Always striving for perfection

I?m a sucker for a good upgrade. Doesn?t matter what it is. Cars, appliances, clothes, jobs, wives. . .if there?s a better one out there, I want it. And the same holds true for my coin collection, specifically my Type Set.

Among my collection was a very nice 1883 No Cents Liberty Head Nickel (NGC MS65) and a 1929-D Standing Liberty Quarter (NGC MS65), both purchased within the last five months. I was happy with both, but not ecstatic. The other classic coins in my collection are all brilliantly white with amazing luster, and if I was giving them a school grade they would be solid A?s with an ?E? in conduct. My Liberty Head nickel, however, had a grayish/gold tint, and the Standing Liberty Quarter had somewhat of a dull light gold shine. Both are flawless, but lacked the pop and pizzazz I so desired in my collection. I would give both a B- with Poor conduct scores for making faces during the class picture.

Ah, but after a series of moves yesterday, I shipped off those two problem children for the shiny new kids down the street. Yesterday I won an auction for a beautifully white 1913 Barber Dime (NGC MS65), and in a separate transaction with the same dealer flipped my slightly toned Liberty Head Nickel and Standing Liberty Quarter in exchange for an amazingly lustrous, perfectly white 1923 Standing Liberty Quarter, graded NGC MS66. That second transaction also involved a little cash, but it was a worthwhile investment for the higher graded coin I so desired.

It cost me a little money and two very nice coins, but upgrading my Type Set in points and in eye appeal was important to me. My own personality might keep my collection from growing at the rate I?d like, but quality is important to me. It might be a character flaw, but that?s how I roll.

Happy collecting everybody!