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 Replies: 20 / Views: 6,416 |
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Valued Member
United States
381 Posts |
Some time back I found a really worn Kennedy half dollar while sorting through a bank box. The coin looked so sad I posted a photo and tossed it in my cup of junk coins. A couple of days later, 1967Canadapenny commented that the "lowball Kennedy" looked great. Until this point, I didn't know there was such a thing as a lowball coin. After some research, I now understand what a lowball coin is. I'm still fascinated that these type coins are collectible to some people. But that's what makes this hobby so great. After all, I still keep all the Kennedys that I find with pronounced striation marks in them. I have a couple of questions regarding lowball coins. Because I have questions about Barber quarters and Kennedy half dollars, I didn't know if I should post this in the Classic Coin or Modern Coin section. If I understand it correctly, the more worn the coin, the more valuable it becomes? The lower the grade the better? How does this apply to Classis coins like the Barber quarter? They have been in circulation far longer than the Kennedy half. It would stand to reason that they would be more worn than a Kennedy. Also, I would think that Barber quarters were carried in pockets far more often than Kennedy halves. Using this reasoning, Barber quarters should be more worn than Kennedy halves. On the other hand, a really worn Kennedy half could be more valuable because it was not as prevalent in the market. I don't know if these questions have been answered before. My apologies if they have. I could not find a post that answered them for me. There was a forum topic about a year ago that had members posting their lowball coins. I didn't know if it was okay to post something new to an old forum topic. Below I have posted a couple of photos of the Kennedy half and the Barber quarters that I have referenced.     |
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Bedrock of the Community
13014 Posts |
You are right that the lower the grade the more desirable it is for low ball collectors.
Its kind of interesting when you think about it. Theres the high ms coins which are always expensive and sought after, then theres the normal wear category, then the really really worn lowballs.
For the older coins like the barbers I would think youd have to get way down the grading scale since many of them are very worn. Not sure what their premiums are even at the lowest but I would guess they would probably be easier to find. At the very least their lowball grades start lower than other series if that makes sense. Like a G barber isn't a low ball but a G classic commemorative coin would be.
The NCLT coins that get down in grade from circulation seem to be the ones with the most premium as they are the hardest to find from what I've seen.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3276 Posts |
I think lowballs are usually only more expensive when a type of coin wasnt often circulated. For Barber coins, it's easy to find really low grade examples. But for instance, some classic commemoratives are almost impossible to find in lower grades. That kennedy is a nice example, I've never seen one so worn. |
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Valued Member
United States
180 Posts |
Think I'll file this under "One man's trash..."  |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3486 Posts |
" I don't know if these questions have been answered before. My apologies if they have. I could not find a post that answered them for me. There was a forum topic about a year ago that had members posting their lowball coins. I didn't know if it was okay to post something new to an old forum topic. "
One of the moderators recently commented that old topics often contain obsolete links. In that case a new topic
is warranted. If the older topic still contains relevant information, the link to it, posted in a new topic
is better than resurrecting the old. At least, that is how I interpreted the moderator's comment.
My goodness, I have quite a few Barbers that look as if they would qualify.
Your 1892 is quite nice.
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Valued Member
United States
207 Posts |
That Kennedy half looks  . I have never seen one so worn. Almost makes you wonder if it was natural or if someone speeded up the process. |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1432 Posts |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1211 Posts |
Thats an awesome Kennedy.
I love lowball coins with honest circulated wear.
I actually almost bought a PCGS FR01 1921 D Walker yesterday... it was a beauty.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1211 Posts |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1554 Posts |
To answer your question specifically on value of worn coins. Very few people want them and they are basically worth melt (siver or gold coins) unless they are a Key Date.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
8517 Posts |
Lowball coins are fun but for me I have to be able to make out a date.
Oregon coin geek.....*** GO BEAVS ! ! ! ***
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Valued Member
 United States
381 Posts |
Thanks to everyone for the responses. Quote:
For the older coins like the barbers I would think youd have to get way down the grading scale since many of them are very worn. Not sure what their premiums are even at the lowest but I would guess they would probably be easier to find. At the very least their lowball grades start lower than other series if that makes sense. Like a G barber isn't a low ball but a G classic commemorative coin would be.
The NCLT coins that get down in grade from circulation seem to be the ones with the most premium as they are the hardest to find from what I've seen. Quote:I think lowballs are usually only more expensive when a type of coin wasnt often circulated. For Barber coins, it's easy to find really low grade examples. But for instance, some classic commemoratives are almost impossible to find in lower grades. That's also how I see it. My Brother told me the same thing. It was common for a Barber to be carried around in someone's pocket. Not so much with a Kennedy. Because of the popularity of the Kennedy, I think I'll offer it up for a 7 day auction as a celebration of my 250th post. My only stipulation is that the proceeds will go to benefit CCF. I will make a Paypal donation for the final amount to CCF at the close of the auction. |
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Moderator
 United States
189033 Posts |
Quote:
There was a forum topic about a year ago that had members posting their lowball coins. I didn't know if it was okay to post something new to an old forum topic. If the topic is not archived (which prevents adding new posts) and the post is relevant (not a one-line bump), then feel free to add to it.  |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
7840 Posts |
 some people like the "character" of "low-ball" coins, some folks pass on it. That's what makes this hobby great...difference of opinion!  Edited by oih82w8
01/28/2013 11:52 am
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Valued Member
United States
381 Posts |
Thanks jbuck, I'll try to remember that in the future.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3253 Posts |
It's not just that the Barbers were carried around more. They were the result of some major Mint coin redesign to facilitate massively increasing output with minimal strike. A lot less circulation was able to render a Barber "lowball" compared to most other US Mint issues before or even since.
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Replies: 20 / Views: 6,416 |
Posted 01/28/2013 12:24 am
