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Must a coin be significant or attractive to be worthy of your purchase?

braddickbraddick Posts: 24,148 ✭✭✭✭✭
in U.S. Coin Forum
Would you purchase a coin that wasn't attractive? Not necessarily a problem coin- could be totally original, yet not pretty?
Perhaps one that is so scarce as to represent an opportunity when it appears for sale?

Or, unless you enjoy the appearance of the coin it isn't on your radar?

peacockcoins

Comments

  • MGLICKERMGLICKER Posts: 7,995 ✭✭✭
    It has to be appealing which on occasion is not attractive. I am a fan of original toning that often is not prized by other collectors.
  • UnknownUnknown
    This content has been removed.
  • VanHalenVanHalen Posts: 4,056 ✭✭✭✭✭


    << <i>Must a coin be significant or attractive to be worthy of your purchase? >>



    Heck no man. I've got friends in low places. image
  • AnkurJAnkurJ Posts: 11,370 ✭✭✭✭
    Beauty is in the eye of the collector. What is beautiful to one might not be to others, and that is ok image
    All coins kept in bank vaults.
    PCGS Registries
    Box of 20
    SeaEagleCoins: 11/14/54-4/5/12. Miss you Larry!
  • johnny9434johnny9434 Posts: 28,483 ✭✭✭✭✭
    if i just dont like the coin i wont buy it. other wise theres not much of a problem
  • MarkInDavisMarkInDavis Posts: 1,711 ✭✭✭✭


    << <i>For my collection? Eye appeal or at least very nice for the assigned grade is a must. >>



    A lot of people say that they only want coins that are nice for the grade, but doesn't it make more sense to get coins that are nice for the price. I'd rather get a low MS63 than a high MS62 if the prices are the same and eye appeal comparable.
    image Respectfully, Mark
  • ARCOARCO Posts: 4,396 ✭✭✭✭✭


    << <i>Would you purchase a coin that wasn't attractive? Not necessarily a problem coin- could be totally original, yet not pretty?
    Perhaps one that is so scarce as to represent an opportunity when it appears for sale?

    Or, unless you enjoy the appearance of the coin it isn't on your radar? >>

    Personally, if the coin doesn't have eye appeal that I can sit there and enjoy the aesthetics of it, then I do not want it, no matter how rare or scarce (ignoring potential financial gains by finding an undervalued coin). There are many coins that be totally original but fugly. In my book, fugly original is the same as fugly cleaned.

    Tyler
  • silverpopsilverpop Posts: 6,695 ✭✭✭✭✭
    nope

    just have to catch my interest and that is not easy

    https://www.omnicoin.com/collection/colind?page=1&sort=sort&sale=1&country=0

  • winkywinky Posts: 1,671 ✭
    I'm with NOPE on that.
  • LakesammmanLakesammman Posts: 17,401 ✭✭✭✭✭
    My Mom used to say that there's a Jack for every Jill.

    Applies to coins too. image

    If it's not attractive, it better be significant, or else why bother??
    "My friends who see my collection sometimes ask what something costs. I tell them and they are in awe at my stupidity." (Baccaruda, 12/03).I find it hard to believe that he (Trump) rushed to some hotel to meet girls of loose morals, although ours are undoubtedly the best in the world. (Putin 1/17) Gone but not forgotten. IGWT, Speedy, Bear, BigE, HokieFore, John Burns, Russ, TahoeDale, Dahlonega, Astrorat, Stewart Blay, Oldhoopster, Broadstruck, Ricko, Big Moose.
  • CaptHenwayCaptHenway Posts: 32,273 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Heck no. I have a crappy looking piece of notgelt I bought out of a junkbox because it was from the town in Germany my grandmother was born in many years earlier.
    Numismatist. 50 year member ANA. Winner of four ANA Heath Literary Awards; three Wayte and Olga Raymond Literary Awards; Numismatist of the Year Award 2009, and Lifetime Achievement Award 2020. Winner numerous NLG Literary Awards.
  • LakesammmanLakesammman Posts: 17,401 ✭✭✭✭✭
    because it was from the town in Germany my grandmother was born in many years earlier.

