So would you keep an 1864 2c small motto MS64BN or an 1864 Large Motto MS65RB for a type set? if it matters both are CAC coins. I get why both are not normally included in a type set. Now the spots on the small motto are on the holder, but the small motto does have I guess a weak strike spot on the shield. The 1865 has a better over all strike and the reverse is a little more brown than obverse. Both sets of pictures are really old from heritage. LOL - Chatgpt says keep small motto. It is kind of funny reading the price trends on it.
Small motto because it's worth way more than the 1864 Large motto. I had a small motto that I "dug" metal detecting and sold it in details condition- Environmentally damaged. Raw. For $150! It had Fine details. This coin is much nicer!
I'm going to base my decision completely on the pictures presented. The bottom left picture is by far the absolute best. Color, luster, brightness, sharpness... best picture of the 4. So I pick that one.
OOPsy - suppose to be MS65. And right after I posted it I wondered how many would say keep both. I can do that- not sure just yet. I know on my dimes, quarters and halves I am going to be putting all the extra's up at auctions - except of for a few exceptions like my 1892 coins, 1 half cent. So far these two I keep going back and forth on if I release one or keep both. Thanks all for the input.
Keep both. In my type set, I targeted acquiring both small and large motto and filled them with a 1864 MS-62BN (SM) and 1869 PR-64RB (LM). But it's your type set and you set the criteria for fulfillment. When I was selling off my 7 coin set of Walking Liberty Proofs, I had to decide which to keep for my type set. The highest graded one was PR-67, but the 1936 was PR-64. I decided to keep the 1936 for several reasons: Key date for the proofs. Much more valuable coin. Easiest to sell whenever the time comes around. More likely to increase in value than the more common of the proofs. AND: I just liked it more than the others.
If it were me, I would keep the small motto, but if I could afford it, I would deep both, since, in a way, they represent different types.
I have both, but that’s because I’m a type coin nut who has been doing it for 60 years and who has dived beyond the norm with a type set. If you want to get technical, the large motto is the design which defined the series. The one you have is also higher grade. I read at one time that the small motto was a pattern coin die the mint decided to use. But since you have both, I’d consider keeping both. It’s not like having a pet dog. It doesn’t eat and require walks.
