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Do you prefer circulated coins, uncirculated coins or proof coins?

llafoellafoe Posts: 7,220 ✭✭
in U.S. Coin Forum
Which do you prefer to collect and why?
WANTED: Cincinnati Reds TEAM Cards

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    llafoellafoe Posts: 7,220 ✭✭
    We used to collect uncirculated coins and proof coins, but the proof coins looked too perfect so we decided to only collect coins that were minted for circulation in uncirculated condition.

    We didn't want to collect coins that were minted specifically for collectors: proof coins, satin finish coins, medals, commemoratives, bullion, etc.

    Regretfully, for my son to be competitve with his sister in the Registry, we had to purchase two collector coins (Millennium and Goodacre SACs); hopefully BJ will create a 2000 Mint Set that only requires circulating coins soon and we can dump these two collector coins.
    WANTED: Cincinnati Reds TEAM Cards
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    ShamikaShamika Posts: 18,785 ✭✭✭✭
    I don't care for proofs. The idea of collecting something that was specifically made to be collected has never been for me.

    Buyer and seller of vintage coin boards!
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    TomBTomB Posts: 23,100 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Yes.image
    Thomas Bush Numismatics & Numismatic Photography

    In honor of the memory of Cpl. Michael E. Thompson

    image
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    pakasmompakasmom Posts: 1,920 ✭
    Took me a while to know what I really liked. I prefer circulated coins in the VF to XF range.
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    ChrisRxChrisRx Posts: 5,619 ✭✭✭✭
    I collect circulated, uncirculated and proof coins.
    image
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    Bayard1908Bayard1908 Posts: 4,182 ✭✭✭✭
    I only collect proofs. I like the rarity, reflectivity, and greater striking detail. Also, counter-intuitively, many 19th Century coins are less expensive as proofs than as business strikes.
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    LindeDadLindeDad Posts: 18,766 ✭✭✭✭✭
    In the classic era I collect circulated coins.
    In the modern era my preference is uncirculated circulation coins, with some proofs and the collectors mint set coins.
    My Current project....https://www.pcgs.com/setregistry/mysetregistry/album/160794
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    PinkFloydPinkFloyd Posts: 1,762 ✭
    Rarity is more important to me. Though I guess I'm partial to a nice uncirculated strike. There's something about proofs thats almost fake to me.
    Successful transactions with keepdachange, tizofthe, adriana, wondercoin
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    rld14rld14 Posts: 2,390 ✭✭✭


    << <i>I don't care for proofs. The idea of collecting something that was specifically made to be collected has never been for me. >>



    Yep! I also greatly prefer dirty, circulated stuff.... "Mint" coins are a bit sterile to me.
    Bear's "Growl of Approval" award 10/09 & 3/10 | "YOU SUCK" - PonyExpress8|"F the doctors!" - homerunhall | I hate my car
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    melikecoinsmelikecoins Posts: 1,154 ✭✭
    I collect uncirculated modern coins

    Proofs I sell

    Glen
    I don't buy slabs I make them
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    ProofArtworkonCircsProofArtworkonCircs Posts: 4,223 ✭
    I would prefer to collect coins used as a medium of exchange only. This means the coins were originally available for face value. However in getting involved with proof artwork on business strikes, I have added a few proof pieces for comparasion purposes. Then we also have the case of circulation artwork on a proof coin.
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    rickoricko Posts: 98,724 ✭✭✭✭✭
    I collect them all.... I am a coin collector. Cheers, RickO
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    RYKRYK Posts: 35,801 ✭✭✭✭✭
    It depends. For my more collection of No Motto gold, I prefer circulated.
    My Box of 20: https://pcgs.com/setregistry/collectors-showcase/box-20/ryks-gold-box-20/17132
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    BillJonesBillJones Posts: 35,882 ✭✭✭✭✭
    I collect coins in the highest grades that I can afford. Therefore I answered circulated, uncirculated and Proof. When they are available I prefer Proof coins to Uncirculated pieces. I think that Proof coins show the artwork better in most cases, and when it comes to modern coins, they are much cheaper than Mint State pieces in high grade.
    Retired dealer and avid collector of U.S. type coins, 19th century presidential campaign medalets and selected medals. In recent years I have been working on a set of British coins - at least one coin from each king or queen who issued pieces that are collectible. I am also collecting at least one coin for each Roman emperor from Julius Caesar to ... ?
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    sbeverlysbeverly Posts: 964 ✭✭✭
    I collect them all.
    Positive transactions with Cladiator, Meltdown, ajbauman, LeeG, route66,DennisH,Hmann,FilamCoins,mgoodm3,terburn88,MrOrganic, weg,dcarr,guitarwes,Zubie,Barndog,wondercoin,braddick,etc...
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    jsfjsf Posts: 1,889
    I prefer uncirculated, mint state coins.

    However, I learned early-on that I can live quite well with dirty, circulated examples of a lot of things. image
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    TwobitcollectorTwobitcollector Posts: 4,672 ✭✭✭✭✭
    I collect circulated, uncirculated and proof coins.

