Taking A Hard Look At Coins

You forgot to mention varieties
John1

It is true, everyone likes something different.

I wonder what I don't care for now, that I may decide I like in the future...such as varieties.

For now, I like circulated silver and then NCLT.
When I like higher grade regular issue...I like slabbed coins in part because I am not that great at grading yet.

I am with you OP-- I like beautiful clear unmarked coins. Except regular issue circulating silver. Like those both ways.

For Modern coins I prefer that they be as close to FDC as possible and usually steer away from any toned coins But there is always the odd exception.
With older coins especially Silver I tend to prefer the naturally toned coins with nice underlying unbroken lustre to the blast white offerings.
My reasoning for this is that it is pretty much impossible that a 80-100 year old silver coin hasn't developed some degree of toning over the years and the blast white coins have most likely been dipped

I've always believed in buying what you like. Some coin collectors over analyze everything. That, to me, takes the fun out of collecting. I say do what you like and you will be a happy coin collector for years to come.

Thanks for all the reply's.
I collect what I like , both mint , proof and circulated .
I just do not give in to the toned. But I do have some that have toned in my holders.

This is a great hobby with a lot of different items for all to collect.

A great many do, that is why there are so few of them up for sale.

I'm a hole-filler, just like I was when I was a kid. I like to collect coins from circulation and rolls, with only occasional inexpensive purchases.

I like to upgrade when I find something in better condition--it's fun to get an old coin in circulation that looks like it's been sitting in a drawer for 50 years--but a heavily worn or even damaged coin is fine with me if I can read the date and mint mark. I like to think about how they got that way.

I have a special fondness for dateless buffaloes--I soak them in vinegar to see if the date will pop out, which it usually does.

Varieties do nothing for me, and I can't imagine ever buying a coin in a slab.

Toned coins I love them. How can you not like this?

Or this?

or this.

Or even this.


I also appreciate high grade mint state coins too. There is nothing like holding a coin that should have been used for commerce for 30 to 200 years still in the same condition it was when it left the mint.


Once they get to the 175 year range I'll even take nice AU examples


Errors are cool too. Typically they are very unique and usually the supply is way more limited than demand.






I guess when it comes down to it, if it's a coin that catches my eye, I'm buying it.