Having a "matched" set - how important is it? 2 2

[The Neophyte Numismatist]

Quality and eye appeal are the are driving forces in any set/collection.  I totally get that.  However, I was talking to a friend who was saying that it is even better if all of the coins are exactly the same grade.  For instance, he is collecting Franklin Halves in MS64FBL.  He would not buy a 65FBL, even if the cost were the same as the 64.  I have seen this taken a step further, and have seen collectors that will only buy one TPG... and further yet, a particular label.

I am of the mindset that I want quality coins.  I keep my coins similar in look/feel, but I definitely have a mix of grades in every set I own.  I don't see this as a bad thing at all.  Looking at the registries, many other collectors also mix grades.  I am not planning on changing my strategy at all, but wanted to get the groups thoughts on what I consider to be "extreme set matching".  

Thoughts?

[Mr.Bill347]

When I noticed that I had a couple of Ben Franklin MS64 FBL, I decided to get the set. All MS64 FBL, I have just two more to go, 1948-1963. I know JP does MS Full Steps too. I probably won’t make a habit of similar sets, because I enjoy variety, including Canadian, British, Mexican and other countries coins as well.

[The Neophyte Numismatist]

On 7/2/2022 at 11:09 AM, Mr.Bill347 said:

When I noticed that I had a couple of Ben Franklin MS64 FBL, I decided to get the set. All MS64 FBL, I have just two more to go, 1948-1963. I know JP does MS Full Steps too. I probably won’t make a habit of similar sets, because I enjoy variety, including Canadian, British, Mexican and other countries coins as well.

okay... This is the same as my fiend.  If you saw an attractive 65FBL that was the same price (or even $5 higher), would you pass it over and wait for the MS64FBL?  What about a 63FBL that was 50% less than the 64 and looked the same side by side with your 64s?

Are there certain sets where grade matching is more/less important?  In collecting half cents, grade matching is almost impossible unless you have very deep pockets, or you want to buy low grade coins.  But even in my more modern pursuits, I would buy a higher grade (that looks the part) if the price were comparable.  I also buy lower graded coins that I think are under graded or more attractive than its higher graded counterpart. 

I also know that some build the same set it multiple grades - i.e. The same set in 64, 65, and 67.  I would never even attempt this, because I know I would fail and I might go crazy trying.

[Coinbuf]

On 7/2/2022 at 8:00 AM, The Neophyte Numismatist said:

 

Thoughts?

People are batsh!t crazy.  

[Lem E]

I can understand and appreciate someone trying to do a matched set. I like consistency, but I think you could always run into trouble depending on what grade you were going after. If you start with easy dates in a certain grade and then hit the tough dates with a lower probability of finding the same grade, that would make it hard or even sometimes near impossible. I go for the best coin with the best grade I can acquire or afford. I think it would be nice to have a whole set with the same label, but that would be a lot of reholdering for me. 

[erwindoc]

Coin collectors are OCD!  What else needs to be said!  However, I dont think that is much of an issue for me.  I have several mixed TPG sets.  I do try to have coins that are untoned or toned equally so that one doesnt stand out too much sitting side by side.  However, from an eye appeal standpoint you would want a set that is all comparably graded.  Not a set that is all MS with a couple of VG tossed in. Some mixed grades look good together, such as XF-VF are not too far apart that they stand out like a sore thumb.  Personally, I think your friend is silly for ignoring a technically nicer coin for only a few bucks more.  

[J P M]

On 7/2/2022 at 11:09 AM, Mr.Bill347 said:

I know JP does MS Full Steps too

I do try for FS but there are some year coins that are unobtainable in FS unless you want to spend the farm $$$. Like some of the sixty's coins.  I just go for the best looking or strangest I can find in a nice grade. Also the same with a couple of my MS Morgan coins. I have gotten VAM's instead of MS to fill the set at times. Supply and demand make it tough . Silver dropped again today but I don't think anyone has dropped there retail prices on coins in a while.   

[zadok]

...strictly depends on the collectors goal for his/her collection...if goes to the absolute extreme it becomes an OCD issue n the collection is the least of the owners worries...there r a few very basic questions one needs to ask ones self...for whom is the set being assembled for n who is going to look at it??...if the set is being assembled with intent to competitively display it, then uniformity comes into play...i once displayed one of my collections at the ANA, n i decided on a narrow but reasonable grade range, vf35-xf45, the set had an eyepleasing uniform appearance n received many positive comments, i did pass on several vf25 n au50 coins for presentation purposes but also did purchase many of those same coins for inclusion in the set for my post display purposes...if ur set is for ur eyes only, just go with what satisfies u....

