"That Original Look"
renomedphys
Posts: 3,686 ✭✭✭✭✭
I'm sure you've all noticed that some coins, date for date, grade for grade, are just more original looking than others. I guess the question is, at what point does PCGS decide that a coin isn't "original enough". I mean, sometimes a dealer will look at a coin and say, "that coin has a really original look". It's pretty confusing, since some coins in PCGS holders do, and others don't. Shouldn't they all have it?
Here's one that does:
Here's one that does:
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Other coins I consider to have the "look" in this set are my VDB, 1910, 1911, 1912, 1913, and 1916. The 1909 and the 1914 are also to me very original, but the "original look" isn't as pronounced.
Here's a link to the set.
Empty Nest Collection
Matt’s Mattes
Toned Coins for sale @ tonedcointrader.com
<< <i>Beautiful Original Toned Cent! >>
What he said!
We'll use our hands and hearts and if we must we'll use our heads.
<< <i>The operative word in that phrase is "look." >>
Very true. Most collectors have no clue what's original and what just "looks" original. That's less of a comment on collectors or their lack of knowledge, and more a comment on coin doctors and their skill.
<< <i>
<< <i>The operative word in that phrase is "look." >>
Very true. Most collectors have no clue what's original and what just "looks" original. That's less of a comment on collectors or their lack of knowledge, and more a comment on coin doctors and their skill. >>
Ain't that the truth... Just look at ebay, how all those ugly, cleaned XF-ish "GEM AU/BU+++" coins go for top dollar, while my circ-cam will go for squat.
<< <i>Very true. Most collectors have no clue what's original and what just "looks" original. That's less of a comment on collectors or their lack of knowledge, and more a comment on coin doctors and their skill. >>
Hey Mike,
Thanks for chiming in. After all we've been through, I've come to at least value your input. I've actually learned a thing or two about some of the coins in that thread that wouldn't surprise you, but for obvious reasons (ie. hurt feeling potential), must be kept quiet. Anyway, I had the opportunity to acquire some coins from another collector since then, and I can tell you that the joys of collecting coins with "the look" are good and many. One thing I've learned is that a skilled dealer with a trained eye can see things that even an above average collector can not. One dealer in particular, Alan at Northern Nevada Coins (brokenCC.com) has a real knack for picking out "processed" coins from a lineup. I've shown him both of my MPL collections, and he's been able to spot the "worked on" coins in a heartbeat. I'm not saying that he's the ultimate authority. Just that he's pretty good. According to him, it's all about the condition of the skin.
Anyway, I won't ask you to critique any of my coins. Please don't. As we can see from the above linked post, it's a can of worms I don't care to open. Regardless, reading posts from passionate collectors such as you has affected the way I look at originality in my collection. Plastic just isn't enough.
Empty Nest Collection
Matt’s Mattes
Do you mean a coin that looks as though it hasn't been touched since the day it was minted and has toned naturally over the past 100 years, or a coin that is minty, blast white as it originally was the day it was minted?
Technically, I would think the definition should be a coin that looks as though it was just struck. Gotta be in the very high "MS" range, oozing luster and blast white (or copper, or gold, as the case may be), although I don't think that's what most collectors/dealers mean by "original look".
But that's just me.
And yes, it has a beautiful "original look"!
Is there something odd going on at the reverse rim above the "s", or is that just a result of cropping the pic?
<< <i>Oh, and BTW, WOW! That is a nice one!
And yes, it has a beautiful "original look"!
Is there something odd going on at the reverse rim above the "s", or is that just a result of cropping the pic? >>
That's just the gasket from the PCGS slab. Here are a couple more images of it.
- Bob -
MPL's - Lincolns of Color
Central Valley Roosevelts