Set Completed - Braided Hair Half Cent Business Strikes

NeophyteNumismatist

Building a set of braided hair half cents was a lot of fun, and was my "original" goal in collecting half cents in general (this goal has expanded greatly in scope). The braided hair type is a set of coins that I would recommend to any collector who wanted to start learning early copper. The series is lower mintage as a whole, but very accessible in nearly all grades. The lack of popularity in this series allows collectors with modest budgets to collect attractive coins in AU for <$200 per coin, however, it becomes more challenging and expensive in MS grades and very challenging when working to acquire coins with original red coloring.

This set is short, and contains only 8 coins when collecting business strikes (note: proof braided hair half cents are all quite rare and expensive). I like not feeling "bogged down" in gigantic sets, however, this set still took almost 2 years to build. My goal was to build this set in MS63RB, however, the 1849, 1850 (key) and 1853 dates proved to be too challenging to find with any original red color. Despite having to compromise on those three coins, I do feel that I put together an attractive set.

With the completion, I have made this set public in the NGC registry: https://ngccoin.com/registry/competitive-sets/449638/. I am excited to have a set complete - my first one other than "pocket change" collections formed from circulation.

coinbuf

Party time!!

NeophyteNumismatist

April marks my 3rd Coiniversary! I always look for a reason to celebrate - this year my Coiniversary gift to myself was to complete this set!

marmac

Congratulations, I really like your 49’

alaura22

Very nice set
Congrats
What's next???

Walkerguy21D

Very unusual and very cool, I really like the set.

Cocoinut

Congratulations on a very nice set! I especially like the '51, '54, and '55. I agree with your comment regarding their affordability, and the low mintages are intriguing.

NeophyteNumismatist

Thanks for the kind words. Moving forward, I will try to stay focused on the larger half cent project. Braided Hair is fun, and the easiest leg of that journey. There are plenty of tough dates left in the larger set. Draped Bust will be finished next. I have a 7070 in progress also and a set of proof Mercury Dimes... so a few sticks in the fire.

jesbroken

Congratulations. That is one fine set. Thank you for sharing.
Jim

TomB

What a cool set and congratulations on the accomplishment!

NeophyteNumismatist

Thanks everyone for your kind words. This braided hair series was a blast. I recommend everyone build one!

winesteven

As I complete one or two sets and then start new ones, I recently started Morgan and Peace Dollar DATE sets. However, you’ve now generated that “spark”, so the Braided Hair Half Cents will likely be my next venture, as I love short sets! Eight coins is perfect! I already have one, from my slabbed Dansco 7070 Registry sets.

Steve

alaura22

@winesteven said:
As I complete one or two sets and then start new ones, I recently started Morgan an Peace Dollar DATE sets. However, you’ve now generated that “spark”, so the Braided Hair Half Cents will likely be my next venture, as I love short sets! Eight coins is perfect!

Steve

I was hoping that you didn't see this thread...............
Right away I knew you would be doing it

edited to add: You'll have to do it across the street, they don't have that set here

winesteven

@alaura22 said:

@winesteven said:
As I complete one or two sets and then start new ones, I recently started Morgan an Peace Dollar DATE sets. However, you’ve now generated that “spark”, so the Braided Hair Half Cents will likely be my next venture, as I love short sets! Eight coins is perfect!

Steve

I was hoping that you didn't see this thread...............
Right away I knew you would be doing it

edited to add: You'll have to do it across the street, they don't have that set here

You know me VERY well, my friend. But you're right. While I'm ok setting up my PCGS Registry sets across the street too (as they accept PCGS graded coins), I won't start that set if it's not offered by the PCGS Registry.

Edit: But IF the new CACG Registries offer it, that’s good enough for me, as both of those new registries will accept PCGS graded coins, with no need to crossover!

Steve

ricko

@NeophyteNumismatist ... Congratulations on your set completion. Always a great feeling. Cheers, RickO

NeophyteNumismatist

@winesteven very nice coin - only 7 left to go

@ricko thanks much, I really enjoyed the project, and got into half cents much deeper than I expected. Those little darn coins just fascinate me.

OAKSTAR

I can see the effort you put into it! Congrats!! 👍🏻👍🏻

NeophyteNumismatist

Thanks @OAKSTAR ! It was a lot of fun learning as I went, meeting great people and getting knowledge along the way. Many hours reading too, but it's all worth it. I love this stuff.

johnny9434

Nice set, I like 👍

Mr_Spud

Congratulations, very nice!