Best series to start collecting now?
bennybravo
Posts: 1,950 ✭✭✭
bennybravo
Posts: 1,950 ✭✭✭
bennybravo
Posts: 1,950 ✭✭✭
Comments
I’m biased sure but modern commemorative dollars. Prices are way down and some of them have fairly low mintages.
Just don’t buy them straight from the mint! 😳 The current prices are just nuts
Great idea!!!!
https://www.ebay.com/mys/active
Whichever one(s) you care most about and can afford. It shouldn’t matter what anyone else thinks or prefers.
Mark Feld* of Heritage Auctions*Unless otherwise noted, my posts here represent my personal opinions.
Wheaties/Lincolns - Easy to start and not so expensive, find them in Coin-star and circulation
SAE - Got to collect a silver proof
Peace - only 24 and you're done
There isn’t a best, really. For me, I am slowly working on a gold dollar date run while including some from each branch mint. It’ll take me a while as I’m trying to get pieces that I like rather than pieces to complete a set.
If you don’t know what you’d like to focus on, maybe try a silver and clad 20th century type set. Very affordable and completable plus it can look great in an album.
If you're not sure I would suggest you continue to build your nest egg until a series really grabs you. Then study the series in all respects HARD! Then go buy a coin or two. Good luck with your pursuit.
I'm going with proof walkers.
Only 7 coins in a set. A lot of folks like them. You can collect toners or white & no stoppers in the series.
Lots of CAC for those who go for that sort of thing.
Not super expensive unless you want a top set.
67 CAC
My Saint Set
Washington quarters date set you can get a lot of the set done for a reasonable sum
https://www.pcgs.com/setregistry/quarters/washington-quarters-major-sets/washington-quarters-date-set-circulation-strikes-1932-present/publishedset/209923
https://www.pcgs.com/setregistry/quarters/washington-quarters-major-sets/washington-quarters-date-set-circulation-strikes-1932-present/album/209923
I wonder how much commonality there is between what series posters would suggest vs. what series they actually collect.
20 cent pieces, nice tight little series...
Small size capped bust quarters, 1831-38, one mint. 8 and you got them all, but if you add in die marriages you can make it more challenging.
Successful transactions here and ATS with: jwitten, Rob41281, bajjerfan, cucamongacoin, Jim F., physics-fan3.14, x2rider, Wahoo554, Weather11am, Relaxn, jimineez1, Ronyahski, Bliggity, SurfinxHI, McGrump (thru BAJJERFAN), ms71, Downtown1974, ad4400
What do you like, and what's your budget?
Keeper of the VAM Catalog • Professional Coin Imaging • Prime Number Set • World Coins in Early America • British Trade Dollars • Variety Attribution
This
I found being a new bee, (lol, 2yrs now) on a tight budget, the 1982 US cent was a good start and never ending.
Advise on any starting point, go slowly.
I challenge you to try a full MS set of Walkers. If you accept; I hope you're not busy for at least 10 to 15 years.
You will spend many sleepless nights searching and researching. It will test your patience and your pocketbook, BUT, it will be well worth your while, in the end. Their rarity and beauty are unmatched. It can be done, as I am proof of that, but again, if you don't want that type of commitment, then there are always silver eagles. 
In my opinion, nothing good ever comes easy. Best of luck in whichever route you choose to proceed. Yes, I am biased!
PS- my post was meant to be a humorous narrative with some hidden truths. So, whoever reads this, please don't take it too seriously and don't be offended. You should go in whichever direction your heart leads you.
Sometimes, it’s better to be LUCKY than good. 🍀 🍺👍
My Full Walker Registry Set (1916-1947):
https://www.ngccoin.com/registry/competitive-sets/16292/
Stone cold original surface,
circulation cameo draped bust halves
in PCGS/CAC VF20-35
Liberty: Parent of Science & Industry
Look at a lot of coins... in a shop, at a show, online.... If a particular coin series attracts you, evaluate length of series, key dates, rarities and values. The series must hold an attraction for you in order to be fun. Another option is to be very selective and just search out key coins in several series.... Can get expensive, but makes a nice collection and holds value. Cheers, RickO
I've always told people who can't seem to make up their mind to build a type set. Sooner or later a series will usually grow on them and then they can head in that direction.
Sometimes that series that will grow will change over time too.
I lean towards Classic Commems.
Another area that would interest me - anything with CC mintmark.
I tell people who can’t make up their minds, to look at a lot of different types and grades of coins and figure out what, if anything they like. There’s no need to spend money before making such a determination.
Mark Feld* of Heritage Auctions*Unless otherwise noted, my posts here represent my personal opinions.
Hmmm, Building a type set is fun and educational. I've never heard anyone that did it complain about the money they spent, and most type coins if purchased with scrutiny are easy sellers.
