Replace (not upgrade maybe even DOWNGRADE) a coin strictly for "eye appeal"?

Bankerbob56

Do you (or would you) ever replace a like graded coin in your collection strictly based on eye appeal? If you have an ms 66 graded coin, would you buy another identical date, mm, graded coin simply because the new coin looks better? Does cost come into play? Would you be less likely to replace a more expensive coin based strictly on eye appeal?



edited to suggest even a downgrade for eye appeal!

AngryTurtle

Absolutely! I have downgraded coins in my collection just on eye appeal. I dont do registry sets, so that gives me the freedom to do things like this, although even so its tough!

lasvegasteddy

i'm on a different path on my "core" coins
no need to if i'm buying right

TonerGuy

Absolutely.

johnny9434

yes, i sure would.

LindeDad

Have done it but usually upgrade at the same time. Notetorus hole filler when building sets.
Got my eye on a certain AU58 for a AU53 right now but haven't pulled the trigger yet because it lacks that certain look. (Sorry David.)

CoinRaritiesOnline

For sure.

Elcontador

No. I try to get the right coin the first time. Replacing the same coin in the same grade means the first coin was a mistake, and is a loser's game. Depending on the coin, the spread is 10% plus between the buy and sell. That means that coin for which you paid $1,000 you might get $900 for it upon resale (and if it doesn't have attractive eye appeal, you won't get that much). Now you're paying another premium for a second coin which has more eye appeal.

You could argue when you sell the second coin, you might make money, because attractive coins appreciate in value over time. 1) Maybe, but maybe not. 2) It depends on the premium you paid for the coin, the coin, and the series. I paid a premium for a nice MS 66 Seated Dime. Fifteen years later, it's in a 66 + holder, and I doubt I could get my money back in full.

DIMEMAN

Actually I am at the point of having to make this decision right now. I just received a Bust Dime PCGS25 that I won in a ebay auction. The coin does not look like the pic in the auction. The pic is how I like them to look with nice tea brown toning. The actual color of the coin is very light. The coin it was going to replace is a PCGS12 which does have the color I like. Both are a tuff 1827 JR9 R6 in the Dime book.

Still deciding!

DMWJR

<< <i>Do you (or would you) ever replace a like graded coin in your collection strictly based on eye appeal? If you have an ms 66 graded coin, would you buy another identical date, mm, graded coin simply because the new coin looks better? Does cost come into play? Would you be less likely to replace a more expensive coin based strictly on eye appeal? >>



Yes, I am always looking for a better coin even if it is in the same grade I already have. I don't assume the best coins have already come to market. The most challenging one I think I have had was a 65RB vs. a 64Red. I still have them both and haven't been able to make up my mind about which one to sell (it's been about 3 years now).

BillJones

I had a Roanoke Half Dollar in MS-65 that I down graded to MS-64 (registry suicide ) because the MS-64 had better eye appeal.

Unknown

This content has been removed.

MilkmanDan

Definitely, even if the grade is a little lower.

mercurydimeguy

Yes, have done it quite a few times...went down a grade several times also. I've even paid same money for 1 grade lower because it wasn't a lot of money in grand scheme of things and the coins had nice eye appeal.

I have come to realize that the number of the slab is only important to a sect of people in the hobby/business whatever we choose to call it, but the eye appeal is something that both collectors and non-collectors can enjoy. Of course some people don't know what eye appeal looks like so they might think something is appealing while others think it's ugly, but that's another conversation/thread.

If you think you will enjoy a coin more, and it is a sideways trade or a downgrade, I would say own the coin that makes you happy 100% of the time.

messydesk

Sure. Bonus points if you can downgrade from a mediocre $x coin to a really nice $x/10 at one grade down.

EastonCollection

actually, my capped bust dime registry set is full of coins that I downgraded solely for eye appeal. For example, in my bust dime registry set is a 1821 large date dime that is graded pcgs62. This is one of the finest capped bust dimes that I ever saw. Its amazing with deep blue mirror prooflike surfaces thats all original! - take a look at it if you are interested.
I do have another 1821 large date that is technically a higher grade but I refuse to replace the 62 for a higher grade in my registry set. To me the registry set is fun but I much rather display a capped bust dime with great eye appeal, naturally toned and original surfaces. Thats my collecting style- yes - on many occassions I have passed on higher graded coins especially if they are white. I don't really like silver coins that are over 150 years old that are white.

EastonCollection

I forgot what I was going to write!

CoinRaritiesOnline

I've seen people keep a high grade coin, sell a lower grade one they actually liked better only to have the lower grade one subsequently upgrade.

BryceM

This is a question that I've mulled over some since I got back into collecting.

The answer, for me at least, is "It depends."

St. Guru talks about "lateral upgrades" or trading for a better coin at the same grade. I've done this, and it usually works out, but it's also an expensive proposition for two reasons. Truly PQ coins often trade at PQ prices. When I think it's justified, I have no problem with this, and as some forum members have long declared, buying really top-end coins at a small premium is often the best bargain in numismatics. It's sort of the corollary to the idea that obtaining weak-for-grade coins at a bargain price is often not really a bargain. The second reason is that you'll almost always incur the usual transaction costs (cover the buy/sell spread) when you need to dump the coin being replaced. I did this with my 1927-P Peace dollar and the whole exercise was an expensive (but not disastrous) lesson in what I should have done the first time around.

If you buy right the first time, the OP's question doesn't even come up.

CuKevin

I definitely would even though I have not done it yet. However, I have gone with lower graded coins because I liked them more.

Eclectic

duplicate

Eclectic

In short, YES!

Although when you buy the coin, not the holder, it doesn't really matter!

koynekwest

I would and I have.

OldIndianNutKase

For me eye appeal is everyting. But I will wait for the right opportunity to present itself. This is especially true for scarce date coins that are not seen too often. Rick Snow (Eagle Eye Rare Coins) has a very attractive trade-in policy for coins that he has sold to you. Most of the time I find quality more compelling than completeness. So, a great looking coin of lower grade is a definite consideration.

OINK

thisnamztaken

Yes, but money would probably be somewhat of a factor for an average collector like myself.

TopographicOceans

Yes sir