For those of you who collect Die Varieties/Pairs/Marriages on a limited budget, what sort of coins do you accept? Or if it's easier, what won't you accept? Minimum Grade? Cleaned? Other damage? Or do you accept anything that can be attributed with the thought of upgrading later? Or does it vary with the "R" number? For instance I have an R-4 closing today that's slabbed, XF details, whizzed. Would you go for it at the right price?
It is a waste of time using R-values to determine collectibility. It's just another subjective attribute which only in rare instances can be proven. Chris
Interesting. I hadn't considered that aspect of the topic. It would seem to me that at least the R-values would be indicators even if the absolute numbers were off, i.e., there's a LOT more R-1 coins than there are R-4 coins. I've seen references to Breen's R-values being questionable.
Did you see this discussion. I am doing a bust half album and some of the varieties are R-1 and drive a premium because of popularity. Now I do not know what coin you are looking at, but depending on how it looks on if I would bid and yes the right price - plus how often does it come up for sale? I mean if it comes up regularly then maybe you can wait for a problem free example. On my Large cent album a few of the coins I need have high R ratings and I am just waiting for the right coin. This could be a long wait since they are tough to find and do drive some premiums.
In my case the driving question is "Is it attributable?". For the lower rarities R1 - 3, I would possibly pass on low grade or problem coins because I am likely to be able to find a better piece. For R4 coins I may or may not buy low grade or problem coins. On R-5 coins I will definitely buy low grade and problem coins because it may be a long time before I have a chance, or be able to afford, a better one.
Thanks, all. In general all the responses are close to my way of thinking. Just trying to see if there was something significant that I had overlooked. So far the raw coins I've bought I've been getting below greysheet. The best one I've won (an R-4) cost 20% over CDN BID. I'd like to stick to the VF/XF area but I understand what you mean about the higher R numbers.
