Coins every set should have?

Hi guys,

I'm new to coin collecting. I've been receiving US Mint Proof Coin sets since 1982 (Walking Liberty Silver ounces, and Quarter/US Coin proofs), but most recently I've been getting more into buying them myself. I wanted your opinions on the coins every collector should have in their collections. I'm not talking about the extremely rare coins that are $4000+ (just an example sum of money). What do you suggest I start looking for? Barber half dollars? Pre-1962 90% silver? I'm just as interested in the "cool factor" as I am as treating them as an investment. I realize this is probably a very broad topic, so please have patience with a beginner.

Thank you!!!

 

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It really depends on personal taste. If i had to guess one i'd say an American silver eagle?

welcome btw.

 

Thanks. Are there certain Mints that are more desirable than others? Ex. New Orleans or San Fran?

 

You should have what you like to collect.

 

Well, New Orleans doesn't mint coins anymore. I think San francisco, west point, and reverse proofs are more diserable. The 1995-W is probably one of the most wanted.

 

^^ If you meant for coins other than ASE's I would say C, CC, and D (not denver) mint marks are amongst the most wanted.

But again, it varies by year, denomination, and personal tastes.

 

The question of what coin every collector should have in their collection is unanswerable because different people collect different series. With regards to the cool factor, I like many of the 1st year of issue coins. For example: 1909 VDB Lincoln Cent, 1913 T1 (Raised Mound) Buffalo Nickel, 1916 or 1917 T1 Standing Liberty Quarter, 1916 Mercury Dime, 1921 High Relief Peace Dollar, a 1938 or 1939 Rev of 38 Jefferson Nickel.

btw, welcome to the forum. And be wary of lawyer crocodiles wearing sun glasses preaching about coolness.

 

:yes::devil:

 

I think the set choice has everything to do with it. A U.S. type set would not be complete with a nice walking liberty half, because of its popularity. And any general set would not be complete without its key dates. What's a Lincoln cent set without the esteemed 1909-S VDB, 1914-D or 1922 plain?

 

Sounds like someone needs a "Red Book" before buying anymore coins.

 

I've been doing some light reading into 'key date' coins, but most of them are a priced way over what I'm looking to spend. I'm guessing most of the sellers are coin speculators. I like Lincoln pennies because, their original value was the lowest in the US and now they can be worth hundreds and thousands of dollars. I guess that's 'cool' to me. How something so 'worthless' can be worth so much now...

 

Yeah, see, I don't know what I red book is...

 

I also need to do A LOT more reading on grading and the companies that provide the service.

 

I'm also guessing, most serious collectors, like yourselves, stay away from Ebay and places like that...?

 

They had half cents before small cent pieces;


A redbook would also be a good investment.

 

Not at all. Most of us shop profusely on eBay, and many of us sell as well. The key is knowledge - being able to discern the gems from the dreck, and knowing what to pay for it.

 

This is a redbook;

http://www.amazon.com/Guide-United-...&qid=1357329032&sr=8-3&keywords=redbook+coins

It can be found pretty much at any major book store, or you can get a used copy on ebay for real cheap probably.

 

Awesome. I bought it. I'll give it a read and I'm sure I'll have questions sooner than later. Thanks for the help!

 

I believe there is no such thing. I think every collection should have what the collector wants to have.

But welcome to the forums and coin collecting.

 

I personally like half dollars. not too big, not too small, "Just right"

here is a few of mine.