Question about key date coins.
PerryHall
Posts: 46,606 ✭✭✭✭✭
Can a coin series have more than one key date or can there only be one key date with all the other high value coins in the series being considered semi-key dates? Is it possible for a long running coin series to have no key date? For example, is the 1950-D the key date in the Jefferson nickel series or is it just not rare enough to be considered a key date.
Worry is the interest you pay on a debt you may not owe.
"Paper money eventually returns to its intrinsic value---zero."----Voltaire
"Everything you say should be true, but not everything true should be said."----Voltaire
0
Comments
Series can have multiple keys. 1932-D and 1932-S quarters for example.
The 1950-D nickel is the key date for the Jefferson series even though it is actually very common. Most of the issue was hoarded at the time of issue and exists in some level of MS condition. For this series it is a matter of the mind and not a matter of fact.
That's an unusual situation where there are two coins that are of approximately equal rarity within the series that are both the rarest coins in the series. Most series have one coin that's rarer than all the others with a couple of others that are also rare but not quite as rare. For example in the Barber quarter series, the 1901-S is the rarest and the obvious key date. What about the very rare 1896-S and the 1913-S quarters? Are they also key dates or are they semi-key dates?
Worry is the interest you pay on a debt you may not owe.
"Paper money eventually returns to its intrinsic value---zero."----Voltaire
"Everything you say should be true, but not everything true should be said."----Voltaire
I feel a series can have a quite a few key dates followed by semi keys.
I some series over time the primary key once thought to be very rare has changed with another taking the lead.
I think that the grade can change key coin status. While some coins, such as the 21 S Buffalo Nickel is at least a semi key, but then is overtaken by other coins in value for the higher grades. I feel that rarity overcomes mintage and grade(even though both are major contributors). And, finally, I think there can be more than one key coin in a series.
Jim
When a man who is honestly mistaken hears the truth, he will either quit being mistaken or cease to be honest....Abraham Lincoln
Patriotism is supporting your country all the time, and your government when it deserves it.....Mark Twain
According to Wikipedia - "In coin collecting, a key date refers to a date (or date and mint mark combination) of a given coin series or set that is harder to obtain than other dates in the series. The next level of difficult to obtain coins in series are often referred to as semi-key dates or simply semi-keys." So, to be accurate, one coin is key, the others semi-key. Now, who is the final arbiter of which coin is assigned 'key' status can be debated. In some series, the 'key' is clear, such as the 1995W ASE. In other series there may be a couple of contenders for the title. Cheers, RickO
Morgan dollars, the key is the 1895 proof, if you believe that a proof is a suitable hole filler (I don't.) Real key is considered to be the 93-S with 100,000 minted. 110,000 on the 1894. When I followed the pops closely, PCGS had graded more 1893-S' then 1894 coins. 1894 though was in higher grades.
Flip a coin.
I feel there can be multiple key dates and multiple semi key dates in any series. Take the proof trade dollars for example - no one would call the 1884 a semi key simply because the 1885 is the key date.
"KEY" is a relative term. Take the Barber dime series. One "key" date, the 1895-O. Yet, just about half of the 3CS series could be considered to be "keys."
If we complicate your question by adding condition of preservation (grades), then a 1950-D nickel is nothing compared to other dates in BU. Throw in the varieties and all goes out the window. Just because a coin as the 1916 DDO 5c is not considered a part of the normal set, does not mean it is not one of the "keys." I guess if we take the time to open a Redbook, lots of your questions would be answered.
If it costs a lot of money, relative to the common coins in the series, it’s a key date.
It's really just semantics. Does it matter?
I thought the 1894-S was the key date of the Barber dime series. I learn something new here every day.
Worry is the interest you pay on a debt you may not owe.
"Paper money eventually returns to its intrinsic value---zero."----Voltaire
"Everything you say should be true, but not everything true should be said."----Voltaire
The 1876-CC is the key in the Twenty Cent Piece set, but for us mortals, it is the 1877.
Don't poke the bear.
