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Low end for the grade
Have you ever bought a coin knowing that it was low end for the grade? If so, why? I can imagine there are many reasons one would---curious to hear real world examples.
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Yes, because I liked the coin and I do not have any intention of driving the grading into the decimal range. Cheers, RickO
Yes, if the price was cheap enough, and that coin did not represent an issue for which I wanted to pay a great deal of money. For example my 1839-C and 1839-D half eagles are not very inspiring. I wanted examples of the coins to fill the type coin spots in my Charlotte and Dahlonega type sets, but I didn't want to pay the $20,000 + price tags to go along with the really nice pieces. Furthermore one has to be in the right place at the right time to get such coins. So I bought "fillers." which were not great but would also not shame the rest of my collection.
A couple of years later, one of the important dealers in southern gold showed me the ideal 1839-C half eagle. It was really a great coin and would have looked wonderful in my collection, except for three problems:
3(A). And for those who believe in such things, it didn't have a CAC sticker.
There are reasons for not buying the best if you don't have unlimited funds but have collecting priorities.
Yes - several times I bought finest or near finest known seated dollars in NGC holders and downgrade crossed them. Most later ended up with pluses
Specifically, the MS64 1852, MS651857 and MS661860 in the seated dollar set come to mind
Yes, I buy coins that meet my condition criteria for the issue, which can mean that the coin is low end for the grade assigned by the TPG. Especially true for me with colonials, but can also happen with very scarce or rare coins, as Bill alluded to. In the case of the latter it can take years to find the right coin, just to meet one's own minimum condition requirements.
Yes with the express intent to down-cross the coin. In this market a low-end NGC one grade higher is worth less than a high-end PCGS CAC a grade below.
Latin American Collection
Yes, I like to fill holes, especially if they have been empty for a long time and the price is fair for the grade. A well worn coin indicates it served the purpose for which it was created in the first place. They all have a story to tell if they could talk.
Coin collecting is one of my many hobbies and I'm in it for my personal enjoyment. It's not like I'm spending the grocery money. If I end up with a profit long term I consider that a bonus.
it's crackers to slip a rozzer the dropsy in snide
Yes, it's good to step back and enjoy the hobby now and then. That's what I have done with my British collection.
It really varies with the rarity, value, and series of the coin. For early federal, rare gold, and many low pop top pop issues, I definitely agree.
Yes. If the price is right, the grade on the holder and the brand of plastic (if any) are immaterial. I've even bought a few junk slabs and cracked them to flip for a profit after submission to our host.
I have not done that with any coins yet, but as a registry whore on the PSA Registry I have done it with some of my Nolan Ryan cards. I've bought some PSA 9's and PSA 10's that do not belong in those holders. I have replaced a few over time that really bothered me.
Donato
Donato's Complete US Type Set ---- Donato's Dansco 7070 Modified Type Set ---- Donato's Basic U.S. Coin Design Set
Successful transactions: Shrub68 (Jim), MWallace (Mike)
Some coins are always ugly. For example almost all of the coins in the Briitish series from King William II to Stephen (1087 - 1135) are just awful. I looked at coins with $1,000+ price tags that barely looked like coins. Finally I bought a Henry I for $200 that could be attributed for what it is at a glance. A dealer who specializes in U.S. coins said to me, "You know that's ground salvage don't you?"
"yep," I replied, "but you should see what the pieces for $1,200 to $1,600 look like. They are not much better. If fact it's hardly $50 or $100 better so far as I'm concerned."
If all the coins look like something the cat dragged in, then I'm for buying the cheapest dead mouse.
_If all the coins look like something the cat dragged in, then I'm for buying the cheapest dead mouse.
_
Ok now - that’s a good one!
I can somehow see Laura using this one in a blog post about unstickered coins.

Not yet and I don't know if I will.....because 1st I don't flip for profit; 2nd I only like pretty things..
@Gazes said:
Yes. I have bought low end for the grade or even over graded for that matter when buying a super rare coin. I have a $2.5 1804 13 Stars reverse in PCGS 58. I also have a $2.5 1834 capped bust in PCGS 63. Both are highest graded and opportunity was a big consideration. I do like both but there was compromise.
This one. It's the lowest graded ogh Peace $ I have seen to date.

If it’s cheap and I like it, especially if needed fill a hole.
If the price is right, then I might consider it.
BHNC #203
When they go low....I won't go there
Here is the "cheapest dead mouse." Meet King Henry I of England, youngest son of William the Conqueror.
If you would like to know more about Henry, here is a link to his "bullet page" in the World Coin Forum:
https://forums.collectors.com/discussion/1000266/british-kings-bullet-book-henry-i-1100-1135#latest
And if you would like to know more about Henry got to be king, here's the story of his brother, Rufus:
https://forums.collectors.com/discussion/1000170/british-kings-bullet-book-william-ii-a-k-a-rufus-the-red#latest
It's always about the price.
If I can move it for a profit, I don't care what the label says.
Call me what you must, but that is the TRUTH.
As long as you are not pushing a counterfeit or a problem coin off on a less than knowledgeable person, I agree. Most every collector coin has a place.
Yes of course. I would not do that.