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one more. I hate the AU53 designation

BarndogBarndog Posts: 20,519 ✭✭✭✭✭
in U.S. Coin Forum

but here one is in my collection. I need a 55 one of these days

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Comments

  • ashelandasheland Posts: 24,072 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Crusty and original!

    My YouTube Channel

  • SmudgeSmudge Posts: 9,873 ✭✭✭✭✭

    That is a very attractive coin. Personally I would not sweat a couple of points.

  • CaptHenwayCaptHenway Posts: 33,089 ✭✭✭✭✭

    To me a "53" is the same as saying "50+." I have no problem with using either one.

    Numismatist. 54 year member ANA. Former ANA Senior Authenticator. Winner of four ANA Heath Literary Awards; three Wayte and Olga Raymond Literary Awards; Numismatist of the Year Award 2009, and Lifetime Achievement Award 2020. Author "The Enigmatic Lincoln Cents of 1922," due out late 2025.
  • lkeneficlkenefic Posts: 8,814 ✭✭✭✭✭

    I don't mind 53 as a grade...

    Collecting: Dansco 7070; Middle Date Large Cents (VF-AU); Box of 20;

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  • IrishMikeyIrishMikey Posts: 1,561 ✭✭✭

    Quite a few of the coins sold to me by old-time dealers as "Choice EF" are in AU-53 holders today. I must admit, I prefer AU-55.

  • CladiatorCladiator Posts: 18,306 ✭✭✭✭✭

    I'd take a 53 with eye appeal over a doggy 55 or 58 any day.

  • BustDMsBustDMs Posts: 1,706 ✭✭✭✭✭

    So would you prefer MS88?

    Q: When does a collector become a numismatist?



    A: The year they spend more on their library than their coin collection.



    A numismatist is judged more on the content of their library than the content of their cabinet.
  • david3142david3142 Posts: 3,635 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited November 2, 2018 5:39PM

    Yours is a very nice coin! I also have that type in AU53:


  • CCGGGCCGGG Posts: 1,267 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited November 2, 2018 5:40PM

    I have no problems with the 50, 53, 55 or 58 grades. You know by a quick look that they are AU's and that's okay. However, I don't like the 61 and 62 graded coins. Maybe it's because while 61's and 62's are MS they "usually" lack the eye appeal for a MS coin. Matter of fact, I don't think I've ever bought a 61 or 62. For MS coins, I start getting interested at 63.

  • BaleyBaley Posts: 22,663 ✭✭✭✭✭

    A 53 is nicer than a 52, but not quite as sharp as a 54. Pretty nice!

    Liberty: Parent of Science & Industry

  • lkeigwinlkeigwin Posts: 16,894 ✭✭✭✭✭

    I'm okay with this as a 53. 50+ would be fine too.

    @CCGGG, wanna see some bust half 61's and 62's? It's not the same across all series.
    Lance.

    Coin Photography Services / Everyman Registry set / BHNC #213
  • rickoricko Posts: 98,724 ✭✭✭✭✭

    I understand how grades can be important for resellers or those building sets and looking for uniformity...And I did that at one time. However, now, it is the coin that speaks to me and not the grade....For me, it is a hobby, and I choose to pursue coins that appeal to me over grade, slab or any other categorizing measurement. Cheers, RickO

  • DennisHDennisH Posts: 14,016 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @Cladiator said:
    I'd take a 53 with eye appeal over a doggy 55 or 58 any day.

    Ditto.

    When in doubt, don't.
  • VanHalenVanHalen Posts: 4,330 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @Barndog said:
    I hate the AU53 designation

    Could be worse. Imagine if we used XF43 and XF48?

  • Timbuk3Timbuk3 Posts: 11,658 ✭✭✭✭✭

    I can't complain, I have a few AU53's !!! :)

    Timbuk3
  • BillJonesBillJones Posts: 35,073 ✭✭✭✭✭

    The main purpose for the AU-53 grade is for very expensive coins where a small increase in quality has a significant impact on the value. I used to see it used for expensive items, like the 1795 Eagle I posted, but now it’s used for lesser items as well.

