I Have $50 to Spend on a Gift

Hi everyone

One of my grandma's good friend has his birthday coming up soon, and he is an avid coin collector. I was put in charge of buying a coin for his present because I had the most experience/knowledge of coins in our family....

But unfortunately that's still not very much.

I was given $50 to spend on his gift, and all I know is he is 50 so he was born in 1963, and he loves coins. I'm not sure of any specific type or set of coins he is interested in or collects.

If any of you have some ideas or suggestions of one (or a few) decent coins to get him for under $50, I would love the feedback!

Thanks,
Alex

 

Log in or Sign up to hide this ad.

Theres tons of brilliant coins. You can get silver dollars, mercury dimes lots of cool stuff! But it dpeends each collector has different interests and likes different coins more than others. Is it a secret present, or can you ask him what his favorite coin is ?

 

If you think he likes US coins, a 1963 proof or mint set is less than $50.

 

I got a 1960 proof set for 29, any set earlier than 63 is better cause the mintages are lower.(in most cases)

 

xGAJx Unfortunately it's supposed to be a secret for him, and i don't know anything about his coin interests. I'm afraid it's going to have to be a shot in the dark on this one!

 

Thanks!
Would an experienced coin collector usually have a proof set from their birth year though, or do you think that would be a good idea?

 

Yes I think most all Us coin collectors appreciate proof/mint sets. A birth year proof set is the way too go, good luck. Dont pay any more than 35, and 30 or below is a good price to haggle down too.

 

Point was to buy a set from the year he was born.

 

Okay, yeah I get that now lol. Good idea, I didnt think about that.

 

go to the bank and get two 25 dollar boxes of pennies, he will spend hours looking for die types and varieties, and who knows, maybe he will find a copper 1983 cent, or a 92 CAM, Or there are always collector supplies, things like flips, coin holders, coin tubes.

 

1963D Franklin half PCGS MS64 FBL

 

Alright thank you very much for the help!! I'll look into that proof set!

I have one more question though. It's a little off topic but does dirt and grime affect the grade of a coin?
I have a 1924-D buffalo nickel that still has good relief and isn't worn down that much (I'd say a EF or AU). But unfortunately there is some "dirt" on it that won't wash off with just water.

Should I try to clean it off, or leave it as is?

 

Thanks I did take a look at that coin and I think that could be a good gift for him!

 

Topcat and I were on the same wavelength...but I was thinkin of commemorating both 1963 and 2013! How about a 2013 silver eagle and a nice BU or proof 1963 Franklin? That should be around 50-55 total

 

Oh no! You obviously dont know that cleaning coins ruins coins value! DOnt ever even water your coins, it might corroded and destroy your coins in a blink of a eye. Keep as is.

 

I like the sound of that haha!! Should I get the Franklin half dollar that's been graded or just an open circulated one from a coin shop?

 

You should be able to get an uncirculated or proof raw (ungraded) 1963 for a fairly low price. They are pretty common and you can probably get one for around 15 dollars in regular uncirculated, or around 20 for a better-looking uncirculated or a proof.

With silver around $29, you should be able to get a 2013 silver eagle for 32-33 dollars or so. So all together 50-55.

 

http://www.ebay.com/itm/1963-Silver...11?pt=Coins_US_Individual&hash=item5d3c2a2c2f

Here is a graded 1963 MS64 for $21 shipped. You could probably find a raw example in comparable quality for even less. Topcat's suggestion was for a "FBL" designation, meaning full bell lines. On the reverse of the Franklin halves, the FBL coins have no breaks in the horizontal lines on the liberty bell. These are coins that were struck better and have better detail, and are thus more sought after and more expensive. A great suggestion nonetheless, but I would probably rather have the non-fbl and an eagle. Just my opinion

 

Thanks a lot!! I would have not known where to start when buying a Franklin half dollar. This really helps and I think that and the silver eagle are the coins to get!

Thank you all for your help