Details vs. Unaltered - Snobs vs. Slobs

I recently completed a Standing Liberty quarter set. Most of my purchases were raw coins - I'm not fancy, I was aspiring to G-VF coins and started off with a used blue Whitman folder accordingly. SLQs were only minted from the last 2 weeks of 1916 through 1930 (except 1922, when no quarters were minted) - there are 37 coins in a complete set. They changed the design in 1925 (finally) because the raised dates often were rubbed smooth in circulation.

I did find with certain coins, like the 1923-S, I just couldn't afford anything that had any eye appeal, so I was pleased to have an offer for about $500 accepted on an ICG VF30 Details 1923-S. It has a lot more eye appeal than my 1921-P Good 4 in an ANACS slab which ran me $160. Only the "1" is visible on the 1921, whereas the entire "1923" is visible (along with a lot of other details) on my 1923-S. I also recently submitted a bunch of the raw ones to ICG (first time I've submitted any coins for grading, though I've acquired many slabbed coins over the years) which was a very good experience.

To me, as a regular Joe Shmoe long term collector, completing the collection was the primary goal, and good eye appeal sometimes matters to me more than whether or not the coin is original versus cleaned / "details". I know there are a lot of collectors who only want unaltered MS state / high grade coins in PCGS cases, but is anyone with me on enjoying coins even if they're not perfect? I find that there is beauty and magic in the history encapsulated in these little disks, regardless of the slab, if any, or a cleaning. How do you folks feel on the subject? I'm with the slobs!

 

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Mr. Guy,
Unless you are collecting TO SELL, the only person you need to make happy with you collection, is yourself.
Enjoy,
J.T.

 

I'm with you. I recently completed a full set of circulated Franklin halves. Yes, I want to upgrade some of them. But I feel the same way as you. I also have a budget (I'm close to retirement age). None of them are slabbed. BTW, the toughest one for me to find in decent circulated condition was the 1953-S.

 

Congratulations! I bought a roll of circulated Franklins a year or two back, I might follow you down that path before too long.

 

Congrats on completing that SLQ set.

 

I spent the majority of my collecting life collecting from circulation. I wasn't trying to impress anyone, I collected what I liked and was proud of what I accumulated. Then when I started buying coins I mainly bought raw circulated coins to stretch my collecting budget. I'm not out to make money just enjoy what I have. All that being said, buy what you like and like what you buy.

 

I'm in your camp too. As long as you know what you are buying, are happy with your collection, and aren't spending problem-free prices on problem coins, then go for it. My type set was assembled with quite a few details graded coins because I still liked them (could see the design well) and could find some decent deals.

I also had a thread about details coins that look nice:
https://www.cointalk.com/threads/the-beauty-is-in-the-details-post-your-problem-coins.293570/

 

I'm right there with you. I just enjoy the art and history and not so much the condition, although I appreciate MS coins.

 

I'm with you. I have a type set of coins that are all holed. I enjoy them alot.

 

I've got 10 capped bust quarter dates - 4 of them are holed, lol, I'll be lucky to get some dates at all if I decide to push that as my next collection. I'll probably never see an 1827 (mintage 4000) and 1823s are tough too (less than 18k minted). What is your type set?

 

I’ll buy the occasional one. Depending on the damage though they’re harder to sell. But early gold rare silver etc environment damaged early copper sometimes you make the call. I’d take a small eagle half or a half disme detailed or not

 

What you collect does not make you a snob or a slob. It makes you a collector and the heck with what others think of what you collect.
Never let someones opinion of your coin upset you. We all collect stuff that someone does not like or care to own. It's a good thing that we all don't collect the same thing.

 

Library of coins typeset half cent through silver dollar. 64 of 90 holes filled. Several I will probably never own because they're high-dollar even with the hole in them.

 

[Hat tip] 64 of 90, wow! That's an impressive undertaking.

 

First - collect what you like and can afford. If you like these coins with problems, then knock yourself out.

Just, don't be disappointed when I can't get excited about your coins. I personally avoid problem coins. I have nothing against circulated coins (I'm doing an EF set of Bust Halves), but I personally find coins with problems to be distracting. They are also much harder to sell.

It's not because I'm a "snob" (well, I don't think of myself that way, although some members may disagree). Its because my collecting approach is all about eye appeal. For me, originality (a problem free coin) significantly enhances the eye appeal. Scratches, holes, bumps, and dings decrease the eye appeal. I just have no place for them in my collection, because I don't like them. But that's how I collect.

 

I wanted a nice SLQ for my 7070 but didn’t want to pay 300+ for an MS one, and a member here sold me a beautiful
SLQ that would be MS all day long, except for some roller damage on the edges of the back. Looks great in my album though and I love it. Sure it’s a problem coin but I got it for problem coin money and the eye appeal
Is spectacular.

 

At least it isn't the old Whitman type set, two books small coins and large coins half cent through silver dollar. That was the one I started with. It was 111 holes

 

The Library of Coins is 2 books as well.

 

Hello Mr. Fan,
I’m more alike your collecting style or taste, and still enjoy hearing from others whose collections range from the butt-ugly coins to the sublime.
I believe it’s all about the “passion “
one brings to their collection and to this discussion group.
Collect Away, Collect Away
& Hoppy Halidaze,
J.T.