Affordable Sets To Collect

I was wondering what you guys think are some good sets to collect at a reasonable price. I want to have to satisfaction of finishing a set but can't afford all of the key date coins like the 1916-D Merc of the 1909-S VDB Wheatie, so what sets can a new collector like me put together? I would love to get everyone's input on this topic.

 

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Hello Jag

Most coin series are going to contain key date coins that will or can run into some serious money,, But probly the most affordable would be the roosevelt dimes, they are plentiful in mid grades,,as well as reasonable in proof condition for most years. after that Nickels are a good choice on a budget.

Rick

 

Depends entirely on what you consider affordable, of course.

Some of my sets that are very cheap are

1) My pocket change collection, where I stick coins from pocket change and bank rolls into coin folders.

2) My American Silver Eagle collection, where I collected all the coins (1986 - 2005) in uncirculated condition. Most of those coins were about $10 apiece. Easy to find, not much of a challenge.

3) My 20th Century Type set, where I collected one American coin of each type (Indian Head cent, Lincoln cent, Liberty Head nickel, Indian Head nickel, Jefferson nickel, Barber dime, Mercury dime, Roosevelt dime, etc.). The advantage of a type set is you can avoid the expensive, rare (key) dates and just get an inexpensive date of each type. The cost depends greatly on what condition the coins are you buy. If you want to put more money into it, you can include 19th and even 18th centuries, and you can include gold if you really feel like spending money.

4) My state quarters set in uncirculated condition. I bought the first 30 quarters from J.P.'s at about a dollar apiece in direct-fit Air-Tites, and then I bought an Air-Tite album made for the state quarters for about $20. Also very easy, not much of a challenge.

Depending on what you're collecting, the challenge might be very important. With some collections, the hunt is more fun than the acquisition. So, it's not just a matter of dollars, but how much time you want to invest.

 

i hear you... Ihad the same problem, then i found the joy in collecting roosevelt dimes and jefferson nickels!

I have a whole set of doosevelts and jeffersons ( in whitman folders ) and am currently collecting all of the silver roosevelt dimes graded NGC MS66 or better ( including proofs )

Its actually really fun!

If you want older coins you can collect a short set of walking liberty 50c or franklin 50c ( with the franklins stay away from the ultra camo ones, they cost way to much )

also some other ideas: Ike dollars, susan b dollars, kennedys, etc.

After i am done with the roosevelt dimes i am moving on to the ike's ( including proofs )

 

There are a number of options available to you. One is a full set of American Silver Eagles. They are beautiful coins and modestly priced. There are no great rarities.

Lincoln Memorial Cents is a nice set with a decent number of years in the run. The set is fairly reasonable and can be customized to suit your desires, like proofs/no proofs. An attractive set and reasonably priced in even high grades.

Jefferson Nickels are very affordable. The keys in the series are still well within most people's budgets, even if you include the proof issues. A short set can be just the Jefferson War nickels. Very nice.

Statehood quarters can be nice. Again can be done with or without proofs. Easy to put together from circulation and trading or just buy the sets issued by the mint.

Good luck with whatever you decide to collect.

Many people overlook the Flying Eagle and Indian Head Cents as doable and affordable. Depending on the condition that you choose you can put together a 20th Century set. The 09-S and 08-S are a little pricey but not that bad.
Going back into the 19th century, if you stay to good and vg, there are only a couple of really expensive coins, 1877, 1870, 1871, ...most are pretty available.

 

Thanks everyone! I've got some good ideas now and I'm glad to hear I'm not the only one in this situation. Does anyone know about what a AU/BU Roosevelt set would end up costing?

 

I would start a Franklin set today!!!

They are my pick--the PF's are nice too and from 1955-1963 they are not that high in $$$

I'm doing a complete set of PF Franklins in PF-66 so it is getting up there but I'm about half way done!!

I would guess that a set of Dimes would run $$30-$40 at the most...I'm just guessing...I'm not working on this set so I'm not sure.

Speedy

 

they key dates in the roosevelt series are:
1949-s - about 60 bucks in ms-66
1949 - about 40 bucks ms-66
1950-s - about 50 bucks ms-66

these are just off the top of my head, grey sheet values may be diferent... If you go for lower grade roosevelts ( ms-64 or lower ) you won;t pay more than 20 - 30 bucks for the 1949-s, all the rest of the dimes can be picked up for between 1-15 bucks a piece, and these are for primo coins...

