Does anyone else cringe when you hear the phrase...???

dizzyfoxx · December 1, 2008 6:59AM

"That coin has great eye appeal"

I just think that phrase is so over-used, abused, and I refuse to ever say it again... or believe it when I hear it used.

Momentary venting rant, had to be done!

CoinJunkie · December 1, 2008 7:00AM

No, as long as it does.

zeebob · December 1, 2008 7:01AM

<< No, as long as it does.

>>

dizzyfoxx · December 1, 2008 7:12AM

<< No, as long as it does.

>>

EXACTLY!!! The problem is, more often than not it does not.

Russ · December 1, 2008 7:14AM

Your wife is very smart.

Russ, NCNE

lordmarcovan · December 1, 2008 7:16AM

My wife is far more tactful and has never called me any names.

I know she secretly THINKS them, however.

Lakesammman · December 1, 2008 7:25AM

If it does, you don't need to be told that, unless you're walking the bourse with a white cane.

thisnamztaken · December 1, 2008 7:35AM

I don't cringe, but when I don't agree with that assessment I just chalk it up to how personal tastes often differ. If it's said concerning a coin someone is trying to sell me, I chalk it up to being part of their sales pitch.

WithArrows · December 1, 2008 7:40AM

Like others have said, depends on the coin. I sometimes enjoy laughing (on the inside of course) at dealers who say that phrase about an obviously damaged or subpar coin.

jacksongto · December 1, 2008 7:43AM

With the English language as colorful and loaded with tasty slang terms as it is, why not stretch it out a bit? When I see a really great looking coin the first thing that comes to mind is:

"Hubba-Hubba"

I don't think it will catch on, but......

doh · December 1, 2008 7:46AM

My best story about this issue concerns a particularly revolting (to my eye anyway) 1901-S Quarter. A certain dealer spoke to me over the phone about the coin saying how beautiful the toning and originality were. We planned to meet at a show the next day, so I could inspect the supposed beauty for myself. True to his description, the coin was original, but it was half pinkish colored on the obverse and reverse had what can only be described as a booger plastered on the eagle's wing. Yes, the coin was in PCGS plastic, but eye appeal? I think not. When I told him the coin wasn't for me he looked a bit downtrodden and said, "Well, I respect your opinion, but I have to tell you, you're passing on a real winner, a special piece." Here we are more than 7 months later and it's still on their website....

PerryHall · December 1, 2008 8:11AM

This phrase is all right when it's used to describe someone elses coin. If it's used to describe your own coin, especially if you are trying to sell it, it's a bit self serving.

dizzyfoxx · December 1, 2008 8:12AM

<< Your wife is very smart.

Russ, NCNE >>

Thanks Russ, and you have great eye appeal.

CoinJunkie · December 1, 2008 8:27AM

<< This phrase is all right when it's used to describe someone elses coin. If it's used to describe your own coin, especially if you are trying to sell it, it's a bit self serving. >>

Maybe, but I use it on a subset of coins I sell on eBay. No matter how great your
photos are, some coins just have that special something in hand that can't really
be captured. I feel that imparting that to the buyer is within bounds. Perhaps I
could do it more creatively, but the listing process is tedious enough without
coming up with new phraseology each time.

Placid · December 1, 2008 8:31AM

What one person considers great eye appeal another might consider ugly.

CoinJunkie · December 1, 2008 8:41AM

<< What one person considers great eye appeal another might consider ugly. >>

True, the phrase probably only has any meaning if you know the tastes and reputation
of the utterer. But the same can be said for such things as "monster rainbow". I'm
not going to condemn the language just because a bunch of bozos misuse it
(nefariously or otherwise).

MillerJW · December 1, 2008 10:10AM

Not as much as Circulated Cameo, I just pulled a junk dime out of my pocket that had circ cameo on it, but that does not make it nice

elwood · December 1, 2008 10:20AM

<< "That coin has great eye appeal" >>

It depends on who is saying it.

tombr · December 1, 2008 10:29AM

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. That being said, what do you expect most dealers to say? "This coin is a real turd. Ugly to the core"

dizzyfoxx · December 1, 2008 10:43AM

<< Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. That being said, what do you expect most dealers to say? "This coin is a real turd. Ugly to the core"

>>

Sometimes they would actually be accurate.

Walmann · December 1, 2008 10:50AM

That phrase doesn't bother me too much, I cringe when I hear "Its a nice clean coin."

Considering the negative connotations a cleaned coin has in collecting, using the word clean to bolster a coin for me does not have the intended impact that seller desires.

Halfhunter06 · December 1, 2008 10:51AM

i just decide for myself

WTCG · December 1, 2008 10:56AM

There are times when I get the willies when somebody describes a coin as "virgin", as in "virgin BU" or "virgin surfaces". I prefer the term "fresh" or "original" in lieu of the v-word when describing coins.