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 Replies: 47 / Views: 5,026 |
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
10982 Posts |
I always considered the '09-S VDB, '09-S, '14-D & '31-S as keys but understand picking the big dog as the key and the others as semi-keys.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1005 Posts |
I never considered that there in essence should be only one "key" coin for a set but it makes sense when you look at the origin of the term. I don't think a coin's status as key or semi-key should depend upon condition - it should be key/semi key across all grades. Otherwise it is a conditional rarity.
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
94367 Posts |
Sir Derrin - I was just a kid. Much older now, and while I don't collect Lincolns, it is clear that the keys in, say, Fine are much different than the keys in 65. Probably true of many series.
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
10044 Posts |
Quote:
Not sure there are any "long established" guidelines for any series Rather than get caught up in semantics (as iffy as grades given on slabbed coins), I just always thought it was obvious... Keys: The one hardest piece to obtain. Hence these coins are called the key to completing the series. Each set has a coin listed consistently the most desirable/expensive by the general masses over the past umpteen years. Semi Keys: The expensive ones below the key. "Expensive" referring to a cost that does not include people who have large coin budgets. Low mintages generally tie into both terms, but there are exceptions like the Jefferson 50-D. These nickels were so hoarded, and so many remain in high grade it never was difficult to get a nice one. How much squash could a Sasquatch squash if a Sasquatch would squash squash? Download and read: Grading the graders Costly TPG ineptitude and No FG Kennedy halveshttps://ln5.sync.com/dl/7ca91bdd0/w...i3b-rbj9fir2 |
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
94367 Posts |
Agree that the "keys" are usually considered the lowest-mintage coins that are commonly available in circulated condition. I would disagree with jbuck that there is only one key per series. How about Washington quarters or Barber quarters for a start? |
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Valued Member
United States
177 Posts |
llewellin - I agree  Coinfrog - agreed but as llewellin stated that is being pretty conditional.. I go based on mintage and survival rates (just how hard it is to get)rest is gravy... It will always be a matter of opinion as we can see by this thread lol |
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Bedrock of the Community
13014 Posts |
There's not really a hard fast rule. As mentioned a couple series have more than one coin that is a clear key. I would say though that there shouldn't be more than a handful of semi keys at best since at some point you just have to say the series is just an expensive series like Seated dollars instead of saying half the series is a semi key. I do agree most people will probably just go off price, but ironically for some things like the 1909 S VDB and 16-D Dime even though they're the most expensive overall I wouldn't even consider them a semi key based on availability |
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
94367 Posts |
The term is vague and always will be, I think. Probably why it has survived.  |
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Bedrock of the Community
13014 Posts |
I would strongly suspect dealer marketing plays a huge role in what we consider to fit the terms and why they became mainstream
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Moderator
 United States
34428 Posts |
"If you climb a good tree, you get a push."
-----Ghanaian proverb
"The danger we all now face is distinguishing between what is authentic and what is performed."
-----King Adz
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4085 Posts |
I'm with the Frog and BH on this one when it comes to Lincoln's - 09-S, 09-S VDB, 14-D and 31-S are the keys to me. Even though in higher grades. there are harder date/mint marks than those 4.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
789 Posts |
Quote: As mentioned a couple series have more than one coin that is a clear key. I would say though that there shouldn't be more than a handful of semi keys at best since at some point you just have to say the series is just an expensive series like Seated dollars instead of saying half the series is a semi key. Agreed. Conversely, you could say there are series that have no key rarities (modern clad stuff?) where all the coins are inexpensive. |
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
94367 Posts |
This has been a good discussion!
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
20753 Posts |
To me it's simple. If you need a coin and have a heck of time finding one, it's a key date. If you need a coin and can find one rather easily, it's only a simi key date. If you need a coin and really just can't find it, it's rare.
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CCF Advertiser
United States
1533 Posts |
There is no standard definition and its use depends on the series. In Mercs, the 16-D is the key date. Everything else is either semi-key or commons. In Buffalo nickels, its not at all clear as there are no standouts. In Walkers, Key Dates are all the coins dated 21. Everything else is semi-key or common. |
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Replies: 47 / Views: 5,026 |
First Page
Posted 07/09/2019 7:59 pm
