What differenciates a beautiful coin from an ugly one?
 

This might seem like a strange question but I'm fairly new at collecting coins and I'd like to know what people are generally looking for in the coin design, level of details, size, color, etc...

I'd really appreciate it if pictures of examples could be posted with an explanation of what makes a particular coin a beautiful or an ugly one.

Re: What differenciates a beautiful coin from an ugly one?
 

Look for TomD pics, He has some great photos to get you started!

Re: What differenciates a beautiful coin from an ugly one?
 

When it comes to the members here, beauty is deffo in the eye of the beholder. Everyone seems to have their own ideas of what looks good..

Re: What differenciates a beautiful coin from an ugly one?
 

Let's first start with the question - see, there is two ways to read it...........or respond (cause everything is a Tao, or two-sided, thing)...........

People collect coins for dozens of different reasons in hundreds of different ways. For example, I collect gold and silver coins (the expensive side of the hobby, no such thing as cheap gold or silver) and I ALSO collect dragon coins (which can be relatively inexpensive in many cases, tho some specific coins are very expensive). What I look for in the dragon coins is not how I look at, for example, a Morgan dollar.

So are you asking what makes a coin particularly beautiful as a piece of art (like the newly minted replica of the St Gauden's Ultra-High Relief gold coin) .......or are you asking what, or how, collectors determine a coin is a good numismatic beauty?

One is more subhective, the other more objective............another Tao thing! *s*

Cheers!

Ho

Re: What differenciates a beautiful coin from an ugly one?
 

Hag on front = UGLY Coin
Kangaroo, Goofy bear, Old fat guy, Lady Liberty, Musical instruments = Beautiful coin.

Re: What differenciates a beautiful coin from an ugly one?
 

Thanks for the answers everyone. Is there any particular post or thread I should be looking at from TomD? With more than 4000 posts, that makes a lot of posts to go through! :confused_ma:


I'll try to clarify what I meant. Using your St Gauden example, I seem to be one of the only ones here for whom these coins that appeal. So I'm wondering what I'm missing and what is making that particular coin appealing to others.

Re: What differenciates a beautiful coin from an ugly one?
 

First - TomD takes some of the very best pictures that I think anyone has posted over the last few years, and I have suggested he go semi or pro! Generally speaking, this thread is about "pretty coins" (i.e. art)....threads with TomD tend to be picture threads and you can get an idea of what some truly gorgeous looking coins look like.<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o:p></o:p>
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But the post from Full Power also makes a valid point, tho I read it as sort of joking - as has been said before - beauty is in the eye of the beholder (or beerholder, depending.) <o:p></o:p>
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Some people think the Queen is ugly, some think Paul Kruger on the Krugerrand is much uglier.......<o:p></o:p>
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Some people think a maple leaf is the most beautiful thing ever put on a coin…………the rest are not Canadian.<o:p></o:p>
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Some think salad is food............some think salad is what you feed food.<o:p></o:p>
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Just more Tao things.<o:p></o:p>
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So that part is subjective............either you like the art or you don't.<o:p></o:p>
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But on this site you have ANOTHER Tao thing..........investors and numismatists..........<o:p></o:p>
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The "investors" (the huge majority) are mainly gathers of metal and want to pay the very least they can for every ounce (and will actually gloat to each other about saving 2 cents on ten ounces)…………the "collectors" either like a coin or, in the case of a few here, have studied coins, are building collections, etc. They care about things investors generally do not, like year, strike and condition of the coin……..or its grade. An GIM investor would ream you for hours just because you had a coin graded! <o:p></o:p>
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Those are not too different worlds……………those are two different solar systems…………totally different approaches……….

