There are many possible permutations for putting together five coins that you "should own". Here is one way of arriving at those five coins:
a) Pick five different coin designs that you like. Art that "sticks" for you.
b) Then try to get first year of issues for each of those five. (In some cases, denomination may help determine whether first year of issue is possible.)
c) Buy the highest grade that your $5000 / $25,000 budget allows.
...as I said, many possible permutations, of which that is only one.
Steve Palladino - Ike Group member - DIVa (Designated Ike Varieties) Project co-lead and attributor
@SMY_Utah_Collection said:
2 of the 5 that I come up with are:
1- St Gaudens 20.00 double eagle
My favorite.
You can get a VERY NICE MS-66 common Saint for about $3,000, maybe less. If you want to spend closer to $5,000 then maybe a 1908 NM Saint CAC OGH MS-66's (some really nice-looking coins with that pedigree).
Stretching to the mid-$6,000 range you can probably get an MS-67 1908 NM but I think the CAC MS-66 is a better use of your $$$.
@SMY_Utah_Collection said:
2 of the 5 that I come up with are:
1- St Gaudens 20.00 double eagle
My favorite.
You can get a VERY NICE MS-66 common Saint for about $3,000, maybe less. If you want to spend closer to $5,000 then maybe a 1908 NM Saint CAC OGH MS-66's (some really nice-looking coins with that pedigree).
Stretching to the mid-$6,000 range you can probably get an MS-67 1908 NM but I think the CAC MS-66 is a better use of your $$$.
There are plenty of generously graded 08 NMs in old holders. Make sure to cherrypick for quality here. The CAC sticker will help in that process. The later dates (23-D - 28) tend to be quite flashy in 65-66.
For the others I recommended, a 1913 Type I Buffalo nickel is easy to source in 66 or higher, as would be a 65 DMPL common date CC dollar (82-84). A matte proof 1913 buffalo in PR65 would fit within the budget and be a bit more of a challenge than a business strike. A nice Fugio in AU or low MS would be nice, same for a Pillar dollar.
Unless you’re taking them with you to heaven, alway think about these factors about the coins:
1. Will the inheritor(s) of your coins like them?
2. How easily can they be converted to cash if #1 is no?
3. They should be slabbed by either PCGS or NGC.
4. Have a list of dealers, auction co you totally trust.
@mikee999 said:
Unless you’re taking them with you to heaven, alway think about these factors about the coins:
1. Will the inheritor(s) of your coins like them?
2. How easily can they be converted to cash if #2 is no?
3. They should be slabbed by either PCGS or NGC.
4. Have a list of dealers, auction co you totally trust.
You probably can't take them to heaven. You could take them 6 foot under, however!
Comments
That didn't stop Samuel Brown.
Or you could build the only five truly complete sets of these.
The 5 coins you should own are 5 that you will enjoy every time you look at them.
There are many possible permutations for putting together five coins that you "should own". Here is one way of arriving at those five coins:
a) Pick five different coin designs that you like. Art that "sticks" for you.
b) Then try to get first year of issues for each of those five. (In some cases, denomination may help determine whether first year of issue is possible.)
c) Buy the highest grade that your $5000 / $25,000 budget allows.
...as I said, many possible permutations, of which that is only one.
- Ike Group member
- DIVa (Designated Ike Varieties) Project co-lead and attributor
Personally, I would select a very nice half cent for the mix. But, I agree with the others that said that you should buy what YOU love.
I am a newer collector (started April 2020), and I primarily focus on U.S. Half Cents and Type Coins. Early copper is my favorite.
I've given this in the past as my list of 5 "required" coins.
Pillar dollar
Fugio cent
Buffalo nickel
CC Morgan dollar
$20 Saint
Keeper of the VAM Catalog • Professional Coin Imaging • Prime Number Set • World Coins in Early America • British Trade Dollars • Variety Attribution
My favorite.
You can get a VERY NICE MS-66 common Saint for about $3,000, maybe less. If you want to spend closer to $5,000 then maybe a 1908 NM Saint CAC OGH MS-66's (some really nice-looking coins with that pedigree).
Stretching to the mid-$6,000 range you can probably get an MS-67 1908 NM but I think the CAC MS-66 is a better use of your $$$.
There are plenty of generously graded 08 NMs in old holders. Make sure to cherrypick for quality here. The CAC sticker will help in that process. The later dates (23-D - 28) tend to be quite flashy in 65-66.
For the others I recommended, a 1913 Type I Buffalo nickel is easy to source in 66 or higher, as would be a 65 DMPL common date CC dollar (82-84). A matte proof 1913 buffalo in PR65 would fit within the budget and be a bit more of a challenge than a business strike. A nice Fugio in AU or low MS would be nice, same for a Pillar dollar.
Keeper of the VAM Catalog • Professional Coin Imaging • Prime Number Set • World Coins in Early America • British Trade Dollars • Variety Attribution
"Tell me what and how to love." ... is how Religion works ~ or doesn't. Own what you love.
Matt Snebold
I'll sell you any two of my capped bust quarters for $5000 a piece.
Proof Buffalo Registry Set
Capped Bust Quarters Registry Set
Proof Walking Liberty Halves Registry Set
Unless you’re taking them with you to heaven, alway think about these factors about the coins:
1. Will the inheritor(s) of your coins like them?
2. How easily can they be converted to cash if #1 is no?
3. They should be slabbed by either PCGS or NGC.
4. Have a list of dealers, auction co you totally trust.
Set of Draped Bust large eagle silver. $1. 50c, 25c, 10c, 5c.
Well, he may have made them himself. It might be a little late to try that game. Only 3 (?) of the existing coins are in private hands.
You probably can't take them to heaven. You could take them 6 foot under, however!
Fugio Cent
Scarce Date Liberty Seated Dollar
Scarce Date Trade Dollar
Maybe too modern, but a very high grade 1955 doubled die Lincoln?
New Orleans gold set 1851 - $20, $10, $5, $2.5, $1
READ, STUDY, RESEARCH.