Lordmarcovan: where I stand with a US Basic Design Type Set (19th + 20th C.)

Discussion in 'US Coins Forum' started by lordmarcovan, Aug 18, 2026 at 4:20 AM.

Page 1 of 2
  1. lordmarcovan

    lordmarcovan Eclectic numismatist Moderator

    (Note: I’m mostly posting this list for my own reference, but feel free to follow along or comment if you see fit.)

    I keep my US coin collection organized chronologically rather than with the standard sorting by denomination and type that most collectors and reference guides use. This is is how I sort my all of my collections, so I do it that way for consistency.

    However, that order makes it harder for me to determine what types I’ll need if I want to transition my US inventory into some kind of type set.

    Since 2013, I've collected "freestyle", without structuring the collection into "sets". But I thought I would return to some kind of structure. So this is to be a very simple basic design type set. I will be excluding the types that began and ended in the 18th century, as well as all pre-1834 gold, for budgetary reasons.

    As of this writing, there are still plenty of types missing, but I do have the advantage of having purchased all the necessary gold a few years ago, when bullion prices were a lot lower. So now it’s time to circle back and focus on the rest. The Draped Bust types (particularly the small silver denominations like the half dime and dime) will be challenging. Some of the more modern 20th century slots will be much easier to fill.

    * Coins in     italics are types I'm excluding.
    * Coins in red are types I need.
    * Coins with hyperlinks are ones I own.

    ~*~*~*~*~*~

    Liberty Cap Left Half Cent (1793)
    Liberty Cap Right Half Cent (1794-1797)
    Draped Bust Half Cent (1800-1808)
    Classic Head Half Cent (1809-1836)
    Braided Hair Half Cent (1840-1857)
    Flowing Hair Chain Cent (1793)
    Flowing Hair Wreath Cent (1793)
    Liberty Cap Cent (1793-1796)
    Draped Bust Cent (1796-1807)
    Classic Head Cent (1808-1814)
    Coronet Head Cent (1816-1839)
    Braided Hair Cent (1839-1857)
    Flying Eagle Cent (1856-1858)
    Indian Cent (1859-1909)
    Lincoln Cent (1909-2025)
    Two Cents (1864-1873)
    Three Cent Nickel (1865-1889)
    Three Cent Silver (1851-1873)
    Shield Nickel (1866-1889)
    Liberty Nickel (1883-1913)
    Buffalo Nickel (1913-1938)
    Jefferson Nickel (1938-present)
    Bust Half Disme (1792)
    Flowing Hair Half Dime (1794-1795)
    Draped Bust Half Dime (1796-1805)
    Capped Bust Half Dime (1829-1837)
    Liberty Seated Half Dime (1837-1873)
    Draped Bust Dime (1796-1807)
    Capped Bust Dime (1809-1837)
    Liberty Seated Dime (1837-1891)
    Barber Dime (1892-1916)
    Mercury Dime (1916-1945)
    Roosevelt Dime (1946-present)
    Twenty Cents (1875-1878)
    Draped Bust Quarter (1796-1807)
    Capped Bust Quarter (1815-1838)
    Liberty Seated Quarter (1838-1891)
    Barber Quarter (1892-1916)
    Standing Liberty Quarter (1916-1930)
    Washington Quarter (1932-present)
    Flowing Hair Half Dollar (1794-1795)
    Draped Bust Half Dollar (1796-1807)
    Capped Bust Half Dollar (1807-1839)
    Liberty Seated Half Dollar (1839-1891)
    Barber Half Dollar (1892-1915)
    Walking Liberty Half Dollar (1916-1947)
    Franklin Half Dollar (1948-1963)
    Kennedy Half Dollar (1964-present)
    Flowing Hair Dollar (1794-1795)
    Draped Bust Dollar (1795-1804)
    Liberty Seated Dollar (1836-1873)
    Trade Dollar (1873-1885)
    Morgan Dollar (1878-1921)
    Peace Dollar (1921-1935)
    Eisenhower Dollar (1971-1978)
    Susan B. Anthony Dollar (1979-1999)
    Sacagawea Dollar (2000-present)
    Presidential Dollar (2007-2016)
    American Innovation Dollar (2018-2032)
    Liberty Gold Dollar (1849-1854)
    Indian Princess Gold Dollar (1854-1889)
    Draped Bust $2-1/2 (1796-1807)
    Capped Bust $2-1/2 (1808-1834)
    Classic Head $2-1/2 (1834-1839)
    Liberty Head $2-1/2 (1840-1907)
    Indian Head $2-1/2 (1908-1929)
    Indian Princess $3 (1854-1889)
    Draped Bust $5 (1795-1807)
    Capped Bust $5 (1807-1834)
    Classic Head $5 (1834-1838)
    Liberty Head $5 (1839-1908)
    Indian Head $5 (1908-1929)
    Draped Bust $10 (1795-1804)
    Liberty Head $10 (1838-1907)
    Indian Head $10 (1907-1933)
    Liberty Head $20 (1850-1907)
    Saint-Gaudens $20 (1907-1933)

