I currently have only two; a 1832 Small letters in a PCGS holder at AU58 and a raw 1838 in XF or better that I posted here a while back. Looks like a date set without regard to varieties would be one way to go. Any ideas? Pitfalls? Will probably want to stay under $150 per coin or save up for something nicer. Thanks.
Under $150 won't get you much. I would save up and get nice original XF/AU coins. I am biased, though, since that is what I used to buy. Even though you said a date set without varieties you really should own the book and become an expert in varieties, at least to be able to cherry pick out better coins. I was not much into errors, but when I was a SL half collector I bought the WB book and was able to cherry pick certain varieties.
150 bucks won't do much for the earlier dates (pre-1824), but will get the later dates in VF. Expect to spend twice that for most of the other dates. Still won't cut it for 1807 or 1815. Just be aware that bust half fever is extremely contagious. Type coins lead to date sets (where you are now). Date sets lead to RedBook sets. Redbook sets lead eventually to Overton die marriages. I bought a single bust half back in 1977. Don't be like me! Edit to add: Actually, welcome to the club. If you do decide to pursue the series let me know if I can ever help. Jim
good advice. That's me re: varieties too. I don't care to collect them, just not my thing. But I do like finding them and selling them to folks who appreciate them. Also, another personal preference, I like to spend some extra on the most common date in the series and go high quality on that one. Gives the set some class and makes a nice piece to see what the series is all about.
These are predominantly collected by variety, by some of the most fanatical collectors in numismatics. The reason to lean their varieties - not all of them - is to identify the most common varieties for each year and thereby maximize how much coin you get for the money. There are definite premiums for many varieties and you want to avoid that.
...unless you can buy a rare variety for common money. When the WB book for SL halves came out, I was able to cherrypick 3 doubled die 1858 coins. No one else knew about the variety. Now you will have STIFF competition on CB halved, but there are still unattributed rarer varieties out there for the keen eyed collector to find I bet.
Go and buy Overton & Peterson -- to start. And read, read, read. Fun read: Edgar Sounders, Bust Half Fever. Then buy a thermometer, for when you get the 'fever'. When you hit 100 D/M's (die marriages) let me know and you can apply to the Bust Half Nut Club. And: Good luck!
also, with some searching, you can get scarce to very scarce and even fairly rare D/M's for common prices.
You can put together a nice set of most dates in vf for around what you are proposing. that's what I have been doing and lack the 1815 of course and a nice 1820. It's fun to throw in a couple of xf and AU coins in the more common dates for added interest. I like coins with original, gray-metal surfaces for the most part.
I think you will enjoy it. I personally think you should add some of the over dates - like 1827/6. Some of those are really cool. Maybe after the date set. Hmmm - there we go just like mentioned - date set, red book set, variety set and look at that you are now a bust half nut member.
exactly. I'm not ashamed to own this one: or this one: just be patient and stay away from the overly shiny cleaned/dipped stuff of which there is no shortage.
I know everyone is holding thier breath...........I decided to start a year set of PCGS graded bust halves, rather than going with raw coins in an album. Bought my first one today, an 1825 VF35 O-114. Also visited busthalfaddict.com and read some about varieties. Also, since I'm going with TPGs, I put the raw 1838 I displayed here a few days ago on ebay. Thanks for all your input
I would not invest in au bust halves. The prices can be stagnant. I would rather buy 5 vf20-35 natural grey look, or save up and buy a nice ms. Same with flowing hair.
Congrats on the first purchase. One of two more and you will be hooked. Look out Frank someone is going to catch you and Ben eventually.
