| Author |
 Replies: 14 / Views: 1,789 |
|
|
Pillar of the Community
United States
5850 Posts |
When I first started putting together my 7070 Type Coin album, I was more concerned with filling it as soon as (reasonably) possible than with waiting until I could afford really nice examples of every coin. Basically, I figured that if I waited to get the nicest coins, I'd never actually get the album filled. Plus, I figured I could always upgrade the coins over time as budget permitted. Overall, this strategy has done well for me. I had a great sense of fulfillment when I completed my album and still enjoy going to coin shows or shopping on ebay occasionally to look for better examples of select coins. In fact, I just purchased an early "Classic Head" Half Cent and a "Coronet" Large Cent on ebay to upgrade the ones in my album. Having said all that (and thanks to anybody still reading at this point), I've come to the realization that there are some coins in my album that, although I'm not really satisfied with how they look, I will likely never upgrade because examples that would make me happy are just prohibitively expensive. For example, this is my current Classic Head Large Cent:   This in itself is already an upgrade from the original coin in my album (which was barely recognizable) and I probably paid a couple of hundred bucks for it a few years ago. I'm still not thrilled with it, but finding an example that I was satisfied with would probably run into the thousands of dollars. Anybody else find themselves in this situation? |
|
|
|
Rest in Peace
United States
18456 Posts |
I can see why you would want to upgrade that large cent . looks like a ground find . A good portion of my collection is nice circulated raw coins. So yes there are many I would like to upgrade but just can't justify the huge cost of doing so . However in my 50+ years of collecting I have upgraded many times on my Lincoln Wheat cent collection .  |
|
Pillar of the Community
 United States
5850 Posts |
Quote:
I can see why you would want to upgrade that large cent . looks like a ground find Sadly, that's pretty much par for the course with these "Classic Head" large cents. Something to do with poor quality planchets and a shortage of good copper during the War of 1812. That's why finding examples that aren't so porous and/or corroded can be a very pricey proposition. |
|
Bedrock of the Community
United States
20753 Posts |
To many coins in my collection need upgrading. Regardless of what grade some of my coins are in, so many still need to be upgraded. And may never be done. Getting just to expensive to do that.
|
|
Moderator
 United States
14463 Posts |
I am pretty happy with what I have. If I win the Mega-Millions Lottery,  I would not mind upgrading my 1909-S VDB LWC, my 1922 No D LWC, and my 1913 Buffalo nickels.  |
|
Moderator
United States
188213 Posts |
Quote:
I am pretty happy with what I have... Same here. I do not want to upgrade any of my coins. I am too attached to them anyway. Of course, if I won a sizeable lottery I would not mind building a top-ranked Eisenhower dollar registry set. |
|
Bedrock of the Community
United States
11951 Posts |
I am riding in that same boat .....
And the classic head cent is a good example. The ones in my type sets
are in the G/VG range. It is hard to think about spending a few hundred
by getting VF/XF examples.
What makes it hard is seeing some of the very nice, better grade sets,
that some of the CCF members have. They provide a lot of motivation,
to me, to continue the upgrade process on my sets.
As much as I find it hard to justify not upgrading some coins, that are more
expensive. What makes me weak, is when a better coin comes into one
of the local coin shops. After a better coin sits in display case, I hear it call
to me .... Everyday .... Until I figure out a way to purchase it.
I guess for me, I have one voice telling me .. You have that coin, no need
spending more to buy a better one.
The other voice is telling me ... Wow .. Look at the pretty coin ... You need
to buy it.
|
|
Valued Member
United States
314 Posts |
I can't imagine that most everyone here does not feel the same way. Unless every coin you own is the "finest known," then there is room for an upgrade. But I'm satisfied with a lower grade coin if it is reasonably attractive and/or has some sentimental value attached to the acquisition.
|
|
Pillar of the Community
United States
5850 Posts |
One further wrinkle for me is that I like to actually keep the coins for my 7070 album in my 7070 album, which means no slabbed coins. Yeah, I know I can always buy a slabbed coin and crack it out, but I just don't feel comfortable doing that. At the same time, I don't feel comfortable buying high value (anything over $500) coins if they're not slabbed. So even if I do eventually buy a really sharp Classic Head Large Cent some day for thousands of dollars, it won't go into my 7070 album.
As for there always being room for an upgrade unless the coin is the "finest known," I'll have to disagree on that. I know it depends on what your collecting goals are, but for my type album I really am happy with coins that have good eye appeal and clearly show all the features that make the coin a distinctive "type." I'm not happy with the Classic Head Large Cent I have since it is worn and pitted, but most of the rest of the coins in the album I am perfectly happy with.
|
|
Bedrock of the Community
United States
11951 Posts |
I have put a lot of thought into this same question. I keep coming back to, "Be happy with the coins I have" Of course if a coin comes along that is better, and I am happy with the price I could get it for. Then I might be happy with that one too. My Classic head is far from prefect, but it is a coin I am happy with.   My first classic head sits in my second type set.   Sort of hoping I don't find a better one ... I would hate to start a third set ....  |
|
Pillar of the Community
United States
6370 Posts |
My spade coins. They are very rare, expensive, and Counterfeits abound. I will keep my lower-grade, damaged specimens that I am fairly sure are genuine. I still need to get a specialist dealer to look at them in-hand, though.
|
|
Moderator
United States
16679 Posts |
My 1793 S4 Chain Cent.   swcoin.ecrater.com
|
|
Pillar of the Community
United States
5850 Posts |
Wow! I can't even imagine owning a chain cent, let alone upgrading to a better one...
|
|
Moderator
United States
188213 Posts |
|
|
Pillar of the Community
United States
1373 Posts |
The ONLY coins I have that I do have listed on my 'Upgrade' list are some Buffalo nickels I bought years ago (when I had just started collecting) that were 'acid dated'. I've already replaced a few, but still have five more to replace. However, swapping them out is not high on my list; I'd much rather fill holes for the coins I don't already have. About the only time I might pick up a replacement Buffalo is if I can find one at a great price. |
| |
Replies: 14 / Views: 1,789 |
|
Posted 09/02/2016 2:11 pm
