I finally have my 1909-S, 1914-D, 1924-D, and 1931-S -- all the "keys," except for the 1909-S VDB, which I can be content without until I save for it, and I expect that to take some bit of time on my budget, maybe even a couple years. But, in the meantime, I am thinking about which semi-keys to approach now. It seems the prices just keep going up across the board for Lincolns and am wondering which mintmarked teens to start ticking off my wantlist; the '11-S is starting to trend as high or higher than even the 24-D, it seems. Any thoughts on which dates you would tackle next if you were in my shoes? I don't have any of the mintmarked teens yet, nor the 22-D. And I wonder how long the 26-S will be under the $20 mark in even the lowest grades.... I'm trying to keep my ears to the ground in terms of which coins to purchase next before they ascend in value, but I am not too sure. I spent most my yearly coin budget in just the last month on a run of slabbed (and very well-priced) 09-S, 14-D, and 31-S cents (bought the 24-D last year) and can't pounce on buying all the mintmarked teens or the pricier mintmarked 20s right now in one fell swoop.... Thank you! I appreciate any thoughts you may have :bow: *Edited because I meant "the," not "them."
That is a tough call. I would try to stay opened minded and look for all of them, and then, when you find an example that you like, at a price you like, then go for it. Eventually, doing that, you'll nab them all. I'm working on a complete set of Lincolns myself, but pre 40s they are all circulated, brown. (unless I can find them for a good price still red), 40s through current I am working on a BU set. (I've found most of the Memorial versions in change, or rolls, in BU red!). Good luck!
I have seen the Lincoln's really take off last year with the run up to the 2009 Lincolns. I don't see them coming down anytime soon due to all the new collectors who will start building sets, Because of the one year cent. I am noticing upward movements in all Graded BU reds even common dates from all years. Just my opinion!
First what grades are you thinking of or talking about??? First what grades are you thinking of or talking about???
You are obviously talking about some circulated grades. That is the only time the 11-S equals the 24-D and the 26-S is "under the $20 mark". (BTW, don't forget the 31-D.) If you can at all afford them, buy them NOW. They have been dropping (all-be-it slightly) for the past year or so. If you think that the economy will recover, buy them before they start back up again. As to which specifics, I would try the 12-S and 14-S. Not alot of logic. Just a guess.
I agree with that! Have list and look at shops and shows for the coins you need. When you find the right coin, buy it! Going out to shop for just one specific date/mint will drive you crazy and you'll probably only have very few to choose from. Keep your mind open and shop the list!
If I were in your shoes, I would target 14-S, 17-D AU or better, 23-S, 26-S, 31-D AU or better. 22-D's are a dime a dozen, everyones got them for sale, their not going anywhere any time soon. ( over rated )...
Thanks for your replies, everybody. To answer Bhp3rd's question, I am sticking to coins in Good-Fine for 1909-1920s, and trending into the mid-high circulated grades (Fine-Au) for those from the late 20s into the 30s. After reading the board, I think everyone is right -- stay open minded and keep my eyes in various directions. Rlm's Cents mentioned the '12-S and '14-S. Historically, the 14-S was actually considered a key coin....26-S and 31-D are calling me, too. I bet the 22-D could go up, too, as it is required in all sets -- even basic date sets. Thank you again. Everybody here helped me gain some perspective.
Hi, Abe--I guess I was writing when you replied. you think the '22-D is not worth looking into now? Thanks, because I thought otherwise until seeing that. I hear some rumbles about the 31-D that I would not have sensed before posting this thread, so I appreciate that insight. Thank you for your help.
Gosh Abe, I owe you a reply, I apologise my my slackerness, just so busy. I would keep my money untill I spotted well struck problem free coins of any 20's branch mint, they will be your biggest obstacle. Keep your eye our for the early D mints as well, 11-12-13-D are some tough coins. Dont be in a hurry and fill holes. Now is the perfect time in the market to be picky ( you should ALWAYS be picky ) as good buys can be had. Note, I did not say bargains, you dont want those. I would offer some up but just have a lack of hours these days. I am missing the coin biz bigtime but just have 2 other projects eating my freetime.
