Type coin collecting: proof coins or circulating coins?

Discussion in 'US Coins Forum' started by Stevearino, Feb 9, 2019.

  1. Stevearino

    Stevearino Well-Known Member

    I have found myself wondering which way to go for issues in which I can choose a proof coin or a coin meant for circulation. Sometimes I have bought a proof, sometimes a circulating issue, sometimes both. So, I’m interested in your opinions:

    1. Proof or circulating: which is your go-to and why?

    2. Have you ever begun with one or the other and then switched? If so, why?

    Steve
     
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  3. kanga

    kanga 65 Year Collector

    The nice thing about type sets is that there are no rules.
    Get what pleases you.

    In my case I used the NGC Registry Type Set (1793-1964) as a guide.
    And I only fill it with business strikes, no proofs.
    In fact the only proof coins I have are in my birth year set.
     
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  4. ldhair

    ldhair Clean Supporter

    I didn't do many proofs with my first type set. The cost were too great for many of the early classic coins.
    Many years later, I started working on a proof type set.
    There is not a wrong way to collect type coins.
     
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  5. baseball21

    baseball21 Well-Known Member

    I like business strikes a lot better than proofs so I would do all that. I also dislike mixed sets so if I was going to do proofs I would do an all proof set
     
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  6. ToughCOINS

    ToughCOINS Dealer Member Moderator

    Because proofs and business strikes generaly look so different, I don't care for mixing proofs and business strikes in the same set . . . just one person's opinion.

    As for choosing one versus the other, very deep pockets are required to complete a proof type set of US coins. Business strikes, on the other hand, may more readily be acquired in any grade desired, and are therefore much friendlier to the completion of a type set on a realistic budget.
     
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  7. Inspector43

    Inspector43 More than 75 Years Active Collecting Supporter

    I prefer moderately circulated coins. Coins with some character. Coins that look like they worked in the time period that they came from. That's just me.
     
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  8. Stevearino

    Stevearino Well-Known Member

    @Inspector43, just out of curiosity, except for perhaps the earliest issues, do you have a minimum grade you aim for?

    Steve
     
  9. Collecting Nut

    Collecting Nut Borderline Hoarder

    Since proofs are considered a form of manufacture I prefer circulation issues. It's much more difficult to find a nice coin but when you do you really appreciate it.

    With proofs you can buy a proof set and your done for that year. Circulation strikes require a search and that is much more enjoyable. Since coin collecting is a hobby, well....

    But like I say and you've heard it before, it's your collection so collect what you like.
     
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  10. Inspector43

    Inspector43 More than 75 Years Active Collecting Supporter

    No, just nice looking, damage free coins. But, I think a set should contain coins of about the same condition or grade. I have some MS high grade coins in my different year and mint sets. I will come back and post a picture of what I think is a nice looking coin from the early days.
     
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  11. Inspector43

    Inspector43 More than 75 Years Active Collecting Supporter

    IMG_5565.JPG IMG_5566.JPG
    @Stevearino Here are a couple that look nice to me. If all my old coins were this nice I would be happy.
     
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  12. TypeCoin971793

    TypeCoin971793 Just a random guy on the internet

    I like late-die-state proofs in PF-63 or better. They offer a better quality-to-price ratio for post-1857 classic US coins than MS coins of the same type (except gold and Morgans).
     
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  13. Sullysullinburg

    Sullysullinburg Well-Known Member

    Proofs can get very expensive very fast depending on what you are going for. There is also series that never really had proofs made.
     
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