War series

As some of you know I'm doing the peace dollar collection right now. Well being a history buff another idea came to me that I'm interested in collecting a coin set that corresponds to American war, one coin per war.

This would be one coin from...

American revolution, 1775-1783

War of 1812, 1812-1815

Civil war 1861-1865

WWI, 1914-1918

WWII, 1939-1945

Korean war, 1950-1955

Vietnam, 1960-1975

I normally only collect as far back as the Morgan. Any thoughts on doing this collection?

 

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yeah,get a lot of money to get that together

 

Ya got that right. Plus what would be the grade of such a war collection?

 

I think it's interesting idea...but I think you should define your criteria a little better. If you truly want a coin produced during every "American War" then be sure and include every war. For instance, the first missing example that comes to mind is the Spanish-American War, also the Mexican-American War. Also, technically Korea and Vietnam weren't wars...they were "Police Actions" because they did not have a formal declaration of war from Congress.

But, I think it would be an interesting project. I would personally try and find a unique piece for each era (ex: 2 cent piece for Civil War) or better yet a coin produced because of the war. WWII for instance is 1941-45, however in 1943 the cent was made of steel because copper was needed for the war effort. Likewise, nickel was critical so nickels were made of silver from 42-45.

 

There are no real criteria in terms of grade, type, ect...especially when it comes to the old stuff like revolution and 1812. And Camaro I left out those wars for a reason, I only did "major" events so as to keep it simple. One coin from each era would be 7 total. The main premise is to collect a coin each from those time periods. Aside from that there's no exact science to it.

 

I love the idea! I'm a history buff too, and I like to put history with some of my coins and that is a neat way to do it.

 

Great Idea as long as War Nickels represent WWII

 

Put a lot of research into many price sources for all that you mentioned.

I've considered putting a Civil War set together, every denomination, from each Mint, from 1861-1865.

Only thing holding me back on actually doing it, the cost of each coin. Even in lower grades, many of the key dates are higher than my collecting budget.

 

Define major though? I'd say to those that lost their lives considered it a "major" event.

I'd also say it would be cooler if you didn't just have one coin from each war era but every available denomination from each war era.

 

Yes you're right, I'm just keeping it simple is all.

 

you right,if you are going to do it ,do it right

 

I agree...but also from a long term impact point of view, the Mexican-American War was huge. It had huge ramifications when it comes to the extent of US territory. IMHO, this event had a much greater significance than Korea and Vietnam (which again, were not even "wars" in a legal sense).

That said, I understand the OPs point to want to keep the set simple and do it his own way...and that's great. One of the best things about this hobby is our ability to define our collections our own way.

 

Amen Camaro. I wanted to join the military but I can't due to health issues. That's why I'm a historian, it's a way I can give back. Make sure they aren't forgotten.

 

Retired.

 

here is to you BUncirculated

 

You will have some problems with the American Revolution coin there weren't to many coins made during that period. Most "colonials" date either before or after that period. You have the Continental Currency dollar (six figures), the 1783 Nova Constellatio which isn't easy, and the 1783 Virginia half penny. Another possibility would be the 1775 British half penny Or even better a counterfeit British half penny since they were the main copper coin in circulation at the time. You could also get a Machins Mills piece so you know you have a domestically made counterfeit British halfpenny.

 

I think its a cool idea. If I were doing it myself, I would include the other wars people have mentioned, including the "police actions" mentioned by camaro. I had an idea to do a set of all coins issued during WW2, because it would be historically significant, but easy, because I believe that all of the WW2 era coins are common dates.

 

I think it is a great idea and shouldn't be too costly, unless you shoot for high grade pieces. I would represent the American Revolution with a foreign coin in circulation at the time, like a piece of Spanish american silver.

 

Thanks for the advice y'all.

 

Being that my paternal grandfather fought in the Mexican-American war, I would include a coin from this era along with the Spanish-American, the Gulf war and Afganistan. BTW, I have my grandfather's commemorative token from the Mexican-American war. It is silver dollar sized and is silver plated copper.