Albums... Matched or mixed grades? (poll)

nwcoast · October 2, 2013 5:18PM

So... As is too often the case, I'm having trouble sleeping..

And, to take my mind off some other troubles in my life, I'm contemplating the directiom of my scattered collection.
I have an Unc Peace dollar set in a Dansco.. Nicely matched with most in the 62-64 range..i very much like it but often thinking of upgrading some of the weaker examples in the set.

I have a nearly complete Buffalo set with the goal of 3/4 horn ~25's and above, and a bunch of Unc's on the last page and a spattering of AU's and unc's on the opening page, along with some lesser examples. Just missing the overdate and three legger...
I have a nearly complete Lincoln and Mercury Dime set- lincoln minus the 14-d and s-vdb. The Mercury missing the 16-d and once again, a mix of grades....
I'm thinking more and more that I should embark on a path of having the nicer coins graded and filling the albums with more consistent examples of lesser grades.
I even have both Morgan Album going with one nearly Filled with Unc's and AU's along with a mix of XF's...
All over the place here!!!! A mixed Franklin, Indian cent and Barber dime album too...along with that, I almost forgot the mixed Roosies and Kennedy's.... I'm thinking I need more focus and consistency....

So, I look to the collective wisdom of the Forum...(peanut gallery) for guidance and suggestions...
What do ya think folks? Mixed grade or matched Albums?

Edited to add:
Poll has been corrected for duplicate entry... Please vote again if you notice you have that option... Four votes for matching were lost
Sorry... Too sleepy I guess

barberkeys · October 2, 2013 8:10PM

I like the concept of being pleased with each coin, regardless of whether it matches its compadres.

Steve27 · October 2, 2013 8:19PM

I have a complete set of Mercs in a Dansco album. The teens/early 20s are AG/G, the late 20s are VG/F, the 30s are F/VF, and the rest are XF. It seems to work (i.e. looks like a nicely matched set with matched toning).

P.S. What is the difference between "Matching grades and tones" and "Matching grades with matching toning?"

rec78 · October 2, 2013 8:27PM

A matched set always makes for a better presentation. Not too easy to do though, in most cases. My circulation find coin sets are not matched,however, any album that I put together through purchase, I try to match grades with the exception of Morgan silver dollars.

DorkGirl · October 2, 2013 9:54PM

The best you can afford, including proofs.

braddick · October 2, 2013 10:09PM

<< <i>A matched set always makes for a better presentation. Not too easy to do though, in most cases. My circulation find coin sets are not matched,however, any album that I put together through purchase, I try to match grades with the exception of Morgan silver dollars. >>

I agree. Seeing a bright Morgan next to a worn, yet pleasantly toned Seated dollar is a bit disturbing.

etexmike · October 2, 2013 11:06PM

<< <i>A matched set always makes for a better presentation. >>

Agreed.

Mike

jayPem · October 2, 2013 11:13PM

This has been one of my main struggles with collecting actually...I like the coins in my sets to feel right together.
I've never gone for the matched grade thing (all coins in pcgs 53, CAC..) but after finishing my CBH set, I wasn't totally satisfied with the overall look..
alot of crusty coins with an assortment of colorful AU coins mixed in...so i put my favorite AU and MS pieces aside ( box o' 20 one day ?), sold the other AU and colorful
pieces, and still have 7 or 8 hole to fill ( easy late dates...).
I'll give some examples of some very different grades, but to my eye, matched looks, that are working just fine in my set ...( this is easier with crusty, circulated coins, I know

)

F15

XF45

AU53

nwcoast · October 3, 2013 12:14AM

Very nice JayPem!
That's a very tough assignment you've taken on. Kudos!!
And looking good

BillJones · October 3, 2013 12:58AM

Sets with matched color are for those who collect Mint State or Proof modern coins that are bright white or red, or those who collect classic coins that have been AT'd now and then or perhaps more often than that. I say that with only a part of my tongue in my cheek. With case of Indian cents some years had different original color from other years. If they all match in color, at least some have had some work done on them.

As for matching conditions, I saw buy the best you can afford. There is nothing wrong with having your common date Indian cents in MS while your 1877 is in Fine. There is nothing wrong with having the 1877 or 1872 in Proof to save some money when the others are MS. A lot of Proof cents from that period were not well made, don't look that much different from MS coins.

Jinx86 · October 3, 2013 1:52AM

Some day when I get time Ill have to post my Barber Dime set. Now 2 coins short of a album set in mixed grades, my overall set goal is XF/AU which is half in the album and half in slabs which is now 6 coins short of the full set. I kind of have a hoarding problem with barber dimes. You'll see when when you see the extra pages in the album.

johnny9434 · October 3, 2013 5:26AM

<< <i>The best you can afford, including proofs. >>

amen to that

Shamika · October 3, 2013 7:01AM

Matching grades look great in an album, but if this is a collection your doing for yourself, attempt a collection where every INDIVIDUAL coin gives you excitement. Even the common low cost pieces should have characteristics that makes you say WOW when viewed!

Albums... Matched or mixed grades? (poll)

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