Very Attractive or Very Rare?

Billet7 · July 10, 2012 8:28AM

Considering that the two coins are of equal current value, and both are of your favorite series, would you prefer to own a coin that is:

1. rare (lets define it as less than 500 known, adjust this number accordingly depending on the series) problem free with average wear and eye appeal. (Not condition census, a standard US mint issue coin, and not an esoteric variety.)

OR

2. a coin that is common in most regards, but in a healthy state of preservation, with superior eye appeal...think moosish. (Not condition census nor a condition rarity, nice strike.)

coindeuce · July 10, 2012 8:37AM

I've found that eye appeal usually trumps rarity for a greater percentage of collectors, except in series that are very widely collected with a goal toward completion of the series, when it comes to marketing.

SeattleSlammer · July 10, 2012 8:55AM

I'd go with Very Attractive all the time!

Patches · July 10, 2012 8:56AM

Very attractive gets my vote

Zoins · July 10, 2012 9:07AM

Moose vs. average, non-esoteric US mint issue - easy vote for the Moose.

rhedden · July 10, 2012 9:15AM

The very rare item has proven over time to be the financial winner for me, even if fugly looking. I like to realize gains when I sell. Therefore, I will have to go with the truly rare coin instead of the very pretty 1881-S Morgan.

NewParadigm · July 10, 2012 9:16AM

Ideologically, I would say rare; realistically, I go with attractive.

yellowkid · July 10, 2012 9:20AM

<< I'd go with Very Attractive all the time! >>

Unknown · July 10, 2012 9:23AM

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LanceNewmanOCC · July 10, 2012 9:26AM

<< I've found that eye appeal usually trumps rarity for a greater percentage of collectors, except in series that are very widely collected with a goal toward completion of the series, when it comes to marketing. >>

i agree this is the majority, of which i am not in

i'll take rare any day
.

michiganboy · July 10, 2012 9:30AM

rare

bestclser1 · July 10, 2012 10:09AM

<< Moose vs. average, non-esoteric US mint issue - easy vote for the Moose. >>

chumley · July 10, 2012 10:11AM

my wife is very attractive but she isnt very rare....she has 4 sisters

SmEagle1795 · July 10, 2012 10:23AM

Definitely rare. Eye appeal is subjective.

anablep · July 10, 2012 10:34AM

Attractive.

I have to love it if its going to be my coin and part of my collection.

lasvegasteddy · July 10, 2012 11:40AM

balance in a good mix of both

123cents · July 10, 2012 11:43AM

I'll take the rare!

DIMEMAN · July 10, 2012 11:47AM

I'll take rare everytime......thank you very much!

MidLifeCrisis · July 10, 2012 11:53AM

Rarity vs. eye appeal

When I started focusing on colonials, I valued rarity over eye appeal.

After a couple of years I completely flip-flopped, valuing eye appeal over rarity every time.

Now I strongly believe that if you are patient enough, and if you study your chosen field, you will find beauty in rarity...and coins that are universally considered beautiful are truly rare.

mkman123 · July 10, 2012 12:09PM

well lets see:

Rarity: no longer being made

Common: no longer being made but common as many were produced so easily found. Eye appeal of a common piece, if its toning, could be made with AT techniques or using taco bell napkins............
...........
.........
...........

I choose rare coin

mbogoman · July 10, 2012 12:15PM

Rare, hands down for me.

astrorat · July 10, 2012 12:32PM

Rare. "Attractiveness" is relative and changes with time.

PerryHall · July 10, 2012 4:52PM

Rare, but I don't want any ugly coins.

Constantine · July 10, 2012 4:54PM

Duh. Very attractive.

mjhoffpauir · July 10, 2012 5:15PM

Whatever makes YOU happy...for me its always eye appeal...if it happens to be rare...then I have the best of both worlds...

Unknown · July 10, 2012 5:27PM

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GrumpyEd · July 10, 2012 6:18PM

I think it needs a mix of both to make me want to buy it.

