Is beauty in the eye of the beholder?

ARCO

Please take no offense to this post if this is/was your coin, or my comments seem abrasive.

I have noticed something peculiar about the slab "game". Every so often collections come to market that online sellers label as "from the XYZ Collection of...". These collections seem to be third party graded coins of similar grade range (like AU55-58). What is obvious, is that the collector assembled coins that graded AU55-58, but that little or no eye appeal for the majority of coins was considered. Almost like the grade/holder is what was collected and the fact that a coin sat in the plastic was of secondary importance.

Now, I am not an elitist, but what collector would ever buy a coin like this for their collection? If you collect a series for more than a few days, you will know multiple examples exist, and with a little patience, a coin that is enjoyable to look at and inspect will become available.

Just some observations,

Tyler

bsshog40

The only thing that I'm not a fan of are the fingerprints, otherwise, I don't mind the looks of the coin.

TomB

One thing you did not bring up, which may be because you had not given it much thought, is that some (many-half-most?) of these named collections ("from the XYZ Collection of...") aren't collections built by collectors at all. Rather, they are either the accumulated detritus that dealers have to handle in order to secure larger and better deals or they are the rejects (aka mistakes) over time from various collectors.

In order to make these coins sell more easily and seem more appealing, dealers have long known to give this accumulated "stuff" a better sounding name. Hence, the marketing, which is really all it is in many cases.

Outhaul

coinhack

Another thing to consider is that a lot of collectors would consider this coin or any other that looks similar to have been horribly abused if it were to be conserved. Even if everything negative that you might see here was removed and it was done professionally in a manner that left it with frosty mint luster and our hosts would put it in a straight graded AU58 holder, they would still hate it and say it was dipped out and ruined.

coinhack

.

DIMEMAN

It may look better in hand. I like blue toning and it could have luster. And I don't have a problem with fingerprints. I'm not saying that this coin is pretty, but I would have to see it in hand before I would call it ugly.

ARCO

@TomB said:
One thing you did not bring up, which may be because you had not given it much thought, is that some (many-half-most?) of these named collections ("from the XYZ Collection of...") aren't collections built by collectors at all. Rather, they are either the accumulated detritus that dealers have to handle in order to secure larger and better deals or they are the rejects (aka mistakes) over time from various collectors.

In order to make these coins sell more easily and seem more appealing, dealers have long known to give this accumulated "stuff" a better sounding name. Hence, the marketing, which is really all it is in many cases.

Tom,

No I had not considered this scenario. I have always assumed that if a site lists the collection by name (usually someones surname) that they did not pull this name from thin air to market their dreck. I am less trusting now I guess.

Nonetheless, these are just my observations and they are posted for personal reflection, not as some sort of attack on anyone or any coin dealer.

My message to you, the reader: if you are going to collect a series, Barber halves in particular, please pick a few coins that look attractive. That or don't call name your collection. It is just embarrassing.

ARCO

@bsshog40 said:
The only thing that I'm not a fan of are the fingerprints, otherwise, I don't mind the looks of the coin.

I am fasting and praying for your recovery.

ARCO

@coinhack said:
Another thing to consider is that a lot of collectors would consider this coin or any other that looks similar to have been horribly abused if it were to be conserved. Even if everything negative that you might see here was removed and it was done professionally in a manner that left it with frosty mint luster and our hosts would put it in a straight graded AU58 holder, they would still hate it and say it was dipped out and ruined.

Perhaps, but this coins appears to have had a BP oil spill larger than what occurred in the gulf coast on the obverse of the coin. If I see a pretty woman, I recognize it. I don't look for perfection, but just simple beauty. If I see a nice painting, it shouldn't be "dogs playing poker" with a velvet background. If I see an AU coin, it should have nice luster or proportional original toning. Just the basics with me.

rln_14

Very unattractive coin imho...Thanks...rln...

golden

Ugly.

AMRC

ugly coins are often cheaper?

TheRaven

Not a pretty coin at all. Somebody liked it enough to get it graded, that is somebody that getting it graded would make it sell better.

It will find a home in some collection someplace, as long as it is not mine, that is all i care about.

Elcontador

Sometimes it is. Many do not like problem free darkly toned coins, even though the luster clearly is evident when you swirl them around as you are supposed to do when evaluating them. Many want a coin they can flip because it is pretty, and don't look beyond that.

Ergo, I have an 1817 Capped Bust Half in PC 4. It was slabbed many years ago. The coin is hammered as if was minted on a steam press, has an even golden brown toning on both obverse and reverse, and has no hits on the surfaces. I've never seen one with a better strike. Because of the toning - it's not unattractive, it's just darkish - it's in an MS 64, not an MS 65 holder. And the owner of the coin unsuccessfully tried to sticker it before I bought it.