    ~*~*~*~*~*~

    The list is derived from the roster of the PCGS Registry Complete US Coin Design Set (1792-present). I note that set lumps the Type 2 and Type 3 gold dollars (small and large Indian heads) into a single slot, though I consider them to be two distinct types. I do have all three gold dollar types, but my Type 2 is not linked above.
     
    Last edited: Aug 19, 2026 at 6:47 AM
    lordmarcovan, Aug 18, 2026 at 4:20 AM
    #1
    BuffaloHunter, Eduard, kountryken and 7 others like this.
  2. Avatar

    Guest User Guest



    to hide this ad.
  3. geekpryde

    geekpryde Husband and Father Moderator

    Love a good Type Set!!

    I'm surprised to see that Indian cents not broken out into subtypes, along with the Buffalo nickels, Lincoln cents, etc.

    I guess I'm so into the weeds with tiny design changes to expand a 7070 into an 8080 and beyond, I lost sight of the fact that many collectors "zoom out" and simplify a US Type set to just the broad design categories.

    Love how you can click a coin and go to a dedicated page for that coin.
     
    geekpryde, Aug 18, 2026 at 10:11 AM
    #2
    kountryken and lordmarcovan like this.
  4. lordmarcovan

    lordmarcovan Eclectic numismatist Moderator

    Yeah, but that’s why it’s a basic design type set. Much simpler. Later, if I’m still feeling inspired after completing this (and I’m not broke and/or out of safe deposit box space), I could go back and delve further “into the weeds with tiny design changes”, as you put it.
    Thanks. As you can imagine, it took a long time to post a dedicated thread for each individual coin, particularly since I also did that for the Exonumia and commems and all the World & Ancient stuff not on the list above. That way I can link to each individual coin writeup from my main collection pages. Was a lot of work, but totally worth it. And it will make it easier to build a proper website from the information later.
     
    Last edited: Aug 18, 2026 at 10:36 AM
    lordmarcovan, Aug 18, 2026 at 10:22 AM
    #3
    kountryken likes this.
  5. lordmarcovan

    lordmarcovan Eclectic numismatist Moderator

    Main reason for posting this thread:

    Now I’ve got a handy quick reference on where I stand, and I can also link to this thread from elsewhere to use it as a wantlist.
     
    lordmarcovan, Aug 18, 2026 at 10:35 AM
    #4
    kountryken, SensibleSal66 and fretboard like this.
  6. mrweaseluv

    mrweaseluv Supporter! Supporter

    Well IMO I consider the 7070 the most basic of "type sets" but I'm also working on a more full/complete 19th century type set. The nice part I've found doing type sets is you can almost always "expand" the set to include a more complete type set.. Once I finished my 7070 I found myself expanding 4-5 different ways :D
     
    mrweaseluv, Aug 18, 2026 at 1:44 PM
    #5
    kountryken, SensibleSal66 and lordmarcovan like this.
  7. johnmilton

    johnmilton Well-Known Member

    I have everything, at least according to most people. I've been a type collector since the 1960s. Of course everything depends upon the grade, but here are some observations for what you don't have.

    Fairly easy. Most of them grade at least VF because they did not circulate very much. The common dates are 1828 and 1835.

    Collectable depending on the grade. The EAC dealers have soaked up a lot of nice smooth ones, which makes it harder.

    Chanllenging because the copper was soft (?) and there are fewer of them than the previous type.

    Pretty easy up to AU. These pieces did not circulate all that well.

    Easy up to the AU grade.

