Which coin would you choose? 0

[The Neophyte Numismatist]

I think both coins are quite lovely. I need both, and the each "fit" into the set I am building.

Edited September 17, 2022 by The Neophyte Numismatist

[bsshog40]

The 25' is more eye appealing to me. 

[RonnieR131]

 Agree. 1825.

[Coinbuf]

I like the 06 best, if the obv of the 25 were more even in color like the rev then it would be a much harder call for me.

[Lem E]

I like them both but I would probably go with the 06.

[Henri Charriere]

My reason for boycotting the poll: No way in heck anyone is going to get me to believe the 1806 Half Cent depicted, is of the small six persuasion! Look at it!  It's gargantuan!  Granted I am unfamiliar with this species of animal, but if that six is "small," I dare you to post a "large" one!  Q.A. is adamant: it can't be done!  Right or wrong, N.N., right or wrong?  Other enquiring minds may want to know.

[The Neophyte Numismatist]

@Quintus Arrius You just saved my back-side.  I wanted to get a picture of the Large 6, and went to my set online.  I looked at it, and it was a SMALL 6.  I was in disbelief, so I pulled the coin.  Sure enough, Small 6.  Had you not have asked for a pic, I may not have discovered that I already had the variety before I bought it.

Thank you!

 

Here is the difference (you can see the Large 6 touches the bust and is much thicker:

: 

Edited September 17, 2022 by The Neophyte Numismatist

[Henri Charriere]

Again, let it not be said Q.A. has never contributed anything of a numismatic nature to the "body of knowledge."

[RWB]

Generally prefer 1825 with Liberty's sour-puss expression. The 1806 coin has too much granularity for me.

Edited September 18, 2022 by RWB

[Henri Charriere]

Based on a single post he made when challenged, I believe this to be the province of our over-the-road, frequent-flying, globe-trotting member/photographer.  He is the granular expert, without equal.  

Edited September 18, 2022 by Quintus Arrius
To further elucidate on the facts.

[The Neophyte Numismatist]

Room - I have gone in another direction.  I decided to buy a "nice" 1800 half cent that has come to the market.  The 1800 has been a very tough coin for me to find "nice" and relatively affordable.  I tend to see the super high-end that are beyond my reasonable budget, or XF coins with some problems.

1800 is always high on my list, because the reverse is only found on the 1800 (and 1802 Rev of 1800).  This coin is it's own type... I am glad to be able to find one that I like, and can afford.

I generally don't post a coin in two, locations... but I want to close the loop on my decision on this thread, and will also post it in the "For the Love of Copper" thread. (I like this coin THAT much) 

[VKurtB]

On 9/19/2022 at 10:52 AM, The Neophyte Numismatist said:

Room - I have gone in another direction.  I decided to buy a "nice" 1800 half cent that has come to the market.  The 1800 has been a very tough coin for me to find "nice" and relatively affordable.  I tend to see the super high-end that are beyond my reasonable budget, or XF coins with some problems.

1800 is always high on my list, because the reverse is only found on the 1800 (and 1802 Rev of 1800).  This coin is it's own type... I am glad to be able to find one that I like, and can afford.

I generally don't post a coin in two, locations... but I want to close the loop on my decision on this thread, and will also post it in the "For the Love of Copper" thread. (I like this coin THAT much) 

“You have chosen well, grasshopper.”

[The Neophyte Numismatist]

Thanks @VKurtB!  I had to make a deal with the Mrs. that this would be my last coin of 2022, as it cost more than the other two above.  But, I think it's worth it to sit on the sidelines for a few months and have a coin that has alluded me for a year (That said, I still maintain that those other coins above are great coins).

[The Neophyte Numismatist]

NICE.... I don't "collect for registry points." I am simply trying to get the best examples I can afford.  That said, this coin puts me at #3 on the Draped Bust One-Per-Date Registry.  I never thought I would be #3 anything (and can probably only celebrate today before I am ousted).  

The folks above me are pretty much untouchable (for me), and... The big boys collecting by variety obviously blow me away.  But, it's fun to celebrate for a day in my small pond

Edited September 19, 2022 by The Neophyte Numismatist
I meant draped bust...

[Coinbuf]

Great choice, that 1800 is a very tough coin and I'm sure that you will enjoy it for many years.   And congrats on moving into the #3 slot, not an easy task at all.

