Dilemma, need your opinion.......should I finish a set?
AUandAG
Posts: 24,346 ✭✭✭✭✭
I started collecting back about 1954 or so. Of course cents and nickels were all I could afford in those times. But, the bug of collecting was strong and I was passionate about those little buggers. Had the prerequisite Blue Books that were slowly being filled, over the years, from pocket change. Yes, never had access to a coin shop and did it all from change, Mom's purse, Dad's pockets, etc.
I'm sure a lot of us started out just this way. Had a couple of neighborhood friends that did it with me. I remember we'd go to Bank of America on Saturday mornings and buy and search cent rolls right there in the lobby. Buy a couple of rolls, check them, pull what you could for your books and then refill and turn back in for a couple of more rolls. Clerks were very nice as long as we didn't slow the day's business down by being kids.
So, here is my dilemma. Do I buy the coins to finish the nickel sets or just leave as is. Someday, not to far off, I'll be selling as wife and kids have no interest. But, your opinion would be great, if you'd please share with me.
All the coins would grade, with just a few exceptions, if that makes any difference. Looks like I stopped in the late 70's as kids were little and taking all available income.
The V's are complete.
The Buffaloes are missing 9 coins (of course the most difficult and expensive)
The Jeffersons are complete to 1970 and then missing a few.
Thanks and here's the pics.
bob 
Comments
I wouldn't. If you aren't keeping them long term, you're just flipping coins and probably losing money in the process.
Depends on how long you’re planning to hold them. Also, if you think its something you might enjoy. Personally, I would do it but that’s just me.
“I may not believe in myself but I believe in what I’m doing” ~Jimmy Page~
My Full Walker Registry Set:
https://www.ngccoin.com/registry/competitive-sets/16292/
No. If if it were important to you, I don’t think you’d be asking here.
Mark Feld* of Heritage Auctions*Unless otherwise noted, my posts here represent my personal opinions.
Did you pull that 50D Jeff from circulation?
I'll be 75 this year.....probably for a few more years is all.
@MarkFeld yes, it is not a bucket list must for sure.
@jmlanzaf yes, not interested if flipping.
I wouldn't finish the sets simply to finish them. You have already mentioned they will soon be sold, so why dump the money into completing them only to get a certain percentage of those funds back in the future?
In honor of the memory of Cpl. Michael E. Thompson
Yes, all were pulled from circulation except one, the 12s was an Anacs F-12 that I got in trade many moons ago.
bob
Think about the kid who started the project. If he’s still in there and it’s important, knock yourself out. If he would be happier with the other stuff you’re doing/collecting, leave it as is to be a testament to all the hard work that kid put in.
Sometimes an unfinished project can show just as much. This is how far Little AUandAG was able to get before life got in the way.
I think you just answered your own question. I wouldn’t do it, if I were you.
“I may not believe in myself but I believe in what I’m doing” ~Jimmy Page~
My Full Walker Registry Set:
https://www.ngccoin.com/registry/competitive-sets/16292/
If you are going to sell the sets in the near term, the answer is no. If it would give you a lot of satisfaction to see the sets completed, consider it to be an expenditure that would give you pleasure, like taking a vacation or buying a piece of jewelry.
Chances are this will not be a money-making act if you complete the set.
If you do complete it, make sure you go to an expert dealer who can spot the counterfeit coins or buy certified coins. Because of the Chinese, raw coins are a minefield these days. They will counterfeit anything.
Yes, the little kid that did this is but a memory. I do regret not staying with it 40 years ago. I don't believe that I will continue and perhaps one of the grand kids will begin collecting....
bob
If you feel the passion, then do it. If it was always your goal to complete it, then complete it. If you will get a feeling of accomplishing something when it is done, then, by all means do it. The decision is yours alone. Once I start something, I never give up until my goal is met. Most of the coins you need are not that expensive in circulated condition. As for the 1970 and 1972 just search bank rolls and change until you find them, It wont take long.