    There you go - it was significant to you. image
    "My friends who see my collection sometimes ask what something costs. I tell them and they are in awe at my stupidity." (Baccaruda, 12/03).I find it hard to believe that he (Trump) rushed to some hotel to meet girls of loose morals, although ours are undoubtedly the best in the world. (Putin 1/17) Gone but not forgotten. IGWT, Speedy, Bear, BigE, HokieFore, John Burns, Russ, TahoeDale, Dahlonega, Astrorat, Stewart Blay, Oldhoopster, Broadstruck, Ricko, Big Moose.
  • BryceMBryceM Posts: 11,801 ✭✭✭✭✭
    If you collect common-date Morgans in MS64-66 grades, it would be stupid to buy ugly coins.

    If you collect early copper or Southern-Mint gold, a few compromises need to be made or you won't be able to collect anything. Most large series will require the acquisition of a few coins that aren't up to the standards of the more easily obtained pieces.

    Everyone goes about it a little differently, and that's just how it should be.
  • TopographicOceansTopographicOceans Posts: 6,535 ✭✭✭✭
    Beauty is in the eye of the beholder ( or with PCGS in the holder )

    I've bought a few ugly coins just because they were ugly.
  • ms70ms70 Posts: 13,954 ✭✭✭✭✭
    By not attractive I'm obviously thinking UGLY. Like beyond the limits black & crusty. I like crusty to a degree, but I have my limitations. A man's got to know his limitations..

    Great transactions with oih82w8, JasonGaming, Moose1913.

  • ctf_error_coinsctf_error_coins Posts: 15,433 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Yes, I only buy eye appealing coins.
  • rainbowroosierainbowroosie Posts: 4,874 ✭✭✭✭
    Absolutely, positively, yes.
    "You keep your 1804 dollar and 1822 half eagle -- give me rainbow roosies in MS68."
    rainbowroosie April 1, 2003
  • UnknownUnknown
    This content has been removed.
  • RichieURichRichieURich Posts: 8,472 ✭✭✭✭✭
    No. See the half dime below that I have been happy to own in my personal collection for several years.

    image

    An authorized PCGS dealer, and a contributor to the Red Book.

  • lasvegasteddylasvegasteddy Posts: 10,408 ✭✭✭
    it's always on a coin by coin basis

    everything in life is but merely on loan to us by our appreciation....lose your appreciation and see


  • lkeigwinlkeigwin Posts: 16,892 ✭✭✭✭✭
    If it's scarce, say R6 and above, I'm more forgiving. Otherwise I agree with the subject title.
    Lance.
    Coin Photography Services / Everyman Registry set / BHNC #213
  • CoinJunkieCoinJunkie Posts: 8,772 ✭✭✭✭✭
    It's gotta be attractive. Rare, but ugly, doesn't do anything for me.
    My Roosevelt Dime Registry Set
  • BaleyBaley Posts: 22,661 ✭✭✭✭✭
    I'll buy ugly but rare, and I'l buy common but beautiful.

    I can't afford rare and beautiful, and why would I buy coins that are both common and ugly? image

    Liberty: Parent of Science & Industry

  • BarndogBarndog Posts: 20,500 ✭✭✭✭✭
    if it is truly rare, I will buy it ugly. If it is not rare, I won't buy ugly. So yes, a coin must be significant (to me) or attractive (to me) to be worthy of my purchase.

