Being from New Orleans, I thought it would be really neat to collect an O mintmark Type Set or maybe even an O mintmark Complete Set (excluding gold coins). Sounds expensive to me, but wondering if it is reasonable, feasible or are some difficult to find. A quick look reveals... Types: Three-cent pieces (Silver three-cent) Half dimes (Seated Liberty) Dimes (Seated Liberty, Barber) Quarters (Seated Liberty, Barber) Half dollars (Capped Bust,Seated Liberty, Barber) Dollars (Seated Liberty, Morgan) Key date of complete set: 1838 Capped Bust Half Dollar
I think it would be a worthwhile project. Very personal too. I think a type set is very doable, a complete set would be hard. One thing to consider too is a complete business strike set. If memory serves, the 1838-O half was only issued as a proof. But, I might be remembering incorrectly. It would take time, money and hard work. But, in the end you would have a very nice result.
All depends on what you consider expensive and grades you want. Me I've started working on the complete set about a year ago as a secondary set. And I think I took a bite bigger than I can chew ( for now anyway), But I like matched sets in grade and visual appeal. I say go for it and happy collecting
Yes, the 1838-O half is off the list for sure, but the 1839-O half is gonna be tough to justify too. I'm thinking a type set in G-4 KoinJester, how close are you to finishing the complete set? Do you have a complete Type Set yet? I knew this wasn't an original idea!
No its a set that's secondary so I only work on it when I can't find anything for my main sets. I figure its a 10+ year project. Xf45-au58 with gold btw
The 1839-O Reeded Edge half dollar shouldn't be tough to justify, but it will prove to be tough to find nice and priced anywhere near current published guides. This was the first half dollar struck in New Orleans for general circulation, is the only half dollar business strike minted in New Orleans for the Reeded Edge half dollar series and is historically mighty difficult to find nice. In my experienced opinion, you would be far better served buying at least a Ch VF for $1,500 or so instead of a G4 for $500 or so.
Thanks for the comments and serious perspective. I obviously just today started to think about the idea, and am looking to gain enough knowledge to assess the feasibility for me to try such a collection. I guess what I meant by justify is "it is tough (for me) to justify (to me and my wife! ) spending $1500 or even $500 on a single coin". My G-4 comment was tongue in cheek mostly meant to indicate my unwillingness to spend what I consider big money on a hobby. An obvious indicator of how I am not a very hardcore collector, at least for now. I will keep the idea of an O-Type Set in mind as a long term project/dream.
I completely understand the hesitance to spending $1,500 on a coin and think the reservation is entirely valid.
I recently completed a set of Barber dimes in an old Library of Coins album. By far the 1895-O took the longest to get. I didn't get the 1905 micro O.
Going to post pics of the three O mm coins I already have (3/11'ths the way to an O-Type Set!!!). I'd appreciate it if anyone could give me a rough estimate of how each would grade. 1) Barber Dime 1900-O 2) Barber Half 1903-O 3) Morgan Dollar 1904-O Thanks!
I'm also from New Orleans and I've been working on a complete circulated set (minus gold) for a few years as a side project. I knew that I wouldn't get very far on a mid or high grade set so I opted to work on a low grade set (with problem coins.) I normally don't include problem coins in my collection but I am thinking of this as a reclamation project so I'm making exceptions for O-minted coins. I am making progress. I've got about 65 more coins to go including all of the key dates. I'm missing one half dime and a few dimes. I think the seated quarters are going to be a challenge. Good luck on any route you decide to take. Here are my grades for your coins: 1900-O Dime - VF20 1903-O Half - G6 Details 1904-O Dolllar - AU55/58 or MS62 - I can't tell from the pictures if there is wear.
Thanks for the grades. That collection sounds pretty cool - I hope you finish it sooner than later! I haven't checked thoroughly but I think about 165 coins were circulated? Go Saints!