    Retired dealer and avid collector of U.S. type coins, 19th century presidential campaign medalets and selected medals. In recent years I have been working on a set of British coins - at least one coin from each king or queen who issued pieces that are collectible. I am also collecting at least one coin for each Roman emperor from Julius Caesar to ... ?
  • dirtygolddirtygold Posts: 31 ✭✭

    @Timbuk3 said:
    I can't complain, I have a few AU53's !!! :)

    So do I and they are very attractive coins with nice eye appeal. I feel there is a stigma attached to this grade that isn't always deserved.

  • jdimmickjdimmick Posts: 9,835 ✭✭✭✭✭

    I have a couple of 53's, here one of them:

  • scubafuelscubafuel Posts: 1,988 ✭✭✭✭✭

    why does the OP hate the AU53 designation? It’s not clear to me from reading this thread.
    I avoid it because in aggregate I’ve seen it used many more times as a “net grade” rather than a “50+”
    But it doesn’t surprise me that forum members have found some good ones.

  • ranshdowranshdow Posts: 1,445 ✭✭✭✭

    Here's one of mine.

  • Desert MoonDesert Moon Posts: 6,106 ✭✭✭✭✭

    My online coin store - https://desertmoonnm.com/
  • CCDollarCCDollar Posts: 758 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @CaptHenway said:
    To me a "53" is the same as saying "50+." I have no problem with using either one.

    Perfect answer...

    CC

    Nickel Triumph...My Led Zepps
  • jomjom Posts: 3,502 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Here's an AU53 with a CAC:

    jom

  • santinidollarsantinidollar Posts: 1,056 ✭✭✭✭✭

    AU53 can be a great grade to have if higher grades start running into big money. Here’s an example:


  • OnlyGoldIsMoneyOnlyGoldIsMoney Posts: 3,463 ✭✭✭✭✭

    I have about a dozen AU53's in my $2.50 set. Here is one of them.

    NO END IN SIGHT LIB $2.50'S CAC ONLY
    https://www.pcgs.com/setregistry/gold/liberty-head-2-1-gold-major-sets/liberty-head-2-1-gold-basic-set-circulation-strikes-1840-1907-cac/alltimeset/268163
  • BryceMBryceM Posts: 11,893 ✭✭✭✭✭

    image

  • santinidollarsantinidollar Posts: 1,056 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Nothing wrong with this 53.


  • thefinnthefinn Posts: 2,657 ✭✭✭✭✭

    It's just a number. As said, buy the coin, not the holder.

    thefinn
  • fastfreddiefastfreddie Posts: 2,926 ✭✭✭✭✭

    I'm ok with using 53 as a grade just don't add a '+' after otherwise move to the 100 point system.

    It is not that life is short, but that you are dead for so very long.
  • CameonutCameonut Posts: 7,402 ✭✭✭✭✭

    My only 53 - I kinda like it and don't care much what the grade is.

    “In matters of style, swim with the current; in matters of principle, stand like a rock." - Thomas Jefferson

    My digital cameo album 1950-64 Cameos - take a look!

  • CryptoCrypto Posts: 3,938 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @CaptHenway said:
    To me a "53" is the same as saying "50+." I have no problem with using either one.

    I see it similarly but the opposite. I think AU50 has turned into a negative grade. I have seen it used for Dead but little wear XFs or ugly AUs.
    AU58 high point rub
    au55 75% of luster w/ ample field friction
    AU53 Classic AUs with high point wear and impacted luster
    AU50 Big AU net grade.

    At least this is how it looks PCGS is doing them these days

    11.5$ Southern Dollars, The little “Big Easy” set

  • privatecoinprivatecoin Posts: 3,701 ✭✭✭✭✭


    Paper money eventually returns to its intrinsic value. Zero. Voltaire. Ebay coinbowlllc

  • ranshdowranshdow Posts: 1,445 ✭✭✭✭

    Here's an AU50. I'm not sure I'd consider it a dead XF or an ugly AU. Maybe this coin is an exception.

  • johnny9434johnny9434 Posts: 29,872 ✭✭✭✭✭

    nice au 53s all

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