Poll: Which relatively common but expensive coin would you rather have?
RYK
Posts: 35,800 ✭✭✭✭✭
Assume that you could have one of either coin, of equal value, for your collection. Which would you rather have: a Chain cent or a High Relief Saint?
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Didn't wanna get me no trade
Never want to be like papa
Working for the boss every night and day
--"Happy", by the Rolling Stones (1972)
<< <i>Who is the idiot who voted for the HR? Oh yeah, it was I.
HEY !!! Gold trumps Copper in my book.
-Randy Newman
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
<< <i>HR Saint any day of the week. >>
I knew you would say that.
Ryan
Cheers, RickO
<< <i>Easy choice-- the chain cent. It is more historic. >>
Ditto
Al
The chain cent is WAY more rare -- that's my pick!
"Bongo hurtles along the rain soaked highway of life on underinflated bald retread tires."
~Wayne
<< <i>Chain cent. I could sit for hours thinking who might have owned it. >>
Al
U.S. Type Set
My 1866 Philly Mint Set
Dave
<< <i>I voted for the HR Saint. I'm a huge fan of the design. >>
The most attractive design ever produced by the USA.
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
<< <i>i'm curious to know why you consider either coin to be relatively common???
There are multiple examples available at any national coin show. I cannot say the same about 1861-D $5's, which I consider to be a relatively uncommon coin.
<< <i>
<< <i>I voted for the HR Saint. I'm a huge fan of the design. >>
The most attractive design ever produced by the USA.
Leaves me cold.
Despite the fact that my Chain Cent is far from perfect, it still grabs me more than my High Relief $20 gold.
<< <i>I have both. Please don't hate me! >>
Too late. I already hate you because of the 1796 No Stars quarter eagle.
<< <i>i'm curious to know why you consider either coin to be relatively common???
According to Q, David Bowers in his book, A Guide Book of United States Type Coins, to total surviving population of Chain Cents is 712 to 1,119. I think that number is far too low. If you count all of the low grade and problem pieces, I'd say the population is more like 2,000 to 2,500. That's based upon what I have seen in auctions and coin shows over the years.
Bowers' estimate for the High Relief $20 ranges from 6,000 to 9,000 pieces. I think that the 9,000 number is too high, but certainly there are at least 6 to 7 thousand GENUINE examples around.
In that grand scheme of things, that is not hugely rare. The rarest type coin in my collection is an 1808 $2.50 gold piece. The population on that one I would estimate to be no more than 225 coins in all grades. As a variety and in some cases a date in the early quarter eagle series, that is about average. But since it's a one year, one die variety type, it's considered "rare." The Sheldon definition of "rare" is R-5 or higher, which less than 75 pieces known.
Perhaps this puts the "relatively common" comment into perspective.
<< <i>
<< <i>I have both. Please don't hate me! >>
Too late. I already hate you because of the 1796 No Stars quarter eagle.
When it comes to the 1796 No Stars quarter eagle, I plead "NOT GUILTY." I don't own one, but maybe some day.