[VKurtB]

On 7/2/2022 at 4:18 PM, zadok said:

...strictly depends on the collectors goal for his/her collection...if goes to the absolute extreme it becomes an OCD issue n the collection is the least of the owners worries...there r a few very basic questions one needs to ask ones self...for whom is the set being assembled for n who is going to look at it??...if the set is being assembled with intent to competitively display it, then uniformity comes into play...i once displayed one of my collections at the ANA, n i decided on a narrow but reasonable grade range, vf35-xf45, the set had an eyepleasing uniform appearance n received many positive comments, i did pass on several vf25 n au50 coins for presentation purposes but also did purchase many of those same coins for inclusion in the set for my post display purposes...if ur set is for ur eyes only, just go with what satisfies u....

“Yeah, Charlie Babbit made a joke, yeah.”

[Hoghead515]

The sets Im constructing consist of several different grades. I go after what seems pleasing to me at the time. The only place they are displayed is in the registry. But Im not really trying to compete and win. I know I havent a chance in this world of winning. I just do it to display my coins among all the others if anyone is ever interested in viewing them. I really enjoy viewing other peoples coins.  It also gives me something to go by to assemble a set. Id like to have the highest grades possible but sometimes I gotta go with a lower grade. 

On our Franklins Id love to go FBL on them all but Ive found great coins without it. So Im not really concerned to much about it. But I do try to find them in it if possible. But ours range anywhere between MS63 to MS 65. Some FBL some not. 

[Quintus Arrius]

On 7/2/2022 at 11:27 AM, The Neophyte Numismatist said:

....If you saw an attractive 65FBL that was the same price (or even $5 higher), would you pass it over and wait for the MS64FBL?  

I don't have the luxury of time.  I would simply resubmit the MS-65 FBL, state that it is clearly overgraded and pay handsomely for the privilege of reconsideration with a view toward downgrading it to an MS-64 FBL.  Problem solved.  

[Hoghead515]

On 7/6/2022 at 11:35 PM, Quintus Arrius said:

I don't have the luxury of time.  I would simply resubmit the MS-65 FBL, state that it is clearly overgraded and pay handsomely for the privilege of reconsideration with a view toward downgrading it to an MS-64 FBL.  Problem solved.  

On those it would be much cheaper to just buy a lesser grade than resubmit them. 

[The Neophyte Numismatist]

On 7/6/2022 at 11:35 PM, Quintus Arrius said:

I don't have the luxury of time.  I would simply resubmit the MS-65 FBL, state that it is clearly overgraded and pay handsomely for the privilege of reconsideration with a view toward downgrading it to an MS-64 FBL.  Problem solved.  

now - there is an idea 

[Quintus Arrius]

For the record, last I checked, there is only one reason why I cannot complete a matched set of my 66 line: only two coins [of the eight original 🐓 's] have been certified by NGC.

Edited July 8 by Quintus Arrius
Die.polishing: resolve verb/tense discord.

[Quintus Arrius]

On 7/7/2022 at 7:25 PM, Hoghead515 said:

On those it would be much cheaper to just buy a lesser grade than resubmit them. 

I've been mulling over your reply and wondered why I would think otherwise. The answer for me was in your first two words: "On those..."  Right you are!  I know nothing about Franklin Halves or what they go for today.  In my Rooster-centric view, e.g., a prominent dealer in California had a sell price of $795. for an 1899 NGC-graded MS-62, of which only 6 have been certified. And that is at the lower end of the Mint State scale. Therefore, in my mind, reconsideration-- meant clearly as a joke-- would be a whole lot less cheaper than outright buying, up or down. 

[Hoghead515]

On 7/7/2022 at 9:35 PM, Quintus Arrius said:

I've been mulling over your reply and wondered why I would think otherwise. The answer for me was in your first two words: "On those..."  Right you are!  I know nothing about Franklin Halves or what they go for today.  In my Rooster-centric view, e.g., a prominent dealer in California had a sell price of $795. for an 1899 NGC-graded MS-62, of which only 6 have been certified. And that is at the lower end of the Mint State scale. Therefore, in my mind, reconsideration-- meant clearly as a joke-- would be a whole lot less cheaper than outright buying, up or down. 

I never thought about it till after I posted. I later thought you may have been being sarcastic. Anyway on those most dates in MS 64 can be bought between $20 to $40. And all around that range. Some a little higher.