1959 Jefferson Nickel, Partial Steps.

datadragon. excellent comparison of AU58 vs low MS coins. My comment was more based towards two components. one, most collectors do not slab their coins and two most collectors do not create set registries therefore eye appeal is higher on the list particularly for raw coins.

the average collector has an extremely difficult time determining if a coin is AU58 or MS60, MS61 and sometimes as high as MS63 as the noticeable wear on a 58 could be confined to only the highest points on the devices and could be construed as strike related rather than wear or even hidden by light and glare of a photo. strike then adds another level of complexity which could be another topic altogether.

we can even see this here where many seasoned collectors will call AU58 or MS63 or something similar unable to determine the differences. I do that on occasion when I'm not sure which way it could fall. I think the difference between a lower AU coin such as 53 or 55 is much more easier to discern from a low MS coin based on wear and luster so we are probably only talking about those higher AU58 coins vs lower MS coins.

i can only answer from my perspective. when I was younger my basic drive was complete a series however, I always sought after the best examples I could find and afford. since there were all kinds of coins in circulation in the 60's probably 80% of my collection came from circulation. I never separated mine out by eye appeal or value nor today as well. one thing back then you need to remember there were only two real ways to get coins...circulation or LCS that was it. today its much easier to collect and find the elusive coins.

if I had to do it over I would have concentrated on the highest grade possible key coins I could afford. they rest are just filler and for the most dont increase in value over time. there are exceptions especially in highly collected series.

Wow! That's quite an improvement, Brandmeister!

new photo setup