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 Replies: 21 / Views: 3,609 |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1261 Posts |
This is a tough question to answer. It depends on the rest of your collection and whether the AUs or XF's fit better. It also depends on the originality and overall eye appeal of the coins in question.
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
20753 Posts |
I would always go for anything to complete a set. Then attempt to upgrade later, maybe.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
533 Posts |
I buy for my own enjoyment and if I like a coin and it fills a hole, I buy it regardless of grade. However, I just got the 2019 RedBook (my previous version was 2010) and the better grades are the only one's that have gone up in value. I prefer the better grades but I can always upgrade. |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
8715 Posts |
I would save for the higher grade. In my Morgan dollar Date Set album, which I am nearly completed with (only one coin left), I am purchasing only AU/BU coins to fill the holes. When I first started the album, I filled the holes with any coin I could find. I regret that now, as some of the coin in the album are cleaned, damaged, or heavily worn. Now, I am upgrading some of the damaged ones to AU/BU coins. |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
992 Posts |
Sounds like you're not going to be happy with XF grades, so just save your money and get the better goods.
AU will appreciate better in value than XF, too. Also, with AU, you have an asking price, with XF, just the market.
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Valued Member
United States
77 Posts |
A lot of people put too much focus on numerical grade and not enough on eye appeal and quality within grade such as toning, original problem free surfaces, sharpness of strike (particularly on XF or higher grade items) etc. It's better to have a problem free VF than an AU with an edge nick or hairline scratch or that's been overly dipped.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
533 Posts |
As a caveat to my original comment, I try to buy better grades but I've got quite a few G/VG coins. It's a better idea to get better grades but I often don't take my own advice when I've got a hole in a set.
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Valued Member
 United States
475 Posts |
I'll need to go down in grade for certain dates as the prices for those are quite high. At the same time, I see a big boost in eye appeal when you get better strikes and coloring. For example, an 1877 IHC is pricey regardless of grade. So an F12 or V20 would likely be what I go for. Then in other years, I can see examples of AU coins that have a lot more detail than an XF. Also, I see where some slabbed XF clearly had market grading as they don't meat the ANA standard (e.g. lack of 4 diamonds). The journey is quite interesting! |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3540 Posts |
Patience.
KNOW the series. Better than you think you do.
Be patient.
You tipped your hand to the series...IHC's.
KNOW THE SERIES!! ...and in this case, KNOW the strike characteristics of each year.
Buy the AU coin - raw or graded....but buy as an XF! They are out there.
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Valued Member
United States
475 Posts |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4211 Posts |
Good luck finding the right coins at the right price
and keep us posted on your progress!
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Rest in Peace
United States
18456 Posts |
@ OP > This is exactly what I'm up against right now . I'm at the point where all I need is the keys to complete some of my U.S. sets . The problem is my coin budget , as I take pride in putting together nice no problem mid to high grade circulated raw coins . I am not a hole filler kind of guy nor will I put an AG-03 coin next to a VF-35 . My other problem is I'm too antszy and don't like waiting months to accumulate enough money to buy those bad boys that I need .
Help Please !
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Valued Member
240 Posts |
For me it depends on the coin. I really like halves from the early 1800s in XF when the have the right amount of contrast between the highly worn regions (higher) and less worn regions (lower).
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Valued Member
United States
475 Posts |
I definitely like XF and better. So, key in VF Or F just dont have the eye appeal. Argh!
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Valued Member
United States
97 Posts |
Depends on the series and strike characteristics of the key date. There are series where I'm not too picky about the XF or AU distinction in the keys and will go for the best coin at a reasonable price. Buff nickels are one right now- the 26 S has a huge jump in price from Xf to AU and I'm going for an upper end xf. In the Standing Libs with the horrible strike characteristics of the 27s I would go for a quality XF because the wear would help distract from some of the strike blemishes that all of those coins have (weak shield for instance).
In Lincoln WC I went exclusively for AU since I like strong details on the face and ear, and little wear on the wheat stalks.
It's actuallly the semi-keys that have stymied me on the buffs and Lincolns. For instance a well-struck, reasonably priced 26 S Lincoln took over a year to find and I'm at 1.25 years and counting searching for a decently struck 27 S Buff that is not priced at an outrageous premium. For the latter either my standards or my wallet need to change ...perhaps......
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Posted 04/06/2018 07:27 am
