what is a modern/classic?

mbbiker

I've seen many posts about modern vs. classics where do classics end and moderns start?

KlectorKid

for me it was when they stoped using silver in coins so 1964

Russ

This is a modern classic:



Or, maybe it's a classic modern?

Russ, NCNE

ursabear

What a wonderful subject for debate.

Some have said that classics are those that are no longer made (like wheaties, Franklins, and the many others not currently minted.) Yet others state that it is at the silver break (1964).

Many long-time collectors have said that the classics are by type, such as Walkers and older halves, SLQs and older quarters, Winged Head Liberty dimes and older, Indians and older cents and nickels, and Peace and older dollars.

Me, personally? I think that modern implies that it is still made and is not silver. So a 1955 cent would be classic, a 1959 cent would be modern. A 1955 Quarter Dollar would be classic, a 1965 would be modern...

HuliganRS

Who cares?

Coins are coins!

Rusty.

shirohniichan

Modern coin production began with the use of the steam press in 1836.

LanLord

Russ always quick to flash that killer Kennedy Half That thing is just plain beautiful, I guess I would have to agree that a very nice dcam Kennedy is a modern classic.

Russ

Here's another yum yum.





Russ, NCNE

DaveG

"Classics" are whatever you collected as a kid that is no longer being minted. "Moderns" are what's being minted now.

or

"Moderns" are anything minted by machine instead of by hand.

or

"Moderns" are anything minted by steam press.

take your pick. It's not as if there are any rules, after all.

ursabear

<< <i>Here's another yum yum.



>>



Russ, It's too lovely - it is a tease. Where can I find one of those for the Bear collection? Seriously. I might actually have some unbudgeted funds coming loose soon.

cladking

OK, how about:

1934-1965 Neo-classic
1965-1998 Modern
1999-2002 Ultra-modern

wallstreetman

HuliganRS, You are absolutely right!

Bikingnut

Judging by the fees that PCGS charges to grade coins, I would say post 1964 are moderns. (That includes the Jefferson nickel which doesn't really seem to make sense)

shirohniichan

The way "classic" keeps getting pushed closer to the present, pretty soon it's going to mean "any coin that leaves US Mint facilities for the Federeal Reserve Bank" and "modern" will mean "any coin that is still warm from striking."

RLinn

When I started collecting in the 50's classics (for me) were anything that couldn't be readily found in pocket change.

flaminio

Moderns
Cents: 1909+
Nickels: 1938+
Dimes: 1946+
Quarters: 1932+
Halves: 1948+
Dollars: 1971+

I don't like dead folk on coins...

-Bob

hookooekoo

Here's a copy of my response when a similar question was asked in this thread ...

Coins seem to break down into the follow catagories in my mind:

=== Classics ===
The coins your grand-parents had as pocket change (and what everyone seems to be collecting).
Indian Head Cent
Buffalo Nickel
Mercury Dime
Standing Liberty Quarter
Walker Half
Morgan Dollar

=== moderns ===
The only coins GenX has ever seen in circulation.
Jefferson Nickel
Roosevelt Dime
Washington Quarter
Kennedy Half
Ike, SBA, Golden Dollar

=== Tweens ===
Coins the don't fit the classics, but are never seen in circulation either.
Franklin Half
Peace Dollar

=== Silvers ===
Coins that look modern but worth more.
War Nickels
Silver Roosevelt Dimes
Silver Washington Quarters
Silver Kennedy Halfs

=== Lincoln Cents ===
Lincoln Cents are in a class by them selves. They are as old as many of the classics but still made today.

=== Gold ===
Coins I ignore because they will make my type-set too expensive.
???

=== Really Old Stuff ===
Anything minted before the classics.