Collecting Modern Commemoratives

So, I have decided I want to start the process of putting together a collection of modern commemoratives. I have always liked the commemoratives because unlike other sets, every coin is unique. I think it will be a fun process. As crazy as it sounds, I like the moderns more as a set. There are a few classics I like (Oregon Trail comes to mind)...but I want to go modern. I think I will start with clad and silver and eventually start picking up gold as I can afford it.

Now, comes the decision making part. I don't want to do both business strikes and proofs. I want to pick one or the other. I think I'm going to go with the proofs. The reason is...first, I think they look nicer. To me commemorative coins are about beauty and symbolizing an event. The proofs are nicer looking and I think are a better representative of that. One the other hand, the BUs have lower mintage's consistently...probably because they were less popular when new. I'm going to go with the proofs unless someone can talk me out of it.

I need to come up with a way of storage too. I think I want to use intercept shield holders as I like them the best. However, I would love to put them in an album eventually. Does anyone have any suggestions how this could be done. I don't want to use a premade type album (like Dansco) because I want to display the clad, silver, and gold as one set. I think pages with intercept shield holders is the way to go.

My plan is to purchase all the coins raw in their original mint packaging and then transfer them to Intercept Shields and store the original packaging. Since all the proofs I have seen are in airtities from the mint, preserving the mint packaging should be easy (as opposed to the BUs which are vacuum packed).

Does anyone have any comments or suggestions for me as I start this process?

Oh, one more thing too. I plan to "add" a couple coins to what I consider the modern commemorative set. I'm going to include the ASE and AGE reverse proofs as well as the 2009 ultra high relief double eagle proof. I just like them and being one time issues, I think they fit.

 

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Seems like you know exactly what you want to do. I like the idea of the Rev proofs and AGE in the set. Good luck.

 

For some reason, I'm trying to talk myself out of the proofs because of the mintage's and then guilting myself back into them because of the appearance. Which do you think I should do? Should I feel bad because I like the coins with the higher mintage?

 

Ritchie, I applaud your collecting endevor. When I first started out collecting "moderns" it was only the proof issues that I collected. I've since segued into collecting the uncircs but that is entirely up to you as the collector. Don't let the mintage factor obscure your collecting journey. The proofs are indeed beautiful and, judging from what you write, are probably the best way to go at this time. Many times the proofs can be had at very reasonable prices too. I can't comment about storage as I keep all of mine in OGP.

Have fun and enjoy. Oh, that ultra high relief? It's an uncirc.....but don't let that stop you.

 

For some reason I thought they made a proof and a BU version...oh well, it doesn't matter. I want one either way and I figure including it in this set is as good of a way as any to get one. But, I might search for a slabbed one of those anyway.

I will still include the reverse proofs for the ASE, AGE, and APE.

 

Was going to suggest buying from... but you want all the Mint packaging and happy good fun stuff.

So, best of luck!

 

It's like a Morgan dollar. You can get it in regular, Proof Like, or DMPL.

 

You may want to consider adding one of these to the "modern to-do" list.......

 

Yes. Waiting on my Uncirc and proof to come back from the PCGS.

 

I had been considering adding the proof spouse "liberties" to the set. I think that one is my favorite.

 

Camaro, collect both MS and proof. In the long run, you will be happy. Here are a few of my moderns. :hail:

 

Camaro,
You sound like to are heading down the raid I've been travelling lately. I'm pretty new to coins but I've latched on to the Commemoratives. I'm working on a set both Modern and early. I'm interested in only the Silver except for the First Spouse series.
I would say get the proofs if that is what you like but I would agree with the Ripster that getting both the MS and PRF is a good way to go moving forward.
I have come to appreciate the UNCs quite a bit. I really like the look of them.

I keep my Moderns in the capsules and then plop them into an eagle album.

If you get really interested in the Modern $1 silvers PM me. I've got several duplicates and would sell them at reasonable price. I just want one UNC and one PRF to complete the set.

Also think about checking out the Commemorative group we have going on in the "groups" section.

I've got more I can write but my toddler keeps taking off the with the mouse!
Take care!

 

Of course not! Lots of other people like them too--that's *why* they have the higher mintage. Future value is determined by demand as well as supply. Today there are more collectors looking for BU's than there were a couple of decades ago, so the prices for some of the BU commems are sky-high. Twenty years from now, who knows? It's entirely possible that the First Spouse series will end up being pricier in Proof than in BU, if future collectors turn out to favor the Proofs by a larger ratio than today's collectors do.

Personally, I'm in what seems to be the minority--I like the look of the BU coins better than the Proofs. I mean, it's a *coin* already, not a mirror! Mostly, that attitude just keeps me from seriously contemplating a complete modern commem set, because I'd need quite a few very expensive coins. If you'd rather have the Proofs than the BU's, then just enjoy the fact that today's market lets you buy your preferred coins on the (relatively) cheap.

 

Nice Clay, I have never seen your "Moderns" before. Very nice.

 

+1

 

I think I'm going to stick with the proofs. I just like them better. I'll add some of the first spouse "Liberties" and the reverse proofs and anything else that comes along that I like.

So, my next question is...storage. Does anyone know of pages that accept the intercept shield holders?

 

Gee thanks. You like? Here are all three pages. I'm down to only 4 modern silver dollars and I'll have a full (proof OR UNC) set.

 

Speaking of MS vs. PRF

Here are three that came today. Two UNC and one PRF.
It really is a personal preference. Some of the moderns I like better as Proof, some as UNC.

 

Richie:

When I was collecting coin I was taught by a dealer friend that proofs are made for collectors! There are many collectors out there and in my opinion many more proofs than unc's. This is not true in all issues but in general, I made more on my resell in unc's than proofs. I agree with Numbers and I too am in that minority here. Storage will become an issue and thus a high quality fire rated safe would be the first purchase I would make. Have it installed by a professional and no less than (1.25" dia )Stainless steel bolts into concrete floor.

In prep for the safe install....simply have an electrician install an out let close to the safe location, into floor with a stone chisel, groove a small channel ~ .25" deep and wide for the cord to lie in. Then have a hole drilled into the bottom of the safe only large enough to pass the cord through. Once this is complete have the electrician splice in a small junction box with an outlet so you can plug in humidity control...no worries then.

The uncs will be a beautiful collection, I once had many of them and did very well on the resell...as a matter of fact, I just ordred the Medal of Honor unc gold...what a great looking coin..

Best of Luck, you are a smart guy, do it rght the first time..

Best regards,

RickieB

 

Just a note here. The only commems that are in the pilofilm (which, I assume you mean by vacuum packed) are some of the 80's uncirculated halfs. The uncirculated dollars all are in capsules like the proofs. I wouldn't worry too much about removing them from the plastic, they're not worth that much to begin with and you' re not giong to lose much value on them out of the mint packaging.
I'll also add my preference is also the uncirculated versions of modern commems. I just like the look of them more than proofs. You also don't have to worry as much about the hazing problems that come with a lot of the proofs. Although a couple of my uncirculated ones that have a more prooflike finish show a little bit of haze it's not as noticable as a hazy proof. The ones with the more satiny finish show no haze at all.
I probably won't ever see the plus side of the lower mintages of uncirculateds if they do increase in value, but I like to think that maybe my kids or future grandkids might reap those benefits.