #2 (three different coins, chosen at random):

"If you like original gold coins, take a look at the superb dark olive-gold color that this piece shows. Both the obverse and the reverse are evenly toned and this piece has clearly never been cleaned or lightened in the century and a half since it was produced. There is some minor weakness of strike on the eagle’s right (facing) leg but this is really a lovely coin that even the pickiest collector will appreciate."


"This is a very early die state with fewer mint-made striations than usual on the surfaces and a considerable amount of reflective prooflike surface. The fields are wonderfully clean for the grade with no more than a small number of very small marks present and the coloration is a pleasing light to medium natural orange-gold hue. For the grade, this is a very high end coin which appears to have the eye appeal of a piece graded at least one point higher. The 1861 is the second rarest Civil War Three Dollar gold piece, trailing only the very rare 1865, and it becomes extremely hard to locate in grades higher than MS61 to MS62. This is one of the freshest, most vibrant examples I have owned in some time."


"This is a slightly better than average coin for the grade with a good deal of remaining luster seen below medium to deep natural orange-gold and coppery color. The strike has some minor weakness on the high spots and the surfaces show an expected number of contact marks, as is endemic to this issue. The 1848-C is a much scarcer Charlotte half eagle that does not really get the respect that it deserves. It is almost impossible to find in grades higher than AU55 to AU58 and I can not recall having owned more than a handful that graded higher than AU-55."