Financially you would be better off not finishing those especially the Buffalos, however if you are in a good financial position and think that the thrill of completing the sets is significant then the personal motivation may out weigh the money. If it were my decision I would not do the Buffalos but I would be very tempted to finish off the Jefferson set.
My Collection of Old Holders
Never a slave to one plastic brand will I ever be.
Hope you pass them on to a young Numismatist.
Wayne
Kennedys are my quest...
Don’t grade them it’s stupid expensive leave them just like they are
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 agree with WAYNEAS, but I will add, find a coin club near you with young numismatists or Boy Scouts. Raffle them off to the luckiest kid. Share your story with them. I got started from my mom and aunt's old sets from the 50's.
You completed a V nickel set from circulation????? 😮
LIBERTY SEATED DIMES WITH MAJOR VARIETIES CIRCULATION STRIKES (1837-1891) digital album
If it were my decision I would not do the Buffalos but I would be very tempted to finish off the Jefferson set.
This.
AKA Pakasmom
Will the collection remotely interest your kids? When my dad passed away, I got his stamp collection. It is sitting on a shelf now, but at some point I'll be older and not as busy and will go through it. Maybe even add to it. Will any of your kids want the collection? Do they have any memories of the set from when they were kids? Did you do any coin collecting with them? If it will mean something to them, then it may be worth finishing. Or it may be worth letting them finish it. If it won't mean anything to them, and you don't have a major itch, then I wouldn't worry with it. You only have so many years on this Earth, how do you want to allocate your time?
Successful BST (me as buyer) with: Collectorcoins, PipestonePete, JasonRiffeRareCoins
Bob:
Kudos on completing that V set from circulation!! You look like a collector after my own style/heart, as many of my older coins are of similar condition/grade. For me, it was the challenge of filling holes vs going after the more expensive, higher-end grades. Major difference (besides the fact that you completed your V set & I haven't) is that you did so in albums, while I never left Whitman blue folders.
Sorry to hear your family embers don't share the same interest as you do. One of my great hopes is that my boys will take on & hand down my sets to their own kids to continue collecting into the future for their kids as well........
Best of luck, whatever you decide!
-- Dave
I'd look at it as accomplishing a goal you once set out to accomplish. If nothing else, you can have that accomplishment. I say that with a nearly empty Dansco type set that I've been meaning to start filling. Perhaps now that my son is starting to show an interest in coins, now is a great time.
There are lots of things I spend money on for the experience only, as I'll never recoup what I spent: dinner, tickets to a game, vacation, a new car... If you feel you have to recoup the money you would put into it, then you can figure out if that's worth it. If you are willing to spend money on the experience and satisfaction of finishing what you started when you were young, then look at it as a consumable expense.
I recently completed my childhood Jefferson and Roosevelt for not much money. I filled my Lincolns to all but the pricy four. The experience and satisfaction I felt exceeded most dinners and vacations dollar-for-dollar.
My strategy is about collecting what I intend to keep, not investing in what I plan to sell.
I'd say if you want to finish them, do it. If not, don't.
Yes, they still circulated when I was a kid. As you can see they are all well worn. There were usually several in each roll and many buffaloes as well throughout the 1950's. I suppose us three boys in the neighborhood did a bit of trading but I would not be able to tell you which ones I got in trades..... My other two friends were altar boys at church and on Sundays they were able to go through the baskets of change for their sets at face value. They did have the advantage on me. One of them is still a collector today the other spent his sets in HS.
bob
Have two kids and neither ever showed any interest in collecting even though they saw me do it. Have 4 grandkids and two are now grown with no interest but two others are 8 and 10 and love to go through my safe, so they may someday be interested. We'll see. I'd love to pass them along in the family. I have many other partial sets like Indians, Lincolns, etc. Some are complete like roosies and washies and franklins. Several dollar sets but no completes except my CC's of course!