    Easy up to the AU grade. By one with the "WE" sharp if you are looking for EF or better. There are overgraded ones around. Most likely dates are 1864 and '65.

    Really? You don't have one?

    These coins are bears, and it's really hard to get a nice one. They are pricey too. The 1800 is the easiest date with 1803 after than. There are really two types here, a small eagle (1796-7) and the Heraldic eagle (1800-5)

    Fairly easy until you hit Choice VF. Many of the Mint State ones are made with clashed dies which cost you some sharpness. I waited a long time for this one.

    1834 Half Dime All.jpg

    Both of these coins are like their half dime counterparts, only a little bit easier. The most likely early date for you will be 1805 or 1807. The 1805 usually comes with a better strike.

    Fairly easy, unless you want a super Mint State one.

    Really? See the Jefferson Nickel.

    Not that tough, but you will need a few hundred to get an okay one. The nice ones are $1,000 +. You'll pobably end up with an 1875-S. That's the most common one by far.

    Like the half dimes and dime. The 1796 is a one year type, and you will need to win a small lottery to get one.

    Both are fairly easy. A full Head Standing Liberty Quarter will have to be an AU or Unc. It will probably date after 1925.

    Really? You've got to have these coins.
     
    johnmilton, Aug 18, 2026 at 2:08 PM
    #6
    Pickin and Grinin, kountryken and The Meat man like this.
  8. mark_h

    mark_h Somewhere over the rainbow

    Nice set. I also like your links. Eventually I will combine pictures to put up, but right now just posting some new one offs.

    I am not doing gold. I was but when gold jumped to 5k I sold it all - greed. :) I used the Set Composition: 19th Century Type Set No Gold, Circulation Strikes (1800-1899). Below is what I have and the empty spots are what I need. I think if I counted correctly I need like 21. Some are easy to find, but I gotta find the right one. For the 20 and 21 century type set I just added a whitman album. Mostly complete except for a couple of quarters and 1 half.

    Screenshot 2026-08-18 163844.png Screenshot 2026-08-18 163932.png Screenshot 2026-08-18 164011.png
     

    Attached Files:

    mark_h, Aug 18, 2026 at 4:54 PM
    #7
    Eduard and lordmarcovan like this.
  9. Tall Paul

    Tall Paul Supporter! Supporter

    Tall Paul, Aug 18, 2026 at 5:54 PM
    #8
    lordmarcovan likes this.
  10. lordmarcovan

    lordmarcovan Eclectic numismatist Moderator

    @johnmilton - Though not in the game nearly as long as you, I have been a type collector myself for several decades, and am a 3-time veteran of the Dansco #7070 album and once of a complete 1798-2000 nongold certified type set. Then later on the PCGS Registry, including gold.

    So I already knew most of the information you just posted, but I do appreciate your posting it, anyway, and some of the more detailed observations.

    As to your bafflement over why I do not as of the present posting have some of the ridiculously easy stuff like the Jefferson nickel and Roosevelt dime, that’s because this just happens to be Day 1 of a restart- from scratch, so to speak.

    My past completed type sets were sold long ago, and for the last few years I’ve simply been accumulating stuff that interests me, without much serious attempt at covering the stuff that doesn’t. So for the last few years I’ve collected without much structure.

    This is why you do not see a Jefferson nickel or Kennedy half or Ike dollar in my present inventory. I simply haven’t bothered. Of course I do have things like that in my giveaway inventory, but not higher-end PCGS/NGC examples. Note my earlier comment about not having much interest in moderns. That’s the main reason you see some of those easy types missing right now. They won’t be for long.

    That’s why I posted this thread- to see where I’d stand if I transitioned my present US Type holdings into a very basic type set. And I think I’ll give it a go. Type sets are fun.

    Given my F12 minimum in the existing collection, I suspect it will be challenging to find a Draped Bust half dime of decent quality at a price I’d like to pay. In my past attempts at a fuller 19th century set, I found that type to be either too wretched or too nice (and thereby expensive), without much happy middle ground.
     
