~~~ Lord Marcovan's Basic 19th Century U.S. Type Set ~~~

lordmarcovan · February 10, 2013 1:37PM

2/10/13 - Please cut me a little slack about the fact that this is a mostly empty collection right now. Hey, I just started from scratch!

This type set will basically follow along the lines of the popular Dansco #7070 US Type album, except I'm omitting the post-1900 coins. As much as I love the early 20th century classics, my primary interest lies with the older coins. And I can always branch out or expand later. (Which seems to happen all too often.)

Since I subsist on the meager salary of a low-ranking hotel clerk, budget is an issue. I intend to stay mostly in the VF-XF range. I'm more oriented towards eye appeal than technical grade or rarity, anyway. I'll leave the attractively toned Mint State coins and Cameo proofs for those "big boys" with much deeper pockets.

But I can still pursue attractive toning - and cameos of a different sort. I plan to focus largely on pieces with what I call a Circulation Cameo ("CircCam") appearance. This refers to coins with darkly toned fields and lighter devices. I coined the term, you might say- but I'm far from the first person who's liked it.

With my zigzag attention span, this might be a short-term project for maybe one to three years, but we'll see. Certainly I've enjoyed type sets like this in the past.

Note: though you'll see "wanted" tags below, I have no intention of spamming up this forum. So please don't post offers here. (But by all means, do feel free to shoot me a PM you have something you think might fit... and I welcome your comments!) I have posted this thread for discussion purposes, and a place to digitally warehouse my collection. The "wanted" tags and hyperlinks are so this can double as a wantlist and research tool when I link in to it from elsewhere.

01. Half Cent, Draped Bust (1800-1808)

1804 "Spiked Chin", Cohen-8, ex-Robert Larsen ("larsenrarecoins", eBay), 2/15/13. In a PCGS VF20 slab.

Lg. obv. pic ~ Lg. rev. pic ~ Slab ~ Trends ~ Standards

02. Half Cent, Classic Head (1809-1835)

Trends ~ Standards

03. Half Cent, Braided Hair/Coronet (1849-1857)

Trends ~ Standards

04. Large Cent, Draped Bust (1796-1807)

Trends ~ Standards

05. Large Cent, Classic Head (1808-1814)

Trends ~ Standards

06. Large Cent, Coronet (1816-1839)

Trends ~ Standards

07. Large Cent, Braided Hair (1840-1857)

Trends ~ Standards

08. Small Cent, Flying Eagle (1857-1858)

1858 Small Letters, ex-"fairtraderz", eBay, 2/8/13.

Lg. obv. pic ~ Lg. rev. pic ~ Trends ~ Standards

09. Small Cent, Indian Head, Copper-Nickel, Laurel Wreath (1859)

Trends ~ Standards

10. Small Cent, Indian Head, Copper-Nickel, Oak Wreath (1860-1864)

Trends ~ Standards

11. Small Cent, Indian Head, Bronze (1864-1909)

1879, ex-Brian Kozak ("bkozak34", eBay), 2/18/13.

Lg. obv. pic ~ Lg. rev. pic ~ Trends ~ Standards

12. Two Cent Piece (1864-1873)

1865, ex-"kantoken", ebay, 4/19/13.

Lg. obv. pic ~ Lg. rev. pic ~ Trends ~ Standards

13. Three Cent Piece, Silver (1851-1873)

Trends ~ Standards

14. Three Cent Piece, Nickel (1865-1889)

Trends ~ Standards

15. Half Dime, Capped Bust (1829-1837)

1835 LM10/V7, very early die state. Ex-Brian Lawrence ("wepayauctions", eBay), 2/8/13.

Lg. obv. scan ~ Lg. rev. scan ~ Trends ~ Standards

16. Half Dime, Seated Liberty, With Stars (1838-1859)

Trends ~ Standards

17. Half Dime, Seated Liberty, With Arrows (1853-1855)

Trends ~ Standards

18. Half Dime, Seated Liberty, Legend Obverse (1860-1873)

Trends ~ Standards

19. Nickel, Shield, With Rays (1866-1867)

Trends ~ Standards

20. Nickel, Shield, No Rays (1867-1883)

Trends ~ Standards

21. Nickel, Liberty Head, No "CENTS" (1883)

Trends ~ Standards

22. Nickel, Liberty Head, With "CENTS" (1883-1913)

Trends ~ Standards

23. Dime, Capped Bust, Small Size (1828-1837)

Trends ~ Standards

24. Dime, Seated Liberty, With Stars (1838-1860)

1857-O, ex-Hunter Wunch ("USMoneylover" on Collectors Universe, from his "finestcoinsandrelics.com" website), 2/20/13. In an NGC VF30 slab.

