So this is something being bothering me for quite some time. After the recent stacks bowers world coin auction i have to ask fellow coiners what would you do in case of a so-called problem coins. Would you add a so called problem coin to your collection and what would you consider worse of all types of problem coins ? For me these coins are still coins with character and a story to tell. I do know the value of a coin get considerably lower when it is considered problematic. So i still consider adding them to my collection as long as there is an eye appeal and the coin in question is rare and you cant get it in non problematic condition for what you can afford. To me here is the types of issues i consider as problematic in order, 1) environmental damage - ex corrosion / being buried/ water damage 2) mounting 3) rim filing 4) graffiti 5) scratch 6) cleaning - hair lines Here is the two coins that made me ask this here, First one is ex mount and the second one is lightly cleaned/hair lines. What do you think ?
I am ok with having problem coins. My limits are distracting holes or major gashes. If I can get the coin cheap compared to what a problem free type would cost and out of my price range, problem it is. Of your two posted, I happen to like the top one most.
All of yours, just put in a different order. 1) environmental damage - ex corrosion / being buried/ water damage 2) mounting 3) Cleaning - hair lines 4) graffiti 5) rim filing 6) scratch Here's a thread design for them, I'm sure you'ill see many kinds of problem coins here. https://www.cointalk.com/threads/show-off-a-problem-coin.261556/
I collect early large cents by variety, and for more than a few of those, problem coins is about all there is to choose from unless you're willing to pay five digits or more. So for those sorts of rarities, I'm actively seeing the best, most pleasing problem coin I can find, I'm happy to get it. On the other hand, if I'm looking at a common variety, I try to stick with problem free coins. When there are so many to choose from, there is no need to get impulsive (easier said that done, I know) and wait it out.
Thanks for that old thread, very interesting. @aubade21, i feel US coin collectors are more strict on problem coins than the world coin collectors outside US. I think in Europe rim dings are considered more proclaimable than cleaning. My heart was saying the 1st coin looks lovely with luster all over the fields but my brain was saying no thats mechanically damaged go for the 2nd one I think i am forever haunted by that 1st coin