    Last edited: Aug 18, 2026 at 9:27 PM
    lordmarcovan, Aug 18, 2026 at 5:59 PM
    #9
    ksparrow likes this.
  11. lordmarcovan

    lordmarcovan Eclectic numismatist Moderator

    @mark_h and @Tall Paul - thanks for sharing y’all’s endeavors. I’ll check those out later.
     
    lordmarcovan, Aug 18, 2026 at 6:00 PM
    #10
  12. lordmarcovan

    lordmarcovan Eclectic numismatist Moderator

    I’ve done the PCGS Registry in the past, back in its earliest days. I was even in the Top Ten with one of the simple 20th Century gold type sets very briefly. (Well, #10, technically.) But that was when the Registry was new and there was much less competition.

    A Registry set doesn’t really work for me nowadays because I’ve got a mixture of PCGS and NGC, and I’m certainly not going to go through the frustration and expense of trying to cross everything over to one service.
     
    Last edited: Aug 18, 2026 at 6:24 PM
    lordmarcovan, Aug 18, 2026 at 6:07 PM
    #11
  13. The Meat man

    The Meat man Supporter! Supporter

    Nice goal. I've also lately been hunting down some US types I find interesting and iconic. Probably the ones highest on my list are a Classic, Coronet, and Braided Hair cent, and a Barber and Mercury dime. I don't mind "problem" coins too much as long as they aren't obnoxiously ugly. Some of those early/rare coins are beyond my budget unless they have issues.

    I have a few new US coin acquisitions that I haven't shared yet. Got quite a queue of coins I need to photograph, describe, & c. Hard to find the time!
     
    The Meat man, Aug 18, 2026 at 6:31 PM
    #12
    Eduard and lordmarcovan like this.
  14. lordmarcovan

    lordmarcovan Eclectic numismatist Moderator

    How well I know about that! You always do such a great job when you “give ‘em the treatment”.
     
    lordmarcovan, Aug 18, 2026 at 6:33 PM
    #13
    The Meat man likes this.
  15. The Meat man

    The Meat man Supporter! Supporter

    One thing that makes it harder for me, is that I really like going after the rarer/lower mintage coins, which means even more compromises in quality. :nailbiting:

    Thanks! That's very kind of you. :)
     
    The Meat man, Aug 18, 2026 at 6:37 PM
    #14
  16. ldhair

    ldhair Clean Supporter

    I liked the 7070 so much, I did it 3 times.
    The first was easy. Already had most of the coins.
    With the second set most every coin was a fun variety. This set was very costly.
    The third set were all PCGS or NGC coins. The album was just a guide. None of the coins were cracked from their holders.
    Most of the coins were sold at auction. I won't be building any more type sets.
     
    ldhair, Aug 18, 2026 at 7:12 PM
    #15
    lordmarcovan likes this.
  17. lordmarcovan

    lordmarcovan Eclectic numismatist Moderator

    As did I. But for the past 13 years or so I just went “freestyle” and abandoned the idea of collecting structured sets, instead just pursuing whatever caught my fancy.

    Still, I just found myself wondering where I would be if I did try to take my existing US inventory and make it conform with some kind of set structure again, if only in a loose and casual way. Not necessarily one of every subtype. Just the basics. That’s why I compiled this list.

    Despite being an eclectic, freestyle collector for over a decade now, I do find myself nostalgically remembering the fun I had with some structured sets, especially the Dansco #7070.
     
    lordmarcovan, Aug 18, 2026 at 8:16 PM
    #16
    ldhair likes this.
  18. Mr.Q

    Mr.Q Well-Known Member

    Wow, that's quite a list you have there, it could be called a library, congrats.
     
    Mr.Q, Aug 18, 2026 at 9:38 PM
    #17
    lordmarcovan likes this.
  19. mark_h

    mark_h Somewhere over the rainbow

    That is a nice set. Several of them I would not mind adding to my set. PS - need to add more pictures.
     
    mark_h, Aug 18, 2026 at 10:27 PM
    #18
    lordmarcovan likes this.
  20. lordmarcovan

    lordmarcovan Eclectic numismatist Moderator

    Had a quick peek. Good work, y'all. I respect the folks who take the time to build a well-organized collection.
     
    lordmarcovan, Aug 19, 2026 at 2:22 AM
    #19
  21. russell1256

    russell1256 Well-Known Member

    I've based my PCGS type set on the Red Book, here is my list. Items with dates first are what I have. the "X" means I'll never get it.