But when searching...
I'd get more exited if I find a rare coin while searching than a pretty common coin.

lasvegasteddy · July 10, 2012 6:56PM

...

Justacommeman · July 10, 2012 7:08PM

I like my coins very attractive and my steaks very rare. MJ

MrHalfDime · July 10, 2012 8:57PM

Like most collectors, I can certainly appreciate a truly attractive, eye appealing coin, especially one in my chosen series. But nothing can replace the feeling one gets when you score a truly rare coin. I have owned several R7 and R8 half dime marriages, two of which were the second known specimens for their respective marriages when I acquired them. Neither coin was a high grade thing of beauty, but in my eyes they were beautiful. Rarity trumps attractiveness for me.

bosco5041 · July 10, 2012 9:26PM

If I had to pick one I would pick very attractive.

ambro51 · July 10, 2012 9:57PM

There was a coin recently for sale which would have meant a huge jump forward with my Vermont collection but I gotta tell you it was just so blooming ugly I could not buy it.

Billet7 · July 11, 2012 1:28AM

This is more evenly divided than I thought...and I'm surprised at a few of the responses. Interseting, most interesting.

lcoopie · July 11, 2012 1:32AM

if they are of equal value

the rare one would be vile as far as eye appeal and grade

so a vile low grade rare coin
vs
a very attractive coin

hchcoin · July 11, 2012 1:36AM

Very Rare

Unknown · July 11, 2012 1:45AM

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Justacommeman · July 11, 2012 1:49AM

<< 

<< There was a coin recently for sale which would have meant a huge jump forward with my Vermont collection but I gotta tell you it was just so blooming ugly I could not buy it. >>

I am frankly quite shocked to learn of this......could it be I was wrong about you....you stood like an iron hand for what i thought was purenss in our hobby.....you were the quintiessential collector and lover of all that was good and ugly in old colonia RAREl copper....but aloas no more....you have come over to the otherside, the side of beaut/formy over substance......I will be forever disappointed

>>

I just have to see the coin that even Ambro thought was ugly. MJ

okracer · July 11, 2012 2:00AM

Rarity wins it for me. Being a history enthusiast (not expert), I love the story as much or more than the item.

Baley · July 11, 2012 8:37AM

For common coins, I insist it be VERY attractive, and completely problem free

For rare coins, while I prefer attractive, I'd rather have an ugly example than none at all

For items of intermediate rarity and attractiveness, there's a sliding scale of acceptability, greatly influenced by price

Unknown · July 11, 2012 9:02AM

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Shamika · July 11, 2012 10:56AM

<< Ideologically, I would say rare; realistically, I go with attractive. >>

Well said.

ambro51 · July 11, 2012 11:27AM

It IS what it IS but I couldn't do it. Ryder 15

coolest · July 11, 2012 12:30PM

Sorry, but I insist on rare and attractive,
I just go with a lower grade.
I'll take a nice looking G4.

Justacommeman · July 11, 2012 12:39PM

<< It IS what it IS but I couldn't do it. Ryder 15 >>

Duly noted with thanks. MJ

Elcontador · July 11, 2012 12:57PM

I'm in between. I'm not interested in paying multiples of sheet for an incredibly toned, high grade 1881 S Morgan. OTOH, I will not spend big bucks for a coin that has the eye appeal to make its home in a vomitorium.

Trime · July 11, 2012 7:31PM

Depends on whether you want to sell it or show it.
Seriously, Rarity trumps attractiveness in the marketplace.

MerlinH · July 11, 2012 10:24PM

I would take the rare coin.

The attractive coin can become ugly. The rare coin will still be rare. JMHO

Billet7 · July 12, 2012 2:31AM

<< I'm in between. I'm not interested in paying multiples of sheet for an incredibly toned, high grade 1881 S Morgan. OTOH, I will not spend big bucks for a coin that has the eye appeal to make its home in a vomitorium. >>

Confused...didn't you say the same thing twice? How can you be in between one thing...and the same thing again?

mgoodm3 · July 12, 2012 2:36AM

rare

Very Attractive or Very Rare?

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