If you want to just make a set of them ( AU quality ) you will probably be able to complete a set for well under 50.00, One of my first sets was a complete run of dimes ( no prooofs ) all the way to 2004, I only had to go to the coin shop for the silver dimes, the rest i got out of pocket change and bank rolls.

If you choose to go with slabbed coins you will end up paying a little more...

 

The set could be put together for less than $100 in AU/ BU but it won't cost much more in unc and most will think it looks much better. It will have much more chance of increasing in value in unc.

Look for nice attractive coins no matter what grade you tackle and this goes double for the clad dimes.

 

I always encourage new collectors to put together type sets. Type sets can be pretty straightforward and you get to learn about each series of u.s. coinage. And you're never really finished. There's always upgrades to be had, as funds allow.
Nick

 

I never suggest collecting clad for a couple reasons. Mostly because it seems self serving because in addition to collecting, studying, and writing about them, I also speculate in them. I also don't recommend them because most people simply hate the later date coins and won't consider it anyway. This time I'll make an exception because it seems you have some interest and because they aren't so far out of the mainstream anymore that they seem strange.

On can put together sets of clads for very low cost. Nic pieces can be found in mint sets without tremendous effort. Some will take a little more effort than others but all the modern sets can be mostly fleshed out by picking over surprisingly few mint sets. The costs of these are quite low and with a little diligence you'll actually find some of the coins that are worth money at the current time. Whether you just want to collect one denomination or all of them the cost remains nominal since the parts of the sets can be sold for nearly what you paid for the entire set. The post 1993 sets get pretty expensive and much of the price will usually be lost when the set is cut but earlier coins aren't expensive. With any denomination there will be a few coins you'll have to buy as singles or rolls but most dealers are starting to stock these nowdays so it's just a matter of keeping your eyes open. Very ew of these costs much but expect to pay about $35 for a nice '83-P quarter.

This may be a short window of opportunity to do this. While it's been possible for many years, there was simply no interest until recently. This will at some point put stress on the remaining populations of mint sets and then the window will be closed. Very few of the moderns are tough in choice condition and none of the regular issues is scarce in unc but many of these are much harder to find than many realize and it's possible to find many of these only because there are still so few looking.

 

Not meaning to run ya off from u.s. coins, but, there are several other countries that have very nice coins that you can assemble full sets of for a low price.... depending on your tastes when the design of the coin is in question... pre 1950 german coins are a fun collection to start, many.... many.....many states that have to be aquired.. of course you might have to dab in some pre 1800 stuff....

 

Tokens are also relatively inexpensive for most types. There are virtually endless themes for collecting them as well - hometown, home state, with your name, various animals, professions, types (transportation, counters, brothel, anniversary, love, etc.), shapes, what they are good for, and on and on. Many tokens are unlisted, so a lot of uncharted waters to explore and new varieties to discover. Imagine a theme and there are likely tokens that will fit it. Be prepared to do more hunting than spending for the most part. Good luck in whatever you choose!

 

Well, if you're willing to come on over to the Darkside, there's at least one "country" for which you can get every coin ever minted for far less than the cost of the coins you mentioned.

Meng Chiang, also known as the Mongolian Borderlands, was established during the Japanese occupation of Inner Mongolia prior to WW II.

The Meng Chiang bank issued currency, but only one coin, an attractive cu-ni 5 Chiao, that Krause lists at only $25 Unc.

My camera is acting up, or I would post a picture.

 

You might want to consider a birth year set of both the U.S. and world coins,
for you and or a wife, child etc. Should not be to expensive and would be a challenge to find all of the world coins of that year.

 

I am amazed that no one mentioned Sacagawea here? This set, along with the proofs, has exploded in the last year and if I was to recommend a modern set at this time that would be it! Your looking at 15 coins and I would recommend you buy the proofs, if you don't have them, right now as the 2001S has reached the $75 level. I am working two sets but do wish I had started more now! My next suggestion would be the Silver Eagles that are still very affordable and a bit of a hunt at times! Good luck and welcome to the hobby!

 

I just bought a whole au-bu set of Roosevelt's for $43,on fleaBay, completed. Or u can build a set cheap by going thought the coin buckets at Ur local dealer. For example...i'm building a Indian Head nick set out of the "bucket" All IH's r .75 cents each.

 

Not to sound stupid, but can you tell me what au-bu is. Just starting.

thanks

JD

 

It will cost a lot more with the clads.

 

au-bu = almost uncirculated to brilliant uncirculated.

Basically, all the coins are in "au" condition or better