What is your age and what is your answer to the following question ................

SanctionII

Is US Coinage minted after 1933 an area of the hobby that is worthy of your collecting efforts?

I picked after 1933 because that year is the last year that the mint produced circulating gold coinage and because the mintage levels of circulating coinage from 1934 forward increased substantially making most 1934 forward coins relatively easy to locate and acquire.

I am curious how collectors of different age groups would answer this question (especially those collectors less than 50 years of age who did not collect during a time when silver coins were commonplace in pocket change).

airplanenut

I don't think 1933 is a good cutoff year. I'm 34 and have no interest in coins with the current compositions; I think the combination of metal, design, and relief is overall unattractive (save for an occasional commemorative or the like which I may appreciate). That said, while I generally appreciate the older designs more than the dead presidents, older examples of modern designs can be quite attractive. I've never really liked the Jefferson nickel, but a silver one can be very nice. Early Washington quarters are nothing like what was produced in 1998. A wheat cent with frosty lustre and a strong strike is immeasurably nicer than a zincoln.

All that said, I'm a type collector. I'm not about to build a set of a single design, and while mid-20th century coins may not dominate my collection, I have and enjoy representative examples. But on the whole, I have nothing from the clad era unless it has something else intriguing (such as the 1995 DDO cent, which I do have).

I'm 34.

Catbert

I think you need to design a poll. I'm 61 and agree with everything said by airplanenut.

CharlotteDude

I only collect vintage, classic U.S. coinage, and not of the clad nor silver flavor, nor am I interested in the overblown & over-hyped modern gold coinage the mint seems to release every other week... so, that narrows things down for me.

Fairlaneman

Mercury dimes were minted after 1933 so the answer is yes.

73 years old.

Ken

CaptHenway

There is no good cutoff year, but 1933 vs. 1934 is a plausible divide. There was a serious kickstart in mintages in 1934.

CaptHenway

And as for my age, I am, like Mr. Benny, "39!"

neildrobertson

I'm 36 and I think all coins have numismatic value. I don't see why we would value pre-1964 higher than post 1964 beyond personal preference (same for 1933). I also think people focus way too much on mintages when deciding what is important as well.

I have personally decided to complete a 21st century type set before moving onto a 20th century type set. I tend to stick to circulating coins. The number of finishes, commemorative issues, and other mint coins are far too numerous to keep track of. That being said, the bulk of my collection is coins from 1875-1975.

Rexford

I think any area of collecting may be considered worthy, and hesitate to limit my collection to defined boundaries, instead considering each potential acquisition individually. If I like a coin, I like it. If I don’t, I don’t. That being said, I am very picky about the coins I find compelling enough to pursue, and modern US coins (and, increasingly, US coins as a whole) very infrequently hold my interest enough to be considered worthy of doing so. I am 22.

Smudge

I like gold and have no interest in modern mint releases so 33 pretty much has to be the cutoff date, well actually 32, but I really cut it off at 1860. I like pre Civil War gold. Just a personal thing.

tcollects

@SanctionII said:
Is US Coinage minted after 1933 an area of the hobby that is worthy of your collecting efforts?

I picked after 1933 because that year is the last year that the mint produced circulating gold coinage and because the mintage levels of circulating coinage from 1934 forward increased substantially making most 1934 forward coins relatively easy to locate and acquire.

I am curious how collectors of different age groups would answer this question (especially those collectors less than 50 years of age who did not collect during a time when silver coins were commonplace in pocket change).

although I don't collect them myself, I enjoy reading about how you collect cameo proofs, especially how you find rare and valuable coins in the wild for almost no money, even though I imagine you could probably afford to chase already graded rarities

coinbuf

As a Lincoln cent series collector there is no cutoff point, yet. And I'm older then dirt.

Eldorado9

My absolute favorite area of interest has to be US proofs from the 55 year period 1860-1915. The mint did some great work back then....and some shoddy work too....but overall, it put out amazing pieces.

SanctionII

Interesting replies so far.

Remember to give your age when you post a reply (unless you prefer not to ).

DNADave

I’m pushing 50, but not till august. I collected it all but don’t really care for zincolns.

