I cannot decide for my type set if I want to use proof coins for everything 1950 and newer or uncirculated MS-63+. The proof coins look better, but at the same time there is an apeal to having the best grades that were meant to be circulated. Plus I'm wondering if having proof coins will make the older, lower grade coins look worse. Opinions on this? Yours reasons for going one way or the other? Cost is pretty irrelevant either way for me, I'm more of trying to figure out what will make the album look the best when it's all together.
I try to match the colors/grade. If some are bright and shining the lower grades which would be the expensive one would look worse than actual. So I prefer a universal look. MHO
My type set is mixed with both MS and PR coins. Most of my moderns are business strikes, most of the types prior to 1936 are in proof, and those prior to 1860 are business struck coins. In the end, I think you should buy the coins that appeal the most to you, regardless of what others think...Mike
Neither appeal to me more then the other (both have pros and cons with cost differences accounted for), I'm mainly looking for opinions on which looks better overall as a set since some of the older coins will only be in VG or fine condition.
In general a matched set will "look" the best to the widest audience, and that generally means business struck coins due to the price of early type coins in proof (if they even exist!). However, because the one whose opinion matters most is YOURS, what the widest audience likes may not be what you decide. Personally, I really like the look of the late 1800 and early 1900 proofs. Their quality resembles the proofs of today, so I chose to collect them. Your mileage may vary. Good luck...Mike
proofs of the older coins would be nice, but I know that isn't in my price range, so for all pre-1900 coins the best I'll be getting is XF, and the more hard to get ones (like a 20 cent) will be more like VG. my 20th century coins will be at least MS-63, but do I go for proofs or just MS-63 on the 1950-date coins...hmm... I'm a little picky about uniform appearances so although proof coins would be nice, I fear that in the end as far as the set goes I'll like MS-63 better. I just don't want to start buying one grade and change my mind.
