Opinions on Detail slabbed coins

I would like to know what the majority think about coins graded Details? I have been under the impression these coins are problem coins and should be avoided or at least treated as such. I would be interested to know how y'all feel about buying coins with this distinction. I have always thought if you buy a damaged coin you have nothing am I wrong from a numismatic view point?

 

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Some people collect "Details" and "Genuine" slabs as learning tools.

Chris

 

It depends on the coin and how bad the damage is. I would not have a chain cent and would never be able to own one if I wasn't willing to compromise a bit!

 

It really depends on what your collecting goals are, what your budget is, and why its in the details slab. There are plenty of coins in these slabs that are perfectly fine, as long as you know what it is and pay an appropriate price for it. Buying a coin with a problem allows you to get one in better condition, but there's a tradeoff.

Personally, I demand original looking, attractive, problem free examples, and I'm willing to pay more for them. But that's me and my collection.

 

I generally avoid coins with "Details" grades. However, I would be willing to buy "Details" graded coins in Early Flowing Hair Dollars & Draped Bust Dollars if the damage wasn't to severe.

 

The only "Details" or "Genuine" coins I've bought have been gold coins at maybe 5-10% over the spot price. And then I will only get improperly cleaned or scratched coins as long as it's not too severe. But i'm not buying them for anything more than bullion basically. Otherwise they have no appeal to me.

 

Well said, Mike.

 

I bought this one a few years ago because the price for it was heavily discounted compared to what one in a problem free holder would go for.



That, along with the fact that I'm a great admirer of General Jackson, prompted me to purchase this coin. People buy problem coins for many reasons.

 

Sometimes coins come back with a details grade for no obvious reason. Frustrating.

 

Some coins I want I may never be able to afford in a problem free holder. I would rather buy a coin in a correctly identified details holder, than an obviously net graded coin (at a far higher price) in a problem free holder. Light damage or a light scratch on an otherwise wholesome piece wouldn't bother me too much. Whereas, heavily processed or ex-jewelry coins wouldn't interest me in the least.

For readily obtainable coins, I wouldn't bother with problem pieces.

 

I generally don't like the "black and white" type of thinking, but some graded coins still show minor issues, and that's why I am not even looking at details slabs. I can live with those "minor issues" but I don't want any cleaned/damaged coins in my collection.

 

I like nice original coins myself. As to detail graded coins I'll make an exception for something rare. A small eagle half a half disme early gold. A chain cent even if the problem wasn't too severe I'd take one. At least 50% of the trade dollars I see are details graded especially the cc mint ones. One of my favorite coins a 1794 s-61 large cent is xf details due to minor overall porosity. It's still a stunning coin much of the early copper is enviro details much of your surviving 18th c silver is cleaned plugged scratched or otherwise problematic. Will I buy a rare coin if detailed and the price reflects it sure. Would I buy a common one no way.

 

Wear damages the surfaces of a coin and degrades the appearance and value, making wear a problem. All coins that are not MS70 are problem coins. It's just that wear is well understood and can be described with a grade. Saying a coin is a VF30 communicates the problem of surface wear in a universal way. Other problems are unique and the details system we use is an incredible failure at adequately describing the true impact of a non-wear problem to the condition of a coin.

Condition is a spectrum, not black and white. There are really only attractive coins and unattractive coins, and that is subjective. There are both unattractive problem free coins and beautiful details coins. Buy what you like. There are some great details coins that can be had cheaper than they should go for, due to people who won't even look at a "problem" coin.

 

Quite often "Detail" or "Genuine" graded coins are just opinions of the graders. I'm not referring to obvious scratches, holes, etc.

I've cracked out and re-submitted coins with designations such as Questionable color, lamination problems or planchet flaws with positive results.

You may have to use the grading company's Error service level for lamination and planchet flaws.

 

I have purchased several coins in details slabs. Those were cracked and added to an album. I also keep the labels with the albums. The two I am thinking about were cleaned - but still looked nice to me. I know if you collect by varieties - you might not be able to avoid problem or detail holder coins.

 

Pcgs is notorious for detailing coins for basically no reason favorite reasons questionable color cleaning or environmental damage. I had a cc dime called environment damage cause it was struck with a rusted obverse die was a known variety.

 

These coins are only "problem" coins in the eyes of the TPG's in that they will not guarantee their price the same as a coin without the problem.

The coins themselves are fully collectible.