..............and generally, one group thinks the other is either nuts (for paying a single cent over the value of the metal) or short-sighted (because, again, very generally speaking, the smart, well-studied collectors know their coins not only tend, over the years, to go up in tandem with the metals, but sometimes even if the metals are not going up - and, far more importantly to collectors, they know the joy of the hunt for a great coin, the pleasure of owning and viewing a piece of history, holding it in your hand, and learning about where, when and why it was made.) Coin collectors tend, as a geenral rule, to have a made wider view of the world, its culture and history due to all their study.<o:p></o:p>
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To be sure - many collectors do not do well……they tend to be the same ones who do not study their hobby much, buying what they are told buy others to get. Turn on your TV and you'll see numerous companies that push people into buying older coins they do not need, at a huge premium, they do not need to pay……….but these are not really collectors - they are investors who got talked into buying something they really didn't need. ((As I heard today on Fox Business, Dave Ramsey was asking - Are people stupid?? You need to be self-responsible in your investing. Never invest in things or companies that you do not understand…same goes for numismatics and gold coins!)) <o:p></o:p>
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GIM is made up of mostly investors (people trying to make a profit or save their financial assets in the approaching tsunami, can't fault them for that) rather than collectors (tho there are a few and they stick out like huge silhouette-targets at rifle ranges…..some are very brave and post anyway! *l*)<o:p></o:p>
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Bottomline - GIM is great for stuff about investing in metals……when it comes to numismatics, artwork or love of the Queen's profile…………..not so much! *lol*<o:p></o:p>
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Personally, I love the St Gauden's coin, myself………..more so than the current US Eagle coin, tho I have, and like, both. I like the Liberty Head too and am even considering picking up a Trade Dollar. I tend to like the older art styles, so I collect things like rainbowed Morgan Dollars (and coins with dragons, but very few US coins have dragons, unless you include the First Spouse series.) <o:p></o:p>
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But what really got my interest going, as a kid, was when I saw a Ultra-High Relief at the Smithsonian when I was about 12, and never forgot it………..the artwork, for a coin, was breathtaking. You can bet - I knew the Ultra-High replica was coming out a long time ago and saved to pick up a couple!
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That, along with some very beaten up ancient Roman coins I got while living in England, got me interested in coins…..but never had the time or money to really collect properly. However, in the last few years I have had more time to devote to collecting and, much more importantly, reading about coin collecting!<o:p></o:p>
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If you DO go down that path………and you are already showing a serious trend in that direction - once you decide what coins you want to collect - read as much as you can online but, even more importantly, books!!!<o:p></o:p>
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People don’t get it - investing in books and study means you choose better coins, because you know what to look for! My book guru, and one of the most successful coin dealers in the country, Q David Bowers, says you can put 100 MS 65s in front of him and, on a good day he'd only buy 10-15 of them. When you can understand why, you'll have crossed over..........so............
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Which ever solar system you end up in……………<o:p></o:p>
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Be sure to enjoy what you collect - good luck, have fun!<o:p></o:p>
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Cheers!

Re: What differenciates a beautiful coin from an ugly one?
 

Gold and/or silver = BEAUTIFUL

Alloys = UGLY

Re: What differenciates a beautiful coin from an ugly one?
 

I would take some 22k alloys.

Gold, Silver, Plat/Pal.= Beautiful coin (minus ten points for lizard queen obverse)


Copper, aluminum, nickle, tin= ugly coin

Re: What differenciates a beautiful coin from an ugly one?
 

There exists a strikingly beautiful coin minted of .999 fine Palladium, with a Russian Ballerina on front.
If you have the chance to acquire such, I am certain you will treasure it.

Re: What differenciates a beautiful coin from an ugly one?
 

http://images.google.com/images?gbv=...=&aqi=&start=0

I like most of 'em all.............

:signs14::signs14::thumb.aspx:

Re: What differenciates a beautiful coin from an ugly one?
 

Is this that Tao thing I keep hearing about? 2-sides to everything means a coin can be both ugly and beautiful!?

Re: What differenciates a beautiful coin from an ugly one?
 

What differentiates a beautiful woman from an ugly one?

Re: What differenciates a beautiful coin from an ugly one?
 

A low premium...

Re: What differenciates a beautiful coin from an ugly one?
 

Absolutely!

There is no such thing as an ugly gold coin.............just some are more attractive than others..........

No one says no to gold................












.................unless they are in the government. :biggrin:

Re: What differenciates a beautiful coin from an ugly one?
 

When I fist started collecting I wanted to collect entire sets
of everything but didnt have alot of money to invest.

Over time I started seeing a trend in that I was
putting sets together that didnt have alot of eye appeal.

So I narrowed down to collecting by type accept for eagles
& for the most part its worked out.

I can take the money and buy really nice BU coins
instead of spending the same money on a bunch
of G - VG coins.

Also collecting by type means I get
to skip most key date coins.

