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If you were going to start an IHC collection

NickelchaserNickelchaser Posts: 33 ✭
in U.S. Coin Forum
What grade collection would you put together?
Take into consideration grade. availability, cost.

Since I'm not an expert on the series I am starting a "Good" collection
I feel that I might get taken if I started at VF or XF

Comments

  • clw54clw54 Posts: 3,815 ✭✭✭
    Circulated.
  • wallstreetmanwallstreetman Posts: 2,938 ✭
    I have a bunch of Indians I will let you check out, PM me!
    You can fool man but you can't fool God! He knows why you do what you do!
  • gmarguligmarguli Posts: 2,225 ✭✭
    Without knowing your budget it is impossible to say. If you are looking for cheaper coins, I would not go under VF20 for the keys. You will want a nice strong Liberty on the coins when you try to sell them.

    If you're looking at unc coins, then MS63 are affordable for most dates. MS64's and MS65's can be tossed in. Maybe a nice AU58 for a expensive key here and there.
  • LakesammmanLakesammman Posts: 17,409 ✭✭✭✭✭
    You didn't mention how much you were willing to pay.

    If you can, I would recommend at least XF45 or AU50. A G or F collection can be rapidly accumulated, wouldn't be as much fun as really cherry picking some beautiful XF45 coins over time and will be hard to get rid of if you tire of collecting. Most can be purchased for under $100/coin (many $10-$20). The real expensive one is the 1877 that's going to cost you at least $700 anyway for a ugly one, so why not spend a few more bucks for an attractive one? If you carefully put one of these together, it would be a beautiful collection (collectors will stand in line to buy it from you!).
    "My friends who see my collection sometimes ask what something costs. I tell them and they are in awe at my stupidity." (Baccaruda, 12/03).I find it hard to believe that he (Trump) rushed to some hotel to meet girls of loose morals, although ours are undoubtedly the best in the world. (Putin 1/17) Gone but not forgotten. IGWT, Speedy, Bear, BigE, HokieFore, John Burns, Russ, TahoeDale, Dahlonega, Astrorat, Stewart Blay, Oldhoopster, Broadstruck, Ricko, Big Moose.
  • IrishMikeIrishMike Posts: 7,737 ✭✭✭
    I am working on sets #3 and #4. If its an album set, I wouldn't go less than xf-45, they still have lots of eye appeal in that grade. Graded sets get very expensive, you can spend in the neighborhood of $50,000 to $65,000 for a complete of 64 Reds. Another nice alternative is 63/65 red browns. Some of us prefer the more natural aged look of reb/browns and some of the browns still have some red in them are quite frankly in my opinion as attractive as full reds.

    I have a spreadsheet using trends, pink sheet and pcgs price guide for 64 reds. Price range runs from $49,000 to $67,000. PM me if you want a copy.
  • 09sVDB09sVDB Posts: 2,420 ✭✭✭
    When I first started collecting I bought g/vg. I have since upgrade to where my collection is 80% complete in Vf/Xf for the harder dates and BU for the easier dates. Be fussy and buy certified from a knowledgeable dealer and learn to grade. Check out my latest IHC purchase posted in an earlier thread .
  • FC57CoinsFC57Coins Posts: 9,140 ✭
    Im surprised that no one has said "find a book on something you like and read on it before you dive into any series". By reading on a particular series you'll be able to see which coins are important, what to look for as far as condition, varieties and so forth. After that, collect the best coins that you can afford and enjoy the process.

    Frank
  • RussRuss Posts: 48,514 ✭✭✭
    Does kyping Shylock's beautiful scans count?image

    Russ, NCNE
    eBay consignment sales | | Collectibles from Resco CCC
  • IrishMikeIrishMike Posts: 7,737 ✭✭✭
    Didn't bring up any books, number one he is putting together a set and number 2, it goes without saying that you should do your homework first, that is why I offered the spreadsheet. Fact of the matter is you can get some really nice looking IHC's very cheap or pay a lot of money for some that are ugly as can be.
  • LakesammmanLakesammman Posts: 17,409 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Frankly, I've gotten tired of saying it, but it's the right thing to do. Also, look at (and try to grade) as many coins as you can. It's like sex - you can't enjoy it or get good at it just by reading about it. imageimageimage
    "My friends who see my collection sometimes ask what something costs. I tell them and they are in awe at my stupidity." (Baccaruda, 12/03).I find it hard to believe that he (Trump) rushed to some hotel to meet girls of loose morals, although ours are undoubtedly the best in the world. (Putin 1/17) Gone but not forgotten. IGWT, Speedy, Bear, BigE, HokieFore, John Burns, Russ, TahoeDale, Dahlonega, Astrorat, Stewart Blay, Oldhoopster, Broadstruck, Ricko, Big Moose.
  • PushkinPushkin Posts: 2,029 ✭✭✭