I saw a similarly toned 1799 Bust Dollar with similar attributes in an MS 64 holder years ago for the same reason.

I would take my coin over every MS 64 CBH I've seen that has been stickered. So, yes, sometimes it is.

Jimnight

Not for me!

lkeigwin

There's nothing about that 1905 half I like. It's a dog. YMMV.
Lance.

Azurescens

@ARCO said:
Please take no offense to this post if this is/was your coin, or my comments seem abrasive.

I have noticed something peculiar about the slab "game". Every so often collections come to market that online sellers label as "from the XYZ Collection of...". These collections seem to be third party graded coins of similar grade range (like AU55-58). What is obvious, is that the collector assembled coins that graded AU55-58, but that little or no eye appeal for the majority of coins was considered. Almost like the grade/holder is what was collected and the fact that a coin sat in the plastic was of secondary importance.

Now, I am not an elitist, but what collector would ever buy a coin like this for their collection? If you collect a series for more than a few days, you will know multiple examples exist, and with a little patience, a coin that is enjoyable to look at and inspect will become available.

>

Please take no offense to this post if my comments seem abrasive, who are you to judge anyone on what they do with their money?

Azurescens

.

CoinPhysicist

Ever consider the fact that not everyone can perhaps afford to get a perfect and desirable AU50-whatever and some people have to settle for what others think are 'lesser' coins? Some people on budgets I am sure choose to try to find a 'choice' lower graded example and some others probably try to find a coin like this that isn't quite 'perfect' at taking photographs. Not everyone can just go out and buy the PCGS AU58 CAC coin.

BillyKingsley

Based on what I've seen in this forum and elsewhere over the last ten years, YES, the number on the holder is more important than whatever is inside it to quite a few people.

ricko

Not my type of coin, however, I do know collectors who will buy this type of coin, usually at a very reasonable price, so they can have one in their collection.... It is not always about eye appeal, often it is possession of a coin that would not be possible in a higher grade or appearance. Cheers, RickO

Sonorandesertrat

@TomB said:
One thing you did not bring up, which may be because you had not given it much thought, is that some (many-half-most?) of these named collections ("from the XYZ Collection of...") aren't collections built by collectors at all. Rather, they are either the accumulated detritus that dealers have to handle in order to secure larger and better deals or they are the rejects (aka mistakes) over time from various collectors.

In order to make these coins sell more easily and seem more appealing, dealers have long known to give this accumulated "stuff" a better sounding name. Hence, the marketing, which is really all it is in many cases.

I agree, and will also note that 'named' collections, even ones sold by well-known auction houses, commonly do not reflect anything other than marketing. Some big name collectors, like Eliasberg or Naftzger, bought up entire collections just to get a few coins they wanted. The remainders and discarded coins were quietly consigned to auction using other names. In other cases (e.g., the Buddy Ebsen Collection), only a portion of the coins actually belonged to the 'name'.

Marketing is critical to the business end of the hobby. Collectors need to understand what is meaningful, and not get caught up in stampedes (aka 'well-managed promotions').

Paradisefound

He has "character" they would say and not the look. Do you think that's oil type of stain?

ChrisH821

Is this for sale somewhere?

RogerB

If you 'ceholder' then 'aholder' becomes the beholder. Or -- is that really "slabholder?"

Confused.

Insider2

IMO, the coin is an ugly dog; however; it has an AU-58 amount of wear so it is correctly graded. Problem is, the correct grade does not reflect the coin's value. I should have preferred to see it in a "details" slab as "heavily stained" or "environmental damage -" a nice way to say CORRODED!

chumley

I have been guilty of that.....started a Morgan set in AU58.....got caught up in chasing the grade rather than the coin......results were as expected

Outhaul

@coinhack said:
.

.- .-. . / -.-- --- ..- / ... - .- .-. - .. -. --. / .- / -- --- .-. ... . / -.-. --- -.. . / - .... .-. . .- -.. --..-- / --- .-. / -.. .. -.. / -.-- --- ..- / .--- ..- ... - / ..-. --- .-. --. . - / .-- .... .- - / -.-- --- ..- / .-- . .-. . / --. --- .. -. --. / - --- / ... .- -.-- .-.-.-

BryceM

I like the reverse. It wouldn’t be so horrible to put it in album as the token reverse specimen. The obverse would hopefully keep it out of our host’s holders. How could a coin like that ever trade sight-unseen?