Which one would you buy? Color vs grade

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jt88
jt88 Posts: 3,564 ✭✭✭✭✭
edited May 24, 2026 9:23AM in World & Ancient Coins Forum

PCGS AU53 $34687

PCGS ms64 $42302

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  • jt88
    jt88 Posts: 3,564 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    For color fans grade doesn’t matter, it is truly buy the coin not the grade.

  • JohnnyCache
    JohnnyCache Posts: 1,920 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    2

  • jt88
    jt88 Posts: 3,564 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    From PCGS photo


  • SimonW
    SimonW Posts: 1,582 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    I would go with number two. It’s not like you’re saving a bunch of money going with that AU, I would think the MS64 has a greater shot at increasing value over the coming years. They’re both pretty in their own way.

    I'm BACK!!! Used to be Billet7 on the old forum.

  • 1984worldcoins
    1984worldcoins Posts: 774 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    I would pick nr 2, the first has a fishy color.

  • jt88
    jt88 Posts: 3,564 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    Here is the past auction price from PCGS for both. You can tell that au 53 buyer paid huge premium for the color.

  • pruebas
    pruebas Posts: 5,284 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    Of the two, I’d buy the 64. The AU is too dark and the color isn’t really pretty anyway. The 64 has a nice tone.

  • jt88
    jt88 Posts: 3,564 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    So far no true toned fan showed up.

  • jt88
    jt88 Posts: 3,564 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    The first coin if it show up on GC it might look much better because GC takes good photo.

  • jt88
    jt88 Posts: 3,564 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    I paid three times of the normal price for this coin

  • coinkat
    coinkat Posts: 24,542 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    I n this instance, I would choose the one graded MS64. Color can be subjective. Further, I am not 100% sure if the color may change overtime potentially loosing a vibrant component.

    Good luck if this is a decision you are contemplating

    Experience the World through Numismatics...it's more than you can imagine.

  • jt88
    jt88 Posts: 3,564 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    @coinkat said:

    Good luck if this is a decision you are contemplating

    No, not my coin. Just for discussion only. Sounds like most people would not pay unlimited for color, me included.

  • realeswatcher
    realeswatcher Posts: 537 ✭✭✭✭
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    That first one is NOT big premium "monster" toning... it's just ugly and dark and so deep you can't even consider dipping it.

    @jt88, that piece you just posted (that you said you bought) clearly has much more desirable toning.

    Also, that 64 has a light glaze of tone on the obv that I'd bet is pleasing in hand.

    BTW, a world where even a prettily-toned 53 (not amazing, but let's say a good bit nicer than this example being discussed) is preferred over the perfectly pleasant 64 shown above - ESPECIALLY for a quite scarce type like the birds junk - is a world gone mad. Leave that to the 1886-P Morgans (and my HS Bio teacher, Mr. Weimann - lots of color on a lab report meant automatic good grade).

  • jt88
    jt88 Posts: 3,564 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    I bought couple more 1934 boat with color recently. I sent them to PCGS for TV. I will post them when they are back from PCGS.

  • MEJ7070
    MEJ7070 Posts: 952 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    I love color but I’d buy the 64 8 days a week

  • johnny9434
    johnny9434 Posts: 34,051 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    2nd one

  • jt88
    jt88 Posts: 3,564 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    One Chinese coin dealer told me why the first one is so high because PCGS is very hard on Chinese rarity with color, most of them are details. So if a color coin can get grade collector/ flappers will go after it.

  • TwoKopeiki
    TwoKopeiki Posts: 9,969 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    I'm a color guy and I would go for the MS64 in this case.