I'm in great health at the moment and plan on another ten years or more. Lord willing! So, do have some time I think.
bob
I'm not sure I ever had a goal of completing a set. If it got completed great but if not that was okay as well. My goal was to find as many in circulation that I could. All at face value and not buy any. That was the goal. Never figured I'd even get this close but it happened. As you can see I've not touched anything since 1979.....40+ years ago. Gathering dust now.
I appreciate all the responses and I will leave as is.
bob
That’s pretty cool Bob!
Love this whole story....
Being a Buffalo fan, personally, I’d like to see it finished.
You’re long time motivating force though- being that they all come from circulation, pretty much answers your own question. Unless your drive has changed course and you are now willing to purchase some to finish it? That doesn’t sound like it’s in your flow of thoughts however.
Given that they are all circulation grade, some of those dates might be aquired for not a tremendously great deal of money.
I might even have extras of a few of your needed ones left over from upgrades in my own set.
Would you perhaps consider filling a hole or two with gifts or contributions to the cause?
Just a thought....
Happy, humble, honored and proud recipient of the “You Suck” award 10/22/2014
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I agree with you Bob. I have sets of franklins & silver eagles proof and unc.. that I did purchase for minimal amounts.Never had any desire to finish a set just pick up nice ones for slightly above au prices.
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I take the holders out once in a while and look at them.......I took them out of albums and put them in plastic 6 or 9 coin capital holders so I can see them better and no slide burn marks when I remove the
plastic.
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CoinsAreFun Toned Silver Eagle Proof Album
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Gallery Mint Museum, Ron Landis& Joe Rust, The beginnings of the Golden Dollar
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More CoinsAreFun Pictorials NGC
Personally, I would not complete the sets. I would just leave it as is.
About two decades ago, I was given my grandfathers indian cent collection. I was in my early 20's when I mentioned to my grandmother that I had gotten a commem silver dollar for christmas. He had died when I was 1. So he had no idea I'd be the collector in the family. It was halfway built with mostly AG-VG coins in it pulled from circulation. I've filled in a few holes. No upgrades. I put a sticker next to the ones that were his.
I'd leave the holes open. You never know.
@AUandAG.... Thanks for the pictures of your sets and the background. Great work and you should be proud of that collection. Finding all those coins from change is impressive... and yes, I am even older than you and I remember how they circulated back then. I just keep all my coins that I collected... raw or series. Sometimes I pull out the older albums just to see them. Not all are finished. Actually, only a few are... Still, I enjoy looking at them, so they stay. Cheers, RickO
Given this, and what I would personally do: Leave the buffalos as-is, but get a new more-complete album for the Jeffs, so you don't have the hand-written dates, and fill holes in that from circulation, at face value.
Yeah, good idea. It's just what I bought back in 1970......maybe I can just find updated pages? We'll look around.
thanks,
bob
I was in the same boat at one time.
Then I made the choice to not only complete but up grade!
What help me is I had not only a low grade set to start with but memories.
So are you looking at these as just coins or memories that was the base of your collection!
My Mercury dime set started as a low grade cleaned picked out of pocket change to now #16 on the Registry !
Memories priceless!
No regrets!!!!!
Just memories at the moment as I quit nickels back in the late 70's and went to other things. Not any core set or such. It was just a kid set that I could afford (face value and a nickel was really worth something in the mid fifties!)
bob
I would work on the Jeffersons. You can still find most if not all in circulation today. I've even found some of the war era silver ones in change in the last decade. Seems like you have the hard ones already so the rest shouldn't be too hard. Even less difficult if you aren't as concerned with condition.
I think they are pretty cool as sets collected from circulation. I would leave them as is. Of course if you feel an aching need to complete the sets with store-bought coins, then by all means you should do it.
LIBERTY SEATED DIMES WITH MAJOR VARIETIES CIRCULATION STRIKES (1837-1891) digital album