if i go for the full set, the early dates will be in like condition to your set. i'm building the short set right now - 4 of the 15 are in hand, but the 1943 will be replaced. the long short set will take me a little longer. i'm also looking to put together a set of wartime Jefferson nickels to keep me from just buying dimes. i'm picked up the Mercury dime guide yesterday and have already learned a few things. i looked closely at my 1942-D and discovered it's a double die - most likely mechanical. -Steve