Upgrading to a downgrade..thoughts?
panexpoguy
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I showed this year set I have been working on for a couple of years earlier.
Recently, I came across this half
It immediately struck me as a much better match for the set than the one I had. I love the 58, but is seems like it didn't make its way through enough taverns before it was tucked away for safe keeping. The new one seems like it paid for a few rounds. Would you keep the 58 or the 55?
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Comments
It's tough because part of this is very much personal preference. As much as I love colorful toning, I'm not a huge fan of it on circulated and/or dark coins. As such, the 55 isn't quite my kind of coin (I think I might like it more without the band of dark blue/purple, but I digress). All that said, I think the 58 color-wise better matches the quarter and dime than the 55 does.
In short, I think the coin you currently have is a better fit, but that's me. It doesn't mean there isn't a third coin out there that has the colors of the 58 but perhaps a bit more dirt and use a la the 55.
I like the AU 55 more. My collecting is mainly focused on eye appeal, so a lower graded coin can still "upgrade" the set if I find it to be more attractive overall than a higher graded example.
If you are building a matching set, then go with the coin you believe best fits the set.
Edited to add ... alternatively, keep sending in the AU-58 half until PCGS grades it AU-55. Then the new coin won't be a 'downgrade!'
See http://www.doubledimes.com for a free online reference for US twenty-cent pieces
The 58 looks better to my eye, but its your set so your choice.
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obviously you must keep both and keep searching for a third duh
I like the 58 more, but I agree the 55 is probably a better fit with the rest of your set.
I prefer the 58. The light scratch on the 55 is too distracting. If it isn't one, it looks like one to me.
Like that wasn’t gonna happen already
I like the 58 much much better.
Looking for Top Pop Mercury Dime Varieties & High Grade Mercury Dime Toners.
That may be on the holder, but I will check when I have it in hand.
The 58 has much sharper detail and "B" eye appeal. High-end widget.
The 55 has off-the-charts "A+" toning and eye appeal and is sui generis.
It would be an eye-grabbing highlight in any circ Bust Silver collection.
As a collector and as dealer I would place a value on it twice that at which I would value the 58.
Maybe the key will be to wait until I find the right quarter and see what the toning is like on it. If it had a blue green slant, the 55 would be more balanced in the set. If it leaned toward the yellow green and orange red side then the 55 would seem more out of place.
I am not a fan of either 1836 Half Dime. I don't care for coins where the toning overwhelms and distracts from the design elements of the piece. I much prefer the look of the quarter and half dollar. Originality is great, but so is the clarity of the devices on the coin. I have some coins with streaky toning, but I could see the designs through it easily.
For example ...
I don't disagree with you, and you may well be correct with these coins, but as a counterpoint, the way lustre sits on lightly circulated crusty coins is such that sometimes they photograph flat/matte, which accentuates dark toning and softens details. That's not always the case, but the details may be easier to see--and the toning less impacting--in hand.
Hands down the 55 would be my choice. So much more visual interest - especially the reverse!
"Got a flaming heart, can't get my fill"
I did pay close to 30% more for the 55 than I did the 58.
I prefer the 58.... Not a fan of excessive tarnish... Cheers, RickO
Just a beautiful set no matter which coin you choose! Well done!
ps- all things being equal, I prefer the look and colorful toning of the AU-55 as a slightly better match for your set.
I find the 58 more attractive, actually, but if you like the 55 better, keep that one. It does have more color to go along with the rest of the set, but most of the coin seems hazy. I've "upgraded" to a lower grade before. Sold a 79-S Rev. 78 Morgan in 64, bought a 63 CAC I liked better and $2300 of other stuff.
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All helpful perspectives. I was thinking I would know which one was the best for the set so I could sell the other an have the money for an eventual quarter. Now I think it makes sense to hold both and wait to see what fills the 25c slot. Thanks for the comments!
Ah too bad this one is a lowly VF!
It would go nicely with the 55.
55 by a long shot
Prefer the AU58. Has higher MV too.
I like the 55.
Please sell me the AU58 half dime!
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.
Nobody seems to have mentioned it. Why is the Quarter shown a 1835?
I think the 55 fits your set better, but I am not sure I'm a huge fan.
“We are only their care-takers,” he posed, “if we take good care of them, then centuries from now they may still be here … ”
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It is a fill in until I find a 36
I had the same question re the quarter.
As far as the half goes, the Colonel basically said it better than I could. Forget the grades and just look at the coins. I've often gone "down" in grade to go "up" in coin.
Of course your choice, but you asked, so here is my opinion. I much prefer the 58, but the 55 may match the others better. The 58 has a lot more meat on its bones than the 55. If those 2 coins were ungraded and side by side, I would not think they would only be 1 grade level apart, but that is just me.
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