Most under appreciated/neglected coin set?

@OKCubsFan if you've decided to go with a type set for now, check out the Red Book series, A Guidebook of U.S. Type Coins. Gives an overview of each denomination, the major types, and characteristics of each type. I like the book and have found it useful.

https://www.whitman.com/store/Inventory/Detail/A-Guide-Book-of-US-Type-Coins---2nd-Edtion

 

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I went to the book store today and saw the new red book. dude that book is like 3 inches thick. lol i think i might get it next pay check $50-60 bucks.

 

You can get it from Wizard Coin Supply for about $30 but there's a flat-rate shipping of I think $9.95 so make it worth it and get some supplies too. That's my plan in the next couple weeks.

 

Probably the most under appreciated series is the 20 cent pieces from 1875 - 1876. Just four coins in the circulation strike set. In the F - VF grade range it is very affordable.

 

20th century type set is the best option for a beginner and you can tackle it faster without much problems as opposed to a full US type set. The 19th century coins can be tough to find in problem free condition if you're buying raw coins, especially half cents, 3 cent silvers, early quarters, pre-Morgan dollars, etc. Beyond a type set, I think franklins or Washington silver quarters are nice sized coins that look impressive as a circulated or higher end set.

 

Shield Nickels. These are historically important as the first true "nickels", and I don't think I have ever met a diehard Shield nickel collector.

 

Definitely underappreciated.

 

What are Z-lincolns

 

The new Zinc composition Lincolns. Also sometimes referred to as Zincolns

 

Die varieties....

 

how about mint state sacajawea dollars?If you start when the reverse changes{native american dollar}you don't have to go back that many years.You can buy the current ones from the mint{bags}and learned about grading.

 

How about 1965-1967 cameo SMS coins ? Most of the 15 coins can be found in MS 65 Cameo or better.

 

I got the Guidebook to Peace Dollars to help me start with those and I think this would be a good addition. You all have given a lot of great ideas.

 

At this point I'm going to be doing about 20 different series!

 

peace dollars Franklin halves Or I really like 20th century type.

 

Those SMS cameos are very tough and not that easy to find

 

This makes me think of IKE dollars back in the day. Nobody gave a flip about them. That sure has changed.

 

I've collected regular coinage for 52 years, but I started collecting tokens (exonumia) about 20 years ago, and find them to be far more interesting. Many types/series of tokens are way off the grid, allowing for even rarities to be quite inexpensive. When known populations of 50 or more are considered as rarity rating R1 (common), that is off the grid.

There are many options for collecting exonumia, and a few of the relatively inexpensive ones I would suggest are:

1. Tokens with your family name
2. Tokens from your local area/state
3. Tokens with a particular theme of your choosing
4. Transit tokens
5. Gaming Counters (these often resembled regular gold coinage)
6. Prison tokens
7. Tax tokens
8. Military tokens
9. Ingle System Script
10. Hickey Brothers Cigar Store tokens
11. Coal Co. tokens
12. Masonic Pennies
13. Amusement tokens
14. Wooden nickels
15. Fractional Currency
16. Political tokens
17. U.S. Ration Currency
18. Excelsior Shoe Co. tokens

The above are some of the areas I collect, and I derive a great deal of enjoyment from the "thrill of the hunt" these series provide. Often, making that satisfying addition to your collection is not a matter of having a wad of cash to lay on the counter, it is in locating that single or double digit pop. token in a dealer's "junk" box.

Another appealing aspect of collecting exonumia is that most coin dealers know very little about tokens, so if one gains even a little bit of information about a token series, you are likely to be more knowledgeable about that series than the dealer. As others have said, collect what you like.

 

Yes but expensive. Esp in XF-MS grades, depending on the denomination. They are still a coin that is in demand.

 

What are prison tokens?