I also hate long sets. Seated and Barber coins are the worst! Not only are there a lot of different coins to acquire, it seems like every 4th one is a key date. Putting together an attractive, grade-matched set of Barber or seated coins (exception: 20 cent pieces, if those count as seated coins) in a grade I can actually afford is rough. Actually, I kind of hate series sets in general. I'm not particularly impressed by albums full of coins that look nearly identical to each other. But, I love my type set, even though the basic 7070 is somewhere around 76 coins. That's because there are no key dates to hunt down, every coin looks different, and I can put together a set that looks good together on a budget I can afford. Classic commems are an exception, too. I'm working on the 50 piece type set, and loving it. Same reasons, really: I can afford a decent looking, grade-matched set, and every coin looks different.
I agree with the sentiments you expressed. Having a set of coins that are identical except for a number (and possibly a letter) on the coin has never really interested me much. Even more so with series that are impossible (or nearly so) to complete due to one or more great rarities. Modern commems are more interesting because they're all different. The only thing stopping me from collecting a full set of these is that some of the designs make me want to gag. They're just hideous. Classic commems are nicer, but a full set is out of my price range. I also collect stamps, and I only collect commems, not regular issues, because I don't want to collect hundreds of minor varieties of Franklin/Washington issues that differ in tiny details. Perhaps my next collection will be a type set. With that I can collect mint state coins in high grades (mostly) without having to worry about the expensive key dates (e.g. my Morgan won't be an 1895-O and my IHC won't be an 1877). Even so, I'm sure the early 19th century won't be easy, and the late 18th century will be brutal! Will probably have to settle for well-circulated examples of those.
The presidential coins. In circulation then not. Was collecting them for grandbabies, then had to buy them. Who in the heck wants 25 p's and d's of each president. Well my desire was lost after i had to pay double for these coins. Not so bad cuz most only remember Obama and forward
I dislike Peace dollars and Franklin Halves (because I have difficulty grading them, among other reasons), SBAs and Rosies. I don't hate any series. And there are a lot of them I love: Walkers, Flying Eagle cents, BU War Nickels, Mercs. Steve
The Kennedy Half and The zinclons im not to fond of. Zinclons are worthless and the halves I do not like the design change because I prefer the Franklin half over it. When you hunting a box of halves I get real sick of seeing them.
I agree wholeheartedly. In an odd way the fluidity of their designs makes them boring. To this rogues gallery of ill-advised designs, might I add the Mint's recent PC fixation with morphing Lady Liberty into some omni-ethnic testament to inclusivity. Hers has always been a classical image. Kindly leave her be.
Yup. I have never truly understood the world's obsession for the Morgan. It is not an ugly coin, but I do not understand why it is praised over other coins. Surprisingly I like the shield cent, I hate the modern quarters, and the state series is hit or miss. Memorial Cents aside from the 2009 bicentennial collection are a no go for me, all nickels post '45, most dollar coins aside from Susan B Anthony I like that design.
The Ike dollar is pretty terrible. I mean, Ike wasn't necessarily a super attractive guy to begin with. Then they decide to make just about the least flattering profile possible and stick it on a GIANT coin. Ugh
The 10 New Taiwan Dollar coin is pretty bad too. A stupid, goofy-looking face with practically no creativeness or attractiveness.
Yes, it may be uninspired; rarely struck as intended; but it's also damn near impossible to grade reliably... yes, the quintessential numismatic hat trick mutt. Oh wait... I forgot the Ni three cent piece.
73 years of Roosevelt dimes is tired and boring. A new dime design not depicting a dead president would be nice.
FDR was a great president and he was honored by putting him on the silver dime. The dime is significant because of the "March of Dimes" (google it) campaign that FDR was involved with
I know the history of him, and agree the dime would be most fitting for him, but personally disagree about him being great. Especially as a numismatist, I consider his cousin to be a greater president. However, as much as I love the founding fathers and some presidents, can we have a law again requiring lady liberty to be the only one depicted on our coins? We started this country to rebel against such crud. We should have lady liberty on coins, and great Americans, (not dead presidents) rotate on currency. I want to see inventors, pioneers, civil rights advocates, war heroes, etc instead of same dead politicians. Each person should be on a note a max of 5 years to honor someone else.
I agree with @medoraman about great Americans on our currency. Norway and Sweden have accomplished this for years: authors, scientists, opera singers...and statesmen/women. Sweden even has a comedian/actor on a note. But five years might be a bit short; I'm thinking ten. [ @baseball21, I'm curious why we might regret the choices. Would you elaborate? I know that not everyone would agree on who is "great." Heck, we don't agree now, and even Mt. Rushmore gets its share of criticism for the choices of those four. Steve