JRGeyer

I'm also 34, I agree with Sanction that the US modern coin era began 1934. Only condition-scarcities exist post '33, which doesn't interest me much beyond MS-65. I don't understand the rat race to get the perfect coin, it becomes too arbitrary in too many cases, which makes it fundamentally meaningless.

But is anything post-'33 worthy of collecting? Of course! My recent foray back into the coin collecting universe has been driven by more scarce 19th century US coins, but my first purchases were to finish off my Lincoln Cent 1909-58 set, and pick up PCGS gem examples of the 1996-W Roosevelt, and 1970-D Kennedy, the coins which drove my interest in the hobby when I was in grade school. I also still actively seek West Point coinage of circulation type coins, which keeps me interested as I bide time while targeting rarer pieces.

I think it's objectively important that there is interest in modern coins because they are largely accessible to anybody with interest in the hobby. Otherwise coin collecting is a dead hobby with too high of a barrier of entry for the average person. I wouldn't be collecting coins now at 34 if I couldn't pick wheaties out of change, and fill my whitman books of post-1964 Dimes/Quarters/Halves when I was 6.

For me personally? I've bought pretty much everything I want in the modern era right now and my focus has shifted elsewhere, but that is somewhat of a natural progression, and I still consider modern coins worthy of collecting efforts.

WCC

My answer to the OP question is "no" but 1933 or any date cut-off doesn't make much difference to me. It's because I do not collect any US coinage anymore at all.

Almost no 20th century US coinage contains any interest to me. It's too common (all but a really low number of date/MM combinations), much of it is relatively overpriced for what it actually is as a collectible and almost every series (all but Saints and Indian Head Eagles) can be bought in practically any quality in one day if I had the money for it.

More generally for the US collector population, I agree with some of the above posts. I do not believe it is primarily due to age. There is a correlation but it's not the cause or defining factor.

koynekwest

I'm 72 and I collect lots of stuff post 1933, such as die varieties and especially doubled dies. I also actively collect the current series of Sac and innovation dollars. I well remember when silver was still in circulation as I started collecting in 1961. And I think 1933 is a good dividing point.

BryceM

I’m 49 and don’t see any artificial reason to not collect what you like, even if it’s Zincolns or modern commems. If you think 20th century mintages are too high, try collecting a visually appealing set of Peace dollars. It can be done, but not so easily. I can’t see doing a clad series, but others have tons of fun with it.

ChrisH821

36, and I like post-1933 coinage a lot.

SkyMan

@SanctionII Ummm, shouldn't the original poster state his age before asking everyone else to state their age?

Of course post 1933 US coinage is worthy of collecting. IMO some designs are more appealing than others, but beauty is in the eyes of the collector.

TwoKopeiki

I don't find post-1933 US coinage appealing. Personally, my cut-off is 1821. I'm in the 35-45 age bucket

ShaunBC5

I’m 39 (for real, though we’ll see how it goes. Might stay here for a few years if things go well).
Mercs and Franks got me going in collecting, and silver wasn’t much in change growing up, so 1964?is a better cutoff for me (with a few exceptions as others have mentioned).
My kids don’t seem to care much yet about cutoff dates. It’s all old to them, even my birth year set . They like color and shininess and interesting designs. They are my small window into the next generation of collectors. I’ve tried to only encourage them and not put my boundaries on what coins they like (even though I want to).

SanctionII

Skyman.

This year grade inflation bumped me to gem status (65).

You at 63 are a youngster.

yspsales

I was thinking 1964 was the "modern" era beginnings, but I can see 1933...

Mid 50's

Appreciate the iconic designs, but love me some clean high grade modern statehood quarters and Kennedy halves.

Only thing that matters to me is availability, which typically means crackability and cherrypickability.

Redglobe

"Is US Coinage minted after 1933 an area of the hobby that is worthy of your collecting efforts?"
My answer would be no.

I prefer to collect gilded age and turn of the century coinage.Circulated coins in mid-grade that could tell a story.History in your hands.

I'm 62

blitzdude

Certainly wouldn't want to exclude 34-35 peace dollars......and much of the pre 65 90% coinz. Age group 0-100. Thanks!

CalifornianKing

For sure. Am 17. Would totally collect any coin I like, mainly ww2 or earlier era coins. But silver is silver

Lazybones

I'm 66 and have absolutely zero interest in clads, modern commems, modern gold, etc. It's pre-33 gold, silver up to the end of Mercs, and walkers. I have no use for Roosies, Frankies, or Washies (except for silver content).

