Coins from forensics are not collectible in MHO......but that's just me. Even as a kid, pulling these coins out of the change, I'd toss 'em back into circulation. Now, there are diagnostics associated with certain coins that make these certain undated coins dateable (got that?). Those types are collectible, minus the acid wash of course........
Generally I agree, but depending on the OP's reason for wanting them, this does not have to be a bad thing. If he is simply trying to complete an album and cannot afford a (as an example) 1913-S TyII, I see nothing wrong with him spending maybe $10 or so to fill a hole until he can acquire a no problem specimen. Considering this is a popular series with keys in demand, I highly doubt he would lose more than a few dollars (if anything at all) when the time comes to resell. That said, and if all all possible, he should seriously consider Green's suggestion if he just has to have the coins sooner rather than later.
Agree - and in some collections the only to afford a key date is to buy a problem coin. But for buffalos I would try hardest to get a non-problem coin first. Just my opinion.
I need a 1913 S T2 to finish my collection. I have a few hundred no date buffaloes so I decided to buy a bottle of Nic-a-Date and treat the S mints. Bottom line? I still need a 1913 S T2 but a lot of S mint Buffs went back into circulation here in Massachusetts!
I had to read your post twice; did a double take lol. Nice advice -- where can I find an article for the diagnostics on the key dates in the series? Yup, you hit my problem on the nail. My budget is REALLY confined (I've rarely spent more than $30 on a single coin), so finding key dates for me would be nearly impossible to find. And with all those bidiots on ebay, I'll probably be able to resell it for a decent price if I'm able to upgrade.
I would rather have a hole in my album than an acid treated restored date or a vinegar soaked buffalo nickel. That's just me. If you would rather fill the hole with one until you get a better one, then well, to each his own. There is a bunch of sellers out there of these restored date nickels that are getting way too much money for them. They claim they have VF or XF details when in reality, they have Poor Fair or About good details to begin with. It is what it is. I don't own any, I gave those I had away.
Here's a 'teaser' that might get ya started........ http://books.google.com/books?id=hr...alo nickel diagnostics/reference book&f=false
I'm OK with having holes in albums. I used to fill them with a problem coin but learned a lesson from it. Problem coins are hard to sell and I wasted a lot of money. Wish I had waited for the right coin from the start.
Depends on the collector, the collection and the hole that needs to be filled. I have several large cents that are problem coins in the album - if I waited for the perfect(not high grade) coin for the whole I migh be waiting for ever. I was just bidding recently on the 1793 liberty cap that was a severe problem coin. Needless to say it was still a very steep price. Some collectors might never be able to afford some of the keys - even on buffalo nickels. Just need to do the best you can sometimes.
Most collectors here are firmly against buying problem coins, period. I wouldn't take the more dogmatic among them too much to heart, but they do raise important points. The resale value is typically limited (but hey, you're spending less on the coin in the first place yourself), but you may not be concerned with that. Some collectors care about resale and some do not. Either way can be reasonable. Personally, I buy a lot of problem coins (including keys) and I see no reason to discourage others from doing so. Just be aware of the financial uncertainty and hopefully have confidence that you won't want a different (nicer) coin in the future. What is or isn't "worth it" isn't something anybody here can tell you, but if you look at the going rates for acid dated keys versus problem-free keys, I'm sure you'll make a decision you can be happy with (whether or not others here would be happy with it should be irrelevant).
