Which Series Next?

Texmech - not sure what sgiorigis is paying, but I am working on the set too and have been paying around $30 per year ($6 per coin) for the silver state quarter proofs on the Bay for most years. The ones I have found in the dealers are a little higher. 2001 and 2002 you will pay a little higher - $40. However, 1999 is a brute. Will cost you no less than $140 for the 5 1999 quarters.

 

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Of the three series you're looking at, I would choose either the Washington Quarters or the Morgans. It comes down to budget, if you have a limited budget, do the Washington Quarters, the only real toughies in that series are the 32 d or s. If your budget is larger, collect the Morgans, they're a beautiful coin, easy to grade, lots of history and you've got a significant amount of silver just in their melt value alone.
Sure there are a few stoppers, but it is a really fun series to collect. Half the fun for me is in the hunt. I started morgans over 5 years ago, my set started out in mostly VF grades, I've upgraded over the years and now the set is more AU/BUish. But some of the tough dates are still in VF.
My point is the series never gets old, it's one of the most popular US collector coins for a reason.

 

What about Barber Dimes?

It's a good series to collect right now, there's really one key and a few semi-keys and it's also the one Barber series that isn't getting insane...yet.

 

My vote is for Jefferson nickels, vnickels, or mercury dimes!
The first two wont jump up in pricing because of the non-silver content (sans war nickels). Jeffersons wouldnt be too challenging, but you can put a nice ms65+ set togethor! Carry on...

 

The Morgan dollars are nice, but why the rush? ...they're fairly priced in the market with not much up or down in the collector base at the moment.

I would go with the Washington quarters before the Morgans because you can get some really good buys on some top quality coins if you dig a little...but still, why the rush? They just started another Washington quarter series that will sap the collector base dry for another 10 years...you have time.

Of the choices you list, I would definately go with the Lincoln Cents. Cents are not economically viable anymore and very near obsolesence. Oftentimes, prices spike up once a series ends. I think interest in the Lincoln Wheat collection (1909-1958) will explode once the series ends.

If I were you, I would buy up the best key date Lincolns you can afford...now! 1909-s, 1909sVDB, 1914-d, 1922 no-d, etc. ...but be careful, there are a lotta fakes out there!

 

I would try V nickels (1883-1912) .

 

I'm gonna say what a couple others on here have already said. I'd go for the 90% silver statehood quarter proofs. I just finished my set, actually waiting for American Samoa in the mail, but it was fun and relatively inexpensive. $5-$8 a coin ungraded until you get to 2000 and 2001, however there are a few scattered ones that draw more like Texas and Hawaii. Then the 1999's will run you about $30-$40 graded in a PCGS MS69. I went for mostly the flag series PCGS. They are fantastic. My mother is actually about to start this same set as she seen mine and loved it.

 

First, thanks to all for the suggestions! Thanks again to those who took my interests in mind. As for the Barber Dimes...that coin is beautiful to me! I love the look of that coin! However, like the Walking Liberty Halves, I just can't afford the grade I like in that coin...it'll have to wait until I graduate grad school. Now, of the three I'm considering, here is my question:

I am recieving the vibe that many think the Lincoln series isn't worth the expense, or maybe is too expensive. I will openly admit I will not be able to afford the '09 VDB S or the '14 D. However, I don't plan on buying slabbed and I understand some of the earlier coins will not be BU. I'm perfectly fine to settle within my budget for those earlier years. I know Redbook isn't a reliable value guide, but if I compare the cost of some early cents in relation to others, I think I would be able to afford a good number of them, even if in f or vf condition. Again, this would work to building a nicely colored set of copper cents. Thoughts and opinions are welcomed on this matter.

Texmech brought this little idea into my head: why not all 3? I can primarily focus on the cents, buying one or two Morgans with my monthly coin shop venture and collect the National Parks/SQ on a yearly basis (starting with '99 and '10 and get each year every time the Parks come out.) At the end of the series, I should have the cents almost done (or so I hope) have a good start on the Morgans, and can go to the early Washingtons. So, what to spend the extra coin show money on? Some intro cents and if I'm really thrifty/lucky the Park Quarters and 1999 SQ. Yeah...sounds like a plan.

 

As I mentioned I have done pretty good at filling the holes and even most of the keys. Now I debate about going to new sets or just upgrade the legacy sets, which is what I am leaning to. Of course I want those Morgan's, but I can be patient on those. My goal now on the Lincolns is to have all or most of the series in a nice shinny red, the Jeff's, Washington's' and Rosie's with luster.

 

Tex.. I'll send you how much I paid, as a member stated, the 1999 are the only spendy ones, but it is a GREAT looking set. I plan on doing the same with the ATB Quarters too!
Steve

 

Steve, thanks. I recently bought intercept shield albums for the Washington (32 to 98)and for the state quarters with holes for the proofs, so I am committed to fill em up. I know it's not so pricey to do and I know the completed set will look cool, so here I go.