    x-Liberty Cap Head Half Cent Facing Left (1793)
    Liberty Cap Half Cent Facing Right (1794-1797)
    1804 Draped Bust Half Cent (1800-1808)
    1834 Classic Head Half Cent (1809-1836)
    1851 Braided Hair Half Cent (1840-57)
    x-Flowing Hair Large Cent Chain Reverse (1793)
    x-Flowing Hair Large Cent Wreath Reverse (1793)
    Liberty Cap Large Cent (1793-1796)
    Draped Bust Large Cent (1796-1807)
    Classic Head Large Cent (1808-1814)
    1826 Coronet/Matron Head Large Cent (1816-1835)
    1838 Coronet/Young Matron Head Large Cent (1835-1839)
    1849 Braided Hair Large Cent (1839-1857)
    1858 Flying Eagle Cent Small Letters (1857-1858)
    1859 Indian Head Cent No Shield (1859)
    1863 Indian Head Cent Copper-Nickel (1860-1864)
    1908 Indian Head Cent Bronze (1864-1909)
    1909 Lincoln Wheat Cent VDB (1909)
    Lincoln Wheat Cent no VDB (1909-1917)
    1944-D Lincoln Wheat Cent VDB on obverse (1918-1958)
    1943-S Lincoln Wheat Cent Steel (1943)
    1977 Lincoln Memorial Cent Copper (1959-1982)
    1993-D Lincoln Memorial Cent Zinc (1982-2008)
    2009-D Lincoln Anniversary Cent Presidency (2009)
    2025 Lincoln Shield Cent (2010-2025)
    1864 Two Cent Large Motto (1864-1872)
    1851 Three Cent Silver Type 1 Small Star (1851-1853)
    Three-Cent Silver Type 2 Large Star (1854-1858)
    Three-Cent Silver Type 3 Large Star, Two Lines (1859-1873)
    1870 Three Cent Nickel (1865-1889)
    1866 Shield Nickel with Rays (1866-1867)
    1883 Shield Nickel No Rays (1867-1883)
    1883 Liberty Head Nickel No Cents (1883)
    1906 Liberty Head Nickel With Cents (1883-1912)
    1913 Buffalo Nickel Type 1 Mound (1913)
    1937 Buffalo Nickel Type 2 Plain (1913-38)
    1950-D Jefferson Nickel (1938-42, 1946-2003)
    1943-D Jefferson Nickel Silver (1942-45)
    2005-P Jefferson Nickel Westward Journey (2004-2005)
    2020-D Jefferson Nickel Return to Monticello (2006-date)
    x-Flowing Hair Half Dime (1794-1795)
    Draped Bust Half Dime Small Eagle (1796-1797)
    x-Draped Bust Half Dime Heraldic Eagle (1800-1805)
    1834 Capped Bust Half Dime (1829-1837)
    Seated Liberty HALF Dime Type 1 (1837-1838)
    1840 Seated Liberty Half Dime Type 2 (1838-53, 56-59)
    Seated Liberty HALF Dime Type 3 (1853-1855)
    Seated Liberty HALF Dime Type 4 (1860-1873)
    x-Draped Bust Dime Small Eagle (1796-1797)
    Draped Bust Dime Heraldic Eagle (1798-1807)
    Capped Bust Dime Large Type (1809-1828)
    1835 Capped Bust Dime Small Type (1828-1837)
    Seated Liberty Dime Type 1 (1837-38)
    Seated Liberty Dime Type 2 (1838-53, 1856-60)
    Seated Liberty Dime Type 3 (1853-1855)
    1887 Seated Liberty Dime Type 4 (1860-73, 75-91)
    Seated Liberty Dime Type 5, Arrow at Date (1873-1874)
    1897 Barber Dime (1892-1916)
    1937 Mercury Dime (1916-45)
    1963-D Roosevelt Dime Silver (1946-64)
    2016-D Roosevelt Dime Clad (1965-date)
    2026-D Emerging Liberty Semiquincentennial Dime (2026)
    1875-S Seated Liberty Twenty Cent (1875-1876)
    x-Draped Bust Quarter Small Eagle (1796)
    Draped Bust Quarter Heraldic Eagle Reverse (1804-1807)
    Capped Bust Quarter Motto Large Dia (1815-1828)
    Capped Bust Quarter No Motto Small Dia (1831-1838)
    1861 Seated Liberty Quarter Type 1 (1838-53, 1856-65)
