1913 -S Lincoln Cent. 3 Graded PCGS MS 66. Let's Make a Deal! Which Door Do You Choose?
Ronyahski
Posts: 3,119 ✭✭✭✭✭
There are three Lincolns in PCGS MS 66 holders. Two of the coins grade 66 RD, while one of the coins grades 66 BN. Which door do you choose? You have to pay 80% of Estimated Value for the Door.
Door Number 1
One of the coins graded at the top of the heap, a PCGS MS 66 RD coin. Estimated Value is $40,000. You pay $32,000.
Door Number 2
The coin graded PCGS MS 66 BN. Estimated Value is $8,500. You pay $6,800.
Door Number 3
The other coin graded at the top of the heap, another PCGS MS 66RD. Estimated Value is $40,000.
It's a Mystery Door, you don't get to see what is behind the curtain. But you don't have to pay 80%. You can have it for only $24,000.
OR, you can opt to not go for the Big Deal of the Day, keep your money, and wait for one of the over 100 1913-S coins graded PCGS MS 65.
Comments
I certainly understand why RD is so prized, a coin is only original mint contrition once, if indeed original and not messed with.
I'm also really drawn to BN copper and would chose the 66BN for my collection or maybe one of the 5s, but not because of the price level, because I really like the toning. Even Blue toning like the one shown.
Some of these early date RDs have eye popping prices, but if I wanted to chase them I'd like to think I could find a way to own them.
I think that I would get nervousness though if I had top pop RD Lincoln cents if more got made, as they might have few visual differences. With BNs, as these come into popularity and certainly more will get made they usually present unique looks and different toning that keep them from being identical and therefore make the populations and values less volatile, but that remains to be seen.
Number 2 for me...I can pay via pp
The pretiest girl is behind door number two, to answer your question.
Grading copper coins by their relativistic condition to newly minted coins is at most a very unrealistic grading standard. And it is a grading standard that over time should become obsolete. Very few EAC coins can be considered to be original RD. There do exist RD small cents dating back to the mid 18th century, but most are not RD as minted, just RD to an archane numismatic standard.
Market value for small copper cents indicates that attractively toned examples are worth way more than the typical RD graded example. The RD designation is way too subjective to be a determinate of value. And ultimately, coins should properly reflect their history, and not their level of preservation. Grading the coloration of coins and at the same time ignoring the toning of coins is a great problem with our "current" grading standards. Our grading standards were defined many years ago, and they are certainly not relative as time passes.
Your post provides great perspective to the color grading of copper.
OINK
we need Don Willis to make a rule that all forum battles that involve MS70 must be resolved via dance-off
Not a fan of any. I really dislike copper spots.
I bought this 65RB six years ago for $2700.
Lance.
With THAT budget, I suppose I'd choose the door with the VF 1913-S cent, and with the leftover change, also buy a VF 1796 quarter.
Liberty: Parent of Science & Industry
Lance, your 1913-S is much more attractive than the 1913-S 66RD posted. The question is why a pathetic RD coin as psoted should have a much higher valuation than your coin which is RB. You have posted a great example of how the grading system is broken........unless collectors care not one whit about the coin and only about TPG opinion.
OINK
Tons of spots and ugly streaking that might only get worse in time is not for me, especially when those dollar figures are considered. If there are 100-ish examples (maybe a good bit less with all the regrading) then I would wait for a pleasant example and pay up if need be....assuming I felt I needed an example in that 66RD. Buy the coin, not the holder type of situation.
As for an immediate pleasant example at a bargain price in comparison to door number 1, jump all over door number 2!
As for mystery door stuff, no thank you, I have never been a gambler and don't plan on starting with several thousands of dollars.
Looking for Top Pop Mercury Dime Varieties & High Grade Mercury Dime Toners.
I could live with number 2. And is there doubling on the reverse of number 2? Number 1 is RB not red and it looks burnished. I know that sounds harsh but for 40k I'd be pushing for near perfection.
"A dog breaks your heart only one time and that is when they pass on". Unknown
@afford said: "Who gives a rats arse about RD, RB & BN. Why is RD the most expensive ? I love the blue or BN one and it happens to be the cheapest so in this case I would make out like a bandit. But I can't understand sometimes how one is RD and another very similar one is designated RB. We are splitting hairs here with a volatile surface will end up BN someday anyway. I rather cut to the chase and buy a less expensive high end BN every time."
Come on, really? I believe you know much better than to comment this way about the color of copper. Color is very important. Even the fact that you don't seem to collect copper coins should not matter. We are talking "common numismatic knowledge."
Let me remind you of something that hardly anyone really gives a "rats arse" about - the lack of a period on a Trade dollar! LOL!
PS IMO, all of the coins suck for the grade, especially the chemically altered blue one. I'll hold out for an MS-65 brown example without the spots and "cabinet friction."
In my way of thinking, MS-66 Red Lincolns don't have carbon spots and I don't trust Lincolns with blue color so I would pass on both.
Door #2. They will all be BN one day, although it may take quite a while. Very attractive in any case. Have to say I prefer the 65RB though.
This is not my area of interest.... That being said, I do prefer the RD cents - because that is the only 'true' orginal look.... as the copper tarnishes, it loses originality... just like other coin metals. Originality was once prized.... until the tarnish fad took hold. Now new collectors get inoculated upon entry to the hobby and premiums flourish. So, in this case, it is nice to see the premium assigned to coins without tarnish. Cheers, RickO
One of the last Buffs I purchased was a 1916-S, I remember the dealer saying "nice and original", as he showed it to me.
I agreed and bought the coin. Originality ranks high in my book. The fact that the dealer mentioned it to me let me know it also ranked high in his.
Pete
Spotted red, ms70’d and poorly struck brown, or an unknown. I’ll keep my money, but thanks anyway.
I like Door 2 as it looks great and you see what you get. Great value
Best place to buy !
Bronze Associate member
That about sums it up for me as well.
Yes, there is doubling on the reverse of Number 2. The coin is on CoinFacts, so you can get a great blow-up of it there. I just can't figure out how to post a large picture from CoinFacts to here.
I don't like red copper, especially with spots, so the answer is easy for me. Door #2.
As for the "mystery door" I'll pass completely.
I like this one the best!
Better eye Apeal than any of the others!
The preferences so far:
Door Number 1: No Takers
Door Number 2: 9 Takers
Door Number 3: No Takers
A little surprised it is so lopsided. But based on the totality of the comments so far, there seems to be a growing appreciation of the quality and eye appeal of Lincoln cents (copper coins), notwithstanding the color designation on a slab.
There are about 8 folks who passed on the Big Deal of the Day. A few prefer a lesser grade coin, a less spotted coin, a less toned coin, or a cheaper coin. Not surprised, perfectly understandable, to each their own.
A few imply or allege that Door Number 2 is MS70d, chemically altered, untrustworthy, etc. Not surprised here either. I'll just keep reiterating until I am blue in the face (pun intended): copper (bronze) coins can naturally tone different colors; copper coins can naturally tone blue; not all copper coins that are toned blue are AT; not all copper coins that are toned blue have been treated with MS70. It is much easier to condemn them all rather than discern the difference.
Not a fan of either coin posted in the OP but like the one ikeigwin posted best.
I agree. The only appealing coin in this thread was Lance's RB.
No top pop coins for me. Have seen too many new ones made in various denominations which trashed the values of the existing ones. It could be a Franklin Half, Liberty Nickel, Lincoln Cent, Barber Half, etc. I don't care how they look.
"Seu cabra da peste,
"Sou Mangueira......."