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What's most important to you when you are considering a coin for purchase?

PerryHallPerryHall Posts: 46,911 ✭✭✭✭✭
in U.S. Coin Forum
What's MOST important to you?

That CAC likes the coin for the grade and gave it a sticker.
That PCGS liked the coin for the grade and gave it a plus.
That YOU like the coin for the grade.

You can't answer "all of the above" since that isn't answering the question.


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

Comments

  • giorgio11giorgio11 Posts: 3,976 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Three things:

    --Eye appeal
    --Eye appeal
    --Eye appeal
    VDBCoins.com Our Registry Sets Many successful BSTs; pls ask.
  • coinkatcoinkat Posts: 23,889 ✭✭✭✭✭
    originality

    The things you mentioned are important, just not at the top of my list

    Experience the World through Numismatics...it's more than you can imagine.

  • lcoopielcoopie Posts: 8,873 ✭✭✭✭✭
    That I like the coin,
    but I was recently taught,
    that it should be that
    I

    love the coin.
    LCoopie = Les
  • TwoSides2aCoinTwoSides2aCoin Posts: 44,634 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Rapport with the seller is important; like the grade, eye appeal and price. There are many factors of importance that I deem necessary when it comes to a transaction, the least of which has to do with plastic or glue or another's opinion. If I want their opinion, I'll pay for it, even though I will give you mine for free.

    ``https://ebay.us/m/KxolR5

  • AnkurJAnkurJ Posts: 11,370 ✭✭✭✭
    Eye appeal
    All coins kept in bank vaults.
    PCGS Registries
    Box of 20
    SeaEagleCoins: 11/14/54-4/5/12. Miss you Larry!
  • OchoRealesOchoReales Posts: 1,500 ✭
    1) Does it fit within my collecting parameters?

    2) Does it fit within my grade requirements (unless it is prohibitively rare)?

    3) Is it something I already have (do I need it, or is it future trading material ((purchased at a below market price)) )?

    4) Is the coin unmolested, have eye appeal and SCREAM 'BUY ME'?

    Holdered and/or stickered means nothing to me. Then again, that's why I'm a COLLECTOR of darkside! None of this matters to the vast majority of us.
    Lurker since '02. Got the seven year itch!

    Gary
  • seemyauctionseemyauction Posts: 3,655 ✭


    1. appeal
    2. coindition
    3. price
    imageCoinZip.com
  • mommam17mommam17 Posts: 971 ✭✭✭
    I have to love the coin and it has to be the right coin at the right price.
  • RYKRYK Posts: 35,800 ✭✭✭✭✭
    The PNG membership status of the person selling the coin. image
    My Box of 20: https://pcgs.com/setregistry/collectors-showcase/box-20/ryks-gold-box-20/17132
  • crypto79crypto79 Posts: 8,623 ✭
    if the roll is unsearched or not. Also if it didn't come from the persons grandfathers estate the chances that it has merit are very slim
  • rickoricko Posts: 98,724 ✭✭✭✭✭
    If I like the coin, I buy it. Cheers, RickO
  • lkeneficlkenefic Posts: 8,615 ✭✭✭✭✭


    << <i>1. appeal
    2. coindition
    3. price >>



    image
    Collecting: Dansco 7070; Middle Date Large Cents (VF-AU); Box of 20;

    Successful BST transactions with: SilverEagles92; Ahrensdad; Smitty; GregHansen; Lablade; Mercury10c; copperflopper; whatsup; KISHU1; scrapman1077, crispy, canadanz, smallchange, robkool, Mission16, ranshdow, ibzman350, Fallguy, Collectorcoins, SurfinxHI, jwitten, Walkerguy21D, dsessom.
  • MidLifeCrisisMidLifeCrisis Posts: 10,563 ✭✭✭✭✭
    This thread tells you what's most important to me when I consider purchasing a coin.

    However, to answer the question from the choices in your OP directly - That PCGS liked the coin for the grade and gave it a plus.

    That's my answer because I would not spend more than about 50 bucks on a coin and base that decision solely on my own ability to grade.

    No matter how good I might think I am, I'm not a professional who looks at thousands of coins a year; I can't replicate the fact that PCGS coins are viewed by at least 3 independent graders who reach a consensus on the grade; and I can't resell a coin later nearly as easily with just my own grade assigned.
  • MrEurekaMrEureka Posts: 24,437 ✭✭✭✭✭
    What's most important to you when you are considering a coin for purchase?

    Opportunity cost.
    Andy Lustig

    Doggedly collecting coins of the Central American Republic.

    Visit the Society of US Pattern Collectors at USPatterns.com.
  • DRUNNERDRUNNER Posts: 3,903 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Of your three options . . . that I like the coin for the grade. And, not being a smart-aleck, that is genuinely (pun intended) the primary concern since my definition of eye-appeal seems to match what the majority of collectors find an "ooh-aaah" coin. I DO like the grade to be in close harmony with the eye appeal, but the visual impact of the coin at first glance is what carried the weight for me.

    Drunner

  • anablepanablep Posts: 5,160 ✭✭✭✭✭
    The questions I usually ask myself are:

    * is the coin eye appealing and original?
    * do I like the coin on its own merits, regardless of stars, cac or any other such nonsense?
    * does it "fit" with the rest of my collection (ie. XF-MS rim toned Morgans in my case)?
    * is it certified by PCGS, NGC or (older) ANACS?
    * can I afford it?

