Coins that I really like collecting are ones that I can complete the whole set without paying like $300, or $500 for a certain coin(s) in the set. Like, Roosevelt 1946-1964, Kennedy Half Dollars, Ben Franklin Half Dollars, Presidential Dollars, Susan B Anthony Dollars, and the such. I just hate almos having the whole set (like the peace dollars I have) and then finding out you need one more, and that one more happens to be in this case, a 1928 peace dollar that is $475 in XF. Does anybody know what I mean?
I personally DO know what you mean, especially in the case of Peace dollars. My Dansco is AU for the keys (went MS for the '21, but the '34-S was a BEAR finding an AU to match my set)...so I feel your pain. On the SBA front, I went with PCGS only (for a registry set, as I don't see raw albums of MS being worth the premiums of PCGS graded...I got into that set years ago, and even in this down market, my returns would easily be 4-5 times what I bought at....raw SBA's won't bring these prices). I am QUITE sure EVERYONE has experienced this, so you aren't alone!
Try Jefferson nickels! You can assemble a nice circulated set for less than $50, and a nice uncirculated set for less than $400.
I know what you mean. I am currently working on a Morgan set and a three cent nickel set. It is fun but I know there are a few coins that will be out of reach. I started an UNC Franklin set a year or so back. That one I should be able to finish if I ever get back to it.
Not only know what you mean but really, really get ticked off by manufacturers that place a slot in an Album that you and they full well know you'll never get one. My Whitman Album for Liberty Nickels has a slot for the 1913. My Liberty Head Dime has one for the 1894S. Of course there are also many others that although are not impossible, but just rediculous to be in an album in the first place. The 1922 Plain, 55 Double Die, 72 Double Die Loncoln Cents. What do they have to do with a completed set? Why not just have slots for every possible error coin ever made? Same with many Albums with all those over dates like the 42/41 and 42D/41 Mercury Dime. Why not have a slot for all the large and small Mint marks. Obviously this type of stuff really gets me irritated for this hobby.
Therein lies the challenge to collecting. If every set were as easily assembled with very little cost, risk, or challenge, it would be just another dull hobby. Guy~
Well a set can be what ever you decide it is. The good thing is if the empty holes bother me(which they don't for certain keys) I will fill them with something else. My liberty nickel book does not have the 1913 so I do not have to worry about it, but then again the keys are in the ag/g range and the rest VF and up.
My thoughts exactly, I've always wondered why there weren't holes for 1860 pointed/round bust and 1886 T1&T2 IHC's. Yes, these are varieties, but were also convinced that you don't have a complete set without them...
