Well, after completing my Lincoln cent collection (which was by far a larger expense than my ch. XF + 20th century set), I think I'm going back to basics -- and that is circulation collecting. I had posted last week that I was going to start a multi-year project 19th century set, but after reevaluating, I don't think the budget is there, and I have pretty much always enjoyed modern coins and Canadian coins. So, it looks like I'll be back to roll searching, which is how I began collecting in the early 1990s. I've been building a 1938-61 Jefferson set from circulation (no keys yet, but the rest is filling up rather nicely) and I'm hoping to do pick up some silver and obsoletes through rolls. My point in writing this is that it may inspire some of you who enjoy collecting but don't have the money to spend on buying rare or expensive coins to still have fun with the coins currently in circulation. It can be just as enjoyable and, frankly, more challenging to complete a collection through that route than by buying coins. Case in point: I completed the Lincoln cent collection (even have a weak-D 1922 to satisfy the die varieties of that year) with coins I bought and picked for eye appeal, and yet still have more than half the holes in my Jefferson set wide open. I even started the Jefferson set back in May 2008 -- six months before I started the Lincoln cent set!
i'm almost done with my jefferson collection from circulation. i finally found a 1968-d today, which had been a hole for over 15 years now!! bad luck, i guess, but i have found 2 1950-d in rolls!! go figure. :goof: anyway, good luck with your quest!!
Amazing, swish! Great work on 2 1950-Ds. If I find one I'll consider myself a lucky person! Good luck on completing the rest of your set.
Circulating coins can be great fun to look through for your collection. Once or twice a year I will buy a brick of Washington quarters from my local bank and I will check those coins. I know I won't find silver, but I look for AU+ eagle reverse coins and the really pretty ones are saved. It's fun!
Good luck with it and be careful, it's addictive. I just started collecting again after 20 years, had a collection as a child and started again with my kids, and I am doing the roll search way. I still find silver quarters and dimes from rolls i get at the bank, and the key date nickels are still out there. I found a 39d with steps visible on the reverse. It's a great way to collect, cheap and fun.
It is a lot of fun do try puying together a set from circulation. It has been a lot of quality time for my son and I. I dont think I will be able to complete my lincoln cent collection that way but it is still fun filling holes for as long as I can and it cost nothing.
I've been working on doing P state quarters from circulation. Done with D. Buying new stuff is too easy and a little boring; just pick out the one you want. Although, I'm doing the dollar coins like that. Going through circulated coins is more of a treasure hunt, never know what you might find.
