Where do your eyes go to upon seeing a coin?

tjkillian

When I look at an indian cent, I naturally look at the first feather tips and the diamonds.

On Seated Liberty Dimes, I immediately look at Miss Liberty's head.

On Capped Bust Quarters I look at her hair detail and see if it is killer strike or not.


Are there some parts of certain coins that you are more interested than others? How important is strike to you? To me, it is the most important attribute of a coin. A coin cannot have excellent eye appeal without having a great strike.

tahoe98

sometimes i just get overwhelmed and my eyes go crossed!

BlindedByEgo

If it's an especially nice coin, my wallet.

ricko

First, the overall 'picture'... then detail of strike, then, if still interested, full detail search. Cheers, RickO

atom48coin

Survey the obverse for luster and face marks. Flip to the reverse for full bands or full steps -- dimes and nickels.

IGWT

Date.

pharmer

Fields for marks/ticks/etc.

RedTiger

<< <i>If it's an especially nice coin, my wallet. >>



LOL, yes, the price tag, and then the slab label, then I worry about the coin (only half kidding).

Shamika

For Buffalo nickels, I first look for the date. Some dates have very specific characteristics that I need to recall before judging the coin. After that, I start looking at the central details do determine quality of strike and then the fields.

PrivateCoinCollector

Depends, is it a type I Liberty standing Quarter?

cape

for buffalo nickels i know all the characteristics of every date and mint mark, therefore i'm able to tell if i find a good one or not.

SilverEagles92

First obviously the date, then the mintmark; then the fields, and depending on the coin, the finer details.

PerryHall

<< <i>Depends, is it a type I Liberty standing Quarter? >>



No. It's one of Marty's Cook Island slabs.

PrivateCoinCollector

Seriously, it depends on the coin. A Buffalo Nickel I go for the Hip Bone, a Walker the thigh etc. etc. etc.

MFH

<< <i>

<< <i>Depends, is it a type I Liberty standing Quarter? >>



No. It's one of Marty's Cook Island slabs. >>

tydye

For some reason I really hate flat talons on the reverse of the bust series

RYK

If I like it, the price tag.

roadrunner

The luster in the main obverse fields. If that doesn't attract me, then I pass.

Since I go after a variety of higher grade unc type coins, the luster and orig color has to catch my eye. If it doesn't, there is usually something not all there with the coin. I've never really been an overly "strike conscious" person. That is to say, condition and surfaces come first for me. If you purchase mostly 19th century stuff, you don't have much to look at if you want higher grade uncs with great strikes, great luster and orig surfaces, etc.

roadrunner

TwoSides2aCoin

Fields
Bust
Legends
Date
Motto
Rim

Usually in that order ...then I flip it over and do almost the same on the reverse.

Nic

"Eye Appeal" first. Includes luster and color. Then to the center of the obverse . K

ILikeMercs

her face, then her body.......oops, I mean, the date.

TahoeDale

Tom,

It really depends on the assigned or represented grade.

For circulated coins( as an example XF to AU58 bust halves), I want to see very few serious marks, then strike, and last luster.

For MS 64 to 66 Barber halves, luster is tops, then marks and last strike.

For proof gold, the surfaces must be original, then luster, and last strike.

I don't even try to grade a series that I do not regularly collect.

cmerlo1

I was taught to look at the fields first, because if they have issues, chances are the high points and unprotected areas do. If the fields are decent, I move on to the high points and, depending on the coin, Liberty's cheek...

tmot99

To the girl holding the coin!

speety

Liberty nickels it's the stars and corn.

Seated dollars i look at the liberty on the shield and the hair detail.

Bust halfs i look for rim bumps first then the hair and feather details.

TwoSides2aCoin

A demonstration with widgets. Where do your eyes go ?

CarlWohlforth

The very first thing I look at is the central device. Then while rotating the coin to see the central device on the reverse I observe if I see luster or reflective surfaces. Then I look around the rims on both sides. Finally I will look for details to see if I want to adjust my initial opinion due to subtle strike or wear issues.

dizzyfoxx

Hopefully to the colorful part.

MrHalfDime

Since I specialize in and collect just one denomination, when I first look at a half dime, my eyes immediately go to the date. Then, depending upon which date it is, my eyes go to the specific areas which will most readily identify the scarcest die marriages for that date. These vary widely, depending upon the date. Of course, if my eyes should catch a die crack, die break, or certainly a cud, they will immediately be drawn to that feature. Strike, condition, and grade are just as important to me as to any collector, but I have nice examples of most dates of half dimes, so it is the die marriages and anomolies that are of greatest interest to me.

darktone

I pretty much only collect mint state coins so the first thing I look for is orignal surfaces and luster- if it don't have this I don't need to loo any further.

derryb

obverse and reverse edges of the rim. After the date, of course.

Joflax

date
fields
rim
devices
in that order

stman

I try and look at the rims first. Then I know I won't forget later or be distracted by something else and make a mistake to not check the rims.
If I'm looking at it to grade, I will then look at luster, luster, luster. Than surfaces, strike, surfaces again and again.

THEN, I will pay attention to the color..... if there is any. So, I guess I'm saying I will not let the color distract me from the rest of the coin. I take it all in balance. I like color, but will not let it mesmerize me into making a big mistake.

50cents

Thx - supertooth

Type2

<< <i>I was taught to look at the fields first, because if they have issues, chances are the high points and unprotected areas do. If the fields are decent, I move on to the high points and, depending on the coin, Liberty's cheek... >>

garsmith

<<Where do your eyes go to upon seeing a coin?>>

Straight to the breasts of the lady that is holding it

FatMan

The label, of course.

My answer is obviously "tongue in cheek" but I suspect it is the truth for better than 50% of the coins sold today. Unfortunately, many collectors completely rely on judging the book by the cover.

Bear

Overall eye appeal........If the coin speaks to me and grabs me.

Then, I go for a close inspection of the obverse

then the reverse.

Then and only then, the price

Then, let the haggling begin.

mozeppa

Where do your eyes go to upon seeing a coin?


if i like what i see... then my eyes go to my wallet!

shylock

Tom -

With IH's these are my obverse focal points, in order.









Unlike yourself, the feathertips & diamonds are 3'rd in my appraisal.
There are some wonderful IH's out there that fall short in diamonds & tips.
To me, if the cheek, date and fields have major problems I dont care
about the feathers and diamonds.

Don't get me wrong. the feathers tips are important when comparing most
high grades, they are the icing on the cake.

But they are overrated compared to the cheek and fields.

And the diamonds are the most overrated IH attribute of all-time.
I'd rather see a full LIBERTY. The diamonds are a minor design detail that
only reflect one area of full strike.