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The Neophyte Numismatist

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Journal Entries posted by The Neophyte Numismatist

  2. The Neophyte Numismatist
    I have stated to fellow coin collectors and on the forums that I never want to buy a "bad" coin.  I have even gone so far as to say I try my best to buy "great" coins.  But, I failed to define "bad" or "great".  This has lead to some collecting friends being a little hurt (my word not theirs), as I assume that they look upon the "bad" coin that I am considering buying to be a nicer example than the one held in their collection.  My true feelings about coins: There are no bad coins, only bad holders.  
    Example:
    A chocolate brown half cent in MS65BN is a trophy for nearly any collector.  However, the same coin becomes a "bad coin" if it is in a 67+RD holder.  At this grade, the coin becomes a bad deal.  The premium is significant for the holder, and the grade will come under serious scrutiny when it comes time to sell.  An MS63 that looks-to-grade MS65 is a "MUCH better" coin from an economic perspective.  It's a better coin at a better price, simple.
    In the end... I will either look at my coin a say "Wow" or I will say "Darn".  Had I bought that 67+RD coin, I would feel a mild tinge of regret every time I looked at it.  I would know I was holding a misrepresented coin, and paid-up to do it.  That would be a mistake in my collecting strategy, and that makes the 67+RD a "bad" coin for me.
    Here is what I do NOT mean when I say great or bad:
    I do not mean that the over-graded coin that I am considering makes one's circulated example worse.  A bad MS64 will have zero impact on a "great" VF35.  I am not trying to compare MS and Circulated examples of a coin as bad/good.  They are completely different animals in my mind I do not mean that coins have to be in "Top Registry Sets" to be great coins.  A type set in P01 would be very interesting, challenging and affordable. To sum it all up... to me a great coin is the "right" coin that fits into the theme/grade/aesthetic/budget of my collection.  Everyone is entitled to their own definition of greatness based on his/her own criteria for their collection.  In the end... we look at our collections and say "wow" or "darn" based on that definition.  
    I apologize to anyone I have offended in my opinions regarding "great" vs "bad" coins.