[The Neophyte Numismatist]

Thanks @Coinbuf!  I am not in the same league as you (and many of the other collectors here), so I appreciate the kind words.  I can honestly say that the interactions I have here have made me much more critical of my own coins, and have made me a better collector.  I value the opinions and experience of this group.  Thanks for continuing to teach me, give opinions and make me the best neophyte numismatist I can be.  

[Lem E]

Congrats on the new piece and new rank. Being in the top 5 of any registry category is quite an achievement in my eyes. Even if it’s not your goal. Nice work.

[The Neophyte Numismatist]

@Lem E  Thanks.  But, Half Cents are not like Jefferson Nickels or Lincoln Cents.  

 

I have 15 sets to compete with on the Draped Bust HC Registry.  About half of those are collectors who just have one coin, and the other half looks to be making a run for the whole set.  You have 643 sets to compete with in the Jefferson Registry, and @Coinbuf has 441 competitors on the Lincoln Registry.  That level of competition is not lost on me.  It's apples and oranges to compare me to you guys.  You two are the real deal!  Thanks for being so kind.

Edited September 19, 2022 by The Neophyte Numismatist

[Lem E]

On 9/19/2022 at 3:07 PM, The Neophyte Numismatist said:

@Lem E  Thanks.  But, Half Cents are not like Jefferson Nickels or Lincoln Cents.  You have 643 sets to compete with in the Jefferson Registry, and @Coinbuf has 441 competitors on the Lincoln Registry.  That level of competition is not lost on me.  It's apples and oranges to compare me to you guys.  You two are the real deal!  Thanks for being so kind.

True, but if you really look at the bottom “sets” of Jeffs it is people that have one or two coins. That probably accounts for half of the sets in the category. I would bet that Lincolns are the same way. Both very commonly collected coins and a lot of people have at least one or two examples. 

[karinaniff22]

first coin

[The Neophyte Numismatist]

On 9/19/2022 at 4:31 PM, karinaniff22 said:

first coin

If you are new to collecting and just got your first coin - congrats!  If your first coin was an 1800 Half Cent - double congrats, and you are my kind of collector!

[Henri Charriere]

@The Neophyte Numismatist

I forget which Set Registry it was, but I remember taking a look, and feeling very sorry for the two or possibly three guys jockeying for the top spot on the 🐓 chart.  At the time, I had a submission in, was awaiting the results, and it suddenly occurred to me the only way anyone could best my score, once established, was to introduce an MS68, then not possible, or upgrade what I had, and best it, which, under the circumstances would have been prohibitively expensive and ultimately, not possible: The availability just wasn't there. Everybody and his uncle weighed in... yours is [not U.S. coinage] it's but a microscopic niche in a forlorn, forsaken, forgotten corner of the hobby's universe, and my all-time favorite: it does not count because you compiled it too f-a-s-t!  Translation: for a true collector like Eliasberg, it was a life-long labor of love. For me, well, it was like taking the dog out and after a few deposits, going back inside. Finito. Someone out west recently sent me a text saying I had set the bar very high. What can I say? I did the best I could.

I believe it incumbent on me to say I was very impressed with the member who came seemingly out of nowhere and landed on the #3 spot here. So startled was I that I let a friend, who has a set better than mine here, know that "the new guy" was a contender.  He checked, but failed to gauge his potential. His attitude was, "what threat?" But, I knew, and I was ultimately right. With some sets, and I am sure you've seen this yourself, in the beginning you sense seismic activity on another member's part and then, suddenly, after a lull, tectonic plates start shifting: the member, dispensing with the upgrading ritual entirely, bides his time, acquires a few key pieces, holds onto them, then throws them all out on the Set Registry: Simultaneously. You've got to admire someone with that kind of discipline and tenacity. His then becomes the standard by which all other sets are measured. Judging by your set, I still say you are no longer a Neophyte.  

 

 

[The Neophyte Numismatist]

I have not been collecting coins for very long at all (under 3 years).  I am very much a neophyte.  Some of you have been collecting and studying for decades, and that knowledge is nothing that should be taken for granted.  Thanks for saying that I am "no longer a neophyte," but the more I learn - the more I find I need to learn.