The obvious are the 1982 and 1983 coins (since no mint set was produced). What other moderns would you call "keys"? If a Jefferson expert could chime in with key modern full step dates that would be good. Thanks
I don't know if you could call the 2009 nickel and dime "key" coins, but they were only minted until April of their year. We have yet to find either.
Danr, help narrow this down for me: 1. How far back do you consider modern? 2. Did you want to include varieties or JUST key dates?
I tend to define "key" coins as the base metal coins that were specifically produced for circulation in much lower quantities than previous, or even recent patterns, dictate. I would exclude collector coins and sets and the circulation quality rolls for essentially non-circulating ATB S-mintmarked quarters, halves and dollars sold by the US Mint. The 1982- and 1983-dated coinage can fit into a loose definition, particularly coins of heavy circulation like quarters. Nonetheless, 1982- and 1983-dated uncirculated sets are available as US Mint mint-specific Souvenir Sets and they are PRICEY! Much of the circulating 2009- and 2010-dated coinage have low mintages, nickels, dimes, both territorial and 2010-ATB quarters. The 2011 and 2012 America the Beautiful quarters continue being minted in very low numbers. Nonetheless, the Lincoln Presidency cents are low in mintage relative to the remaining three 2009-dated copper-plated zinc cents, but are not a "key" coin. There are still just too many of them around!
1970 kennedy half 1972 Ike Dollar Type 2 1979 Wide Rim SBA Just to name a few..........I'll let other chime in with their thoughts.
Let's not forget the 1987 P&D Kennedy which was only released in the Mint Set. Some collectors might also consider the 1998-S Kennedy a key date since it was only struck for the 2-coin set with the Bobby Kennedy dollar. Chris
I'm going to have to agree with OneCenter and his post above. It's easy to start going off with special editions, special sets, collector only, commemoratives,yadda yadda.......they do not consititutue a "key date" because ALL those coins will be saved and horded. Not that they are not collectible, but just not a key date.
I understand what you are saying, but I disagree with you. Technically, nearly all the modern key dates are part of some special set or edition. This includes all the copper lincolns, 96W dime, the two nickels, the 98 half dollar....etc. In order to get these, you tend to have to purchase a set to aquire them. This doesn't make them not a key date just because they are in a special series. If you collect a particular series, lets say lincolns, the 2009 copper UNC pennies are a must. The only way to get them was to purchase a UNC set from that year. Those are key dates for those lincolns because no other "modern lincoln" has a mintage that low. I don't consider varieties as a key unless it is generally accepted in the collecting world as the key to the series. For example, the 2000P Cheerioes Sac is a rare variety. Estimated that 5000k made, but less than 100 certified. For us SAC collectors, this is the key to the series, even though this came in a special package that was limited. Thats what makes it key. I wouldn't say there are any key "modern" coins that are in circulation. They are all found in special mint sets.
the 1972 type 2 Ike seems to be the biggie for me. For a while there the 1995 silver proofs were something and the 1999 proofs, but those seem to have fizzled
