Whats your white whale?

crypto79 · July 29, 2010 2:34AM

While going over my collection and it's direction I updated my want list as I periodically do and sure enough I see the same coins at the top of my list that are more or less always there. I am not talking about the "would like" coins such as the 1849 c open wreath 1$ gold(that would be nice), I am talking about my core collection that I am not sure that I will ever get the chance to own aka My white whale coin. That coin for me is a 1876s DDO Trade Dollar as they are just too rare, I have never seen one let alone heard of one for sale.

Be it cost or rarity or the more likely combination of the two, what coin are you always chasing but doubt you will ever catch?

guitarwes · July 29, 2010 2:40AM

you never know, you might just find one on eBay.

mine is a circ set of early Walkers of 16-23 in XF.

renomedphys · July 29, 2010 3:32AM

Nice Chain Cent

edited to add the word "Nice"

MFH · July 29, 2010 3:39AM

1898-O Micro O Half Dollar.

BillJones · July 29, 2010 3:44AM

In order have a complete gold type set, one needs the Reduced Diameter $5 gold piece, 1829 - 34. I'd like a nice AU coin that would match the rest of my set, but when I look at the population reports, the prospects look grim. Fortunately among the three gold type coins that I need to finish, that one excites me the least.

Stew · July 29, 2010 4:20AM

1971-S Eisenhower Prototype Dollar, Population to date 2 on the entire Planet.

Always looking to find number 3
my eyes hurt.

Thank's Aaron

Terry

Barndog · July 29, 2010 4:34AM

I'm glad cinman hasn't posted to this thread

Cladiator · July 29, 2010 4:35AM

The draped bust half dimes as a group are my white whale when I think about my LOC half dime core collection.

Barndog · July 29, 2010 4:36AM

<< <i>The draped bust half dimes as a group are my white whale when I think about my LOC half dime core collection. >>

some really nice ones on ebay. They bring you lucky good bidding for your collection!

LanLord · July 29, 2010 4:56AM

For me it is probably the 1815/2 half dollar in xf or greater grade.

Probably not a real difficult coin, just not in my current budget!

JJM · July 29, 2010 4:57AM

Battle Creek Morgans...... I dont care
go ahead and flame me, I like em !
I have 2, want 10

LindeDad · July 29, 2010 5:01AM

<< <i>For me it is probably the 1815/2 half dollar in xf or greater grade.

Probably not a real difficult coin, just not in my current budget! >>

I am there also but need to add the 1839 No Drapery to it for me. <----Update I got this one from Type Coin.

Prethen · July 29, 2010 5:01AM

1884 and 1885 3CN business strikes

jsf · July 29, 2010 6:06AM

git-tarwes, I hear ya' about the Walker set.

I cannot ...get .......away ................from them.

Does anyone know who bought the AU58, '20-D from Stack's a few weeks ago? Got any new, quality pics of it? Congrats on the purchase, btw. You must be plum tickled.

BillJones · July 29, 2010 6:18AM

My white whale #2 (actually it's #1 because I would MUCH rather own this than the $5 gold coin I cited earlier) is an 1802 half dime. I've been collecting early half dimes by Red Book variety for almost 40 years. The 1802 is the one coin I don't have. I've only seen them three times at a bourse, and coins in question were in Fair-2 (too low a grade for me), PCGS AU-50

(How I wish I'd had the $100k at the time to buy that one!) and VF-30 (I thought that it was somewhat over graded, but IT"S AN 1802!).

Well maybe some day ...

mcarney1173 · July 29, 2010 6:22AM

Well, I collect 1940-45 FB Merc's and all are within my price range except the 45-P

crypto79 · July 29, 2010 6:30AM

My white whale #2 would be for my secret set of 1838-1840 transitional coinage. CBH 1839 Small Letters REV to match the 1840 (o) Large letters SLH. A 1838 10$ Lib in choice VF would be nice too.

OKbustchaser · July 29, 2010 6:38AM

There are three 1827 half dollar die marriages that I lack. Any of the three would require a SERIOUS harpoon.

Tiny · July 29, 2010 6:52AM

I had two, they were set finishers. Had been looking for a nice 1932 D Washington slabed
and a 1934 S Peace NGC MS63 White.
Found the Washington at the summer FUN Show and just so happened to win one on
an auction so I got two.

The 34 S is the White Whale now

tjc2120 · July 29, 2010 7:33AM

White wedding.

speety · July 29, 2010 8:04AM

Mine is a specific 1873-CC seated dollar. When it was up for sale the funds weren't available. Now I know it's location but the owner is dead set on keeping it. Hopefully he changes his mind

My second would be an MS 1855 seated dollar that doesn't look like crap...

SkyMan · July 29, 2010 8:50AM

My true white whale is to land a striped bass. I'm 52 and I've been fishing since I've been 5 (predominantly from the ocean shore in Massachusetts, but truly all over the place, both fresh water and salt water). I've hooked striped bass, and brought them to shore or to boat, but for whatever reason, just when I'm about to land them they get off the hook. It's actually gotten to be a bit of a running joke with my extended family.

