The lofty and underrated AU58 grade vs. its MS60-62 counterparts. Eye appeal

[wingedliberty-migration]

After about 25 years of serious collecting, I've gradually started to appreciate the AU58 grade more and more. When looking at some of the MS63 or lower counterparts for eye appeal, one notices, for example in Walkers that there is only the slightest rub on the hand of Liberty to hold it back from a 61 or 62, or in some cases even a 63, this is only noticed under magnification, but a cursory look at the coin without magnification shows the same strong strike and eye appeal/luster as the 60-63 counterparts. The point of this thread is that with the registry race and prestige factor, it may be prudent to get back to basics and enjoy good ole fashioned collecting with eye appeal and quality in mind.

 

God bless,

Brian.

[TomB]

I agree that AU58 coins can be far nicer than MS60-62 coins in terms of eye appeal. Those nice AU58 coins with original, gunky surfaces are even better if compared to MS60-62 pieces that are dipped out and lifeless. On some older series I am very happy with VF coins as these can have tremendous character with lots of meat remaining and yet are sometimes just a fraction of a higher graded coin's value.

[jom]

You are both certainly correct but I'm seeing the market adjust for this more and more. More of what used to be AU58 are now showing up in MS62 holders. I just recently bought a nice 25-S nickel that many would argue is AU58 but NGC graded it 62. There is NO question in my mind PCGS would 58 the coin. But the coin was worth FAR more that "AU58" money IMO.

 

It just comes down to the value...what's it worth?!

 

jom

[michael]

jom good insight you sum things up well

 

when i look at a coin and someone asks me what it grades i usually say i grade it $$$$

 

weather a super au coin is in an au58 holder or ms62 holder doesnot matter to me what matters is the price

 

 

michael

[Hoot]

I love looking for AU58 coins that have not yet been "market graded" to MS grades. I like them in the 58 holder, too, since that's what they are. I can understand, on the other hand, the TPGs making market adjustments. I recently had a buffalo nickel graded MS64 by both NGC and PCGS. It was the nicest slider I'd ever seen.

 

Hoot

[wingedliberty-migration]

I've seen weak strikes often be mistaken for wear, thats where the fun is, cherrypicking those.

[Oldtrader3]

Back before the current market grading era, I bought several AU58 coins that I paid more than MS60 money for. These coins had luster (except for slight impairment) and strike that was much superior to most MS60-62 coins. I purchased a raw AU58, '34-S Peace dollar that would pass for a MS64 with many people. I submitted it to PCGS a couple times and they AU'ed each time for a slight cheek rub.

 

Attached is a 1925-S Saint in AU58. This is a rare date that cost many multiples of what I paid in MS grades. I am very happy with this coin and it's appearance.

[wingedliberty-migration]

Oldtrader3:

That is a gorgeous saint. I see exactly what you mean.