Lg. obv. pic ~ Lg. rev. pic ~ Trends ~ Standards

25. Dime, Seated Liberty, With Arrows (1853-1855)

Trends ~ Standards

26. Dime, Seated Liberty, Legend Obverse (1860-1891)

Trends ~ Standards

27. Dime, Liberty Head/Barber (1892-1916)

Trends ~ Standards

28. Twenty Cent Piece (1875-1878)

Trends ~ Standards

29. Quarter, Capped Bust, Small Size (1831-1838)

1835 B-1, ex-David Finkelstein ("djf-coins", eBay), 2/8/13.

Lg. obv. pic ~ Lg. rev. pic ~ Trends ~ Standards

30. Quarter, Seated Liberty, No Motto (1838-1865)

Trends ~ Standards

31. Quarter, Seated Liberty, Arrows (1853-1855)

Trends ~ Standards

32. Quarter, Seated Liberty, With Motto (1866-1891)

1888-S, ex-"pawndog", eBay, 4/16/13.

Lg. obv. pic ~ Lg. rev. pic ~ Trends ~ Standards

33. Quarter, Barber/Liberty Head (1892-1916)

Trends ~ Standards

34. Half Dollar, Capped Bust, Lettered Edge (1807-1836)

1810, O-105, ex-Hunter Wunch ("USMoneylover" on Collectors Universe, from his "finestcoinsandrelics.com" website), 2/20/13. In an ANACS VF35 slab.

Lg. obv. pic ~ Lg. rev. pic ~ Slab ~ Trends ~ Standards

35. Half Dollar, Capped Bust, Reeded Edge (1836-1839)

Trends ~ Standards

36. Half Dollar, Seated Liberty, No Motto (1839-1865)

Trends ~ Standards

37. Half Dollar, Seated Liberty, Arrows (1853-1855)

1854-O, ex "renomedphys" via Rick Snow/Eagle Eye Rare Coins (on Collectors Universe BST forum), 2/13/13.

Lg. obv pic ~ Lg. rev. pic ~ Trends ~ Standards

38. Half Dollar, Seated Liberty, With Motto (1866-1891)

Trends ~ Standards

39. Half Dollar, Barber/Liberty Head (1892-1915)

Trends ~ Standards

40. Silver Dollar, Seated Liberty, No Motto (1840-1865)

1847, ex-Rich Styles ("chobieshedwell", eBay), 2/9/13.

Trends ~ Standards

41. Silver Dollar, Seated Liberty, With Motto (1866-1873)

1871, ex- Legacy ("legacycoins_collectibles", eBay), 2/15/13.

Trends ~ Standards

42. Silver Dollar, Trade Dollar (1873-1885)

1875-CC, ex-Robert A. Johnson, ("centsles", eBay), 2/13/13. In an NNC "AU55" slab.

Obv.-rev. scans ~ Lg. obv. scan ~ Lg. rev. scan ~ Slab ~ Trends ~ Standards

43. Silver Dollar, Morgan (1878-1921)

Trends ~ Standards

44. Commemorative, Columbian Exposition half dollar (1892-1893)

Trends

braddick · February 10, 2013 1:48PM

Fun thread!
You are a true passionate Numismatist.

lordmarcovan · February 10, 2013 1:54PM

So here are the first three.

I bought a Bust half dime, too, but I am waiting to see it in hand and get usable pictures before I decide if it's a "keeper" worthy of adding.

ricko · February 11, 2013 1:15AM

Great project....long ways to go, but a fun pursuit. Cheers, RickO

nwcoast · February 11, 2013 1:21AM

Nice original and well defined examples!
Looks like a fun project and will be sweet to hold an study when complete.

lordmarcovan · February 11, 2013 1:27AM

Thanks, ricko and nwcoast.

Here are temporary (seller's) pix of the Bust half dime.

I was having some doubts about it due to it possibly being a tad shy of my stated "VF minimum" goal, but it had the look I like. Specialist opinion in my recent thread about it has brought me around and reassured me, however. Though it may not be quite a technical VF, it has other things going for it and I think it should match the set well enough until I upgrade, if that time ever comes around.

I'll do the by-now customary grading poll thread when it arrives and I get better pictures.

Update: reimaged on my scanner, now.

steveben · February 11, 2013 2:01AM

keep em nice and crusty like that and this set will be great! have fun.

Rollerman · February 11, 2013 5:35AM

I doubt you will ever be sorry for starting this project. My 7070 Dansco would be the last thing I would part with from my collection and I consider it an heirloom at this point. It's fun to put together and great to show people when it's completed. I've worked on mine for 30 years, first completing a Whitman and then on to the Dansco. I have been updating the last 8 years or so.
I fudged on the Seated Liberty dollar and put my Drapped Bust Dollar in that slot since I had to have it for the Whitman.
Good luck and I wish you a lot of enjoyment!
Pete

hchcoin · February 11, 2013 7:09AM

Great start to a great project with 3 great coins

BryceM · February 11, 2013 9:56AM

Hmmmmmm. We are currently working on the same basic project, but I'm trying to do it in the XF-MS range. Seems to me that you'll have just as much fun (or more) and spend a whole lot less.

Nice start with some solid coins.

lordmarcovan · February 13, 2013 5:11AM

This came off the BST.

Steve27 · February 13, 2013 8:12AM

Rob, Nice coins I particularly like the Seated Dollar. I've been working on a complete 7070 album of circ cams for a while now, and it's not easy. Here are a few of my favorites (please forgive the picture quality it's a scan):

lordmarcovan · February 13, 2013 9:06AM

Wow, Steve- that's awesome! You even have CircCam clad!

