Most Popular Half Dollar Series
Zoins
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I was thinking about Liberty Seated Half Dollars given the 1843 Seated Half with Wild Reverse Die Cracks... thread by @MrEureka and my love of the Liberty Seated series, which got me wondering about popularity of various series. I wanted to compare these to say the Capped Bust Half Dollar series and was surprised by what I found:
- 363 Early Half Dollars - Major Sets
- 134 Liberty Seated Half Dollars - Major Sets
- 222 Barber Half Dollars Major - Sets
- 733 Walking Liberty Half Dollars - Major Sets
- 2,334 Franklin Half Dollars - Major Sets
- 1,503 Kennedy Half Dollars - Major Sets
I even checked Commemoratives:
- 455 Silver Commemoratives 50 Piece Type Set, Circulation Strikes (1892-1954) - Major Sets
- 147 Silver Commemoratives 144 Piece Mintmark & Variety Set, Circulation Strikes (1892-1954) - Major Sets
I was surprised that Liberty Seated Half Dollars have the fewest sets given the LSCC to promote them.
I was also surprised by the strength of Frankies, Go Ben!
So... given the above, are the Liberty Seated Half Dollars one of the rarest sets to collect?
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Literally, all of the half dollars mentioned are fun and desirable to collect. but as a lifetime member of the bust Half Nut Club, who currently owns zero Bust Halves, let me say that it is a very active and interesting group. I'm plotting my comeback as we speak!
Tom
It wouldn't be one of the series that I hold near and dear; Reeded Edge half dollars.
In honor of the memory of Cpl. Michael E. Thompson
Seated half dollars have two issues that are not attainable to any save the most wealthy collectors. Early small eagle half dollars are much the same.
Walkers are my #1 choice (obviously...big surprise, right?
). They are beautiful, challenging and rare, yet still do-able.
Kennedys and Franklins are only ranked 1st and 2nd, in set numbers, because they are less expensive for the casual collector and thus easier on the pocketbook, so more people can participate.
I'd say that Seated and Capped Bust halves should be 2nd and 3rd, respectively. JMHO.
Sometimes, it’s better to be LUCKY than good. 🍀 🍺👍
My Full Walker Registry Set (1916-1947):
https://www.ngccoin.com/registry/competitive-sets/16292/
For whatever reason I find seated anything unattractive. I do however find the Walking liberty half dollars probably one of the most attractive (Beautiful) designs for most every US coins aside from the mighty buffalo nickel. But that should be of surprise to anyone here on this forum. I agree with @Walkerfan on this note.
I'm having a hard time understanding what your data points even are... are these registry sets or something?
If so, I guess its reasonable to extrapolate the popularity of each type outward from there, but who really knows?
I've never once considered doing a registry set or anything of the sort.
I'm sure the majority of collectors out there are similarly uninvolved with them.
Maybe a more accurate way to determine this might be to ask all of the coin folder and album manufacturers which albums they sell the most of?
It kind of reminds me of that time Naploen called Uncle Ricos football tape pretty much the worst video ever made.. to which Kip replies.." Napoleon, like anyone could even know that..."
Yes. they are the sets maintained by this site's host, PCGS and Collectors Universe.
Sure, but if the inclination is similar across series, it should still provide a reasonably accurate picture.
It's an option if they publish that info. Do album publishers publish this data like Collectors Universe does for Registry Sets?
Did he have data across all types, like we do from PCGS Set Registry?
I’ve collected walkers, Barbers, and seated half dollars.
Walkers are challenging in a few dates and grades, Barbers are challenging in a significant number of dates and grades, and seated halves are extremely challenging in many dates and most grades.
@crazyhounddog said:
For whatever reason I find seated anything unattractive.
LMAO
Mike
My Indians
Danco Set
I have several Walkers and lots of Franklins (almost a complete set). I can’t tell you I like either one better than the Seateds because Seateds have bee out of my price range except for just a type piece (which I’ll get around to). If the budget goes up, maybe I’ll venture into them and find out how popular they really are or aren’t for me.
They might just sit in that sour spot between low budget guys like me and high budget guys and don’t get appropriate love from either of us.
Ok, I gotta agree that the registry data is probably as good as any in terms of determining the ratio of set building between one half dollar type and another, sure...
But, with the various fifty cent types, popularity is also a very emotional thing. Try to imagine the surge of energy one might feel acquiring their first 1796 half dollar, your first 1817/3, or a truly dcam 52?
The chakras will open one after another and a fountain of pure energy will be released high into the sky.
When it comes to really understanding what the most popular 50c piece is, I gotta agree with Kipper, how Could anyone even know that?
I can imagine the surge of energy from my first CBH, LSH, WLH, BFH, and JFK
That being said, my first purchases for those didn't release a "one after another" for me since I focus on attractively priced toners, and those can be really hard to come across!
Just look at Registry Sets, like this "I gotta agree that the registry data is probably as good as any in terms of determining the ratio of set building between one half dollar type and another"
For me, I have always considered the WLH to be the most attractive half dollar coin in design. Far better than any of the other standard issues. I do have sets of the Franklin and Kennedy halves - but the WLH is best. Cheers, RickO
As per the registry numbers being used to determine which is the more popular...there are 2 flaws to this:
1) availability of coins and number of sets possible.
2) budget! Remove the constraints on folks having to collect on a budget and those rankings would change!
Good to know you have Franklin and Kennedy sets.
Given your admiration of the WLH, do you have any WLH sets?