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Eye Appeal is King
MidLifeCrisis
Posts: 10,614 ✭✭✭✭✭
One of the best things about this forum is the eye candy...the coin porn...the nice looking coins that get posted. I think eye appeal is king.
Makes me wonder why people still buy ugly coins.
I can think of some reasons, but...all collectors should be coin snobs.
Makes me wonder why people still buy ugly coins.
I can think of some reasons, but...all collectors should be coin snobs.
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- Rarity - There Can Be Only One
- Filling a hole
In the case of rarity, collectors can be snobs about different reasons and there are photos posted here of ugly rare coins as well
I wonder if the people that have posted very rare, not classically good looking pieces, can respond to as whether they like the look of their rare, less photogenic coins or not.
Sometimes, it’s better to be LUCKY than good. 🍀 🍺👍
My Full Walker Registry Set (1916-1947):
https://www.ngccoin.com/registry/competitive-sets/16292/
As a colonial coin collector, I know that the crude, worn, and/or beat up pieces that are often found can have a certain charm all their own. Their history carries a LOT of weight.
But that charm and history doesn't translate well when you're showing your collection to non-collectors or when it's time to sell.
Sometimes, you can't afford an example with the greatest eye appeal due to scarcity, so you just purchase the best that you can afford.
Why not wait until you can afford one with nice eye appeal?
I've actually been thinking it may be fun to have a fantasy registry set where people put together whatever coin photos they like, whether they own it or not. This can actually help people who cannot afford nice coins participate in numismatics.
It's all subjective, of course. Collect what makes you happy.
As a colonial coin collector, I know that the crude, worn, and/or beat up pieces that are often found can have a certain charm all their own. Their history carries a LOT of weight.
But that charm and history doesn't translate well when you're showing your collection to non-collectors or when it's time to sell.
So true!
Why I did it:
1) related to a core collection
2) rarity
3) history
4) limited cost
Of course, I have to admit I don't post or talk about ugly
Sometimes, you can't afford an example with the greatest eye appeal due to scarcity, so you just purchase the best that you can afford.
Why not wait until you can afford one with nice eye appeal?
That depends upon a person's budget. Might just be too expensive for them.
Sometimes, it’s better to be LUCKY than good. 🍀 🍺👍
My Full Walker Registry Set (1916-1947):
https://www.ngccoin.com/registry/competitive-sets/16292/
I've actually been thinking it may be fun to have a fantasy registry set where people put together whatever coin photos they like, whether they own it or not.
I read that and thought of this:
I've actually been thinking it may be fun to have a fantasy registry set where people put together whatever coin photos they like, whether they own it or not.
I read that and thought of this:
WOW!! That's certainly a fantasy piece!!
MLC---Congrats on 10K posts!!
Sometimes, it’s better to be LUCKY than good. 🍀 🍺👍
My Full Walker Registry Set (1916-1947):
https://www.ngccoin.com/registry/competitive-sets/16292/
Rarity is great. It's high on my list of reasons why I might buy a coin. But I have to like looking at the coin, even if it's the only one in existence.
Ditto.
But I wasn't always this way, and still battle with impatience.
Impatience can lead me to make compromises sometimes.
Collector since 1976. On the CU forums here since 2001.
So what's the title to be, then?
Collector since 1976. On the CU forums here since 2001.
I have no idea...drawing a blank. Any suggestions?
I Was Around When You Were In Diapers
So Old I Spent Chain Cents On Candy
At The Peak And Headed Downhill
But those might be too long.
Or, considering some of your numismatic interests, if you're of a Classical bent, you could have a nice Latin phrase borrowed from the Pillar dollar:
"Utraque Unum"
Or, as it appears on the coins, "VTRA QVE VNUM".Or there's the more prosaic "MIND YOUR BUSINESS" from the Fugio cent...
Collector since 1976. On the CU forums here since 2001.
I give away money. I collect money.
I don’t love money . I do love the Lord God.
I give away money. I collect money.
I don’t love money . I do love the Lord God.
Sometimes, you can't afford an example with the greatest eye appeal due to scarcity, so you just purchase the best that you can afford. Beauty can be subjective, as well.
Agreed! Compromise is the name of the game with early copper. If you are collecting Commemoratives, etc., where dozens of MS examples are available at any given time, eye appeal better be a top priority.
