Considering picking up a 1916 D Merc

As much as I can understand what you're saying, when you need to complete a set - you need to complete a set. Overrated, overpriced, or not. I don't see the prices coming down appreciably on these or the 1909-S VDB 1c anytime soon.

 

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If you fill your type set with a counterfeit, 2016 gold Mercury or anything else other than the type coin needed, you don't have a Type Set. The goal is to get 1 coin of every type. You buy the best coin you can afford. If this worn slug of a coin is the best the OP can afford, then buy it and fill that hole.

As I stated earlier, pass on this coin, hold out for a better one and fill that hole.

 

I am well aware of that. The holes for my 1796 quarter and 1793 chain cent are filled with counterfeits to alleviate the eyesore of an empty hole and to be a representative of the type until I can afford to put in even a worn slug. I'm not done with my type set yet.

And I'm sorry. I am just very against key date coins. I think they are averrated and overpriced for what they are, and the money is best spent elsewhere.

 

Ok, understood, but look at the history of key dates. They are always higher in price due to the scarcity of them (low mintages). Over time, like all things, coins and key dates go up in price and the key dates more so. They hold their value despite the grade. Low grade coins like the OP's will still retain that price. The collector just needs it to fill a hole. Supply and demand. I don't like the empty space either but I wait for the best coin I can afford to fill that hole.

Having that hole gives me more incentive to save and get that coin so the whole is filled. To me, it's all part of the fun of the hobby. I have my low grades sets and lots of holes in Whitman Albums. I also have holes in my high grades sets. The price of higher grades forces me to have patience. I've been looking for the last 3 coins to complete my MS-64 or higher PCGS Peace Dollars for years. I have the money but 2 dealers can't find the coins. That's an aggravating eyesore but I keep looking.

 

Am I the only one this "scratch" isn't bothering? If I were in the market for one of these and someone was offering me this exact coin raw, I'd buy it pending a straight grade from PCGS, NGC, or ANACS. Fake or scratched means the deal unwinds: little to no risk on the part of the buyer that way.

 

Fits the AG-3 of the big red book perfectly. Still valuable.

 

Buy a coin certified by either ANACS, NGC, or PCGS. The coin you picture is a weak G4 in my opinion.

 

There are more than enough of these certified in the AG to VG price range that you will have no shortage of choices to pick from. This is one of those coins that just really isn't worth the hassle playing around with raw.

 

Nothing wrong with that at all, well, other than the fact this isn't what the OP wants. Just because you feel one way or prefer different types, and this is something I've tried to get the young gentleman you quoted to understand, it doesn't make it a better/smarter choice or you right and them wrong. The OP asked for help with a coin HE wants, not what you or I think "better" or would personally prefer.

No... it's clearly not fresh, and all things considered, shouldn't be that great of a concern.