What's the MOST Important aspect you look for?

We're pretty much all numismatic collectors here and we all have differing opinions as to what is the MOST Singularly Important aspect (if there is just one) of the coin or coins we choose to collect or study? I'm not talking about denomination or date, this could be Composition of the planchet, Luster left on the coin, Toning of the coin, "shudder, LOL" -- Overall Strike, Wear on the coin's surfaces, or any other factor you look at first when determining if a coin is worthy of your attention.

Let Fly...

Take Care
Ben

 

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Wear for me. Theres no way i'm going to drop money on anything that isn't in half decent condition since I buy to admire and learn about my coins. Thus if their isn't anything to look at then its really hard to learn anything about it.

 

Wear for me as well. If I can't see the design then it's worthless to me no matter what date, mint, etc.

 

I have to go with overall eye appeal, for me it is not normaly any one thing but a combination of them (Sorry to be awkward LOL)

 

that makes sense orc i mean whats detail worth if the eye appeal isn't there.

 

I agree with De Orc - Sorry Ben but I don't think you can narrow it down to just one as the most important. It may also depend on the series/budget.

 

There needs to be an "all of the above" answer. For me there is no single most important aspect in picking a coin, but rather a combonation of many different things I look for.
Guy~

 

luster/strike

 

For me it's all about the design... I like pretty coins.

 

Great thread, Ben.

Not to cop out, but I have to go with overall eye appeal as well. The reason ? It's possible to have all your listed major factors except one... and that one be so bad that the other positive merits are overwhelmed.

Any given factor can disqualify a coin.

If forced to pin down one, I would say composition of the planchet. If that is beat down, the coin has fallen apart (metaphorically speaking) and nothing else will matter.

 

Color then wear.

 

I also find that it's hard to find that "eye appeal" when buying online... I find that I fall in love with a coin much easier in person because I can see it in natural light and I'm never disappointed because I know what I'm getting. Is there a way to change my vote? lol

 

I had to mark Other and vote for Eye Appeal, which encompasses many of the other aspects. If there's not something there to attract me to that coin in the first place, I won't stick around long enough to evaluate other aspects individually (wear, toning, etc.)

 

I voted composition since I normally don't purchase coins that aren't gold or silver. But after that I would probably vote tone since I like silver coins with nice clean evenly and naturally toned surfaces.

 

Well, to be honest I voted Strike. To me, the strike is what turns the blank planchet into the coin and having a Good (solid) or Poor (weak) strike directly equates into the details (or lack there-of) on the piece/coin.

So to me Strike is everything, it's the 'Philosopher's Stone' of Numismatics (just like alchemy magically turning a lump of metal into a coin... ) I look for a coin with a "Hammered" look along with full denticles as an ideal piece.

Take Care
Ben

 

I voted 'other' - artistic quality of the engraving. With what I collect, this varies much more on a coin to coin basis.

 

I voted other also since I believe in eye appeal - that which attracts me to a coin. I think of the strike, tone, luster are used in determining a grade, but are individual parts which help create the eye appeal of the coin. While "hammered" coins are always nice, there are some weak strike coins which I think are really cool.

 

Most true, some coins (years/varieties) are know for having a weak strike, so just trying to get the 'best of the rest' is the avenue I've been taking of late.

 

I had to say other, for:
All of the above.

 

I also have to agree with the eye appeal crowd, but since the poll asks us to pick one, I chose strike.

I was tempted to pick composition when considering early copper which is the primary factor (IMHO) for that type, but generally speaking, a nice strong strike can overcome other deficiencies for most type coins!