| Author |
 Replies: 6 / Views: 1,024 |
|
|
Bedrock of the Community
United States
11951 Posts |
I grew up collecting stamps which was a much more popular hobby when I was growing up than it is now. There are many parallels in the hobby, both are produced and issued by the government, error collecting is popular in both, there is keen interest in how these collectibles were produced and how historic events affected issuance.
I was thinking about how some grading concepts translate and others don't, or maybe don't to the same degree.
For example, in stamp collecting, the impression has to be completely centered between the perforated or cut edges to obtain a high grade. I think coin collecting is more lenient on this as the rim can vary in thickness and have less than a perfectly centered strike, especially in early issues, and still be a superb gem. Why is that? Just collector preference?
Anything from stamp grading that can help us become more attentive to detail when grading coins?
Do you just consider it a completely separate hobby with a separate set of rules? Is there overlap?
Sad that stamp collecting of anything but the most famous issues is in such doldrums.
|
|
|
|
Pillar of the Community
United States
3848 Posts |
Interesting thoughts. I find strike and centering more of a preference in coin collecting. I would prefer a nicely struck, centered bust half dollar as opposed to a late die state strike that is a little off center. But sometimes I can't be that picky!  Suffering from bust half fever. Want to learn how to attribute early half dollars by die variety? Click Here: http://goccf.com/t/434955Shoot me a PM if you are looking to sell bust halves. |
|
Pillar of the Community
United States
1520 Posts |
Great topic. Didn't have time to comment yesterday. Philately and numismatics have evolved differently. Sometimes I wish we could take some of the better aspects of one hobby and transfer them to the other. Personally, I think coin collectors would benefit from a cataloguing or numbering system, like we have with U.S. stamps. As a side note, collectors of both fall victim to the hysteria and hype surrounding errors such as the 1955 doubled die Lincoln Wheat cent and the 1918 inverted Jenny. |
|
Pillar of the Community
United States
7380 Posts |
There are several differences between coins and stamps. Stamps and currency are more inline, as an example the below note while crisp and uncirculated only merits an MS 63 as the margins aren't great:   Compared to this note which has essentially perfect margins   So stamps and currency you can use the centering more. With coins we don't have a cutter, we have a large metal machine pretty much smash 3 pieces of metal together, even though most are pretty well centered (especially on new coins), but in essence unless the coin is perfectly centered you won't get the perfect grade. Issues with coins also relate to the wear on the die, in use, scratches and various other items. You really can't reuse stamps, but you can reuse coins.   |
|
Bedrock of the Community
 United States
11951 Posts |
Thanks! But I'm looking at the MS63 silver certificate and it looks perfectly centered to me. I guess I don't have that "centering feel" you have.  I was referring more to these... when you find one it is an ugly duck  But one of these in coin collecting is an error and becomes much more valuable  Edited by numismatic student
08/24/2021 7:26 pm
|
|
Pillar of the Community
United States
7380 Posts |
Like I posted above the stamp and currency lose value as they are cut/preforated, unless the cut is an error (into the design) it will lose value as it's not perfect.
A coin generally has to be well centered by virtue of how it's made, if it's not made well essentially you have an error and more value.
What you have to look at extremes of centering, well center = better, off center = ugh, cutting into the design= error and more value.
|
|
Pillar of the Community
United States
7380 Posts |
As to the MS63 note the top and right margins are larger than the bottom and left margin.
|
| |
Replies: 6 / Views: 1,024 |
|
Posted 08/24/2021 5:43 pm
