Can anybody give a ballpark idea of what I'll have to pay to collect a zinc cent, nickel, clad dime, clad quarter, clad half dollar, and golden dollar coin planchets for a little short set I'm thinking of starting?
Here are some completed ebay listings to go through. edit, link didn't work. http://www.ebay.com/sch/Coins-US-/253/i.html?_from=R40&_nkw=blank+planchet&_in_kw=1&_ex_kw=&_sacat=253&_okw=&_oexkw=&_adv=1&_udlo=&_udhi=&_ftrt=901&_ftrv=1&_sabdlo=&_sabdhi=&_samilow=&_samihi=&_sadis=200&_fpos=&_fsct=&LH_SALE_CURRENCY=0&_sop=12&_dmd=1&_ipg=50#save edit again Trying to link completed listings and I see I linked current ones. Do a completed listings search for blank planchets and you'll get an idea on what they go for.
Yep, it seems the higher the denomination, the pricier they get. I'd check around for true auctions or see what other dealers sell them for. Those buy it nows are a little ridiculous.
I've always found that I can get "the same" coin (no two coins are actually identical) at a local show for a little below price guide, and a premium for about it, on top of that eBay is notorious for having inflated prices (finally the conclusion of the tangent), so that's good to know.