I see some nice stuff in there, but for some reason, it's your Barber dime that really speaks to me. That's about as perfect a CircCam as I've seen.

PS- the 1853 quarter also has nice contrast, and that BTW is really neat. Never seen one that looked like that before.

bosco5041 · February 13, 2013 11:56AM

I had a lot of fun with my 7070 type set, good choice. I like the dollar a lot.

DIMEMAN · February 14, 2013 12:15AM

Sounds like a fun project. Good hunting.

lordmarcovan · February 15, 2013 9:24AM

Here are purchases #6, 7, and 8 for the set.

This knocks out the tougher dollar coins, so that's a good start.

Unfortunately it also knocks out my numismatic "mad money" for a while.

So any other additions in the near future will be less expensive types. But I can still have fun.

Sonorandesertrat · February 15, 2013 9:44AM

How big are you gonna make the holes?

lordmarcovan · February 15, 2013 9:48AM

Haven't you heard? I'm outta the holey coin business, pretty much.

I sold the Holey Coin Vest and my love token collection.

(Where d'you think the money for these purchases came from? Not from my regular paycheck, that's fer sure!)

I did keep the trademark "Holey Gold Hat", though, so I can retain the "Holey of Holeys" title.

lordmarcovan · February 18, 2013 10:12AM

Purchase #9 only cost me 20 bucks plus shipping.

It's not getting much lovin' on the poll, with the near unanimous opinion being that it is a "problem" coin. It could be, if it was lacquered or the fields are porous. CircCam copper is tricky to find without problems.

I thought it was worth a relatively inexpensive risk, anyway, and didn't really expect it to be everyone's cup o' tea.

Update: looks great in hand, at least to me. Not so grainy/porous as these pix would have you believe. I dunno if it would grade at a major TPG or not, but that's a moot point since it's a twenty-dollar coin that I have no intention of submitting to any TPG. (Unless I get a wild whim later).

lordmarcovan · February 21, 2013 7:02PM

Here are purchases #10 and #11, both from the same seller.

PS- wow, I just realized I've knocked out 25% of this collection in only twelve days!

That's pretty dizzying speed, but my budget contraction will likely slow things down a little, now, and I'll also probably be shifting focus to the British Empire 1901 type set and then back to my primary "ADAM" (Ancient, Dark Age, and Medieval) Box of 20 project pretty soon.

lordmarcovan · April 18, 2013 7:51PM

Here is purchase #12, with the by now customary poll thread.

Jcarney · April 18, 2013 9:42PM

<< <i>Here are purchases #6, 7, and 8 for the set.

This knocks out the tougher dollar coins, so that's a good start.

>>

Love this spiked chin!

BillJones · April 18, 2013 11:33PM

<< <i>I'm more oriented towards eye appeal than technical grade or rarity, anyway. I'll leave the attractively toned Mint State coins and Cameo proofs for those "big boys" with much deeper pockets. >>

That sounds like a good strategy.

My only suggestion is I would be to avoid the black and "black and white" toned silver like that 1835 half dime you are considering. I view silver that is toned like that to be at or approaching what might be called "corroded."

I know that these are expensive coins, but this is the sort of color that you might try to find on 19th century circulated silver. Advanced collectors like this toned gray look. You can find it on most any silver type coin in the circulated grades, but it takes some patience.

The color is nice on this, but the adjustment marks, which are considered normal, gave me some trouble when I got ready to sell this coin. I had owned this piece for a long time, so making money was a "done deal," but I would have gotten more for it if it did not have the adjustment marks.

ricko · April 19, 2013 12:09AM

Remarkable progress LordM, and may I say you are doing well....Cheers, RickO

sumnom · April 19, 2013 12:57AM

I really like the look of the 1835 and 1888-S quarters. Fantastic.

lordmarcovan · April 19, 2013 3:04AM

<< <i>My only suggestion is I would be to avoid the black and "black and white" toned silver like that 1835 half dime you are considering. I view silver that is toned like that to be at or approaching what might be called "corroded." >>

Ah, but I like 'em approaching that "black and white" contrast!

But yes- 'tis true, it's a very fine line between a strongly contrasted "black & white CircCam" and a "corroded" coin sometimes. Especially with the nonsilver coins! But one goal of mine is to get as many as possible with that look without crossing the "problem coin" threshold. So far so good, I guess, with coins like the Spiked Chin half cent. I thought that one was a coup because it has a CircCam look (rare for copper) and yet was still problem-free enough to warrant a grade by a top-tier TPG. The 1879 Indian cent is in "problem coin" territory by forum poll consensus, but I wonder how many people would have said that if they could have seen it in hand. I find it acceptable and actually like it. It might not sell so well when it comes time for that (at least with the current photos) but hey, that particular one is a twenty-dollar coin, so it's not a big risk.

I'm having fun.

~~~ Lord Marcovan's Basic 19th Century U.S. Type Set ~~~

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~*~*~ Lord Marcovan's Basic 19th Century U.S. Type Set ~*~*~

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~~~ Lord Marcovan's Basic 19th Century U.S. Type Set ~~~