In the past, I’d start an annual challenge on New Year’s Day. In 2015, I wanted to see how far I could get at building the Jefferson Nickel Series. A fun series that can be built from change and CRH events. I’ve been watching @potty dollar 1878 build his circulation set. It reminded me that going through a box every two weeks and pocket change, being fussy about grade, you can build a nice set for face value. It’s a great challenge. It got me wondering about fellow enthusiasts challenges. What were they and how did you make out?? Here were my results (not sure if they are in order- pulling of the phone)
That’s pretty cool. Did you have to purchase the 50-D? I don’t know that I ever heard of anyone pulling one of those out of a roll...... Two years ago I decided to do a two cent and three cent nickel book. The last three years of the three cent nickels are murder to find. I put the book in the back of my safe for a couple months to get the empty holes out of my mind.
Sounds like a couple of nice challenges going there Randy! I've seen a few postings of three cent nickels and I'm inspired to engage in those series. Fun times ahead for me!! As for the 1950-D, that was the third one I found during a CRH event. If you note, that specimen looks like it's in a high grade. It is. Two of my 1950-D's have to be liberated coins from a collection. No way those sat safely in a vault waiting for a bank attendant to free if from the safe. That particular coin has a history: During a CRH event, I saw this coin and sorted out. Honestly thought it was a 1990 coin as there were a number of AU/BU 1990s in that particular box. It wasn't until later that I noticed it was a 1950-D. Unfortunately, there are a couple small coin counter scratches on the reverse. Otherwise, it would be a BU coin. I may pop it out to take a couple photos for the group. My third 1950-D was a Fine specimen...honest mileage on that coin. It feels like the most legit find since the other two were only in circulation for a very short time before I found them.
Nice! I'm doing the Buffalo series, in EF average with full four digit dates (natural, no acid treated).
Correct. I started the challenge on New Year's Day. I had a box that I hadn't searched so it became the first. I did a box every 2nd or 3rd week since I look for varieties and it takes me some time to get through one. I think during that year, I may have done 23 or 24 boxes. I should also note that it only takes a few boxes to get to a 90% completion...that is if you aren't particular with the grade of the coins. I was, so I didn't just fill a spot...I waited or replaced an earlier find with a better coin. The last 7% is a real challenge at the volume/rate I was at. Some folks are faster in searching a box, like @DatDareNickelGuy. He clips along and if you look at his published data, he would have completed 2 sets in a single year. He has a 500 Box Challenge going. And to that point, I've been helping to keep tabs on his Circulation Buffalo Nickel series which is a pretty interesting challenge. Here are the photos for the 1950-D. I don't recall the light carbon spots, but perhaps that's why the coin was liberated and put into circulation. On the reverse, you can make out circular scratches from a coin counter/roller on the Monticello building. But I'll take it!!
I have no idea. I ended up having to buy it for like $0.50, I simply could not find that one in any coin rolls or circulation
Great challenge!! I saw that one fellow enthusiast attempted to complete a Buffalo Series for under $20. Was able to buy culls/dateless nickels and date them. When I saw that, I wondered what all the dateless Buffalo nickels that I found would yield me. Here is my Pickled Nickel Collection (all from CRH).
Location, location, location. I'm jealous of what others find in other parts of the country until I realize...they are jealous of some things I'm finding in mine.
Wow.... You must be magnet for 50-D nickels. Yeah, that is a high grade coin. I am mighty glad you found it before it had much chance to get banged up. Very cool!
My best one in the set couldn't believe when I took it out of the roll almost past out!!!it has nice luster and some steps,its at least high AU but im sure its MS.
That might be the 38 Reverse. I can't make out the S in PLURIBUS. Without the serif, it's a 38 Reverse. Otherwise, it has the 40 Reverse (39 was a transitional year).