The great thing about coin collecting is anybody can
collect and collect anyway they want and still
enjoy the hobby.

As Master Ho said READ READ READ anything
and everything you can !

One of the first books I would get is the Redbook guide to U.S. Coins
and then get the ANA Grading Standards for U.S. Coins.

Re: What differenciates a beautiful coin from an ugly one?
 

Yeah, I collect by type but am interested in assembling sets. Lunars and Brits are worth building IMO.

Re: What differenciates a beautiful coin from an ugly one?
 

Alot about "eye of the beholder", to each his/her own,etc. Designs of "Liberty" are more attractive than a "leader" of a country,IMO.The condition,color, and surfaces are a factor. Unworn with full strike/design details,no or natural attractive toning,ie.Rainbow , and Uncleaned,full luster,little/no marks, cameo surfaces . Important to get an idea what most people consider "attractive" when time comes to sell, you'll likey get a premium and quick sale over others,not so.:s1:

Re: What differenciates a beautiful coin from an ugly one?
 

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Re: What differenciates a beautiful coin from an ugly one?
 

Re: What differenciates a beautiful coin from an ugly one?
 

I have my own ideas on BEAUTY.


However, for BUYING I use historical fundamentals - because they have a rather good chance of holding to their VALUE that way.

Maybe? :111:

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Here's the LIST:

NUMERO UNO++++

ST. Gaudens $20 perhaps MS65 because it did not flop in 1980-82 BEAR market - the MS60 to MS 63 however did. USE MS64 or better...?

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Cheap:

Texas Comm. Half. MS65

Walking Liberty Half Dollar

Mercury Dimes

Moderate priced:

1917 Type One Standing Liberty Quarter

Barber Half Dollars

20 cent pieces

Big Boys:

Liberty Seated Dollars

Early Gold US Coins 1795 to 1834


READY SET GO - leave some for ME!

Re: What differenciates a beautiful coin from an ugly one?
 

What makes a coin beautiful? Possession. Every coin I own is beautiful .... because it's mine...

Re: What differenciates a beautiful coin from an ugly one?
 

I think the $10.00 gold Indian, both sides are awesome. They seem to carry a very large premium unfortunately.

Re: What differenciates a beautiful coin from an ugly one?
 

No arguement from me - but I DO think that, in the coming storm, numismatics will hold up better than most things - they are tangible, they are history, and they are rare (in the sense that they are not goig to make anymore) and with so many MORE collectors since the 1930's........that you could almost say that new MS63 is the old MS65.........

In other words, many colelctors realize that grading back then was more subjective but in many cases more strict. Just like at the graded coins in the old PCGS green holders compared to the newer ones........and most people will tell you that, should you resubmit the older green coins again, in many instances, you will get a higher grade now just because the standards have changed.

SO - with a sliding standard, and so many more collectors now, I think its reasonable to assume that, where last time, MS65 and over held........this time you'll see MS63 and over hold..........MS62 and below COULD hold - but I doubt it.

Just an opinion.

Cheers!

Re: What differenciates a beautiful coin from an ugly one?
 

There is a definite Zen-ish truth to this (and a metaphysical truth too)......and if you have coins you don't like (or see something you want more) - sell it - get another........I HAVE sold bullion for numismatics IF I wanted the coin enough, and decided it was a decent value or investment.<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o:p></o:p>
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Your collection is your personal museum in time and space. <o:p></o:p>
And knowing its yours gives an additional satisfaction in known that it will be there to look at, and hold again, anytime you wish! ((TIP AT THE END))