Just my eversohumble opinion.

Walkerfan

Branch mint Walkers from 1934 through 1939 in gem or better.

I say this NOT because I like Walkers but because they are CHALLENGING and SCARCE.

Dr_Bones

Nearly 60. Started 45 years ago collecting modern coins. They were accessible, cheaper, relatable. Would spend hours going thru rolls to fill the holes. As I have matured, now focus on patterns

Steven59

@SanctionII said:
Is US Coinage minted after 1933 an area of the hobby that is worthy of your collecting efforts?
I picked after 1933 because that year is the last year that the mint produced circulating gold coinage and because the mintage levels of circulating coinage from 1934 forward increased substantially making most 1934 forward coins relatively easy to locate and acquire.

Well take income on this question. When I was working I bought a few St Gaudens now and then, but now I'm retired I have enough for McDonalds dollar menu - BUT the only "NEW" coins I have bought is the Kennedy Halves and the ASE's to update my Danscos

Orlena

I’m 69 and collect older gold - Indian quarter eagles and classic commemoratives, but also current ASE’s, palladium eagles, and UK issues like great engravers and queens beasts. Incuse silver maple leaf coins are a favorite also. I like the classic designs and tend to stick to those whether they are new or old.

jesbroken

While I have had complete Kennedy, Roosevelt, Jefferson collections, only war year Jeffersons do I continue to collect, so while I am 73 and enjoyed collecting in the 50's and 60's I would feel the war to be a definitive line for what I consider to be well designed and beautiful coinage, suchas, Walkers, SLQs, Buffaloes, Mercury Dimes for nothing after these series even bears resemblance of coinage with an artistic designer for the die maker. Sad, but that is how it is. I feel the future collectors will enjoy collecting 5cent beer tokens rather than the recent Stuff by our joke US Mint. Again, JMO.
Jim

golden

I have very few coins dated after 1964.

jmlanzaf

@CaptHenway said:
And as for my age, I am, like Mr. Benny, "39!"

The fact that you know who Mr. Benny is makes you WAAAAY over 39!

jmlanzaf

@jesbroken said:
While I have had complete Kennedy, Roosevelt, Jefferson collections, only war year Jeffersons do I continue to collect, so while I am 73 and enjoyed collecting in the 50's and 60's I would feel the war to be a definitive line for what I consider to be well designed and beautiful coinage, suchas, Walkers, SLQs, Buffaloes, Mercury Dimes for nothing after these series even bears resemblance of coinage with an artistic designer for the die maker. Sad, but that is how it is. I feel the future collectors will enjoy collecting 5cent beer tokens rather than the recent Stuff by our joke US Mint. Again, JMO.
Jim

You are kind of ignoring how popular NCLT from around the world is with modern collectors. Just because you don't like Star Wars coins or Harry Potter coins doesn't mean that others don't and that "future collectors" won't collect them.

There are some incredible modern designs. I mean, the whole purpose of Roosevelt tracking down St. Gauden's is because he felt U.S. coinage at the turn of the 19th century was boring and lacked artistry.

Type2

I like it all but prefer just nice coins of Gold, Silver, Platinum, Palladium. 54

pursuitofliberty

I can generally can find appreciation for most of our coinage (with a few exceptions), and sometimes collect the dead president series coinage and even modern commem's, but mostly my focus is on earlier designs.

The designs developed in the early 20th Century (and still in use prior to 1931 until their retirement) are generally the most pleasing to me overall for their artistry and quality of manufacture, and I have always been drawn to them ... but my fascination for earlier federal coinage (screw presses, hand cut dies) has taken me to a different area that I appreciate moreso.

Oh, I'm 56, going on 39, but probably only can be currently graded at a 45.

Elcontador

I just turned 70. I have to like the design of a coin to be interested in it. It's all a matter of personal taste. i don't like the design of any US coin since the Walking Liberty Half was retired, and don't collect them.

This will get some upset, but I don't like any designs of any US Gold coins, either, and don't collect them.

There is no cut off date for me; it's a matter of what I like (and what I don't).

