Definition of Eye Appeal

LeeG · July 1, 2008 9:34PM

There are many definitions for the term Eye Appeal. Here is what PCGS feels is the definition:

Eye Appeal
The element of a coin's grade that "grabs" the viewer. The overall look of a coin.

Doesn't really say anything.

My definition is: A nice coin, regardless the grade, with fantastic color, lustre, and strike. Here are the coins I own that fit that definition:

LeeG and Eye Appeal

What is your definition and examples of such?

richardshipp · July 1, 2008 9:44PM

You definitely have a keen eye for eye-appealing coins.

Here's one of mine I consider eye-appealing...

lcoopie · July 1, 2008 9:46PM

is eye appeal completely independent of grade
or does it depend on the overall grade?

Coxe · July 1, 2008 9:47PM

Eye appeal is the measure of enthusiasm you would naturally have showing a particular coin to a completely uninitiated non-numismatist.

richardshipp · July 1, 2008 9:59PM

<< Eye appeal is the measure of enthusiasm you would naturally have showing a particular coin to a completely uninitiated non-numismatist. >>

It might also be just the opposite.

Eye appeal can be the measure of enthusiasm a completely uninitiated non-numismatist would naturally have when you show them a particular coin.

Mesquite · July 1, 2008 10:18PM

Lee, I agree with you.

And, I would add that the coin's surface characteristics that reflect the process of minting can add character and appeal to a coin. Case in point: this two-center was struck with dies that were over polished (in spots), corroded (in spots) and cracked (in spots) on a planchet that had alloy mixing irregularities. I find that this increases its appeal.

BAJJERFAN · July 1, 2008 10:23PM

<< is eye appeal completely independent of grade
or does it depend on the overall grade? >>

It sorta depends on the coin and the source of the eye appeal. That 95-s Morgan in vg10/f12 posted yesterday was very nice.

This is nice.

I like this one too.

A 62 but at least one side is decent.

ms65

No comment needed.

Not my coin, but even worn Morgans can have great eye appeal. This coin bumped to f12.

curly · July 1, 2008 10:33PM

Lee, I noticed a couple of your Lincolns came from Mike Stefano. That brother always has the good stuff.

NHSBaseball · July 1, 2008 10:39PM

I enjoyed looking at your coins, LeeG- especially the Arkansas commem.

When I think of eye appeal I think of the old line about art (or pornography, I can't remember which!)- "I know it when I see it." While many of us have differing concepts of what is attractive on a coin- toned vs. untoned and so on- a truly eye-appealing coin is one which provokes the "Wow- that's a nice coin" reaction from almost any collector. I think the reason that it is hard to pin down with a definition is that an eye-appealing coin provokes more of a gut reaction, and one that is difficult to put into words.

Barndog's thread where he posted his date set of CB Half Dimes is the perfect example, to me, of eye appeal. Becoka's 1911 eagle he posted yesterday was another good example. While I have nothing to touch what they posted, I think these are fairly appealing:

ModernDollarNut · July 1, 2008 10:44PM

Speaking from the perspective of an Ike nut, EYE APPEAL probably should take into account ones expectations of eye appeal for a given coin.

Otherwise many Business Strike Silver Ikes would be MS69, LOL. . .

I've found that eye appeal is rarely a grade modifier with Ikes: there are many 1972 Type 2 Ikes carrying a generous grade in spite of dreadful eye appeal, and as implied above, a lot of BS silver Ikes graded strictly inspite of ravishing swirling heart-thumping luster.

And some Ikes with pretty toning almost seem to lose a grade, as if the toning might be hiding something?

The very rare Ike with transparent knee-buckling NT will often jump a point, IMHO, but these Ikes are far and few between.

Rob

NHSBaseball · July 1, 2008 10:53PM

ModernDollarNut, I've noticed that too with the Ikes. It must be a frustrating series to collect in that regard.

LincolnCentMan · July 1, 2008 11:21PM

Eye appeal is like obsenity.... I may not be able to define it, but I know it when I see it.

-David

OneCent · July 1, 2008 11:29PM

This coin is definitely one of the most eye-appealing coins that I own. Apologies, if you are tired of seeing it as I know that I post it frequently.

I agree with the poster stating that eye appeal is like obscenity, you know it when you see it.

Eye-Appeal:

jfoot13 · July 2, 2008 12:01AM

A coin with eye appeal is the one that's jumping up and down in the case saying "pick me pick me" no matter where in the case you put it... and you can tell by watching collector heads as they methodically go from left to right .. top to bottom through your wares their heads involuntarially stop on those coins.... not unlike a day at the beach

charley · July 2, 2008 12:06AM

Think 18, male,at the beach-the same natural eye appeal that was active under those conditions will work with coins(and maybe exceed, depending on age).

Respectfully, John Curlis

SpaceMonkey · July 2, 2008 12:11AM

this one pretty much says it for me

(from CRO archives)

-sm

cheezhed · July 2, 2008 12:16AM

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

RWB · July 2, 2008 12:19AM

“Eye appeal” is the degree to which a coin’s appearance reduces your bank account.

Cladiator · July 2, 2008 1:22AM

I know a coin has good eye appeal to me when I'm scrolling through a thread of dozens and dozens of images. I'll be rapidly scrolling down taking a quick glance at most. Every now and then I spot one that makes me scroll back up to examine it closer. If it makes me stop the scroll it's a looker.

cladking · July 2, 2008 1:54AM

I would define it as the unquantifiable aspect of a coin's grade which
is very attractive. Since almost all of a coin's grade is usually quantifiable
there is usually little or nothing left.

Any other definition will tend to leave "eye appeal" in the eye of the be-
holder, and hence subject to further enholdering.

