Which would YOU keep and why - Final

tradedollarnut

I doubt I'd ever sell this set, but one never knows. If I did, which should I keep as a momento and why?

The Amon Carter 1875-S [PCGS MS68]. Tied for finest graded of the type. Sultry mint luster with that wonderful Carter periphrial toning. A few ticks, but none that nix the grade.


The Legend 1876 [PCGS MS67]. Hands down the finest colored trade dollar I've ever seen - the picture speaks for itself.


The Legend 1878-S [PCGS MS67]. The only coin in my set with an example graded higher at PCGS. The finest of 25 trade dollars discovered in a safe deposit box in Seattle in 1990. I refused to buy the MS68 because this coin was discovered in my home town and because this coin has 'the look' the 68 is lacking.

mgoodm3

76. It's the coolest.

BigRed

I like the 1878-S best. It has it all.

Coinosaurus

I'll go for the toner. Coins at this level are really works of art and should be evaluated as such, so grading numbers don't count in my evaluation. So I'll take the one with the richest pallete.

STONE

I'm stuck between the 76 and the 78.

Keep each and assemble a toned and a (mostly) white type sets.

gummibear

I would keep the 76 because I would always enjoy taking it out to look at those colors. The other are very nice, they just don't come close for eye appeal.
Happy holidays,
Richard

guitarwes

The '76 would be my choice. It's a fine looker!

Arizonadesertrat

Easy choice---they're all beautiful, but the 1878-S has better luster (from the pics). [The first coin would be runer-up, IMO.] Of equal importance is the fact that it was found in your home town.

No more pics, please. I'm tired of cleaning drool off my keyboard.

Cnitas

All are exceptional coins, but I like coin #3 the best, followed closely by coin #1.

Coin #1 has a more interesting date and dreamy surfaces, but a few distracting marks on the reverse.
Liberty's hair is also not as defined as on #3.
The mint mark also appears weaker than on coin 3.

The type collector in me wants to go with #3.

I do not like rainbow toning on any coin...just my preference.

Plus, coin #3 has local sentimental value.

Connecticoin

If I had to choose, the 1876. If not, I would keep all three -- you still would be selling a ton of other ones.

Steve27

I would go with the 78-S. I don't like either the toning or the marks on the 75-S, and while the toning on the 76 is pleasing, it could be hiding flaws along with much of the luster. Thus the 78-S, with its mild toning, full luster, almost mark-free obverse, and super strike (check-out those berries) would be the one to keep IMHO.

RYK

<< <i>I'll go for the toner. Coins at this level are really works of art and should be evaluated as such, so grading numbers don't count in my evaluation. So I'll take the one with the richest pallete. >>



Put me down for the 1876.

SeattleSlammer

1876 !!!!!

PS-I'm completely coveting all of your coins...I'm definitely going to hell

TwoSides2aCoin

Man... I feel like printing them off, cutting them out and hanging them as oranaments from my Christmas tree.
This is like asking which of one's 3 kids one should keep. Tough choice. I'd go by strike detail (1878 S)
Then luster which I can't see... then eye appeal (1878 S).

Cladiator

The 78S 'cause I like it the best of the three.

IRCWCoins

I would keep the 1876.

DennisH

There's no wrong answer here.

I'd keep the 1876.

DJCoinz

I'd have to say the 75-S. All are gorgeous.

asin

The 78-s has it all

BECOKA

Keep them all. Your set is priceless.

If you had to keep one I would keep the 76. Unless of course it needs special lighting to get that color and it looks black in hand, then I would choose the 78. That tick on the back of the 75 keeps drawing my eyes away from the rest of the coin.

Cladiator

<< <i>That tick on the back of the 75 keeps drawing my eyes away from the rest of the coin. >>

Coxe

Tough choice. Have to say that people should pay mind to your comment on the 78-S. That is precisely what separates a great collector from plastic collector.

To choose? The bag toning on the 76 is very appealing. But if I wanted to keep one representative of the US Trade dollar, it is not it, but an excellent novelty. Although the 75-S looks like marginally the better coin of the other two, the strike on the 78-S is superior and it has a nice story and connection. Of course Amon Carter is a story too. I'd go with the 78-S.

dunerlaw

78-s is super

Merc

All are amazing. I don't even have a trade dollar in my collection, yet alone something like these coins. My favorite is the 76 for the color. It reminds me a toned proof coin. For some reason, I have seen more proof coins with great toning in the fields than MS coins.

The 78-S is also very nice with that hard white luster and thick skin. It looks like a strong strike from new dies. Plus it has nice rim toning to contrast to the untoned center.

SethChandler

I"ve always liked the 75-P!

coinpictures

All 3 are drop dead gorgeous, but for me it is a no-brainer: that '76 toner may be one of the most beautiful coins on the face of the planet.

ColonialCoinUnion

I like the 78 personally. The 76 is wild, but I prefer that classic blue and golden rim toning.

Longacre

I would keep the -75-S. The look appeals to me the most.

Of course, if you were giving them away, I would be happy either any of them.

jmski52

You've got quite a collection. I have to say that in this case, the '76 is hard to deny.

Lakesammman

Can't lose with any of them - for me, the '76 by a hair.

coinlieutenant

76 without a doubt.

That coin is simply stunning. A work of art....and 100 years before I was born.

MarkInDavis

I like the 78. I'm not a fan of tarnishing - I mean toning, and the hits on the reverse of the 75 at 9:00 are ever so small but distracting. Plus you have a nice connection to the 78.

Of course they are all spectacular.

bestclser1

For me it would have to be the 76.Bruce,keep them all.

TavernTreasures

Can almost see the thru the cloth of Liberty's blouse on the 1875.

pontiacinf

ok this one is easier.

Bruce, Ill take door #2 with the outstanding 76

BRdude

Beautifull coins TDN, just breathtaking all of them. I'd have to go with the 76 also. Cleaner fields, great toneing, AND lowest mintage

MidLifeCrisis

<< <i>Tough choice. Have to say that people should pay mind to your comment on the 78-S. That is precisely what separates a great collector from plastic collector. >>


I agree. I would choose the Legend 1878-S.

All these coins are great...but it's your collection. I think at this point you should keep coins that are meaningful to you personally.

roadrunner

I like the color and value of the 1876 (don't have to pay MS68 money for a coin that looks as good as any 68)

2nd place would be the 1875-s.......I like the story that comes with it.
And the Pedigree.

And both of the above coins are not exceeded by any other known specimens.

roadrunner