Some people buy gold and silver, store it away and never look at it.<o:p></o:p>
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Some people love to look at and touch it......its eye candy.......can't say that much about paper money. <o:p></o:p>
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((Oddly, something no one ever mentions - gold and silver are crystals in their natural state - so they have all the properties crystals do. Lord, THAT line's gonna open a hornet's nest in here - but so be it!)) But gold and silver do "talk" to people.......maybe not in words, but in feelings - when they hold them, they get a feeling (which is why some people prefer to hold the coins and not have them slabbed) and there is a connection made between the human and mineral worlds. <o:p></o:p>
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I have certain coins, not worth much, I would never sell unless it was life and death......because, just like some people "bond' with a crystal, some people "bond" with certain coins, never really knowing why. That just happened to me recently with a certain rainbow Morgan, its not the prettiest, but I can't seem to put it away off my desk - its been sitting here for months now - I just love to look at it!) That's also ONE reason why some people carry lucky crystals and some carry lucky coins or pocket pieces......but back to the initial point......>))<o:p></o:p>
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When I buy for others, I show them pictures of the various options in gold and silver bullion coins and rounds so they can decide what they want to look at as they hold it. (This was cause, while I love the gold and silver US bullion coins - after you have one, they all sorta look alike, so I started getting one of each country's.) With silver, before I got back into numismatics, I had a lot of my silver in art bars - and there are some gorgeous (and in my opinion, undervalued) art rounds and bars out there.....the market for those died but one day it should come back.<o:p></o:p>
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If you have gold or silver, and you like to look at it, either as bullion or numismatics, then you should LOVE what you collect.......otherwise, there is no point.........any more than an art collector hating his paintings, why look on the wall? <o:p></o:p>
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Cheers!<o:p></o:p>
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TIP - Rather than have one's collection at too easy an access, its fun to keep pictures of your coins and bullion in a file - then you can open and look at them whenever you want. Granted, its not the same as holding them, but you can always do that too if you wish...........you just have to get them from wherever they are. OK, so I cheat and hold an old beat up Morgan for the "feel" while I look! **lmao**

SO - I have a file on the comp with pictures, info and background on every coin, round and bar in my collection. At night, which is when I get to kick back, with the music going, I can scroll thru them all at my leisure, increasing the page size to get closer to the coins for more detail. Then, if I want to grab one out - I can go - dig it up out of the back yard (near the lemon tree, where I bury all my ex's) and hold it! *g*

Re: What differenciates a beautiful coin from an ugly one?
 

I agree with what you said. That is how I feel as a collector.

I am in the process of creating a "digital scrapbook" of all of my 1970's silver art bars. I am currently using my digital camera to take pics of every one of my 1970's silver art bars. This digital scrapbook would not be for public viewing. This "digital scrapbook" would be my private picture book of my collection. I love what I collect and that is the whole point for me of buying gold and silver coins and bars. I like to fondle part of my '70's silver art bar collection.

Re: What differenciates a beautiful coin from an ugly one?
 

Frankly you are right ON - period. The future slabbed SAINT will escalate in value - as they TPTB - make so MANY of those FIAT paper goodies.

I had quoted PCGS HALL'S stuff above and he was answering a question for the top 10 coins to HOLD.

I also LIKE the Liberties in all sizes - starting with the BIG $20.00 one.

Slabbed GOLD will be hot like the GOOGLE AMAZON stocks of the past.

Right now an MS65 Saint buys a lot of (6? maybe) GOOGLE - when in the past it would not buy one share..........

GOLD rocks and paper sucks.........

:RockOn::RockOn::RockOn::RockOn::yes:

besides I just checked tht PCGS price site and the SAINTS are starting to ROCK again...

YAHOOooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo :shine:

Re: What differenciates a beautiful coin from an ugly one?
 

I made files of everything - then divided it into types of coins - while its for public viewing, I DID send a copy of my dragon coin file to my elderly mother who is 3000 miles away............

If she can actually drag herself here and dig up the lemon tree - god bless her, she can have them! *lol*

Re: What differenciates a beautiful coin from an ugly one?
 

In gold, my personal "jones" is Liberty Heads & St Gaudens.......in silver Morgan dollars with rainbows...........and of course, anything with a dragon, so I have the Aussie Lunar sets in various sizes! *lol*

Re: What differenciates a beautiful coin from an ugly one?
 

Thanks for all the great replies! And don't hesitate to post if you have more to say.

Re: What differenciates a beautiful coin from an ugly one?
 

If you're still looking, there are a few of my coin shots here-
http://www.flickr.com/photos/tomd77/...7603959095587/

Re: What differenciates a beautiful coin from an ugly one?
 

Nice collection!

you have two 99999 maples?

Re: What differenciates a beautiful coin from an ugly one?
 

A truely beautiful coin has to look great on both sides. I love Kookaburras and Britannias but when you flip them over there is the Hag! Bleecch!!:puke:
I'm going to have to go with the American designs on this one.:ok::applause_