Looking for an Idea

OK, here is the deal. I am looking for my next coin to buy. I have a couple ideas in my head and I want some help brainstorming. So, here is what is going on. I have between $350-$450 set aside as "fun money" that I have saved up and I want to use it to make a coin purchase. I'm not currently trying to complete any sets...my goal right now is just to add a nice piece (or couple pieces) to my collection. Like I said, I have a couple ideas in mind I am kicking around. Basically, I'm looking for slabbed and US coins...that's it. I don't want to "invest" in anything and I'm not looking for bullion.

So, basically just throw out some ideas for me. If you were looking to drop $350-$450 on a coin or a few coins, what would come to mind. Also, please don't respond with "buy what you like" because right now I'm just trying to get some ideas and make sure there is nothing I have overlooked. I will buy what I like.

 

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Well, how about a nice AU large cent? You get history, a big chunk of pure copper (almost half dollar size), a connection to the early years at the Mint and of our country. Here's an example.

How about a really cool Capped Bust Half dollar? With no silver dollars these were the workhorses and what kept our early commerce going. They're hefty and silver and largely hand made which accounts for the enormous number of varieties.

Like more modern? How about an early WLH or SLQ? Drop dead gorgeous design, many in attractive states, always popular and guaranteed to appreciate.

Too arcane? Go for a stunning early Buffalo nickel. Everyone relates to them. Lovely art, wonderful colors. Who doesn't like Indian Head nickels?

Really modern? Sorry...can't help you there.
Lance.

 

A Type 1 SLQ is not a bad idea and I hadn't considered one. I'll add it to the list of possibles. Thanks!!!

As for the others, I'm not a huge large cent guy (although I might consider a half cent since I don't have one) and I already have a decent Caped Busted Half and WL Half. Keep the ideas coming!!!

 

Sorry, Camaro dude...I meant gold. Forget all that other stuff!

Early 20th century gold $5? Mid 19th century $1 gold? If you have good eyes, go for the little stuff. They're spectacular.

Sorry...I'll go away for a while now. I just get a little excited about coins.
Lance.

 

My ideas were already taken. If I had that money to use on coins I'd look for a nice early date large cent or two. Maybe get that elusive 1855 slanted 5's with knob on ear late date large cent. Not rare but tough to find. If I didn't see any cents I liked I'd look into capped bust halves. I like certified toned buffalo nickels as well, so I might look there for something.

If you can't decide, pm me and I'll give you my address so you can send the money to me. I'll find something
Guy

 

Good ideas everyone...keep them coming. Prior to my posting, I was considering a 1921 Peace Dollar or an Oregon Trail Commemorative (specifically 1933-D). But, I like what I'm seeing so keep them coming!

 

How about some Mercury Dimes? You could get a cheap folder or album and start another set (or a first) of pennies or nickels or whatever. I'm a poor college student so I don't know too much about coins over 20 dollars (except in my wildest roll searching dreams... A man can dream.) Good Luck!

 

I'm really only looking to pick a couple coins at the most...and probably only 1 coin. I have been doing to cheap folder/coin thing for a while and that is the bulk of my collection. I'm trying to become a little more focused and purchase a few nice quality coins.

On a side note, I see you are from Eugene and you say you're a college student. I grew up in Eugene and graduated from Oregon in 2007.

 

Hey pretty cool!! I started at UO in 2007 but transfered to LCC. My girlfriend is graduating this spring then we are moving elsewhere, possibly Pittsburgh. I imagine that I will travel around while I'm young and head back to the NorthWest to settle down.

 

Cool. My best friend went to LCC and so did both my parents and my sister. I finished at UO in 2007 with a BS in Biology and double minors in Chemistry and Human Physiology. I am currently enrolled at OHSU in Portland studying Dentistry. I'll get my DMD in 2012.

Are you from Eugene? If so, where did you go to high school?

 

I vote a Morgan in 64 DMPL. Look for a nice one. If a person doesn't have one with deep mirrors, it is something to see a century old coin with a watery shimmer or black-and-white cameo. In this case, stick with the big two grading companies unless you can get a good deal. Also be wary of coins in old holders, because PL and DMPL standards tend to be stricter now than before.

 

I went to high school in Hillsboro, which is about 20 miles west of Portland if you don't know. I moved to Eugene in '07 and lived in the dorm rooms for a year.

 

OK, never-mind then. I know where Hillsboro is but I don't know much about it.

 

Knowing where it is is just about everything there is to know about it...

 

LOL, good to know.

OK, so does anyone have anymore suggestions for me? Also, specific dates/MM are also acceptable. Remember, just trying to brainstorm.

 

I'm starting to lean towards a 1933-D Oregon Trail Commemorative. I think I can afford a decent one and it has a really low mintage...only 5008. What do you guys think?

Also, still looking for other ideas.

 

The Oregon commem is a pretty design, and popular. But why limit your selection to a '33-D? They're not valued that much more. If you aren't building a set then buy one that really attracts you without regard to date/mm.

If your reasoning has something to do with $ appreciation, then step away from commemoratives. With certain exceptions, they're under-performers. I like them and have a dozen favorites in my collection. But I think of them as sitting on dead money.

Still need more ideas? Why not flip through the Red Book?
Lance.
(Psst...how about a 20c piece?)

 

There are so many possibilities that it's not easy trying to come up with just one.

There are some nice Morgan DMPL's in MS64 you can get in that price range, but try to avoid those that have been repolished. You'd want to look for one struck from new dies.

In the Classic Commem series, I've always been partial to the Oregon Trail, Pan Pac and Antietam. You can get blast white OT's pretty much any time on eBay for under $300, but they're kind of blah in my opinion. I like a little bit of color.

Chris

 

Right now you will get more for your money if you go for copper or nickel coinage.

How about a pristine 2c piece, or maybe 3c nickel... They made the 3c nickels in proof form also.
IDK about the 2c pieces...

Flying Eagle cent?
If you shop around, you might get a couple of really nice examples.

 

I was thinking a 1933-D or a 1936-S because I love the design and I like the lower mintage. I don't care that they aren't worth anymore than the others. If you could pick between 2 equal coins...one with a mintage of 83,000 and the other with a mintage of 5,000 for basically the same price, which would you pick?

I have thought about a 20 cent piece as I don't have one in my collection. I have also been thinking about a Trade Dollar.