Bruce7789

I am well over 70 and have no interest in clad coins, regardless of the date and the denomination, except for a couple of major error coins. I want my coins to be almost solid Gold, Silver, Nickel and Copper. I once collected high grade (MS 69, 70) Gold coins, but when an emergency hit and I had to sell them and could only get Bullion value, it cured me of that, and I now refuse to pay a 20 - 50% premium for Gold and Silver, even to the Mint! If it doesn't have some intrinsic or Historical value besides the metal content, I don't buy it.

mannie gray

I appreciate both classic and "modern" coins, and respect the collectors who chase both.
So my answer to @SanctionII would be yes.

Barberian

I'm 64+. My eyes are shot now so I collect halves (mainly SLH and classic commems) and the occasional seated Liberty or Canadian silver dollar these days. I have no firm date cut off but I don't bother with clad coins and other moderns, so I guess one could say 1965 (or 1968 with Canadian coins).

1934 is a good cut-off date. 1916 is as well if you're into Barber coins.

jdimmick

Im 50, and only collected classic coins like indians, lincoln wheat ,slq, wlh, Morgan peace, etc. never been fond of modern era stuff.
even when I was 20 years younger same thing.
The only modern era i would have ever consider owning and actually have on a few occcasions would be the 1995-w proof eagle.

CoinHoarder

.I have for the most part, stopped looking for collectible coins. I pretty much have acquired everything that I wanted over the years, within my price range.

I currently combine my numismatic desires with stacking 90% silver. I also like stacking common date circulated Morgan and Peace Dollars. I have reduced my acquisitions of 90% in the last few months due to escalating premium prices.

I do not currently buy gold or silver rounds and bars, because I get sticker shock when I see the premiums.

The sight of clad coins make me nauseated. They remind me of cheap arcade tokens. I have zero interest in these coins.

So I slowly and selectively buy silver coins when I see what I like, at a reasonable price. I am in my mid 60s.

BillyKingsley

36. Greatly prefer modern coins. They actually have something real on them other than some made up nobody.

The only two classics I really like are the Peace dollar and St. Gaudens $20, but they are stupidly expensive and I'll never get one.

Doesn't stop me from collecting the old stuff, after all, I'm a collector. Collecting things is what I do. But, the idea of having something old is far more interesting than the designs themselves.

I actually prefer world coins. So much more variety, so much more actual history documented on them...I mostly just collect our coins because they are easily accessible. Yes, I'm doing a date/mint mark collection for all circulating coins, but I generally won't spend anything over face value for them. And it works, I've found every year of Lincoln cent in circulation from 1935-2020. Most of the others too but still a couple of holes yet to be filled.

BillJones

There are many coins, including the commemorative pieces, that were issued after 1933 that are worthwhile collectibles. The trouble is the mint is issuing way too much “stuff” now, and it’s gotten to be overwhelming. I am 72.

LanLord

I'm 62 years old, I do own many coins from the post 1933 range, but few of them are in my lists of favorites.

Most of them were collected because they were easily accessible.

Perhaps the only post 1933 coins that I would put in my top tier are a 1942 PR-67 walker and a 2009 UHR.

messydesk

Classic commemoratives, 1936-42 proof sets, pre-short set Walkers, Peace dollars are all good stuff after 1933. My interest drops of a lot with clad coinage, although I do have some. If I wanted a complete set of circulating coin designs 1965 to present, it would take a couple phone calls for me to end up with a box full of mint sets way back of bid, so I consider that a "gimme" part of my collection. State and ATB quarters are fun to pull from change and put in an album, although I'm not going to continue that going forward. If you're into errors, you're probably looking post-1933 most of the time. The one off-center coin I have is a 1979-P SBA, and it actually makes that coin pretty cool. I'm in my mid 50s.

SilverProofQuarter1883

I’m 19 years old
I tend to stay away from most post 1933 coins. I prefer the old classes with most of my coinage from the early 20th and 19th century’s. I usually trade in newer coins for older coins.

divecchia

To me collect what you like, so in my mind all coins should be worthy to collect. I will have some modern coinage in my collection, but it will be less that 10% of my collection. One of the 3 sets I'm working on is a Basic US Design set and it will require a handful of newer coins to complete the set. My preference will always be for coins from 1964 and earlier for silver and prior to 1933 for gold. I consider coins after those dates to be modern.

I'm 57, born in 1964.

Donato