    I suggest you look at enough coins to determine what grade/color/properties you like. Don't think about grade, but rather about eye appeal. I think you will be much happier and more successful once you have a good idea of what you really like in an IHC. I don't collect by grade, although most of my current coins are at least XF - but that is because I like the detail, yet also enjoy the toning and wear of higer grade circulated IHCs. I also collect MSs, but again for eye appeal, not just because of the grade. If you are just collecting for fun - then go for what you like - forget about external values like strict grade or color.

    Later, if you want to upgrade you can. Remember, grades below VF (or even XF) may be harder to trade/sell than XF or above.

    Just my IH cents worth. Good luck - PM me anytime if you need any help or just want to discuss collecting IHCs.

  • NickelchaserNickelchaser Posts: 33 ✭
    Thanks for all the great responses
    I checked out the redbook to see what the prices would be for a given grade
    and it looks like it will have to be G-VG for now. That's my current budget
    It looks like the 1909-S and 1877 will cost a few bucks.

    gmarguli
    Sounds like a good idea to get VF or better on the keys
    The price difference between grades for the 1909-S
    is small enough for me to just look for the VF or XF
    Thanks
  • DahlonegaDahlonega Posts: 310 ✭
    About 10 years ago acquired 2 11x14 Whitman Indian cent coin boards. With a lot of help finally completed the two sets in VF+ all are matching no problem or discolored coins with full liberty best of all no plastic/slabs except those I cracked out. Sets were framed and I could have sold them a dozen times or more for a modest profit. Although I could have begun work on a condition census set this was not my primary collection and I think I enjoyed putting these sets together more than I would have a more valuable set [plus I learned a lot without much financial pain]. So sometimes I think the old adage of buy the best you can afford isn't the best advice...maybe buy the best in a grade you understand?? and have fun. Planned on giving the sets to my kids but, zero interest so I'm glad I enjoyed the endeavor.
    Collect for enjoyment
  • shylockshylock Posts: 4,288 ✭✭✭
    Good suggestions. On a lighter note, I'd suggest figuring out IrishMike's Ebay nic and start sniping the diamonds in the rough he bids on. Or, forge documents proving you're the illegitimate son of Lakesammman and only a few of his wonder coins will make you "go away". I can see him now, getting a bedroom all ready for you.

    Bower's "Buyer's and Enthusiast's Guide" for this series is a great starting point as far as books go, and if the variety bug bites, move into Rick Snow's hardcore explicit stuff (he was a major contributer to Bowers).
    Paul <> altered surfaces <> CoinGallery.org
  • IrishMikeIrishMike Posts: 7,737 ✭✭✭
    Hey, no sniping my bids or I will forever haunt you. image Besides most of my purchases are from dealers. Another thing quit encouraging people to collect IHC's. That is exactly why good stuff is drying up. Oh and stay away from ANACs graded IHC's. image
  • LakesammmanLakesammman Posts: 17,409 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Hey Shylock...my wife doesn't know about that son.....knock it off!

    Snows book and website are musts. Get his attribution guides also - they are great info even if you don't get bitten by the variety bug (like me). He has completed 1900-1909 and 1856 to 1858. The remaining volumes are pending, hopefully coming out soon now that he has a associate to "mind the store".

    "My friends who see my collection sometimes ask what something costs. I tell them and they are in awe at my stupidity." (Baccaruda, 12/03).I find it hard to believe that he (Trump) rushed to some hotel to meet girls of loose morals, although ours are undoubtedly the best in the world. (Putin 1/17) Gone but not forgotten. IGWT, Speedy, Bear, BigE, HokieFore, John Burns, Russ, TahoeDale, Dahlonega, Astrorat, Stewart Blay, Oldhoopster, Broadstruck, Ricko, Big Moose.

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