Is it better to collect whole sets of coins or is better to buy individual of all different types of coins which way would be better turn out on price in about 20 years.
I'm not sure you can look at it like that. Either you like sets or you like type coins. If you do a good job choosing coins and buy them right, you'll do okay when you sell.
well i think having whole sets are good because usually they bring more money but what is your opinion on that.
In either case, you will discover the same old problem: buyers will want you to break up the sets, to avoid spending money for a lot of duplicates and/or cheap coins they already have. In Lincolns, for instance, think how many of the coins can be bought for $1 or less; this is where Type Sets have an advantage. By buying quality coins, while it's not likely someone will buy a Type Set intact, there's usually a buyer for every piece. If you buy a lot of cheap coins to complete a "set," it will take forever to sell them down the line. And if any of us knew which collecting style would "turn out better on price" in 20 years, that prophet would become a millionaire. Still, there's a reason that the rarest Lincoln sells for 25,000+ times as much as the most common... I personally prefer Type Sets, and I think most non-collectors find them more interesting than a whole album of identical Lincoln mugs.
well i understand that I just havent had no lucky to sale coins that i have bought for reasonable price on ebay or any where else while I am working on my sets.
I have two "sets" I'm actively working on. The first is my "set" of Jefferson Nickels. When I see a quality Jefferson nickel, at a reasonable price, I buy it. I have no idea how complete my date/mm set is...it's something I've been meaning to do, but just haven't made the time yet (paying bills, etc.) The second is a set of Lincoln Wheat Cents that I am putting together. I made a rule that every coin in the album should cost less than $5. Most cost less than $1. Most are at least AU, most are attractively toned UNC. I even have the 24d (VG) and 31s (XF) that I got in other groups of coins. I ended up selling the rest of the coins, getting my money back, so the good coins were basically free. The rest of the coins I have were paid for mostly in this way. Buy 3, keep 1. If you can, always keep the nicest of the group. I agree with the above posting about buyers not wanting to purchase an entire set...they will pick out the best ones and only want to buy them...so you won't get full retail for that complete set. Seen it happen over and over...at least 100 wheat cent sets that are 98% complete...missing all the keys and nice coins.
well thanks for letting me know this but they are better keepsakes if you have complete sets so guess i work on my old currency collection and coin sets.
Everyone will usually tell you the same thing: collect what you like and enjoy. It's your collection - do it how you want to do it.
I would think there is a better story, a better saga, a better ordeal, in putting together complete sets. If I EVER complete that Lincoln Cent book...no one will believe me that I got everything in there for less than $5 each. So, at least that will be fun...
Based on this reply, you've already decided to collect sets. Just remember, when you go to sell, you probably won't get the most value out of each coin unless you sell them individually. I have some sets I'm putting together and collecting types as well. I'm enjoying it, no matter what others are doing with their collections.
It is hard to sell sets and get what you paid for them. Even if you break it up, each coin stands on it's own. Nice coins sell. Not so nice or ugly coins are tough to sell. Whatever you decide, buy nice no problem coins.
See answer above by Chris. I like whole sets, but I know some of them will never be completed just because I can't afford the dates. Like a few of the bust halves - who knows maybe when I win the lottery I can find and get the 96 and 97 ones.
There are darn few series that you can reasonably complete without leaving a few holes, unless you don't mind a few AGs and Gs mixed in with your BUs. I have narrowed down my efforts to a type set and the full Lincoln Wheat Cent series. In a type set you can usually get a top grade example of one date of every series without breaking the bank. One thing to decide early on is what you really consider to be part of your set. Do you just want date examples, or date and mint? Do you want to include errors and varieties, or just regular issues? Do you want to include proofs or just circulation coins. Personally, I enjoy looking at my type set much more than seeing ~100 Lincolns that all look more or less the same.