I can live with minor problems on large cents, when I can find them at half the price of slightly nicer examples. As for 'subjective', some of my early large cents in genny holders look nicer than many that I see that straight graded. Of course, this comes from careful study and comparisons, not just buying any coin that fills a hole.
'possession' of a particular coin.... Cheers, RickO
One of the best things about this forum is the eye candy...the coin porn...the nice looking coins that get posted. I think eye appeal is king.
Makes me wonder why people still buy ugly coins.
I can think of some reasons, but...all collectors should be coin snobs.
Well, really Fugly is usually noticeable to all, but mere ugly is not. The new term "crusty" equals UGLY to me. Circulated coins can have a neat original toning with great eye appeal, but "crusty" ain't that!
Tyler
you make me think of a song.........................
One guy says "I saw your wife the other day. Man, that woman is uggleeee!" to which the other replies "Yeah, but she sure can cook."
it probably works the same with coins.
Sometimes, you can't afford an example with the greatest eye appeal due to scarcity, so you just purchase the best that you can afford.
Why not wait until you can afford one with nice eye appeal?
Because, sometimes, that's "never"
I've made compromises in order to work on my type set. Even so, I'm stalled.
Not everyone is wealthy.
Liberty: Parent of Science & Industry
Who collects baseball cards even though their value isn't much ?
https://acoinshop.com/ —-> https://ebay.us/m/KxolR5
Still...
A great looking coin will rarely cause regret.
An ugly coin can be regretted for a long time.
I worry about people who buy what they think are pretty coins but in reality have been messed with
I like your thought, good thinking.
A number on a holder matters more.
"Everything is on its way to somewhere. Everything." - George Malley, Phenomenon
http://www.american-legacy-coins.com
There are a ton of ugly coins bought and sold every day but as I mature as
a collector, my standards are becoming more strict. Lately, I have
been focused on some very specific things and will be submitting close to
30 coins to our host this next week. I consider all of them to have a healthy
dose of eye appeal. A toast to the OP!
Not really looking for much these days but if I were, it might be a toner.
Eye appeal is not king to lowball registry collectors.
A number on a holder matters more.
Actually, having perused gold lowball registry sets I think there is beauty and eye appeal to those coins...
So do ugly ones.
Successful BST (me as buyer) with: Collectorcoins, PipestonePete, JasonRiffeRareCoins
But, I realize that the collecting fraternity is a continuum. Yes, we would all like to believe our taste is discriminating and eye appeal must be at the firewall for us to buy, but in reality, there are 10 collectors trying to fill a blue Whitman for every one of us with discriminating taste. There is room for those coins without top level eye appeal.
I love great looking coins at all levels of grade !
But . . . .there are many who develop through the hobby that need to be encouraged to just keep at it . . . .regardless of eye appeal . . .and in time, they will mature to the level of discriminating buyer. It is a progression we all go through . . . . .
Drunner
Eye appeal is not king to lowball registry collectors.
A number on a holder matters more.
As much as this might sound odd coming from me, I think those supposedly type of people just don't know any better or they are at a loss on what to do about the problem. Many just don't have the capacity to grade coins. Not that they haven't tried, I believe they have but are being told over and over again, 'no, the grade is correct, we have no intentions in making you whole based on a coin missing most of its details. So, in reality, they get stuck with ugly understruck, overrated coins because in the end, nobody cares. The only reason I can think of why these coins are still mislabeled.
Leo
The more qualities observed in a coin, the more desirable that coin becomes!
My Jefferson Nickel Collection
Imagine comparing the "eye appeal" of the buxom beauties of the 1800's to today's skinny waited?
Totally subjective to current social and market trends.
Because y what you love me and to heck with every body else's opinions on!
The name is LEE!
I snicker at this thread since "eye appeal" is totally subjective to the current market!
Imagine comparing the "eye appeal" of the buxom beauties of the 1800's to today's skinny waited?
Totally subjective to current social and market trends.
Because y what you love me and to heck with every body else's opinions on!
