1921-D Mercury Dimes - Toning Vs. Environmental Damage

I agree with your assessment. The first is nicer with circulation cameo, BUT it also has awfully dark tone but I don't see any corrosion.

Thanks for the replies. I was thinking the same about many folks maybe not preferring this type of toning...but others like myself do. If I can pick this up for a good price (less than current G6 market), I may do so. But now that I've tipped off my fellow CCF members, who knows.

Five days until bidding ends and there are already 7 bids! Not sure if that's a good indication of people's aversion to dark toning.

one_fine_dime - I'd look for something without the very dark toning. If you are only after one of these it's usually wise to buy one you will be happy with 10 years from now.

We all buy coins we wish we had not purchased, and in almost every case it's because we thought it was a 'good buy'. On the other hand, when we look at really beautiful coins in our collections we don't even remember what price we paid. Only that we love that coin.

There is absolutely nothing wrong with your first choice, even with the dark circulation cameo. However, regardless of how most collectors view eye appeal, you will almost always find it true that when something JUMPS out at you from a coin, it is usually less desirable.

In other words, if the FIRST thing that you see is the ding in the rim of a coin (yours doesn't have one, I'm just using this as an example), even though everything else is great, that ding will also be the first thing everyone else sees, too.

In this case, toning is an "up in the air" subject because most collectors, after having collected for a while, tend to lean toward toning over bright coins.

Early buyers want BRIGHT coins, and there is nothing wrong with that if it is natural luster. I prefer BRIGHT coins in certain series - like classic silver commemoratives. But there are plenty of folks who will happily pay extra for nice toning and some that go absolutely bonkers for great toning.

In this case, there is nothing wrong with the toning displayed because it is not detractive to MOST collectors. Some won't touch it, but I'd guess they are fewer.

The real question is where you are for price and grade. If this is pushing your limit for price, then it is a good buy and you will enjoy owning it.

If you could go a bit more for a bit better that will almost always be the wisest decision, even if it cuts down on the number of coins you buy.

Thanks for your thoughts moxking, I greatly appreciate hearing such insight on this topic! I do realize that one of the most oft repeated advice for collectors is to buy the best grade one can afford...but of course this does limit budget for other purchases.

I've heard that before about the younger collectors eyeing those bright and shiny things whereas older ones appreciate the "seasoned" look of original skins. I definitely fall in the latter troop, and find it disheartening that the dipping trend seems so prevalent. But the dominant collector preference will drive the market in the end. If primo examples of original toned coins become harder to come by, and collector demand for those increases due to some collector preferences, then I would imagine coins like this could be a solid long-term investment.

As the true key to this series is way beyond my single coin (non gold) budget (right now), I like looking for variety on this classic "semi" key.

Wouldn't there be the same potential for value growth at the G6 level as at higher grades? Meaning, I could buy several good eye appeal G6 level coins for the same $$ as a single XF or AU. Wouldn't this strategy be a kind of diversification - focusing on a single key coin but investing in a variety of specimens at various grades.

Also, it seems uncertified G to VG level coins can be purchased at relative low risk and then submitted for grading to solidify investment value, one just needs to be a confident grader. I realize the risk increases substantially when buying higher grade uncertified coins.

Hi one-fine-dime.....I agree with coinfrog - don't buy something just to fill a hole or save a nickle...wait a little, spend a little...trade a little...

neither of these samples appeals to me at all...they are pretty rugged actually...

Yep, I agree, this dark toned coin is a bit rough...good advice to skip it altogether.

You got it!