April Fools' Day

Today is a good day I think to acknowledge all the nefarious ways in which we as "coin collectors" have been made monkeys out of. I'll start. Take this market grading business. Market grading takes our focus off the condition of the coin and puts it on the market for the coin based on two totally-unintellectual criteria, "eye appeal" and status (a.k.a., "pedigree"). What's wrong with that? Nothing, really. Outside of the fact that a monkey can market grade based on that criteria and that calling that "grading" is making monkeys out of us. Other than that...

 

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Morning Eddie! So the banana shaped CAC sticker is a no-go?

 

I would go further Eddie. Why is so much attention being spent on the condition of the coin more than what the coin IS.

Maybe its just me, but I would rather have a lower condition coin that has a very interesting history to tell than an ultra high grade coin that is boring and sterile. Probably why I liked circulated coins when I collected US coins, and why I collect what I collect today.

 

Chris, great point. I feel the same way with any modern material or bullion-type pieces. What fun is it to have a MS69/70 ASE or a Pop 1 Kennedy half? (no offense to the Kennedy collectors out there) I see so much value out of a dug large cent straight from the battlefields of Lexington or an indian cent with the counterstamp of a well known merchant of that time.

 

We are different collectors sir. I bet our collections will never be worth as much as those who collect high grade pieces, but there sure is a good chance we learned more, (and enjoyed more), while we were chasing our little circulated pieces down.

 

True but your collection might end up being worth a ton...you did corner the market on Sogdiana coins...

 

Lol, and they will never be worth much. Who the heck has ever heard of Sogdia? I think about that sometimes. Maybe I should keep my mouth shut and buy them up in quiet. Same can be said of all of Central Asia, so maybe both of us should just keep quiet and keep our coins to ourselves.

Btw, nah, I think there are a few guys who also collect. Many times I am the underbidder, so I drive the prices up on them, but there are deeper pockets than mine also pursuing these. I collect what scraps I can.

 

You are right, different collections, different interests. The thrill of the hunt in our respective sub-types makes this all the more engaging and satisfying.

Shaun

 

OK, guys, go ape on me, see if I care!

 

Error Error Error

Ever see this before? Something is very wrong.

 

Color me crazy, but based off the obverse photo, this looked like it was struck on a copper planchet.

 

LOL, Lil Abe sneaking out?

 

OMG, he's sneaking out the window! How did that happen?

EDIT: Wait a minute, that obverse does look very wrong for that cheap design!

 

Lol I didn't even realize that!

 

I should have used my 1909. Darn.

 

When collectors purchase unsearched rolls of coins off of eBay.

 

If it says it on eBay it must be true.

 

OK, what's funny with this one?

 

+1

 

In my opinion only - eye appeal is part of the process. I don't care if it is AG coin or an MS coin - or even an ancient - it has to have what I consider eye appeal. I love low grade large cents, but there is a certain look I like. The same for high grade copper - I like browns and red-browns better than red. And I don't care about pedigree - even though I would secretly like to own a coin from one or two famous collections. Me - I would rather have an eye popping lower grade coin than a top pop butt ugly coin. All part of eye appeal.