Most Widely Collected Series?

I was curious what you all thought was the most widely collected U.S. Coin Series. You can list just top 1 or top 10. Has anyone ever done a scientific study or poll?

I am probably WAY OFF ... but here is my guess (not really based on anything)

1. Morgan Silver Dollars
2. Walking Liberty Halfs
3. Buffalo Nickels
4. Lincoln Cents
5. Jefferson Nickels
6. Rosevelt Dimes
7. Franklin Halfs
8. Peace Dollars
9. American Silver Eagles
10. Kennedy Halfs

 

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I think Lincoln cents are easily the most widely collected, if you consider every kid with an album.

Among serious collectors large cents should be high on the list.
Lance.

 

good point ... should probably move 4 and 5 up to 1 and 2 just because of accessibility.

 

The State quarter program that ended in 2009 was the most collected ever from what I've heard. Go figure, as far as pre-33, Morgans for sure!

 

My top Five:

1. Kennedy's
2. Morgans
3. Franklins
4. Indian Head penny's
5. Washington Quarters

 

I'd say Lincoln pennies and state quarters are the most common for children and beginner/novice collectors. Once you start there you move on to something older or rarer (or both) or just other denominations of modern coins. I might even go as far to say that Lincoln pennies and state quarters are the gateway drugs into the realm of coin collecting!

 

State Quarters were at one time, no doubt about it. I had a folder long before I even considered truly collecting coins. At that time it was just the cool thing to do I guess. As far as now? Hmmmm probably Licnoln cents because of ease of acquisition and low cost of keeping them. Perfect coin to keep beginners busy for a long time.

 

Looking at just sales from eBay and Heritage, the top sellers are Morgans followed by Lincolns and then there is everything else.

 

Here are the top selling US COIN series on eBay. Which means there is probably a very close correllation with the most popular US coin series.

1. Morgan Dollars
2. State Quarters
3. Lincoln Cents
4. Jefferson Nickels
5. Walking Liberty Half Dollars
6. Indian Head Cents
7. Buffalo Nickels
8. Mercury Dimes

The only surprise to me is that Jefferson Nickels beat Walkers, IHCs, Buffs and Mercs.

 

That is interesting considering that there are only 21,651 state quarters listed on eBay. Now there are 39,264 wheats, 15,213 memorials, 1335 bicentennials, and 469 shields. Even just the wheats have the state quarters out-numbered almost 2:1.

 

Based on the number of NGC registry sets, here is the order of the ones you listed.

1) ASE (2427)
2) Morgan Dollars (1821)
3) Peace Dollars (768)
4) Franklin Halves (645)
5) Lincoln Cents (411)
6) Buffalo Nickels (306)
7) Roosevelt Dimes (261)
8) Kennedy Halves (256)
9) Walkers (244)
10) Jefferson Nickels (227)

Personally, I think that Morgans are more popular but that ASE's jumped in front based solely on their affordability.

It is also worth noting that you left out some of the more popular collectable series.

IKE's (397)
Washington Quarters (377)
Mercury Dimes (328)

 

wow! very interesting statistics ... thanks for posting everyone ...

a few surprises in there

 

Also, just noticed that there are only 35,120 Morgans. That means right now, Lincolns are #1 on eBay, Morgans #2.

 

I got into coins because of an offer from Littleton Coins for a set of the state quarters for only $19.95 including an album. Was hooked after that and have never spent another dime with Littleton.

 

You mean there are coins OTHER than Large Cents? Who'd a thunk?

 

Sure there are, there are half cents, and bust halves, and state coppers!

 

I say Lincoln Cents followed by State Quarters with Morgans third.

Bruce

 

Maybe the attraction of Jeffersons is that you can build a decent set without investing a lot of money. You can pluck most dates from circulation. And even the older coins can be quite cheap-- not too long ago I bought a 1938, 1939, 1940, 1940-D, and 1942-D all in AU, for only about 20 cents each.

 

i think you hit the nail on the head with that statement ... also applies to lincoln cents and state quarters.
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I want to say Lincoln cents for #1, with Jefferson Nickels in #2. All though the Morgan Dollars have always been going nuts, so they are up there on the list.