@PerryHall said: "I thought the 1894-S was the key date of the Barber dime series. I learn something new here every day.
LOL, SO DO I! I guess it all comes down to what "ONE" is to each of us.
@Insider2 said: "KEY" is a relative term. Take the Barber dime series. ONE "key" date, the 1895-O."
I would think you can have multiple keys per series. I consider wheats and indian head cents to have multiple keys and also multiple semi keys
HAPPY COLLECTING
I wonder how many 1894-S dimes are in complete Barber Dime sets? My guess would be not that many. The 1894-S dime strikes me as a “trophy coin.”
How can the Barber dime set be complete without the 1894-S dime?
Worry is the interest you pay on a debt you may not owe.
"Paper money eventually returns to its intrinsic value---zero."----Voltaire
"Everything you say should be true, but not everything true should be said."----Voltaire
Good question, but my attitude is similar to the way Dr. Sheldon handled the “NC numbers” in his variety books. The NCs were not collectible because so few collectors had access to them. Therefore your set was “complete” when you acquired all of the regular “S” numbers.
In the old Whitman coin folders used to have the space for a 1913 Liberty Nickel or an 1894-S dime with a cardboard circle in it. I suppose that if you ever acquired the coin, you could have cut out the circle and pushed the coin into the space with your thumb.
I think a series can have more than one key date. I know the Walker series does.
But If someone ask me directly 'what is the primary key to the series?', then I would choose the rarest coin, either the 21 S or 19 D depending on condition.
Sometimes, it’s better to be LUCKY than good. 🍀 🍺👍
My Full Walker Registry Set (1916-1947):
https://www.ngccoin.com/registry/competitive-sets/16292/
Some have THE KEY and semi keys if that is a term, but I had not heard the term trophy coin before.
For the Liberty Seated half dimes, both the 1846 and the 1853-O No Arrows dates are considered 'key dates'. Opinions differ as to which is the scarcest issue of these key dates. (This, of course, ignores the unique 1870-S issue).
It cannot. However, each collector or numismatist can determine for themselves or depending on their importance (Sheldon for example), determine that for others.
THE FULLY STRUCK AND UNMARRED 1921 PEACE DOLLAR IS THE KEY TO THE ENTIRE US SERIES !
This may not be empirically factual but it is actually empirical.
The 1921 Peace Dollar is a nice coin, especially when it is fully struck. I've never had an opportunity to own one.
Still, it can't hold a candle to many other types, which are far more interesting to me. Chain Cents, Flowing Hair Dollars and the 1907 High Relief $20 gold are way ahead of it in my opinion.
Technically, the 1932 PDS Washington quarters were issued as commemoratives. The Washington quarter series started in 1934, and the 1932 coins are traditionally collected as part of the regular issues.
RMR: 'Wer, wenn ich schriee, hörte mich denn aus der Engel Ordnungen?'
CJ: 'No one!' [Ain't no angels in the coin biz]
So what! Apples and oranges.
What do you think is the key date in the Peace $ series.
To me the 1928 peace dollar is the “key” date in the series. That said, it would be no problem to start and complete that set next week at the ANA unless you are super grade conscious.
I am not a Peace Dollar fan. Sorry to disappoint you. Why do you take such a belligerent tone with your question?
As for the key, that would have to be the 1934-S in Choice to Gem Mint State. The 1925-S and the 1928-S are also very expensive in MS-65. Since I tend to avoid such coins when a point or two less is a lot less expensive, I'll stick with the 1934-S as the key.
As far as Peace dollars go, I like the 1934 S in 65.
Sometimes, it’s better to be LUCKY than good. 🍀 🍺👍
My Full Walker Registry Set (1916-1947):
https://www.ngccoin.com/registry/competitive-sets/16292/
I would think that each series has "a" key date, and it is the one that is obtainable. Just another reason I have a Type Set...I don't have to worry about "key" dates...quality over quantity any day of the week and twice on payday.
