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Should I add a High Grade Half Dime to My Type Set?

ElcontadorElcontador Posts: 7,558 ✭✭✭✭✭
In my type set, I have attractive high grade Seated Coinage (MS 65 except the $ is a 3 & the dime is a 6), except for the Half Dime. In the past, except for the Half Cent, I have stayed away from odd denominations (2 cent, 3 cent & 20 cent coins).

My experience is that there is a reduced collector base for them, and while they are usually cheaper to buy, you have a harder time selling them. Plus, once a coin is much smaller than a dime, I have a hard time looking at it. Just the idea of looking at a 3 cent silver piece almost gives me a headache.

OTOH, as I am familiar with Seated Coinage, they should be easy to grade.

I also notice that while the early through mid 1860's Philadelphia coins have lower mintages than the San Francisco counterparts, the latter command higher prices. I assume this is a pop report matter? Any comments appreciated.
"Vou invadir o Nordeste,
"Seu cabra da peste,
"Sou Mangueira......."

Comments

  • PlacidPlacid Posts: 11,299 ✭✭✭
    If you don't care for tiny coins don't buy one just for the set. My 2¢.
  • I'm with you on the size... seems like kind of a waste to pay for the high grade unless you've got a loupe glued to your eye.

    How about a nice AU coin? I bought a clean half dime with nicely toned rims in AU55 for well under $100. I'd show you a photo but the thing is so small even the photo is fuzzy. image
  • BillJonesBillJones Posts: 34,272 ✭✭✭✭✭
    If you don't like the coins, don't buy them, but as a dealer I'll buy as many of the odd denomination coins as I can because I've found them to be quick sellers. If it's properly graded, 2 cent pieces and 20 cent pieces sell very fast. Next are the half cents, and then the two types of three cents pieces are the slowest.

    I would not avoid the odd denominations because of collector popularity. I've found the demand for them to be strong.

    As for the half dimes, I have collected the early pieces, 1792 to 1805, for years, and currently they along with every other early coin are some of the hottest items on the market. Properly graded pieces sell for well over (+25%) of the "bid" prices between dealers.
    Retired dealer and avid collector of U.S. type coins, 19th century presidential campaign medalets and selected medals. In recent years I have been working on a set of British coins - at least one coin from each king or queen who issued pieces that are collectible. I am also collecting at least one coin for each Roman emperor from Julius Caesar to ... ?
  • prooflikeprooflike Posts: 3,879 ✭✭
    Do what YOU feel comfortable with. If you just want to fill a hole get a nice circulated piece with good details or good contrast of details. Even some lower grade coins can look great. If you don't want to blow a chunk of cash on a coin YOU would not appreciate as much as another, don't do it. Maximize the utility of your dollar. If a $100 XF piece would be as satisfying as a $3000 MS piece, I think the $2900 could be utilized elsewhere. You can always upgrade later.

    image
  • nwcsnwcs Posts: 13,386 ✭✭✭
    I've just submitted a low grade half dime in for a type set. It's my only one, had it for over 10 years. Very pleasing original color. But I'm only interested in having the one. Maybe one per series. And I wouldn't worry about the high grade. I think high grade should be reserved for the ones you care about more.
  • ElcontadorElcontador Posts: 7,558 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Thanks for so many intelligent replies so quickly! Think I give the Half Dime a miss.
    I remember the lack of enthusiasm I had when I bought my PF 65 Shield Nickel for the
    set, because I wanted to include one of each nickel minted in the 19th Century.
    "Vou invadir o Nordeste,
    "Seu cabra da peste,
    "Sou Mangueira......."
  • I have a stunningly toned Half Dime in AU-58. I bought it for the color, but even as such, the coin is just not that enjoyable because the size of the issue precludes any enjoyment of the design. For visual enjoyment, it is the worst of the Seated coins. If you want another Seated, go for a high grade 20 Cent piece. Or, if you are hankering for a Half Dime, go with one of the earlier issues with a better design translation.
    Keith ™

