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 Replies: 15 / Views: 1,596 |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1541 Posts |
Just wondering in terms of grading, what's the effect of rim nicks and bumps? Does it decrease the value/grade substantially? Sometimes I've come across 1800 - coins that are nice colored/toned that you don't see often but they have rim nicks, and I'm wondering whether to buy or not? Specially Classic head Half Cents or large cents.... where you love the rich brown tone but with few nicks!! What's your opinion? |
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Forum Mom
 United States
5877 Posts |
Rim nicks and bumps will affect the value, but I would not necessarily avoid buying them. A lot depends upon the severity and how you plan to display them. Different types of holders can hide these defects and you can obtain them cheaper than a perfect specimen. In my opinion, common-date coins are not worth this compromise, but some of the rarer coins could well be worth it.
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Pillar of the Community
 United States
1541 Posts |
Thank you for your opinion Susan. Its hard finding nice color copper cents and the few you come across seem to have small nicks. I was wondering what others would do in the same situation.
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Forum Dad
United States
24149 Posts |
I've read over and over in different places that most professional graders look at the edge first, if that tells you something.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
5362 Posts |
bobby131313 - I agree - graders do look at rim damage and surface preservation FIRST. Sometimes I don't think they look much past that. I think it is a symptom of the "search for perfection" that is driving the super high prices. It is also a very EASY way of establishing a physical criteria and avoids more subjective issues of actual eye appeal.
Personally, the "normal" damage they seem to decry does not bother me at all. In fact, I think it shows that these coins were actually used. When handling a coin from 1820 I like to ponder the question - "Who may have had this coin in their possession?" That is totally different than a pristine coin from 2005.
Older coins have a history that a numismatist should understand even if they do not embrace it personally. My collection includes a very large number of damaged coins that I have saved from various melting pots over the years.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1247 Posts |
I don't care for bumps in any grade. But a few small nicks or cuts on VF-EF coin wouldn't bother me at all. I'd see it as a duelling scar  No one really knows what collectors will like or dislike 20 years from now. Collectors used hate chopped marked Trade dollars. Now some people collect them because they're chopped marked.  Edited by longnine009
10/27/2006 08:49 am
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1541 Posts |
ok, that's something to think about. I usually go for the eye appeal. This is the coin that I had in mind, seems to have lot of details and its a rich chocolate color but few rim nicks. I haven't come across many like this and I can't decide whether to pass it and wait for another or go for it.  |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
5362 Posts |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1247 Posts |
I could see a cut on the obverse at 11:00 that might be distracting to some. I don't think it would bother me, but that's easy enough to say when it's not my money. It sounds to me like you really like it?
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1541 Posts |
Yes, I really like it. I've been looking for a nice one and most that I came across were either very dark or not even colored.
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Moderator
United States
23522 Posts |
I can't take my eyes off the hair long enough to check for rim nicks.  In my opinion, this is the type of coin for which you bend the rules. If the price satisfies, snag it! |
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New Member
Italy
15 Posts |
Hello, I'm a beginning collector of US coins and I'm tryng to assemble a collection of copper coins. Since my budget is limited, I can purchase (especially for the earliest types)coins until Fine grade. Recently I've purchased by a very respected web dealer this draped bust cent: Image:  DrapedBustCent1802D_2.jpg96.73 KB Image: DrapedBustCent1802R_2.jpg93.3 KB The dealer has graded it very good 8, with rim damages and scratches on the reverse. In spite of these defects, it seems to me that the general look of the coin is nice, considering the type and the age of the coin. Am I wrong? I should like to know your opinion. Regards |
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
20753 Posts |
Don't worry about minor dents or chips on the edges of coins. Yes they deter from the overall value but not as much as damage to the obverse or reverse. Millions and millions of coins have minor dents on the rim from a multitude of reasons. Many are just dropped in stores or many other places where coins are exchanged. When I was a kid there was a game using coins where you lagged for a certain separation in the concrete sidewalks. This was done by millions of kids so there will naturally be many millions of coins with dents on the rim. Not great but not horrible either.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1247 Posts |
quote:
Originally posted by shatsi
Yes, I really like it. I've been looking for a nice one and most that I came across were either very dark or not even colored.
Trust what you like. |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1541 Posts |
It arrived. Take a look. My pictures are really bad, it looks good in hand except its darker than in the dealers picture. I'm going to keep it.  |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1247 Posts |
Old copper should be dark. Dealer's sometimes lighten images so people can see the details better. It looks real nice to me!
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Replies: 15 / Views: 1,596 |
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Posted 10/26/2006 11:43 pm
DrapedBustCent1802D_2.jpg
DrapedBustCent1802R_2.jpg
