What would you do?

Greetings, I have been meaning to ask this question for a while and now is the time. I have had this gal going on 10 years and is the only one that is slabbed out of a complete set. At the time, this was the best condition I could afford, so I overlooked the obvious. I kind of attached to her now. Here is my question, if you had this coin in your collection, would you be able to get past her looks or would it bother you to the point that you would get rid of her and find a better conditioned coin. Regards.

 

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All of my coins are of the working type in varying conditions. The only requirement I have is Eye Appeal (mine). I would not try to upgrade unless it was purely coincidental.

 

I would keep it not one doubt about it. It is what it is, and realize there are many collectors of this coin that really need it for their collection. You have one, so enjoy what you have.

Also give yourself a pat on the back for purchasing it almost 10 years ago.

 

Damage looks out of place on an uncirculated coin, but on a well circulated coin, I think it gives the coin some character. Given the rarity of the 1916-D Mercury Dime, I would have no problem having this coin in my collection. That said, it your resources have changed and you can afford a nicer example that matches the condition of the remainder of your set better, there is no reason not to upgrade.

 

I no longer care to have coins like this in my collection. That's just me. I don't have to have complete sets of anything to be happy with the sets the way they are.
In today's market, I would sell the coin and never look back.

 

If I had the means to upgrade, I would assuming a couple things. First, am I sentimentally attached to the coin. I have a couple in my collection that I got when I was young or for whatever reason I just really like...if this is one of those coins for you then I would hang on to it.

Second, are there other pressing needs in my collection where those funds would be better used? I have limited resources...sometimes upgrading isn't the best use of my limited collecting funds.

If the answer to both questions is no...there is no reason to not upgrade.

 

If it were mine I would probably sell it and use the proceeds to upgrade.

 

I wouldn't pay up for a coin with that kind of damage, but if the price was right, yeah, I'd buy and keep it.

I've kinda wished for a 16-D since I was a very small child, but given my collecting strategy (cheapskate all the way), I'm unlikely ever to own one this nice.

 

I was part of a group of kids from grade school through most of high school that met frequently and held a swap for coins. We covered South Hill, North Hill, West Hill and all points. We knew what each other needed and we watched and traded. Sometimes you had to trade more to give some extra value. This helped us all fill holes. The only one I ever had to buy was the 16-D. We did have a big mob of kids searching a town of about 30,000.

 

It’s a shame about the damage but it’s into a coin I’d sell to upgrade. I’d keep her and if you want another coin with the same date and mint mark save your money until you can but one. Be it the same, better or worse grade makes no difference except how much you need to save to buy it. This is no longer a $500 coin in just about any condition. You said it yourself, that you’re “attached to her” so keep it. If you want one to plug a hole it doesn’t have to be better.

 

It wouldn't bother me at all. If another one came along that I liked and could afford, I'd probably buy it and keep this one too. But that's how I am, never had any reason to sell anything.

 

This would absolutely bother me. I really, really dislike damaged coins. I will not buy one unless it is literally impossible to own otherwise.

For me, I would never have bought this coin, because of my own personal tastes. I would have waited until a problem-free coin came along, even if it meant a slightly lower grade at the same price.

I fully understand why people buy these sorts of coins, because they offer "value". However to me, they are a trap.... you will have a hard time selling that coin for what you paid (unless you bought it a long time ago!). Unfortunately, you have to try to find someone equally willing to accept a damaged coin. When you sell that coin, it will be at a steep discount.

I would never recommend buying a damaged coin. I'd wait until I could afford a problem free, attractive coin. Yes, you'll have to pay a bit more.... but it will be a much nicer coin. There's no rush.

And if I owned that coin... I would try to sell it for the most I could get, and apply that fraction of the price to the value of an undamaged coin.

The 1916D Mercury dime is another one of those coins we've talked about recently.... IT IS NOT RARE. There was a very low mintage compared to other dimes, but it is widely available. The problem is, there is incredibly high demand. There are 13 available right now on Heritage ranging from AG-3 to MS-65. The demand is what makes these expensive.

Wait for the right coin at the right price. Buy a nice example at your appropriate grade/price... don't settle for "bargain" pieces that have damage!

 

The 'coin slob' in me necessitates that I retain such an example because I (theoretically) found it in the wild. The snob in me requires that I have another single malt.........

 

Keep the coin. It obviously means something to you...something like an old friend.

Bruce

 

Just think of all of the pockets and pocketbooks that dime has been in and all of the things that might have been purchased with it. The wear is character. That being said, you should collect what you enjoy.

 

Me? I would ask Mom.....

 

I would ask my only love, my wife.

 

I don't have one of those.

 

I would keep this one just for lesson that it has taught me. Then I would save up to get the one that makes me happy to own.

 

So you're putting the wife ahead of coin collecting. Sounds like a good move...safer too.

Bruce