All suggestions welcome

LanLord

Lately it seems that adding coins to my collection has become, well, somewhat "ho hum". It's not that I don't enjoy it, but I feel like I am just going through the motions of adding coins, not truely collecting. I am not in the "search" for something special.

So I am now in a mode to save for ??????. Unfortunately I don't know what I want to save for, I want something that is a collection centerpiece. Now we're not talking about a super highend kind of coin, like a mint state 1901s quarter or something like that, just a real "oh wow" addition to a collection.

I'd really appreciate the thoughts, suggestions and opinions of others here on this forum. Has anyone gone through this kind of shift in collecting pattern? What did you decide to do?

Thanks, Tom.

jmwarren

I have your answer. Do what i did. Stop collecting U.S. coinage and start collecting ANCIENTS. If you do, you'll never regret it.

09sVDB

I just added a PCGS VF35 1909S Indian to my collection. I need about six dates to complete the collection and about six to complete my AU/BU Washington set. I would also like to pick up a certified 17?? dated U.S. coin in the $500 range simply because I think it would be cool to own a piece from this century. For the moment though my funds are a little tapped out.
I also went through a shift where I sold all my modern stuff to focus only on classic copinage.

Lakesammman

Quit collecting (accumulating??) ho-hum coins.

Try to put together a monster collection that stretches your search abilities and budget. I'm lucky to find a coin that satisfies me once every 2 months - when I do, it's a real thrill. Finding a gem, well struck, spot free, original red IHC has become nearly impossible of late!

Buying average coins on line every day just isn't satisfying (if that's what your doing).

clw54

Give this a read.

Key Date Collecting

FC57Coins

Right around the time when I completed my Franklin set I started wondering about the same thing - now what? Then the thought turned to why do I like collecting in the first place? Well for me it's a love of history. I think I began collecting Franklins because I wanted to some day be able to sit with my son, look at these coins and talk about the times when I was a child, be able to share more than just the coins, but the history happening around the coins. Then as I started thinking about that, it occurred to me that we were at the turn of the century, and it would be interesting to look at what was happening last century at about this same time. It just so happened that here on the board there was quite a bit of discussion going on about toned morgans and such, and they once again caught my eye. I say once again, because when I was younger I loved collecting morgans, just because they were old and big - didn't really realize what I was doing. Now, I'm enjoying these coins once again. I love when I find a really well preserved one, regardless of the date or mint, I happen to like looking at the luster and the way they've been conserved for all these years. I know that I'll never be able to complete this set, but I've also noticed that there is so much variety, that I've begun doing something that I use to stay away from, this was get duplicates of the same date. I find, particularly with Morgans from 1878-1882, that you can find beautiful coins for very little money. So I'm hunting these down wherever I can and I'm enjoying the process. I won't get rich by it, but I'm enjoying myself. And who knows, maybe I'll hit a homerun one of these days! Have fun!

Frank

LanLord

Claw, what a wonderful article. I think this may be a good direction to start moving.

JMWarren, I do like ancients, have about 100 of them and this is incredible history in metal.

Lakesammman, good points, I think this may be what has happened. I hit a wall with average coins.

Lots of great ideas, please keep em coming.

its4real

try to get the 76 gold pieces in the $1 set - 1849 to 1889....that'll be a challenge - every single one of them

Dog97

I know what you mean LanLord. I spend weeks looking at, buying and waiting for it to come then when I get it I open the package, say that's nice and toss it aside.
When I find a collection centerpiece like you said it still doesn't hold my attention for very long.

LanLord

<< <i>try to get the 76 gold pieces in the $1 set - 1849 to 1889....that'll be a challenge - every single one of them >>

I have a start on that set (1849 and 1855). Looks like it's going to be a long season coach.

wingedliberty

A nice cameo proof Mercury dime. What could be a better centerpiece?
Of course, I am biased in this regard!




Brian.

LucyBop

Whatever you decide, avoid those eyesore Franklin halfs, very over rated....

clw54

LanLord, if you don't have one, get a 1955 DDO. They're affordable and about as cool a coin as was ever minted. It's difficult to get tired of looking at one of those. My opinion of course.

goose3

I'm with Claw!

the 55/55 is one of the most popular coins of all time. If you don't like it, I'd suggest a 3 legged buffalo! Always a cool coin to own, even in low grade!

I myself buy key coins for the most part unless I find something nice for my son's dansco type album. Can't go wrong with key dates!

wingedliberty

Lucy:
I happen to like Franklins.


Brian.

clw54

Another nice one is the 1942/1 Mercury, the Philadelphia version, not the Denver.

goose3

and a 1918/7 buffalo!

LucyBop

<< <i>Lucy: I happen to like Franklins.
>>



Go with JFK's, you will be happier, Lucy is trying to remove as many Franklins from the market as possible... And since I am doing this good deed I may as well build my Franklin Registry set, the Rockin' Radio Collection....