Shamika · July 2, 2008 1:56AM

<< My definition is: A nice coin, regardless the grade, with fantastic color, lustre, and strike. Here are the coins I own that fit that definition:

LeeG and Eye Appeal >>

That 31-D Lincoln sure hits the spot!

I'm not sure I can completely eliminate grade when discussing eye appeal. Even with "fantastic color, luster, and strike", if the coin has a giant gash in a prime focal area, the eye appeal is hindered irregardless of the strength of the three attributes mentioned.

sanitarium1inmate · July 2, 2008 2:15AM

<< “Eye appeal” is the degree to which a coin’s appearance reduces your bank account. >>

I agree, pay whatever you do just to get it in your hands.

TONEDDOLLARS · July 2, 2008 2:50AM

Kind of like ponography, tough to descibe, but I do know it when I see it.

charley · July 2, 2008 3:06AM

I agree that ponography is very difficult to describe.Respectfully, John Curlis

SkyMan · July 2, 2008 3:11AM

I've been told by a dealer that he actually had a dream about this coin...

NHSBaseball · July 2, 2008 3:37AM

<< I've been told by a dealer that he actually had a dream about this coin...

>>

Wow! Coin Porn!

stockwiz · July 2, 2008 4:04AM

melikes

ModernDollarNut · July 2, 2008 4:26AM

"ModernDollarNut, I've noticed that too with the Ikes. It must be a frustrating series to collect in that regard. " NHSBaseball

NHSBaseball, challenging more than frustrating as I have not gotten hung up in the Registry game or trying to make/market high-grade Ikes. PCGS sets a good grading standard throughout the series, so I'm just trying to learn how PCGS grades Ikes.

There are inevitably some inconsistencies in a series like Ikes that has so many variables. For example, how much weight to give planchet chatter which on many clad Ikes is the grade limiting factor?

Does PCGS grade the 71-72 Ikes that had early and heavy die flow-line development as if the flow lines are not present (I think the answer is yes as I have seen a beautiful MS67 71-D in VLDS). But shouldn't there be a grade benefit from being in EDS?

But then from '73 on the dies were better steel and did not develope the heavy flow lines - should they be graded differently? Certainly the appearance of the coin is effected.

Can a clean well struck Ike with heavy planchet striations get a 66? I've seen a few examples so I guess it's possible, however strange the damn things look.

Glad I'm not a grader! Rob

jmski52 · July 2, 2008 4:32AM

I've been told by a dealer that he actually had a dream about this coin...

SkyMan, that Bust Half does seem to have some remote-viewing possibilities!!

dizzyfoxx · July 2, 2008 4:37AM

Eye appeal is something that is truly difficult to explain into words, and is something that is actually felt. When viewing a coin that for me has the "loads of eye appeal factor", I just get that feeling of awe and usually what goes through my mind is... "OMG that is a special coin".

FinallyHere · July 2, 2008 4:37AM

I just recently imaged this and fell in love

LoveMyLiberty · July 2, 2008 5:45AM

Here are two definitions of a coin with "EYE APPEAL":

1. When you want to bid on a coin at auction that is the same grade & tpg as
20 other similar coins in the same auction, but the one you want is already
bid up to twice or more than the others, with 15 bids working.

2. Just about any coin offered by Mike Printz and Larry Whitlow.
(This is not a paid advertisement)

LeeG · July 2, 2008 10:13AM

Every single coin in this thread fit's the bill for me!!!!!!!!

I feel that even a coin in fine can have eye appeal. As long it's not dipped and stripped it has appeal. Nice even wear and circ cameo works just fine.

If a coin had a big gouge it wouldn't have eye appeal. As we've seen here, eye appeal has different definitions for most. Nothing wrong with that.

TwoSides2aCoin · July 2, 2008 10:42AM

Eye appeal for me is associated with the strike detail and luster. A coin free of detracting marks in the fields or on the devices, motto, rims, legends, etc.
There are many coins without toning which display amazing eye appeal. Although, it's probably a term more commonly akin to coins that have toning.

veryfine · July 2, 2008 11:54AM

This is a tricky one because it seems that we all want booming luster, no detracting marks and great strikes. In other words, MS-63 and MS-64, by definition cannot have positive eye-appeal? I have MS-63 coins with some marks in prime focal areas and perhaps muted luster here and there, but I still consider them eye-appealing.

dizzyfoxx · July 2, 2008 12:11PM

<< This is a tricky one because it seems that we all want booming luster, no detracting marks and great strikes. In other words, MS-63 and MS-64, by definition cannot have positive eye-appeal? I have MS-63 coins with some marks in prime focal areas and perhaps muted luster here and there, but I still consider them eye-appealing. >>

Interesting point.

braddick · July 2, 2008 12:16PM

<< this one pretty much says it for me

(from CRO archives)

As stunningly pretty as that one is, here is an example of what works for me in the eye appeal department:

-sm >>

TwoSides2aCoin · July 2, 2008 12:19PM

That's a little more than eye appealing, Pat. This is "blood rushing".

sparky64 · July 2, 2008 12:24PM

I was reading a book published in 2000 that shows that eye appeal is considered for 20% of the assigned grade at PCGS.
Don't know if it still applies.

ECHOES · July 2, 2008 12:33PM

<< My definition is: A nice coin, regardless the grade, with fantastic color, lustre, and strike. What is your definition and examples of such? >>

I agree with you, I really like this one...

TwoSides2aCoin · July 2, 2008 12:38PM

That's a very nice Susan B Anthony, Echoes.
It's got what the definition is in my mind.

Gemini · July 2, 2008 1:05PM

Lee I wish I had your eye for coins...

Definition of Eye Appeal

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