Forgive me, moderators, if this has been covered in other threads; I did several searches using different key phrases, and couldn't find a specific answer to the following question. I've started a U.S. year set collection based on the birthdates of various ancestors and living relatives. In doing so, it's clear that, for one reason or another, there will be holes in some of the years I've chosen that can't be filled. One such year is 1890. I'm not going to be able to afford a Liberty Seated Half, with a mintage of only 12,000. Some of the early Depression years present even more obvious obstacles. For 1931, the mint issued no quarters or halves, and the only coins struck in 1932, excluding gold, were Washington Quarters and Wheaties. So, what should I do about these holes? Fill them with equivalent pieces from the previous year, or the year after? Leave them blank, but with an explanatory note on the inside front cover of my Air-Tite album?
I'm the type that if I can't afford a coin, it remains a hole. An annoying hole, but nevertheless a hole.
I guess I would take a picture of the coin you wish was in there, put it in the hole and move on.. : ) Or maybe find a coin from the same era in really poor condition and put it in there and pretend its the right one..
Maybe a non-US coin could be used in place of the needed item. For example a Canadian nickel or dime. I don't have my book right now but I believe that the UK has a Florin for 1890, etc.
I just leave it a hole until I can place the proper coin in it. If it, like the example you used, an expensive coin, I save up. There's not many holes a person can't fill with a little work and a lot of patience, with a few obvious exceptions. Guy~
You could always buy a copy coin to go there. (I wouldn't do that, but just thought I'd thow it out there)
I really like that picture idea. Take a really nice, big, high-res picture and size it down. Could get pretty realistic-looking.
psh, I don't call that an obstacle, I call that a blessing! lol Only 2 coins for the whole set? Count me in I was actually thinking of doing this for my grandparents, (born in 1932 and 1933) excluding gold, it would be a quick set to do - assuming not in MS-grade.
I did consider using foreign coins in the holes, but as it is I'm doing separate year sets of Canadian coins. I'm hoping I can at least find an 1890 Liberty Seated Quarter, so that if anything there would only be one hole, the Half. I already have the Morgan Dollar, Liberty Seated Dime and IHC. Thinking of getting the Liberty Head Nickel from eBay, but maybe I'll post the link here and see what you think. Nobody likes the notion of using something from the previous or following year, eh? I guess it just isn't the same.
Some options have already been mentioned. A foreign coin, perhaps a medal or token, a replica, or just leave the hole blank until more money comes in. If the money never appears, never buy the coin. Some might go for a low grade problem coin. In any case, there is no absolute need to build a complete year set for each year. It is your collection, you can shape it anyway you would like to. If some years don't have a complete run of coins, perhaps a display with only one coin from each year might be a way to go. If the relative was born in another country, foreign material might be more meaningful. Whatever the case, it is a good idea to think about completion costs before starting a set.
Well, this certainly makes sense. And yes, I have considered the completion costs, which is why the dilemma came up. Really, only the three years I mentioned should present a problem. Many thanks to everyone for their advice. Here is the 1900 V Nickel I was considering. My other purchases so far have been from dealers, but I thought I'd get some opinions on this one, since the auction is ending soon. eBay 1900 V Nickel
I don't care for the 1900 nickel at the link. Too many distractions, and the surface quality isn't all that. 1900 is a common date so I would keep shopping. The other side of the argument is that a nicer looking coin or a certified coin, will likely go for more than $51. Price and quality often do go hand in hand.
Don't worry about it - it does not need to be perfect and it's a good story on each u Don't worry about it - it does not need to be perfect and it's a good story on each unfilled space.
Just a thought. I've got a few holes in my albums where I've had higher cost coins certified. Like the 1909-S VDB and the Three Legged Buffalo. The holes do bother me a little. I've decided that if I ever run across blank planchets that will fit, I'll engrave them with the year, grade etc. and place them in the albums.
