Finally Made A Decision

Just something I thought I would share with all of you. Towards the end of last year I completed my Buffalo Nickel Set as well as my Memorial Cent collection. The two of those combined is well over 200 coins.

I kicked around alot of where to go from there. The one thing I did know is I definitely did not want to do anymore large sets. I just didn't want to get locked into one type of coin for such a long period.

At first I thought about doing a five coin "set" of Morgan Dollars consisting of one from each mint, I have no Morgan Dollars. I then thought about doing an eight coin variety set of Seated Liberty Quarters. I didn't do this, but it is still very appealing to me.

Due to some posts and pictures of the coins that were on CT I made a decision, and actually I have already started. Due to their oddity (if that is the correct word), I made a decision to assemble a four coin set consisting of a 3 cent nickel, 3 cent silver, 2 cent piece, and a 20 cent piece.

Two I have already obtained,two purchased with one in hand and one in shipment. Both are NGC certified in a MS condition. The other two will also have to be by NGC, but I don't think I'll be obtaining a MS 20 cent piece.

After that is done, probably by June or July, then I'll need a new place to go. I may go back to the Seated Liberty Quarter variety set, or possible a set of one type of each 19th Century Half Dime.

Any comments on my decision or any other ideas would be appreciated. One thing I am going to definitely not do is any more big sets.

 

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I think that will look like a nice set.

 

Well,

Considering I love the "odd" pieces I think you made a good decision. Why not toss in a decent Half Cent for good measure?

 

Sounds like a good plan to me.

 

Love it when a plan comes together....good luck Larry.

 

Yep!! Good choice!!

 

Have you considered just paging through the Red Book to see if any particular coins catch your interest?

I've done that and am interested in (but could never afford) Mormon gold pieces, but have been looking at California Gold pieces from 1852 to 1864 or thereabouts.

Also some of the large cent varieties have somewhat short runs and look fairly interesting.

 

Good idea , just what I was thinking .:thumb:
rzage

 

The Liberty nickel is a short-ish series and a nice complement to your Buffalo collection. A few of the pieces are a bit pricey above MS60, but most are affordable up to MS64. Proofs are a good "lower cost" substitute for the more expensive coins of this series.

Another short-ish series that is absolutely breathtaking in high MS (imo) is the Barber Dime series. The reverse is stunning in brilliant mint luster! A "Philadelphia only" set may be within reach. In fact, there are many series that can be reduced in both size and cost if you focus on just the Philadelphia minted coins...Mercury dimes are a good example of this.

 

I've seen similar sets in many coin shows and shops. Don't know who makes the holders for those but I've seen many sets like you mentioned. A 2 cent, 3 cent, 20 cent, etc. I've seen a multi Nickel set with one of each Shield, Liberty Head, Buffalo, Jefferson Nickel. Then there are many of those 3 coin sets of the 1943 Steel Cents. Not really sure where these are made but there is a large variety of all such small sets of coins.
If you want a suggestion, check out blank Album folder covers and blank pages from Whitman. Make your own types of sets. For example you could make a Flying Eagle/Indian Head/Lincoln Cent album with coins with no mint marks (Philidelphia). Or you could make a Nickel Album similar with one of each type. Or a page of Pennies, one of Nickels, one of Dimes, one of quarters, etc. In other words with blanks you could make anything you want.
I do that which makes it all really interesting.

 

I often thought it would be a neat collection to have all the varieties of large cents. From 1816 to 1857 alone, there are several varieties. Once the Liberty heads are done, you could go backwards and work on classic heads,draped busts, and liberty cap varieties.

 

I have to admit I did think about getting a half-cent. But, I haven't gotten far along enough to check out how many types are in the 19 Century, and the affordability. When I am about to get the others completed I'll take a look. I will also take a look at the large cent also.

I do have a three coin set of Liberty Nickels, 1883 without cents, 1911 with cents, and a 1912 I display the obverse while the other two I display the reverse. The reason I chose the 1911 and 1912 it makes the 20th century complete with at least one coin from each year except 1910. If anyone has any ideas on how to incorporate a 1910 coin into a distinct three or four coin set I would appreciate it.

By the way today my 11 year old son found an 1890 Liberty Nickel laying on our street today. A total subdivision street that really goes nowhere. Also I know of noone else on my stree that collects coins, and I know everyone well. The V is almost practically gone, I rated it as a G4.

I so have six 1943 cents, with three displayed with the obverse and three displayed with reverse. I never thought much about wheaties until I got these. I really do like the simplicity and style of the reverse on this coin.

As for IHCs, I've been working on these for years. Someday I may get there, or maybe my sons will have to continue it after me.

 

It's a "sign" Larry.......

 

the 20th century Eliasberg short set

While it is definitely not a small set, you might consider a 20th century mint set (all years, all mints). If you ignore commemoratives and gold, this totals 1,401 coins and can be done without spending hundreds of thousands of dollars. Of course, you have to accept lower grade key coins (e.g., 1909-SVDB cent, 1901-S and 1916 quarters). I'd also advise (unless you have a really big wallet/purse) you avoid having the entire set slabbed.

My guess is that many collectors have a good start on gathering the needed coins. The 1964-2000 mint and proof sets will give you 2/5ths of what you need to complete the set. It took me about 4 years to put one together.
Something to think about.

 

That is a good idea, but I don't want to get locked into something that big.

 

Ken, do you have any idea what the sign is or when I get further along will the "sign" point me in the right direction? I guess this sign comes from the coin god.

 

That, and the fact that you have this place (CT) with so many helpful and friendly folks willin' to lend a helping hand....

 

You are right, especially the hand showing me the sign part.

 

Larry - you might consider selecting a particular year in history and collect several different denominations from that year. Toss in a piece of currency or other relevant numismatic material. Study what occurred in history for that year to augment your appreciation for the coins of that year.

I am trying to do the above for 1893, but there will be some obstacles with the expense of the dollar coin in the condition I want. That's okay, perhaps I'll limit it anyway.

Good luck!

 

Thanks to all, I got a few things out of this to consider.