So far, I don't have to worry too much about the 1800s, or the 2200s, since I don't expect to be around in those times, but who knows what the future holds
CG
If the eye-appeal is not off the charts , I pass. I presently do not own any coins in my personal collection (that are not blow your socks off nice)
In fact funny story. I have a 16-d merc in 64+ fb that is dynamite , about as nice as you will see in a 4 holder, had it for several years now and love it.
I just handled a collection where the guy had a pcgs 63FB 16-d it was just plain damn ugly. Bought it low because of this, sold it in Baltimore this weekend at a wholesale price and was glad to get rid of it.
Funny thing is the dealer that sold him that coin thought it was nice? Please
Leo
The more qualities observed in a coin, the more desirable that coin becomes!
My Jefferson Nickel Collection
Most toned coins will generate many dissenting opinions re their eye appeal among forum members. I have several toned SLQs that I really think are attractive, but the TPGs don't think so.
I'd rather have a solid for the grade coin which I think is attractive than pay a strong premium for a coin in the same grade which some think is "eye candy."
"Seu cabra da peste,
"Sou Mangueira......."
Somehow I don't think this coin will be regretted at all
Good example! That coin is ugly....or not!
Tom
Successful transactions with: JimTyler, Morgan13, ChangeInHistory, LukeMarshall, Old_Collector, basets , MICHAELDIXON, Waverlycoins, dsessom, privatecoin, SurfinxHI, ZoidMeister, giorgioll, Lakesammman, Twobitcollector, Cazkaboom, Dscoin, Shrub68, CoinHunter4, Cladiator, coinbuf, Elkevvo, ChrisH82, WindyCity, Kccoin, NumisOxide, Meltdown, blaircountycoin, blue62vette, greencopper, Kliao, Downtown1974, BankerBob56, coinlieutenant, cucamongacoin, FranklinFactory, scooter25, erwindoc, bigjpst, and others.
It's all them base hits that made Charlie Hustle.
This is an interesting thread. As you know, I also have collected Colonial Coins for many decades and have tried to still maintain a collection with coins of great eye appeal in context to the coins. For example, it is near impossible to complete a set of Vermont or Machin Mills colonials with great eye appeal. But you can get a pretty good group if you are patient.
But then when you study the extant population or what makes a coin that was deliberately made to look circulated, eye appeal becomes a broader concept than just bright and shinny. Or even being more respectful lusturous and perfectly struck.
But I guess what made me stop and think about this post is that I am currently contemplating a coin that is a high R-7 rarity that never comes nice. Yet this is the finest known example. What do you? Sieze the moment, just p***** it by an accept that if you prize eye appeal in whatever your definition, you can't have all varieties of certain series. Expand your definition of eye appeal. Make limited exceptions.
I try to use the concept of never buying a coin unless it leaves my over all collection equal or better.
A wise old collector once told me the opportunity to buy certain coins are rarer than the coin itself. I know this will R-7+ opportunity will never come again.
What to do?
Just rambling post Thanksgiving thoughts.
novacaeasarea
Hi Mid Life,
This is an interesting thread. As you know, I also have collected Colonial Coins for many decades and have tried to still maintain a collection with coins of great eye appeal in context to the coins. For example, it is near impossible to complete a set of Vermont or Machin Mills colonials with great eye appeal. But you can get a pretty good group if you are patient.
But then when you study the extant population or what makes a coin that was deliberately made to look circulated, eye appeal becomes a broader concept than just bright and shinny. Or even being more respectful lusturous and perfectly struck.
But I guess what made me stop and think about this post is that I am currently contemplating a coin that is a high R-7 rarity that never comes nice. Yet this is the finest known example. What do you? Sieze the moment, just p***** it by an accept that if you prize eye appeal in whatever your definition, you can't have all varieties of certain series. Expand your definition of eye appeal. Make limited exceptions.
I try to use the concept of never buying a coin unless it leaves my over all collection equal or better.
A wise old collector once told me the opportunity to buy certain coins are rarer than the coin itself. I know this will R-7+ opportunity will never come again.
What to do?
Just rambling post Thanksgiving thoughts.
novacaeasarea
----Yet this is the finest known example.---
Aside from what the label says and if there were enough other examples to draw your conclusions, maybe there were not than it becomes a op-buy.
Leo
The more qualities observed in a coin, the more desirable that coin becomes!
My Jefferson Nickel Collection