OK I have an interesting problem - any help appreciated

IstilllikeZARcoins

I recently bought 2 ZAR coins for upgrades in my collection.

Both of these coins are common dates but very high grades as far as ZAR coins go.

The coins in my collection grade:

1896 MS63
1897 MS 61

The coins I bought to replace these were graded as:

1896 MS64
1897 MS63

Not much difference in grade between the 1896 coins but a bit of a difference between the 1897's.

Now - both my wife and I agree that the two coins which are graded lower ( my original coins ) look better in hand because the 'upgrades' have a darkish spotted toning on them making them less attractive on the eye. The originals are 'nice and shiny' to put it in lay terms.

In my own opinion the 1896 MS63 looks to have less wear then the 1896 MS64 through my 5X.

I can't really see much difference between the 1897 coins regarding wear.

As I am selling my lower grade and duplicate ZAR I want to sell one of each date but do I sell the lesser looking coins or do I sell the labels ?

Any input appreciated.

Stork

I say keep the coins that are nicer, no matter what the label says. I would rather have a better coin than a better number...and keep looking for an upgrade that meets both criteria .


Cathy

Hussulo

It depends if you are collecting as an investment? Personally I am a collector first, and investor second. I really enjoy numismatics, but I would also be happy in many years time if I have also made some money.
The higher graded coins will be worth more in years to come. However I always believe you should buy the coin and not the slab, so I would be tempted to keep the nicer looking coins.

ColonialCoinUnion

I have several comments:

1. Are you 100% sure you can identify which coins are actually more desirable? I'm not trying to be a wise guy, but your comment that

<< <i>In my own opinion the 1896 MS63 looks to have less wear then the 1896 MS64 through my 5X. >>

suggests to me that you may not be very experienced at this. There shouldn't be any wear on an MS63 or MS64 coin, and if you are seeing wear then you might benefit from a second set of eyes from an experienced collector or trusted dealer.

2. I would always - 100% of the time - keep the more desirable, attractive and eye-appealing coins (subject to the qualifier in point 1) regardless of what the label says.

3. It would not be unusual for the lower graded coins to eventually be upgraded one day (assuming they are really nice), so selling them simply because they are lower graded today would be a bad decision long term.

danglen

I would keep the higher graded coins and resubmit the nicer coins to the same service for a possible upgrade. Depending on how they come back, I would then have more options. But in coins remember that the cardinal rule is "eye apeal, eye appeal, eye appeal".

Musky1011

Eye Appeal

You have to look at them

Keep the ones that look the best to you

sell the ugly crap

no matter what the label says


Jim

IstilllikeZARcoins

Thanks for the responses guys - greatly appreciated.

I am not 100% confident about my grading skills especially on MS pieces but the lower grade coins definitely look better to my eye. If it isn't wear that I think is better then it must be a weaker strike because there definitely is a loss of definition.

I initially thought to keep the coins which I like best and judging by the responses that's what other people think too.

Any takers for a few ZAR 6p pieces ?

BS

I would keep the coins with the better eye appeal.

Aethelred

In a case like this I say keep the coins that look best to you. Collect the coin, not the slab.

Hussulo

Any pictures?

1jester

I'm also of the opinion that you should keep the nicer ones, even if graded lower. Danglen offers another good suggestion to try to reholder the lower graded ones for an upgrade if possible. But even if they come back without an upgrade, I'd still keep the ones you like best.

worldcoinguy

Haven't you learned that your wife is always right?

Personally, I would stick with eye appeal.

satootoko

<< <i>Personally, I would stick with eye appeal. >>

wybrit

I've sold technically higher graded coins off because I didn't like how they looked. One case in point was a PCGS MS64 shilling I bought at a Heritage auction. It didn't look nearly as attractive as my NGC MS63, which is my signature coin for my "wybrit" website.

Another recent one was this PCGS MS66 sixpence that I picked up sight unseen by a major mail order seller.




Instead of returning it and losing the $$ for shipping, I sold it off and kept my raw, probably MS63 BU example.



The bottom line, as has been posted repeatedly in this thread. Keep what you like and ignore the numbers on the label.

koincollect

<< <i>The bottom line, as has been posted repeatedly in this thread. Keep what you like and ignore the numbers on the label. >>



Agreed, and I guess a couple of points in grade does not matter much in price. If it did then I would sell of the higher graded eyesores to buy more eye appealing ones.