    Usually, but not necessarily in that order...
    Always looking for attractive rim toned Morgan and Peace dollars in PCGS or (older) ANA/ANACS holders!

    "Bongo hurtles along the rain soaked highway of life on underinflated bald retread tires."


    ~Wayne
  • ctf_error_coinsctf_error_coins Posts: 15,433 ✭✭✭✭✭


    << <i>Three things:

    --Eye appeal
    --Eye appeal
    --Eye appeal >>



    Just like location, location, location. In coins and especially in error coins, it is all about Eye Appeal
  • Billet7Billet7 Posts: 4,923 ✭✭✭
    It's all about me. It always has been. If the other two companies want to give a nod to my nice coins, then so-be-it.
  • BaleyBaley Posts: 22,663 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Opportunity cost.

    yep

    Liberty: Parent of Science & Industry

  • RedTigerRedTiger Posts: 5,608 ✭
    If those are the only three choices, and the price is the same, my obvious answer is the PCGS plus coin. It is newer, lower pops, more likely to bring a higher price at resale. If the prices are different, then the coin I perceive to be the best value for the money.
    Investment blog: gold, stocks and more
  • PerryHallPerryHall Posts: 46,911 ✭✭✭✭✭


    << <i>Opportunity cost.

    yep >>



    Are you guys dealers?

    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

  • FairlanemanFairlaneman Posts: 10,426 ✭✭✭✭✭


    << <i>The PNG membership status of the person selling the coin. image >>


    Thats a good one.

    Flipping potential. Will it come up heads or tails.

    Ken
  • MrEurekaMrEureka Posts: 24,437 ✭✭✭✭✭
    << Opportunity cost.

    yep >>


    Are you guys dealers?


    I'm a dealer and a collector, but I answered as a collector.

    If I had answered as a dealer, my answer would have been "risk vs reward".
    Andy Lustig

    Doggedly collecting coins of the Central American Republic.

    Visit the Society of US Pattern Collectors at USPatterns.com.
  • FairlanemanFairlaneman Posts: 10,426 ✭✭✭✭✭
    "If I had answered as a dealer, my answer would have been "risk vs reward"."

    Same thing as flipping potential, which could happen years down the road, and I am not a dealer.

    Ken

  • MowgliMowgli Posts: 1,219 ✭
    I only work on sets/series so the first and main question I ask myself is - does it fit my set? I do not care if it is slabbed, +ed, *ed or beaned so long as is in the grade range the set is in. I do have several sets I'm currently working on that are being collected in slabs only because one is in proof 65 and the other MS 65 but I do not looks for beans or other approval marks - just a particular look.
    In the land of the blind the one-eyed man is king.
  • tydyetydye Posts: 3,894 ✭✭✭
    The look. I dont even ask for a price before looking at a coin. Only after I decide I want the coin do I inquire a price. I also dont carry a list of what I need for a set. Because when I did I found myself purchasing marginal coins
  • CEOGBOSECEOGBOSE Posts: 377
    Eye appeal

    image
    Greg Bose
    CoinSpace.com Founder
    www.coinspace.com
  • blueifalconblueifalcon Posts: 963 ✭
    Will I enjoy it until the day I die, because after that, who cares...image
    Ilikacoinsawholebuncha
  • JustacommemanJustacommeman Posts: 22,852 ✭✭✭✭✭
    I have to love it at first sight then I do illicit the opinions of a few dealers and or a couple board members to make sure my head is screwed on straight. Yes, I run coins by others for a second opinion. Obviously the coin has to make some financial sense as well.

    A CAC sticker is a plus but not mandatory. I've never seen a Plus coin in person so I have no comment

    MJ
    Walker Proof Digital Album
    Fellas, leave the tight pants to the ladies. If I can count the coins in your pockets you better use them to call a tailor. Stay thirsty my friends......
  • pursuitoflibertypursuitofliberty Posts: 7,345 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Perry, as you asked the question,

    For me it is "That YOU like the coin for the grade."

    Any more the grade almost always equates to price. There are many valid points (eye appeal, opportunity, etc) ... but frankly, I try not to buy any coin I wouldn't feel would regrade (read "reprice") at least at the same level of quality ... unless the offering price reflects that.



    “We are only their care-takers,” he posed, “if we take good care of them, then centuries from now they may still be here … ”

    Todd - BHNC #242
  • mozinmozin Posts: 8,755 ✭✭✭


    << <i>What's MOST important to you?

    That CAC likes the coin for the grade and gave it a sticker.
    That PCGS liked the coin for the grade and gave it a plus.
    That YOU like the coin for the grade.

    You can't answer "all of the above" since that isn't answering the question. >>



    In answering the OP's question, the PCGS Plus is most important too me. I do not mean to imply that the Plus is a requirement for me to buy.
    I collect Capped Bust series by variety in PCGS AU/MS grades.
  • coinkatcoinkat Posts: 23,889 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Opportunity costs?

    What a great two word answer that can mean a boatload of different things-imageimage

    I think that one has to factor in the look, the grade, the cost and how often the coin surfaces in this state of preservation?

    Or in the alternative...

    I have $500 (or limited financial resources whether it be 50 or 50,000)- do I want coin x or coin y? Or... what else can I do with this $500 (my limited financial resources)? I think the analysis still goes back first point

    Experience the World through Numismatics...it's more than you can imagine.

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