    Positive BST Transactions with:
    INYNWHWeTrust-TexasNationals,ajaan,blu62vette
    coinJP, Outhaul ,illini420,MICHAELDIXON, Fade to Black,epcjimi1,19Lyds,SNMAN,JerseyJoe, bigjpst, DMWJR , lordmarcovan, Weiss,Mfriday4962,UtahCoin,Downtown1974,pitboss,RichieURich,Bullsitter,JDsCoins,toyz4geo,jshaulis, mustanggt, SNMAN, MWallace, ms71, lordmarcovan,JWP,dantheman984,olah_in_MA,USMC_6115
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    ChrisRxChrisRx Posts: 5,619 ✭✭✭✭
    To not collect all is like just drinking red wine. Ala "frame lag."
    image
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    coinkatcoinkat Posts: 24,504 ✭✭✭✭✭
    mostly Business strikes and grade will range depending upon counrty, series and my overall interest

    Not to dismiss Proofs- I have a few- nothing great

    Experience the World through Numismatics...it's more than you can imagine.

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    crypto79crypto79 Posts: 8,623 ✭


    << <i>I don't care for proofs. The idea of collecting something that was specifically made to be collected has never been for me. >>

    This is about how I feel but would add that I like a few proofs here and there for affect. Also I love well used coins as it shows that they slipped through some hands as they were intended to on their way to me.
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    QuarterCollectorQuarterCollector Posts: 1,384 ✭
    Circulated coins. Alot have stories to tell.

    Tom
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    speetyspeety Posts: 5,424 ✭
    I collect all three, but prefer uncirculated. Full, untempered with uncirculated luster is my favorite though!
    Want to buy an auction catalog for the William Hesslein Sale (December 2, 1926). Thanks to all those who have helped us obtain the others!!!

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    ProofCentsProofCents Posts: 1,656
    Mostly proof coins
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    sumnomsumnom Posts: 5,963 ✭✭✭
    As a general rule I collect business strikes in the XF-AU range but I do occasionally go for mint state pieces. I will go into lower grades if the ideal grades are too expensive. I am generally not interested in proofs/NCLT. They just don't seem like real coins to me. Yes, I know, it's just my opinion but there it is!
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    kurtdogkurtdog Posts: 1,456
    You know, that's a good question, as I actually like circulated coins, now, but was kind of ashamed, on a big board like this, to mention it. I do have a certain kinship, though, I guess. That is to say, I'm kind of circulated, now, myself.
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    fiveNdimefiveNdime Posts: 1,088 ✭✭
    all 3, i like AU/XF for albums.

    i like them in AU as someone likely thought to save it when they came across it.




    << <i>Circulated coins. Alot have stories to tell. >>


    image

    BST transactions: guitarwes; glmmcowan; coiny; nibanny; messydesk
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    OKbustchaserOKbustchaser Posts: 5,570 ✭✭✭✭✭


    << <i>As a general rule I collect business strikes in the XF-AU range but I do occasionally go for mint state pieces. I will go into lower grades if the ideal grades are too expensive. I am generally not interested in proofs/NCLT. They just don't seem like real coins to me. Yes, I know, it's just my opinion but there it is! >>



    Not just your opinion; it's mine also.
    Just because I'm old doesn't mean I don't love to look at a pretty bust.
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    BillyKingsleyBillyKingsley Posts: 2,661 ✭✭✭✭
    All three for me, but mostly circulated.
    Billy Kingsley ANA R-3146356 Cardboard History // Numismatic History
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    ziggy29ziggy29 Posts: 18,669 ✭✭✭
    No hard and fast rule, but I find VF-30 to AU to be my sweet spot. It also depends on the type; I prefer the look of nice, original VF Barber Halves more than the choice AUs. They "age" gracefully. image
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    mozinmozin Posts: 8,755 ✭✭✭
    I would love to collect proof coins, but proof Bust Half Dollars do not fit into my budget.
    I collect Capped Bust series by variety in PCGS AU/MS grades.
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    Bayard1908Bayard1908 Posts: 4,182 ✭✭✭✭


    << <i>I would love to collect proof coins, but proof Bust Half Dollars do not fit into my budget. >>



    I was the underbidder on a proof bust half at Heritage recently and sometimes wish that I had purchased it.
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    ShamikaShamika Posts: 18,785 ✭✭✭✭


    << <i>You know, that's a good question, as I actually like circulated coins, now, but was kind of ashamed, on a big board like this, to mention it. >>



    NEVER BE ASHAMED!!! Although I collect mint state coins, I believe there's something honorable about collecting circulated pieces. Imagining who may have held a coin that has obvious wear has a romance unto itself.


    Buyer and seller of vintage coin boards!
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    sumnomsumnom Posts: 5,963 ✭✭✭
    It is good to see that I am not alone in actually preferring circulated coins. Coins that are too perfect just seem denatured to me.
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    eggboneeggbone Posts: 615 ✭
    I have no preference in which type. However, I really like older(mid 19th century and older) circulated coins so I can speculate that someone special may have handled them.
    image
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    johnny9434johnny9434 Posts: 33,320 ✭✭✭✭✭
    it dont really matter to me as long as theres no issues with it.
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    Type2Type2 Posts: 13,985 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Uncirculated/ Business Strike coins.


    Hoard the keys.
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    sparky64sparky64 Posts: 7,063 ✭✭✭✭✭
    I don't discriminate on what I collect but I like the look of a good AU.

    "If I say something in the woods and my wife isn't there to hear it.....am I still wrong?"

    My Washington Quarter Registry set...in progress

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    TennesseeDaveTennesseeDave Posts: 4,910 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Mostly XF-AU in my 2 main series(see sigline) Unc. only in the more common stuff like Morgans and Peace $(not currently active in these series).I don't care for modern proofs but love 1800's proof coins.
    Trade $'s

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