Building a type set can certainly be fun and educational. It can also be a lot for a collector to absorb. And while type coins can be easy sellers, a lot more collectors lose money, than make it, when they sell.
Mark Feld* of Heritage Auctions*Unless otherwise noted, my posts here represent my personal opinions.
Type set for me...
My YouTube Channel
7070 Type Set
Major Error Coin Type Set
World coins, better value and more upside
Latin American Collection
Crypto coins.
Paper money eventually returns to its intrinsic value. Zero. Voltaire. Ebay coinbowlllc
How can we be helpful when:
As you see, you're getting answers all over the map and you giving a little more info could produce more meaningful responses. For example, if you're a newbie with limited resources, collecting early gold would be ill advised in terms of cost and expertise in how to identify quality.
"Got a flaming heart, can't get my fill"
War nickles are a nice short set. 11 coins. Im working on one right now
Now? Meaning current affordability? Biased I am but I like the lincoln’s as I think they are down quite a bit from 10 years ago.
Not sure why that is, I’m only 3 years in on a life sentence and still trying to make sense of it all.
I like to think they will make a comeback on the price guide some day.
Lincoln’s are clearly a classic and great for the beginner but possibly too boring for the seasoned collector.
If you add a few significant varieties the Lincolns aren't boring at all. But that can get expensive. I would suggest getting a Redbook, attending shows and visiting shops once this damned virus is under control. In the meantime go to a site like Heritage to look at high quality images to see what interests you.
@koynekwest That’s good to hear from someone like yourself. I’m certainly not bored with them. That was an assumption I made based on the lack of threads concerning them and possibly sour taste some would have when you look at the price drops in the last decade or so. Could you elaborate on the price drops and whether or not they will ever get back to where they once were? and/or why?
Sorry for the highjack OP but this might be helpful anyway.
Why not try and collect a series that no one else hardly collects?
V nickels and 3 Cent Nickels come to mind.
Neither Series is very long and with a budget of $100 per week, BOTH sets graded by pcgs in XF-AU could be completed at the same time in 3 years or less.
I personally prefer sets that I can complete and only have to stretch a bit for a few coins
CoinscratchFever-I believe the better varieties have held their own in value and some have even increased. I think the 1969-S DDO-001 and the 1970-S DDO-001 are way undervalued when you take their rarity into account. Of course, you have to have deep pockets to afford these to begin with. Seems like everyone today collects Morgans or top pop coins and may have ignored the once popular series like Lincolns and Buffs. I don't see values returning to previous levels any time soon. Many were somewhat over priced to begin with.
Somewhat agree!... think on finding a blend of: coin artistry, a bit of rarity, depressed current pricing, completability, and something that is fun to do in your selection.
Here is something off the wall... digital photography technology is coming of age and varieties are now discoverable because we now have improved extreme macro capabilities. Barber dimes, for instance, are replete with varieties waiting to be discovered. Example: @erwindoc recently came across Walter Breen's mention of an 1898/1892 in Breen's Encyclopedia book. #3508 does not have an associated picture. They say you learn more by writing about what you find and researching it (along with photos!)
@JeffMTampa and I (@sedulous) plan to photograph... perhaps for the first time? a candidate of Breen's 3508 and I plan to write about it. This coin meets all of my aforementioned criteria. Credit goes to @erwindoc on obtaining the discovery:
A Barber Quartet is made up of Nickels, Dimes, Quarters, and Halves.
Interesting and top pop is one of my buzzwords.
And to be honest it was the allure of easy money that fed my drive initially. Now, that I realize it’s not so easy I’ve come to appreciate the coin for what it is and why people shell out endlessly for such.
Perspective, In my tax bracket and my current mindset I would have no problem selling a find in the under $500 range and even quicker in the over 10k arena but the 3 to 5k coin find, I don’t think i could let go of. In fact I would probably tuck it in at night after a bedtime story or two.
subject to change without notice.
Thanks for the insight!
Don't know whether NOW is the right time to collect these sets or not, but they're always high on my list!:
2-cent pieces & Walkers
-- Dave
I assembled a set of Braided Hair 2c in AU 20 years ago. These are attractive little coins and financially not out of reach. There's not a ton of 'em around, either.
Ask any pattern collector: one has to be very careful about taking rarity into account.
These have been known for decades and the rarity persists. Every now and then a specimen will be found but they remain rare.
I agree, though I believe the five dollar gold issues are a little better play at prices close to bullion on the secondary market. Some are truly scarce with the added benefit of stacking some bullion. If one changes direction, or just tires of them, they are an easy sell with a decent possibility for a nice profit or trade at a later date. I have noticed considerably fewer of these-along with the spouse gold-at various auction sites I frequent. I had thought the higher gold prices would shake a few more out, but alas, no. I have three more to go and still looking.