Russ

<< <i>Has anyone gone through this kind of shift in collecting pattern? >>



Yeah, just about every day lately. Thinking about selling a bunch, just so I can buy more.

Russ, NCNE

wingedliberty

Lucy:
You are in luck, I am concentrating on Kennedy's right now anyway, you are welcome to corner
the market on Franklins, as long as you are generous to forum members in selling them back.lol.


Brian.

indianabyron

Im getting bored with coins so i think im going to take a little time away from the auctions. and thats a good way to save alot of money

Byron

DHeath

Lanlord,

A friend of mine recently introduced me to early British coppers, something I had never considered before, by showing me a 150 year old Britannia with hints of electric blue toning. His obversation was that these coins were under-appreciated, and frequently could be found raw for relatively little money. He likened it to collecting U.S. coins 30 years ago. There are many ways to collect or set build, and most for me are just recreation and relaxation. I am currently building a collection of every coin minted for circulation since my birth a year at a time, and in the highest grade I can find raw. It'll be fun to have when I'm too old to get around. I call it the Heath short-set. You can call yours something else. That makes a nice diversion while I look for serious coins.

stujoe

I have a couple of collections that I switch too on and off besides my main colletion (1900-present US coins). One is my Birth Year World Coin set. Another is my German 10 Pfennigs. Another is my Canadian cents. Anohter is Reading coin books. Another is my US type set. Another is just anything that is different, interesting, historically important, ugly, well worn or just catches my eye for any reason whatsoever.

It sounds like you are in a rut nad need to find something to spark some interest again. Buy an Eight Reale that might have circulated in the colonies or in early America. Buy some coins with bees or dogs or whales or whatever interests you on them. Buy an Athenian Owl. Buy a Yap Stone...ok, maybe that is going a little overboard.

Just find something that interestes you, learn about it, search for it and renew your interest.

cladking

I have too many collections to ever get bored. I'll concentrate on only
a few at a time usually, and then switch to something else. The "from
circulation" sets bring many hours of enjoyment and I never seem to
set them aside.

JLW

Do it Russ, I'll buy some of your cast-offs!
Joe

Loki

I am still new to serious coin collecting so I haven't really thought about building a "set" of a certain type yet. If I ever decide to start a set someday, the set that intrigues me the most would be the silver commem set. You can get lots of great commems MS+grade at low-enough prices (except for the ridiculously expensive pan-pac) to make completing this a reasonable goal without putting too much strain on the budget imo. Plus each commem is a different design so I don't think I would get bored of collecting these. I like toned commems especially; you can pick up some really nice toned pieces for not too much of a premium over untoned.

leothelyon

Collecting coins is like blank blank blank. It's all psychological, especially at my age. It's basically all in the head. One of the things I do to beat the coin doldrums, I'll go and get an old....2x2 coin box out. Then I start flipping through the......coins and before you know it, I'll find that beautiful.....coin of mind and she.....it will always cheer me up. So you may need to get some help. Possibly some medicine. Great stuff, let me tell you, coins are.

Seriously, when the collecting slows down or maybe the money is getting tight or maybe the thought has passed through your mind that you've wasted one heck of a lot of dough on crappy coins. It could be anythong..........oops.......I just had a thought........time to go.......I guess I wasn't so gloomy afterall. Oh honey.........

Leo

goyankeez

I've had the same "condition" collecting Proof Roosevelts. The problem with me is that I can look in my pocket change and find the same coin I paid $300 for!! Sometimes I ask myself why? I've moved on to ALL proof dimes. I'm researching and looking for seated dimes, barbers, and it's a nice change from looking at the same old design. I also have a circulated type set I'm putting together raw. Again, a nice change from looking at slabbed coins in one denomination.

In sum, I think variety may be a good alternative. I look at auction catalogs and see all the different types and designs, and I fall in love all over again. That is what drives me if I have any doubts. Taking a break from a serious $500+/coin collection to purchase a $10 raw type coin can be reinvigorating. You save some money, and you're still completing a collection. And when you find the big $ coin for your main collection, you'll not only have the renewed interest but the resources.

This is my philosophy (if you will) for coin collecting. It suits me well, as sometimes I get stressed searching for one or two coins for my set. Working on several sets concurrently brings me great joy; and that's what it's all about.

Best of Luck!

JR

LanLord,

I was very active in putting together several PCGS and NGC Registry sets. I completed them all, but didn't have a sense of lasting satisfaction.

I bought an intercept shield nickel binder, and I've been having a hoot filling the book up with GEM (MS65) coins or better. This project has proven to be the most enjoyable for me. I'm even buying certified coins, and busting them out of their holders in order to put them into the book. What fun! Proofs too.