I am a modern collector, and I still don't get it
RYK
Posts: 35,800 ✭✭✭✭✭
I confess, I enjoy collecting modern commems (sorry, Barry 
). I buy them from the mint regularly and have been buying the earlier ones that were sold by the mint before I came back to collecting. I enjoy them very much, and the enjoyment per dollars spent ratio far exceeds just about anything else I collect.
Here is what I don't get. Offered on the BST:
Marine Corps Commem PCGS Proof-70 DCAM: $695
Essentially same coin offered by the Mint: $35
I guess I will never be a sophisticated collector of moderns.
). I buy them from the mint regularly and have been buying the earlier ones that were sold by the mint before I came back to collecting. I enjoy them very much, and the enjoyment per dollars spent ratio far exceeds just about anything else I collect.Here is what I don't get. Offered on the BST:
Marine Corps Commem PCGS Proof-70 DCAM: $695
Essentially same coin offered by the Mint: $35
I guess I will never be a sophisticated collector of moderns.
0
Comments
So, again, I can appreciate that many, many collectors will be comfortable with a PR69DC coin. In fact, some may not even see or care that the coin has minor problems and be happy to pay under $60 for a PCGS-PR69DCAM specimen. Others, seeking "PCGS perfection" may prefer a PR70DC coin. Is there really too much of a difference between this and a Lincoln cent collector who buys a "PQ" MS66RD 1909(svdb) cent for around $15,000 vs. the collector who wants the "just made it" MS67RD grade at $80,000? Think about it.
Wondercoin
Specializing in 1854 and 1855 large FE patterns
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<< <i>I confess, I enjoy collecting modern commems >>
Admitting that you have a problem is the first step toward recovery.
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)
Anyone that doesn't think so and owns one or some please crack one out and sell it raw and see what it fetches with no mention of any slabbing, etc.
About 35.00.
<< <i>
Marine Corps Commem PCGS Proof-70 DCAM: $695
Essentially same coin offered by the Mint: $35
I guess I will never be a sophisticated collector of moderns.
I'll keep my Uncirculated one (when it arrives) and use the extra $662 for a nice Seated Dollar w/motto for my Type set.
<< <i>
<< <i>I confess, I enjoy collecting modern commems >>
Admitting that you have a problem is the first step toward recovery.
<< <i>Registry Fever is incurable. >>
This is so true. I am glad I have since past that point, just recently, in my coin collecting purchases.
BST successful dealings with:MsMorrisine, goldman86
Not like other regular issue coins.
I'll just never get it
I ordered two proof Marine Corps commems from the Mint. One looks perfect to me. The other has some small pinpriks in the left reverse field. It does not bother me one bit. Perfection, IMO, is illusory and overrated.
Is there really too much of a difference between this and a Lincoln cent collector who buys a "PQ" MS66RD 1909(svdb) cent for around $15,000 vs. the collector who wants the "just made it" MS67RD grade at $80,000.
Not at all. I guess I will never be a sophisticated collector of classic coins either.
<< <i>Registry Fever is incurable. >>
if some of the members who pay the same kind of outrageous premiums, be it a mid-1800's Seated Dollar, a 1936-1942 Proof issue or even a Pattern, for a relatively indistinguishable one point grade difference would take the blinders off, get honest and consider the reality of your post, the reply count would be lower. i wouldn't hold my breath.
<< <i>
Is there really too much of a difference between this and a Lincoln cent collector who buys a "PQ" MS66RD 1909(svdb) cent for around $15,000 vs. the collector who wants the "just made it" MS67RD grade at $80,000.
Rear in the extreme YES, but still...
(Priest) BLASPHEMY he said it again, did you hear him?
<< <i>if some of the members who pay the same kind of outrageous premiums, be it a mid-1800's Seated Dollar, a 1936-1942 Proof issue or even a Pattern, for a relatively indistinguishable one point grade difference would take the blinders off, get honest and consider the reality of your post, the reply count would be lower. i wouldn't hold my breath. >>
In either case, registry set mania has led to people being willing to pay 5-10x the price of a similar coin, maybe infinitesimally lower quality, just because the number on the plastic is one point higher.
It's not strictly a modern vs. classic thing, I agree. The "hypergraded" coins draw stupid money for registry sets whether the coin is dated 1994 or 1894. But it's more noticeable with the moderns, IMO, because an MS-63 modern is often worth little more than face value where as an MS-63 classic coin still has considerable collector value.
Russ, NCNE
I'm with RYK on this one PR69 is plenty good for me.
To each his own thouhg, if I had the big bucks I would be buying the big boys toys (PR70) also, but that ain't gonna happen in my life time.
Herb
hey ziggy, how come you start by saying it's not a modern vs. classic thing and end by making it one??? that's very confusing. the reality is that the plastic adds value and legitimacy to a coin. take the $80k S-VDB and the $15k S-VDB, and i can almost gaurantee that you'll get nowhere near those prices with the coins liberated and raw-----that's just the reality of todays market.
almost any coin out of the holder goes down in value, that's perhaps the primary reason for slabbing a coin. goose's challenge to liberate those MS70 Marines will almost certainly not be met.
<< <i>i don't believe it's easily explained away with the phrase "Registry Set Mania" which is just so much of a cop-out, or even "Plastic Mania" which is also much the same. it all really boils down to who has the biggest ego that thewy can back up with a fat wallet, perhaps hurtful to some, but nonetheless, true. >>
Isn't that really what Registry Fever is? There's no cop-out in succinctly stating something that can be stated in 100 more words.
Specializing in 1854 and 1855 large FE patterns
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<< <i>hey ziggy, how come you start by saying it's not a modern vs. classic thing and end by making it one??? that's very confusing. >>
I said it was more *noticeable* as with moderns because mid-grade mint state moderns are so cheap and mid-grade mint state classics are still valuable. But when you get to the higher grades -- say MS-67 to MS-68, for example -- this orders-of-magnitude value jump hits moderns and classics alike.
<< <i>I am a modern collector, and I still don't get it >>
Perhaps you're merely a "modern collector wannabe"?
It is not a matter of affordability. I would not enjoy the PR-70 any more than the one the came from the mint. Frankly, I would get more enjoyment buying the PF-69 and giving the difference to a homeless person or to charity. There is something about the MS-70/PR-70 grade that really irks me.
<< <i>I would get more enjoyment buying the PF-69 and giving the difference to a homeless person or to charity. >>
Hi, my name is Russ Charity.
Russ, NCNE
Collectors have always paid up for quality. The difference now is that it often takes a microscope to perceive some of the differences.
<< <i>
<< <i>I would get more enjoyment buying the PF-69 and giving the difference to a homeless person or to charity. >>
Hi, my name is Russ Charity.
Russ, NCNE >>
Russ makes enough selling those crazy toned coins. Longacre's kids need new pairs of shoes. Send the charity my way.
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)
Isn't that really what Registry Fever is?
to succinctly state something that can be stated in 100 more words in only one----------no.
Hi, my name is Russ Charity.
Russ, had you told me you were homeless, I might have believed you and sent you the $660!
<< <i>Hi, my name is Russ Charity.
Russ, had you told me you were homeless, I might have believed you and sent you the $660! >>
I forgot my middle name.
Russ, NCNE
<< <i> Collectors have always paid up for quality. The difference now is that it often takes a microscope to perceive some of the differences. >>
Maybe true, but when a coin is common in PR-69 and scarce in PR-70, how comfortable would you feel about the the long term value of that specific date? Now keep in mind, we are not referring to 15 in MS-64, 4 in MS-65 and 1 in 66.
Even if you factor in rising popularity, the Pr-70 potential is very speculative, IMO.