    I won't buy insignficant, ugly coins. For most, that's a given.
    JR Newsletter Online Edition
  • roadrunnerroadrunner Posts: 28,303 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Most truly worthy, original 18th, 19th. and early 20th century coins are not generally all that attractive. It would be better to describe them as neutral to slightly negative eye appeal. Some of the finest bust and seated coins have just average eye appeal. This monster toning stuff was pretty much non-existant prior to 1980 except on proof sets kept in original wrappers, bag stored Morgan dollars, US mint sets, OBW rolls, etc. If you want "monsters" outside those areas you'll have to find coins that were placed in Wayte Raymond holders back in the first half of the 20th century or were once dipped/lightly cleaned and have retoned spectacularly over the decades. Frankly, I'm more than happy with the neutrally toned choice and gem bust and seated coins as that's how they generally come. I'll buy anything if the price is right. But, you're treading on thin ice with problem or ugly coins if you are not well versed in their pricing/marketability.
    Barbarous Relic No More, LSCC -GoldSeek--shadow stats--SafeHaven--321gold
  • BLUEJAYWAYBLUEJAYWAY Posts: 9,389 ✭✭✭✭✭
    I believe it was a supreme court justice that stated when he was asked his definition of pornograpy that he had not one but knew it when he saw it. Coin purchasing somewhat similar in that you'll know if you'll want to buy it when you see it.
    Successful transactions:Tookybandit. "Everyone is equal, some are more equal than others".
  • WalkerfanWalkerfan Posts: 9,380 ✭✭✭✭✭
    The coin doesn't have to be a significant rarity but it must be reasonably attractive.

    Sometimes, it’s better to be LUCKY than good. 🍀 🍺👍

    My Full Walker Registry Set (1916-1947):

    https://www.ngccoin.com/registry/competitive-sets/16292/

  • JCMhoustonJCMhouston Posts: 5,306 ✭✭✭
    Yes, in January I bought an ugly Victoria proof halfpenny, total known in the 5-7 range. It's on my British page now.
    JCM-Houston
    World Collection
    British Collection
    German States Collection
  • rickoricko Posts: 98,724 ✭✭✭✭✭
    To me, it must be attractive in some aspect - either strike, originality, rarity, mint, date, significant origin etc.... otherwise, why buy it?? Oh yes, of course, from a dealer's perspective it could be flippability, profit or inventory..... however, I am a collector, and if it does not satisfy some aspect of desirability, I would not buy it. Cheers, RickO
  • JustacommemanJustacommeman Posts: 22,849 ✭✭✭✭✭
    yes it must be attractive
    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......
  • SonorandesertratSonorandesertrat Posts: 5,695 ✭✭✭✭✭
    "To me, it must be attractive in some aspect - either strike, originality, rarity, mint, date, significant origin etc.... otherwise, why buy it?? "

    Exactly. I would much rather have a small collection of attractive coins (or other numismatic collectibles) than a 50x greater collection of 'stuff'. Aesthetics in forming a collection of anything means just about everything. And I have reached the point at which I simply am not interested in buying something if it is ugly, even if it is extremely rare.
    Member: EAC, NBS, C4, CWTS, ANA

    RMR: 'Wer, wenn ich schriee, hörte mich denn aus der Engel Ordnungen?'

    CJ: 'No one!' [Ain't no angels in the coin biz]
  • ElcontadorElcontador Posts: 7,537 ✭✭✭✭✭


    << <i>It has to be appealing which on occasion is not attractive. I am a fan of original toning that often is not prized by other collectors. >>



    I have a Heraldic Eagle Bust $ with original skin that matches the above.
    "Vou invadir o Nordeste,
    "Seu cabra da peste,
    "Sou Mangueira......."
  • NicNic Posts: 3,382 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Yes. Good thread.

    My 1866 Philly Mint Set

  • JJSingletonJJSingleton Posts: 1,401 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Yes

    No clarification needed.

    Joseph J. Singleton - First Superintendent of the U.S. Branch Mint in Dahlonega Georgia

    Findley Ridge Collection
    About Findley Ridge

  • bosco5041bosco5041 Posts: 1,303 ✭
    I collect mostly circulated coins from say VF to AU and they don't have to be perfect but I do like a measure of eye appeal. No big hits, scratches,spots, stains, rim nicks.

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