I am a type set collector, so the grade I'm looking for differs greatly with each type I'm looking for.
One thing I do insist on now is that it must look appealing to me right away. I can eventually convince myself to like any coin, but those are the coins I tend to regret buying. If it doesn't have an appealing look to me right away, I'm looking elsewhere.
The best I can afford while not going broke. I've learned that when I settled for something not nice then later I wished I could have held off for better so I hold off if I think a nicer one will come along even if it's a coin I want. There's no rush.
Did you ever have a coin, maybe you paid $200 for then later saw a nicer one for $300 and thought "I wish I had that $200 to put towards the better one"
If its something that is freely available I will wait for the best that I can afford, If it is something that hardly ever becomes available I will buy it in any grade if I need it and worry about upgrading later
"My friends who see my collection sometimes ask what something costs. I tell them and they are in awe at my stupidity." (Baccaruda, 12/03).I find it hard to believe that he (Trump) rushed to some hotel to meet girls of loose morals, although ours are undoubtedly the best in the world. (Putin 1/17) Gone but not forgotten. IGWT, Speedy, Bear, BigE, HokieFore, John Burns, Russ, TahoeDale, Dahlonega, Astrorat, Stewart Blay, Oldhoopster, Broadstruck, Ricko, Big Moose, Cardinal.
I look for good value. I try to buy at the highest grade before the big jump in price at the next higher grade. Naturally the coin should be original and nice for the grade.
Worry is the interest you pay on a debt you may not owe.
"Paper money eventually returns to its intrinsic value---zero."----Voltaire
"Everything you say should be true, but not everything true should be said."----Voltaire
Comments
About 50% of my collection is 1800s coins.
If I can get them in XF/AU I'm doing alright, many are in the F/VF range.
Dark. Original. Slabbable/slabbed.... meaning not harshly cleaned, not scratched, no rim dings.
I don't care ENOUGH about strike. I'm still learning.
One thing I do insist on now is that it must look appealing to me right away. I can eventually convince myself to like any coin, but those are the coins I tend to regret buying. If it doesn't have an appealing look to me right away, I'm looking elsewhere.
US and British coin collector, and creator of The Ultimate Chuck E. Cheese's and Showbiz Pizza Place Token & Ticket Guide
What are standards?
~
"America suffers today from too much pluribus and not enough unum.".....Arthur Schlesinger Jr.
*original surfaces
*minimal hits or marks
*lustre
*color
That was easy.
In honor of the memory of Cpl. Michael E. Thompson
For MPLs, BN and RB, 65 or higher.
*minimal hits or marks
*lustre
*color
Hey, another "mark counter"? That makes at least 2 of us!
roadrunner
I've learned that when I settled for something not nice then later I wished I could have held off for better so I hold off if I think a nicer one will come along even if it's a coin I want. There's no rush.
Did you ever have a coin, maybe you paid $200 for then later saw a nicer one for $300 and thought "I wish I had that $200 to put towards the better one"
"Senorita HepKitty"
"I want a real cool Kitty from Hepcat City, to stay in step with me" - Bill Carter
President, Racine Numismatic Society 2013-2014; Variety Resource Dimes; See 6/8/12 CDN for my article on Winged Liberty Dimes; Ebay
I knew it would happen.
R8 or unique - whatever I can get.
Worry is the interest you pay on a debt you may not owe.
"Paper money eventually returns to its intrinsic value---zero."----Voltaire
"Everything you say should be true, but not everything true should be said."----Voltaire
Oscar Wilde
Collect for the love of the hobby, the beauty of the coins, and enjoy the ride.
Clothes make the man. Naked people have little or no influence on society.
<< <i>Beautiful and cool, which means original as possible with positive eye appeal. >>
Ditto.