BST transactions: dbldie55, jayPem, 78saen, UltraHighRelief, nibanny, liefgold, FallGuy, lkeigwin, mbogoman, Sandman70gt, keets, joeykoins, ianrussell (@GC), EagleEye, ThePennyLady, GRANDAM, Ilikecolor, Gluggo, okiedude, Voyageur, LJenkins11, fastfreddie, ms70, pursuitofliberty, ZoidMeister,Coin Finder, GotTheBug, edwardjulio, Coinnmore, Nickpatton, Namvet69,...
s rarer than all the others with a couple of others that are also rare but not quite as rare. For example in the Barber quarter series, the 1901-S is the rarest and the obvious key date. What about the very rare 1896-S and the 1913-S quarters? Are they also key dates or are they semi-key dates?
Interesting....I never thought of excluding them from the set. Is this correct? It started as an attempt to make a commem, but did they not decide on a permanent change before striking?
Here's the wikipedia version which is normally 99% accurate:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Washington_quarter
I think it has been demonstrated by examples that a few series may have more than one equally "key" dates.
I guess it depends on what you think a key date is. Not sure it really matters since there are usually several that are hard to get in each series, even if you are willing to accept a lower grade. When I first started collecting coins 50+ years ago, the old blue Whitman albums had little "cut out plugs" in the slots for key coins. I remember the Lincoln Cents album had a plug in the slot for a 1909-S vdb.... It had one other slot blocked too but I don't recall which one. (Suspect is was the 14d, but I'm not sure) I always felt like those were the key coins of that series. Note, I never got to remove the plugs, back in those days.
I used to dream of the 38 d Walker, when I had part 2 of the blue Whitman folder (1937-1947) as a child. This was due to the low mintage and popularity.
Acquired it years later with two raw XF coins in the mid 1990s and then a MS 65 in 2005.
I found out, however, the coin isn't as scarce as I originally thought, as many were saved.
Sometimes, it’s better to be LUCKY than good. 🍀 🍺👍
My Full Walker Registry Set (1916-1947):
https://www.ngccoin.com/registry/competitive-sets/16292/
Everyone has an opinion...I was stating mine.
BST transactions: dbldie55, jayPem, 78saen, UltraHighRelief, nibanny, liefgold, FallGuy, lkeigwin, mbogoman, Sandman70gt, keets, joeykoins, ianrussell (@GC), EagleEye, ThePennyLady, GRANDAM, Ilikecolor, Gluggo, okiedude, Voyageur, LJenkins11, fastfreddie, ms70, pursuitofliberty, ZoidMeister,Coin Finder, GotTheBug, edwardjulio, Coinnmore, Nickpatton, Namvet69,...
@oih82w8 said: "Everyone has an opinion...I was stating mine."
[Which is:] "I would think that each series has "a" [ONLY ONE SINGLE] key date, and it is the one that is obtainable..."
I
was hoping to change your opinion so that it would reflect the evidence provided by a quick look at a Red Book. 
For the type collector, one date is as good as another!
"Got a flaming heart, can't get my fill"
Which is still my opinion; one key (that is obtainable) and semi-keys. You are welcome to your opinion, which I will not try to change...and the writers of the Red Book have theirs.
BST transactions: dbldie55, jayPem, 78saen, UltraHighRelief, nibanny, liefgold, FallGuy, lkeigwin, mbogoman, Sandman70gt, keets, joeykoins, ianrussell (@GC), EagleEye, ThePennyLady, GRANDAM, Ilikecolor, Gluggo, okiedude, Voyageur, LJenkins11, fastfreddie, ms70, pursuitofliberty, ZoidMeister,Coin Finder, GotTheBug, edwardjulio, Coinnmore, Nickpatton, Namvet69,...
@oih82w8 said: "Everyone has an opinion..."
LOL.
Yes, they do. From what I've seen regarding coins, in many cases that's unfortunate .
**"
All 3 quarters are considered key dates.
I wonder where the term " Key Date Coin " came from ? I was brought up believing that the
" Key Date Coin " where the rarest of the series.
I've seen many empty holes in folders in several series, over the years. I call them holes the places where the key and semi-key coins belong.