Thanks, Arizona Jack. Yes, I am going to keep my eyes on those early mintmarked teens. As I am going for a BN Good-Fine approach for everything before 1927-1930, I am not talking about relatively large outlays of money except for the keys, most of which I have purchased. But I have to confess, I experienced sticker-shock. I last did Lincolns in the mid-90s (though never bought any keys or semis), and came back last year after spending years in other areas of the hobby. Wow---those Lincolns that would have cost me $5-15 each 12 or 15 years ago are now up beyond $30 and $40 in many cases :crying: Examples: The 1992 Edmund's retail price book I used to price my Lincolns in '92 and '93 shows an '11-S at $9.50, '12-S at $8.50, '13-S at $6, and '14-S at $6.50, all in Good. Wow, did my eyes widen after not paying Lincolns much attention for all those years! Of course, I could now easily lay out $150-200 to buy those four coins in low circulated grades! Still, that is not bankbreaking money, but when on a budget, that is enough to make me want to lay out some bit of a strategy as to which coins to pick up next. Thank you for your insight. :thumb:
What grade do you desire for the 31-D? It took me about 2 years of VERY hard looking to find one that was priced right, MS RD, raw and honest surfaces. I was actually VERY lucky to find the one that I have. This coin is 1000000x more difficult to find in high grade than the 31-S!
That's perfect advice! I think he will be fine with G/F grades. Nonetheless, look for well-struck coins no matter the grade. Sometimes you can find a real nice, well-struck coin in those years in lower grades. Honestly, I'd go for at least VF/XF in those and be very picky. They aren't that much more than the G/F and you can find some real lookers for BN.
Hi, Bad Thad -- I'm shooting for something in the XF range for the 31-D....I'm hoping to smoothly graduate the grades of my coins from the G-Fine range of the earlier years and get them into the Fine-XF range throughout the 20s; by 1929-31, I am shooting for nothing less than XF. After reading yours and Arizona Jack's input, I am much more inclined now to not rush into the purchase of any of the better-date pieces without looking at several of each and making sure I buy the very best of my price range. Thank you!
I think the set builder who works on a vg/f /vf set can pretty much complete a set with some hard work and a few bucks.. If and only if you decide to really pursue a high end XF or better set, the actual " meat " of Lincoln collecting comes into play. You will find 9 dozen examples of a sweet XF/AU SVDB before you will find ONE 1921-S, 23-S etc etc. Thats 24-S is tricky as well. Get a grade and a look/ color/ and make every attempt to match your set. As a dealer who buys, nothing is more impressive than a well matched set in any grade, but that primo XF/AU will surely bring a primo offer and throw the greysheet away. If you have a primo set, you are in control. Any knoweledgable Lincoln dealer will spot the quality and be wiling to pay top bucks. It takes patience and knowledge of the series, but even us circulated grade folks can build primo sets that will turn heads. Spend more time than money.
I have to second Jack's usual sound advice, especially regarding the XF/AU grade range. That is the most highly collected grade among my customers and the grade I sell the most of in both Lincoln and Indian cent sets. In XF and AU grades, you get all the great detail of the coin, as well as a better value for not having to pay the much higher prices of uncirculated coins. And the early 20's can be pretty tough to find, especially well struck examples. And as Jack said, patience is a huge asset in coin collecting. Hunting and searching for that "perfect" coin for your set can be tough and exhausting, but also very rewarding. When you find a coin that fits "just right" in your set, try not to pass it up or you will be thinking about that coin for a long time, and it enhances your set, most likely it will be worth any premium you might have to pay because of its quality.
"When you find a coin that fits "just right" in your set, try not to pass it up or you will be thinking about that coin for a long time," -- The Penny Lady That's some great advice that can apply to many aspects of life, too.... I've got to say, talking about the XF-AUs, after reading several of the posts here, including yours, I am thinking it may be worth taking longer and saving more money to aim higher on the grades of the coins. I spent a few years working on an XF+ 20th century type set, and that was absolutely worth the wait. I think I should consider the same for the Lincoln set.... Thank you!
