2 Cent Piece Collection

Great set to work on.

Also, don't forget the two books by Frank Leone.

Very scarce and hard to get.

If I get a chance I'll take pictures of the covers for your reference.


PS: Where the heck is Clembo? My nemesis on 1864 SM's, and 1872's!

 

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MS examples of the Small Motto, and the 1872 are difficult to locate, and are quite pricey. Have you considered something in the XF-AU range? They make for a very nice set.

You are correct the 1873 was produced in proof only. The two varieties (Closed 3 and Open 3) exhibit the same variety as most of the other 1873 demonimations.

 

PG:
Great suggestions, I prefer the (relatively) affordable XF-AU to the high grade uncs.

Besides, 2 cents in red are really impossible to find, altho he never mentioned reds.

 

I'm surprised that 2centrick hasn't chimed-in on this thread. He must not have seen it.

I wonder if the OP took a look at the Liberty nickel set I suggested. I suspect that a nice UNC or proof set can be completed for less $ than the 2 cent collection.

 

A liberty nickel collection is also a great idea. In high grades they are attractive coins, but you would never know it when you see all of the low grade examples around, (just like barber coinage). Only 2-3 really pricey ones. I bought the 85 in AU once meaning to get around to putting a set together but never did. Just another collecting idea I lost steam on it seems.

Chris

 

Thanks Collect89 for calling my attention to this thread and a chance to offer my two cents worth of opinion.
I like and try to collect conservately graded XF-AU. There are a lot of varieties in this series. I found it was fun to try and get a variety for each date in the series when possible. I cherry picked quite a few off ebay. I think I have about 45-50 coins now.
In regards to books, I think the best is Flynns, followed by Frank Leones (ANA library has them) and lastly Klimans which contains a lot of misinformation and will cause you grief.
It is a fun and reasonably priced series to collect. If it was as popular as Lincoln or Indian cents, the prices would be a lot higher. Now if the mint were to quit making making pennys at a loss and went back to the two center in its place.........

 

I like the idea of going after this set... I have the keys but haven't chased the commons.
As has been said already, if your in it for 'investment' as well as the enjoyment, then you should consider another series.
The only posts regarding 2cnt piece investment observations on this forum that I've seen were illustrations of $ losses.

 

Good thoughts, but I would expand your idea to, "if you are into coin collecting for "investment" as well as enjoyment, then you should consider another hobby.

For most, the spread between purchase price and dealer buy price is steep, and this is will what stop most coin purchases from being decent "investment". I myself buy coins for personal satisfaction, and for that get great returns!

Chris

 

Go for it. Sounds like you'll have fun.

 

LOL... good answer.
Only retort I can come up with is:
1 - don't buy from dealers
2 - don't sell to dealers

.... following that advice has enabaled me to do well w.r.t. the investment sdie on a few of my collected coins. The two key date 2cnt coins I have should sell for a tad more than I paid, but some of the other keys in more popular series would now sell for 50% more than I paid only 5-10 years ago. None were purchased from dealers and my %'s assume that I don't sell back to dealers at 20% discount to what I could get from ebay.

I think "2CENT" who use to post here often commented on the liquidation of many of his 2 cnt pieces purchased from Heritage (most 64 and 65 RD's). If memory serves me when it came time to sell Heritage would not even take them back to sell on thier site, and when they sold on ebay they sold for much less than was paid @ Heritage. This was around a year ago, but I think this was directionally correct.

 

I think a lot of collectors would be shocked by how often dealers who sold them a coin either will not even offer to buy it back, or want to pay 50 cents on the dollar. I don't begrudge dealers, they need to make a living, but to me the "investment" part of collecting is hyped too much by dealers wishing to make sales.

I always suggest to people who think they can "invest" to buy a coin they want at the best price they can get. Then take that coin around to some dealers and see what price they will offer you. This price difference is what makes coin collecting hard to be a real 'investment", and the hobby that it is. Yes, if you collect coins for your enjoyment and hold for a long time you will sell for more than what you paid probably, but you lost potential income and greater profits from most other investments in the meantime. I am not talking about bullion, which is an investment, but does have its own problems as well.

Invest in yourself, love your hobby, love the history you learn, and let your wife sell your coins when you are gone is what I advise.

 

:thumb:

 

well said... worth reading twice.

 

Once again great suggestions about buying the keys in XF-AU, they will be more affordable and have that "older" look to them. I think I have set my goals. Right now im broke so ill post when I purchase my first coin (which probably will be 1864 small date, and the purchase can be anywhere from 3-9 months)

 

Good luck Skyler and I hope you have a great time doing it. I would suggest buying a book before even your first purchase, as it is fairly cheap and will make the whole process more enjoyable. You might even change your first pick if you discover another coin is more rare/harder to find.