    Seated Liberty Quarter Type 2, Arrows & Rays (1853)
    Seated Liberty Quarter Type 3, Arrows (1854-1855)
    Seated Liberty Quarter Type 4 (1866-1873, 1875-1891)
    Seated Liberty Quarter Type 5 (1873-1874)
    1911 Barber Quarter (1892-1916)
    1917 Standing Liberty Quarter Type 1 No Stars (1916-17)
    1927 Standing Liberty Quarter Type 2 Stars (1917-30)
    1946-S Washington Quarter Silver (1932-64)
    1996-P Washington Quarter Clad (1965-1974, 1977-2003)
    1976-D Washington Quarter Bicentennial (1976)
    2001-P Washington State & Territory Quarter (1999-2009)
    2019-W America the Beautiful Quarter (2010-21)
    2021-D Washington Crossing the Delaware Quarter (2021)
    2023-D American Women Quarter (2022-25)
    2026-D Semiquincentennial Quarter (2026)
    x-Flowing Hair Half Dollar (1794-1795)
    x-Draped Bust Half Dollar Small Eagle (1796-1797)
    Draped Bust Half Dollar Heraldic Eagle (1801-1807)
    Capped Bust Half Dollar Lettered Edge (1807-1808)
    1833 Capped Bust Half Dollar Lettered Edge (1809-1836)
    1834 Capped Bust Half Dollar Modified Portrait (1834-1836)
    Capped Bust Half Dollar "50 Cents" (1836-1837)
    1838 Capped Bust Half Dollar "Half Dol." (1838-1839)
    1860 Seated Liberty Half Dollar No Motto (1839-53, 56-66)
    Seated Liberty Half Dollar Arrows & Rays (1853)
    Seated Liberty Half Dollar Arrows, No Rays (1854-1855)
    1875-S Seated Liberty Half Motto (1866-73, 1875-91)
    1873 Seated Liberty Half Dollar Type 5-Arrows (1873-1874)
    1900 Barber Half Dollar (1892-1915)
    1942 Walking Liberty Half Dollar (1916-47)
    1956 Franklin Half Dollar (1948-63)
    1964-D Kennedy Half Dollar Silver (1964)
    1966 Kennedy Half Dollar 40% Silver (1965-70)
    Kennedy Half Dollar Clad (1971-1974, 1977-date)
    Kennedy Half Dollar Bicentennial (1976)
    2026 Enduring Liberty Semiquincentennial Half Dollar
    x-Flowing Hair Dollar (1794-1795)
    x-Draped Bust Dollar Small Eagle Reverse (1795-1798)
    x-Draped Bust Dollar Heraldic Eagle Reverse (1798-1803)
    Seated Liberty Dollar No Motto (1840-65)
    Seated Liberty Dollar Motto (1866-73)
    1877 Trade Dollar (1873-1885)
    1883-O Morgan Dollar (1878-1921)
    1921 Peace Dollar High Relief (1921-1922)
    Peace Dollar Normal Relief (1922-1935)
    1974-D Eisenhower Dollar (1971-1974, 1977-1978)
    1976 Eisenhower Dollar Bicentennial (1976)
    1999-D Susan B. Anthony Dollar (1979-1999)
    Sacagawea Dollar (2000-2008)
    2024-D Native American Dollar (2009-date)
    2013-P Presidential Dollar (2007-2016, 2020)
    2018-D American Innovation Dollars (2018-2032)
    1893 Isabella Commemorative Quarter
    1934-D Oregon Trail Memorial Comm Half (1926-1939)
    1900 Lafayette Commemorative Dollar
    1903 McKinley/Louisiana Purchase Comm Gold Dollar
    1926 American Sesquicentennial Comm $2.50 Gold
    1982-D Washington Commemorative Half Dollar
    2001-D Buffalo Dollar Commemorative
    1999-W Washington Commemorative $5 Gold
    1925 Norse-American Centennial Medal Thick
    2022-P U.S. Coast Guard Medal First Day of Issue
     
    Last edited: Aug 19, 2026 at 9:32 AM
    russell1256, Aug 19, 2026 at 9:26 AM
    #20
    Tall Paul and lordmarcovan like this.
Page 1 of 2

Share This Page