Would you buy an AU50 coin? Why? Why Not?
Catbert
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The ANA Grading Standards book describes the AU50 level generically as "Shows traces of wear on many of the highest parts of the design. On many of these coins, some of the original mint luster is still present. May have a few noticeable contact marks or flaws."
Many consider the 50 grade as signifying a problem coin, much like 60 is for uncirculated. As such, a tepid designation.
Even so, I own a couple (both in old holders) that I think are great coins.
Would you automatically reject coins graded AU50? If not, do you own one that you'd share a picture here?
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"Got a flaming heart, can't get my fill"
"Got a flaming heart, can't get my fill"
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Absolutely if it has the eye appeal I'm looking for. Plus "some" key coins can easily double, triple or more in price between a 53 and 63.
Sometimes a little circulation can take an ugly 62 or 63 and make it a nice looking (50, 53, 55 or 58)
Absolutely if I like the coin. Same goes for a 60 or 61. All grades have some nice looking examples out there.
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I agree with all of the above posts. There are definitely nice coins in 50, 53, 60, 61 and 62 holders. As always you must be discerning in your choices.
I own coins from AG3 - PF70. I would be happy to have an AU50 for certain coins if they were 'no details' and had nice eye appeal.
A problem coin has damage and will not grade or will end up in a "Details" holder. Natural wear is not damage.
I’ve never heard of AU50 signifying a problem coin, or about unc but for issues.
Sure, many should be considered XF50, if there’s any lines to redraw.
Nothing wrong with that.
I have purchased AU50's and will most likely do it again. The cost is a consideration but the grade is not my driving factor for a coin so much as the appearance. IMO there is nothing wrong with AU50.
I've never considered AU50 as "problem coins". In fact, that grade is about my collecting sweet spot... at least for my type set anyway. That said, there are AU50 details coins that definitely have problems... rim hits, gouges, AT, damage, corrosion... etc.... I don't collect those.
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I WILL do AU50 on those rarities because that's the only grade I may be able to afford
This is one of my example desired AU50 .... currently on Bay BIN
That's SWEET!
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I've got every grade from 1 to 70 in my collection. An 50 might be, as others have said, a scarce coin for which a higher grade becomes prohibitively expensive. Something like a seated dollar, or a classic head quarter eagle in my case.
Liberty: Parent of Science & Industry
Sure. Some very nice 50's out there.
With my 19th Century Everyman Type set, absolutely! Until I find a better 53, 55, or 58.
I have had a couple of decent looking 50's in my collection, primarily this one;
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I actually like the grade BECAUSE they were used in commerce and then tucked away. I feel a connection with that part of history and it's one of the reasons I enjoy coin collecting as a hobby.
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The last coin I bought was an AU-50, although it's an NGC no-line fatty that I think is 5 points undergraded. I also think oih82w8's quarter is also undergraded.
I'd take an 1848 CAL liberty quarter eagle in AU 50
Here’s mine
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Sure. The "AU-50" bit on a label is meaningless since the coin in such a holder is really EF.
It's the coin that counts, my opinion about appearance, and my opinion on value that matter.
Only if a higher grade was out of my price range and if it had good eye appeal with a lot of DETAIL left.
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My Full Walker Registry Set (1916-1947):
https://www.ngccoin.com/registry/competitive-sets/16292/
AU50 then
AU53 now w/cac
AU50 is the old EF45. They can be nice. It is AU53 that often has issues.
I used to buy AU-50 graded coins all the time, but of late (last couple of years) I have been disappointed with them. It seems like it's got to be at an AU-53 for me to pull the trigger.
I will sometimes buy one if the look appeals to me.
That's really nice!
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AU50 is just another circulated coin on the grading spectrum. In some series an AU50 coins is much harder to find than an MS coin. 1897-O Barber half springs to mind. I would rather find an original AU50 97-O than an Unc. coin. You could throw in the 96-S & 97-S Barber halves also. If you are looking for a 70-CC or 78-CC half, AU50 might be the highest grade you ever come across.
As for being graded AU50 for problems, I have never seen that. There are a lot of ugly AU50 coins as there are a lot of ugly 58, 55, 53 ,45...etc graded coins.
I've owned some AU50 coins that looked far higher on the AU grade range.
Which I hadn't traded this one... I've never found a AU58 that bettered it
When they look like these I do!
Proof Buffalo Registry Set
Capped Bust Quarters Registry Set
Proof Walking Liberty Halves Registry Set
I also think in copper they can be quite lovely!
"Got a flaming heart, can't get my fill"
That coin, regardless of grade, is dynamite.
"Got a flaming heart, can't get my fill"
AU50’s can really be nice sometimes!
Here’s a couple I’m fond of....
Dave
60 is the lowest possible grade in the BU universe and catches everything worked over with the ugly stick just short of being tagged with a no-grade designation. 50 is just a point in a large continuum of circulated coins. I see it as a really nice XF. The only circulated grades with stigmas in my book are FR-2 (a horrible coin, but yet somehow unworthy of the coveted PO-1 designation) and AU-53, which some people view as an impaired AU coin.
This one I even paid a nice premium to acquire:
I wouldn't auto-reject any coin based on a subjective label. If it has good eye appeal and is original, I would consider it.
what does it look like? ;-)
Did someone say AU50?
stretch...your...mind
Would not and does not bother me if I like the coin and I want it.
My Collection of Old Holders
Never a slave to one plastic brand will I ever be.
No not at all. Nice coins.
I would and I have bought an AU50 coin.
I'm still trying to get a grip on the OP's question....?
I am jaded now days with grade inflation. A 45 is a 50-53 in most cases when it comes to gold coins. So that 50 better be quite the eye appealing and lusterous coin for me to get the urge to buy it. Last few years or more the urge has been missing. I dont feel like changing with the times. Rather just sit it out and I bet the market will come to me one day.
Happy to be a huckleberry, if the AU-50 warrants it...
I got the response I expected and wanted to test the myth. That's all!
"Got a flaming heart, can't get my fill"
I've never heard that AU50 indicates a "problem" coin, unless one feels that a little bit of wear is a problem.
LIBERTY SEATED DIMES WITH MAJOR VARIETIES CIRCULATION STRIKES (1837-1891) digital album
I also sold it Catbert…………….
I would and have many times for reasons already stated here.
What a nice group of coins. Totally dispels the myth that AU50 coins can't be exceptional.
There are eye-catching coins and totally ugly dogs at most every grade.
It would depend on the coin - for example, an AU50 1916 Standing Liberty Quarter, I'd love to own!
Another BIG consideration...not all AU50 coins are equal. Not even close! Whatever coin you're in the market for, be on high alert for under graded examples. A friend of mine bought an AU58 and it came back MS64 when resubmitted.
Eye appeal is also personal. If you come across an AU50 coin but you were in the market for a higher grade, still give any attractive "sliders" a good long look. If it appeals to YOU, that is worth more IMHO than a TPG's opinion.
Speaking of SLQs, I like the AU50 grade for this series. Mine shown here has a very muted luster, and the scan doesn't help, but it's still better than a 45. In general this is the minimum grade that I look for in this series. Would I rather have an AU58 FH? Of course, but if "the look" is right, I'm happy with a more affordable AU50.
