Options
What is a "stopper"?
RYK
Posts: 35,801 ✭✭✭✭✭
How do you define a stopper?
Is it an expensive key date?
Is a 16-D merc dime a stopper in the merc dime series?
How about a 1916 25c in the SLQ series?
Or is it an 1894-S dime in the Barber dime series?
Does the absolute value of a coin make it a stopper or the relative value to the rest of the series? Is it about a coin's price/value or its scarcity?
Is it an expensive key date?
Is a 16-D merc dime a stopper in the merc dime series?
How about a 1916 25c in the SLQ series?
Or is it an 1894-S dime in the Barber dime series?
Does the absolute value of a coin make it a stopper or the relative value to the rest of the series? Is it about a coin's price/value or its scarcity?
0
Comments
42/92
(empty holes)
If it price is high it can be a stopper for folks with limited financial resources such as the 16-d dime or 16 slq quarter.
It can also be unavailable in specific grade range such as Mike Hayes looking for the 01-s quarter in PCGS-55 or 58 or Dave99 looking for that same 01-s quarter in original VF, and add me to the list for either myself?
Or it may be a case where there never will be an available coin to complete a collection in someone's lifetime to complete a set such as the 1933 $20. No one but the current owner knows if he will sell this coin in our lifetime or not???
It may be a specific variety where very few to none exist such as the 1817/4 Half or that 1807 Overton -115 that our own board member discovered, etc. I knew of an individual who was desperately looking for the 1803 Large cent lg dt, sml fraction until he gave up coins all together. He had unlimited resources, but yet could find one while he looked.
I am sure their are several other example's where the term stopper could come into play.
the point at which the coin in the desired grade you want does not justify the price you are willing to pay for the value it provides you
or
the coin is simply not available (or at least not in the grade desired)
This of course is different for each of us ...
For me, although I would love to own Choice AU examples of several key dates in the series I collect, the price I would have to pay does not work for me at this time ... maybe, over the course of time, the prices will change ... or maybe my perception of the value the coin would bring to me (not measured in dollars, but in sense), would make the price worthwhile. Including something considerably lesser in grade does not work for me, as my sense of asthetics would be compromised. Actually, in a couple of cases, the coins are almost non-existant in those grades anyway, even if I considered from AU50 to MS63 (which I would if I could stomach the prices).
Recently a board memeber offered a reward for a PF70 example of a modern bullion coin, but appearantly none existed (at least not yet), because last I heard his reward went unanswered.
Finally, although I would certainly count a Gem 94-S Dime as a stopper for almost any collector, for both reasons of price and availablity, this board never ceases to amaze me ... as one of our members recently acquired what I believe is the finest known example of the issue.
“We are only their care-takers,” he posed, “if we take good care of them, then centuries from now they may still be here … ”
Todd - BHNC #242
I wouldn't even try to assemble a BU set of Mercury dimes if the '16D in unc. were unaffordable to me, for example. Given that, if I really wanted to collect Mercury dimes in uncirculated condition I'd go with a year set from 1916 to 1945. The example for 1916 would be a "S" or a "P." The '16 D in AG and the rest of the set in unc. would not be for me.
In Barber dimes, for the vast majority of collectors, the '94 S is not a stopper because it is so rare as to not be available, except to the extremely wealthy. Also, '94 S was not a regular issue so technically a set could be "completed" without this coin. '95 O, however, could be a stopper for some trying to assemple a complete set of these.
For those with considerable financial resources, availability comes more into play. A '74 CC dime in uncirculated may simply not be available for purchase even to the well-heeled collector of choice Seated dimes.
“I have all the money I want, and there is a better use I can make of my time. We work to become, not to acquire.” — Elbert Hubbard
Didn't wanna get me no trade
Never want to be like papa
Working for the boss every night and day
--"Happy", by the Rolling Stones (1972)
The big one in my silver type set is the 1796-7 half dollar. For $8,500, I could have owned a piece of junk that graded AG-3 by sharpness and had a badly repaired hole. I don't buy trash like that. Sorry, but that's trash, no matter how rare it is.
Of late any early gold type coin that I don't have as become a stopper. Today with early gold you get ultra high prices attached to "processed" coins that look really bad. I don't mind paying a premium for a real PQ coin, but paying one for a coin that's been shined up to make it bright is not on the radar screen for me.
because of price or lack of availability. Usually coins come on the market frequently
enough that if one has the money they can be found, but some coins are simply so
rare or in such high demand that they don't appear very often.
I would hesitate to use the term for just any expensive key -- a 16-D dime, 1916 SLQ, 01-S Barber 25c, 77 IHC, and so forth are all coins you can get readily enough in most grades. You just have to pay up. A person who can't afford their targeted grade can adjust their aspirations downward and/or save up for a while. The coins are out there in sufficient numbers that anybody with the ready cash shouldn't have to wait too long.
I think of a stopper as something like an 1802 H10c. It is expensive, yet the published prices suggest that nearly anyone who wants one badly enough can eventually round up the funds. The problem is more about finding it at all.
<< <i>"Stopper" is a term I'd reserve for use with coins you just about can't get. >>
I agree with this. It's not just about cost; it's more about availability. Coins like 1916-D Mercurys and SVDB cents are not stoppers -- there are dozens every day on eBay and elsewhere.
For an example, I refuse to buy a 3-legged buffalo coin even though I can easily buy one. I have never agreed that this coin should get the kind of money that it does.
Joe.
<< <i>14-D lincoln in ms 63 red...
You just missed this one. But yeah -- they don't come around much...