I'm confused about some terminology. I understand coin types and type sets, but what is a type coin? I thought all coins were, by definition, a type of some denomination set? However, for example, I read the sentence, "People like to collect buffalo nickels and type coins." A buffalo nickel is a type of five-cent nickel so what does the sentence mean by "type coin"? There is even a Red Book guide to U.S. Type Coins along with the Red Book guides for Morgan dollars, Washington quarters, etc. Could someone please explain?
My definition of a type coin is a common date coin, usually in a condition as good as you can find or afford for an example of the series. Most people will get type coins if they don't want to collect an entire series. especially if there a lot of tough dates.
type coin-- A representative coin, usually a common date, from a particular issue of a specific design, size, or metallic content. http://www.pcgs.com/lingo.chtml?universeid=313&letter=T
So a 1913 Type-1 and 1938-D are both types of Buffalo nickels, but the 1938 is a "Type Coin" and the 1913T1 is not?
They would each be appropriate for a "Type Set", which simply means a set containing only one example of each different design.
When people say "Type coin", they mean a generic example of a coin design. Basically, if you go to http://www.coinfacts.com/ and look at the available categories on the left-hand side, those are the different basic design types. Any generic example of those designs will constitute a "type coin", usually one that is common so that a higher quality example is readily available. Technically, a set of the key dates from each design series would also be a "type set", as well as a key date set. Error coins are not considered type coins.
Type coin means one specimen of a certain kind of coin - one Lincoln cent, for example, to represent the entire series of Lincoln cents in a collection.
No. They're both type coins - different types. Technically, any design change constitutes a different type. The word "technically" is important. Any set is what you want it to be. The collector is free to "split hairs" or not. For instance, consider seated liberty 25c. After 1866, they have the motto "IN GOD WE TRUST"; before 1866, no motto. In 1853, they have arrows and rays. In 1854, only arrows. In 1873, arrows again. Does one's type set have all those different types ? To be totally complete and rigorous, yes. But that doesn't mean you or I have to do that. A type is an intentional, formal design change by the mint - commonly with Congressional consent. That is different from die varieties (Sheldon numbers for Large Cents, VAMs for Morgans and Peace, etc.) Those are NOT different types. They are varieties within a given issue.
Type Set of Lincolns in my mind would include a wheat cent,a steel cent, a copper memorial cent and a zincoln. and for good measure I dont think one would be complete without a VDB in it.
Since any given type usually has many common dates and a few key dates, many type collectors shoot for the easier dates. That way they get a higher grade coin for the same money. The point of a type set is to get all the different designs on all the different denominations. Since eye appeal is always an issue, high grade common date coins are popular with type collectors.