Barndog · July 29, 2010 8:52AM

I guess it has to be the 1833 LM-5 half dime. There were three known when I started collecting. All were (and still are) in strong hands. Then one became available on ebay. I had zippo for funds at the time, so was not a strong competitor. Then another became available on ebay and I never saw it, so didn't even get a chance to bid. That's Herman Melville luck.

I also lack an 1829 LM-6.1 half dime, but I've never seen one, so I don't lose any sleep or have any lamentations about that one.

mojorizn · July 29, 2010 9:08AM

1913-D Type II Buffalo nickel full horn VF to match the rest of my circ. Dansco set.

Mojo

seanq · January 19, 2011 4:45AM

Bumping this old thread - anyone ever land their whale?

Mine is a clipped 1933-D Lincoln Cent, more than 15 years of collecting them and I've never heard of an example of this date/mint. Of course, I used to say the same thing about the 1909-P non-VDB... until last September.

Sean Reynolds

cmerlo1 · January 19, 2011 4:48AM

Tie:

Cherrypicking a nice 1852 1/inverted 2 3-cent silver piece.

Cherrypicking a 1921-D VAM-1X Morgan Dollar.

crypto79 · January 19, 2011 4:51AM

not even close, although I have had a good time fishing

Billet7 · January 19, 2011 4:51AM

1823 Quarter.

GritsMan · January 19, 2011 4:56AM

I probably don't have a real white whale, but would love to own a gold coin with a lot of historical significance, such as a wire-rim hi-relief St. Gaudens, or a CAL gold piece, or a Pan-Pac octagonal, but this will probably never happen. A nice 1861-O double eagle may be within my grasp one day, however.

OKbustchaser · January 19, 2011 4:58AM

I had one of mine in my sights last December, but Ishmael beat my harpoon.

Artist · January 19, 2011 4:58AM

There are of course coins I would love to own, but never will pending some drastic life-style change... which could always happen.

In the mean time, on my present trajectory, the coin I would most like to own is $3 gold, better date, unc. This coin would cost me multiples of any amount I have ever paid for a coin. I could sell a few things & buy one today, but I would rather keep what I have and just wait for the day when I can afford one... or better yet, take up diving in Kona Beach.

QuarterCollector · January 19, 2011 4:59AM

1823 Quarter

PinkFloyd · January 19, 2011 5:02AM

Original high relief St. Gaudens. I'll never have one though. Also 2008-W 1 oz. Gold Buffalo.

okracer · January 19, 2011 5:06AM

Mine would be several ultra rare Sheldon varieties (R6-R8) for my Large Cent collection

MikeInFL · January 19, 2011 5:08AM

A toned 1905 proof half dollar in 64 or 65. I've been after this coin for quite a few years, and haven't been able to find a suitable example for my 1905 proof set.

morgandollar1878 · January 19, 2011 5:08AM

Out of everyone so far that has replied to this thread I have the most modern pick except for Stew. I would love to have a 1964 SMS set all certified. Original packaging would be better if there is such a thing.

Meltdown · January 19, 2011 5:16AM

I still have not purchased a 1950 Proof Franlkin for my album set.
I finished the set a few years ago and have even upgraded half of them but have not quite talked myself into spending
the money on the last one.

roadrunner · January 19, 2011 5:20AM

I caught both of my white whales in the 1980's and have since let them go. Don't know what or if there will ever be a #3.

roadrunner

HKstrongside · January 19, 2011 5:23AM

Mormon gold... of any variety.

rld14 · January 19, 2011 5:56AM

<< <i>1898-O Micro O Half Dollar. >>

XF 1892-O Micro O half dollar.

MadMarty · January 19, 2011 6:09AM

Mine is a darkside coin, a 1985 Cook Islands Gold (yes gold) weenie dollar! Mintage 25.

drei3ree · January 19, 2011 6:33AM

Hmmmmmm...probably the business strike 1880 5c in mint. PM me if you can help.

BillJones · January 19, 2011 6:38AM

I have two "white whales."

The big one is a 1796 quarter eagle in "no problem" AU or low end slider Unc.

The little is a 1821-1821 quater eagle in AU or low end Unc. that looks like it hasn't had surface gone over with acid or a wire brush.

Shamika · January 19, 2011 6:52AM

MS63 1924-S Buffalo nickel that really is mint state and without problems.

jmski52 · January 19, 2011 7:24AM

A complete set of MS-69/PR-69 Platinum Eagles in all denominations. Or a nice Chain Cent. Or both. And a nice Pine Tree Shilling, too.

cladking · January 19, 2011 7:26AM

1982-P type "d' reverse quarter.

They used at least one die on every quarter between 1977 and 1984 with
the type "d" reverse except the '82-P. I've seen enough of these to know
that the mintage was probably under 20,000 if any were produced.

shorecoll · January 19, 2011 10:50AM

Mine are VG-F Chain cent with a perfect planchet, 1815 Bust half in AU. Never had the nerve on the chain, always thought the 1815 price would drop....Ha!!!

My 14 year old caught a 30" striped bass last summer, I usually catch the bottom or a skate.