  • michaelmichael Posts: 9,524 ✭✭
    for me any halfdime is really currently undervalued and underappreciated
    but for me i only want great hlafdimes then they are the buys of the century

    see the attatchment

    also the three cent nickels are really the best buys in the coin market but you have to buy the RIGHT COINS and the great coins only coins with tremendous eye appeal and rarity

    also the halfdimes the s mints 1860 to 1873 are super rare in any gem or higher grade they were all spent and not saved any of the s mints as you described in the mid 1860's are non existant in gem or even choise ms!!!!! tremendouly undervalued

    and i bet with exceptional eye appeal these coinswould sell fast

    let me give you an example i have seen a ngc ms66 1873 s halfdime in the eastern collection that is milky wihte with tremendous lustre and mostly white undipped and full strike with nothing short of amazing eye appeal that is a unique rare coin i bet this coin would be popular and wanted but it is a great coin!

    also the ms 68 halfdime with the attatchment viewed by one person that has put together the finest pcgs set of all the finest ms 1860 to 1873 coins with i tyink all the 4 or 5 pcgs 68 ms coins and they said this ms68 1860 ngc was better than the pcgs coins and totally original!
    i agree so this coin would sell fast immedialtey because it is a great coin!!

    or like the three cent nickel pieces the ultra cameo proof 65 ngc 1871 a unique coin this coin would sell immedialtey if you saw it also!

    you have to only buy great coins! waht is a great coin for the halfdimes and three cent pieces in nickel or silver? show me the coin in person and i will tell you if it is a great coin or not!

    sincerely michael

    sincerely michael
  • stmanstman Posts: 11,352 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Nice looking half dime Michael!!!!

    Stman
    Please... Save The Stories, Just Answer My Questions, And Tell Me How Much!!!!!
  • darktonedarktone Posts: 8,437 ✭✭✭
    There are some really nice looking half dimes out there and if you see the right one buy it. image mike
      picture of my toned half dime
    • BillJonesBillJones Posts: 34,272 ✭✭✭✭✭
      Here is a picture of my 1794 half dime in PCGS AU-50. You either love or hate these coins because of their size. I'm one of those collectors who happens to like them.

      In American numismatic size does matter, and most collectors think bigger is better. Yet the prices for these early coins have gone into orbit in recent months.
      Retired dealer and avid collector of U.S. type coins, 19th century presidential campaign medalets and selected medals. In recent years I have been working on a set of British coins - at least one coin from each king or queen who issued pieces that are collectible. I am also collecting at least one coin for each Roman emperor from Julius Caesar to ... ?
    • IrishMikeIrishMike Posts: 7,737 ✭✭✭
      I understand the reluctance to purchase small coins, they are very difficult to grade. If you buy a nice one take a digital picture of it and then you can pull it up on the computer too. Makes it easier for these old eyes to appreciate them.
    • ElcontadorElcontador Posts: 7,558 ✭✭✭✭✭
      Michael,

      You are the only person on the planet that can make a 3 cent nickel look attractive! That half dime of yours is one of the most beautiful toned coins I've ever seen, and Bill Jones' half dime is museum quality as well.

      As it is, I'm having a hard enough time getting my photo CD images from my recent Brasil trip into a directory so I could export them to people (everyplace seems to set up their CDs differently). Coin images.....well, if I buy a coin & the image is stored (like Heritage does), sure, I'll put it up for people here to see. Doing it myself, fiddling with the equipment, etc., is something for which I've never had much patience. I eventually figure these things out, but typically don't want to invest the time.
      "Vou invadir o Nordeste,
      "Seu cabra da peste,
      "Sou Mangueira......."
    • michaelmichael Posts: 9,524 ✭✭
      thanks for the nice comments and yes bills 1794 is a super rare desirable coin!! elcon you are great and keep up the good work and hope to always see you on these boards!

      sincerely michael
    • RegistryCoinRegistryCoin Posts: 5,117 ✭✭✭✭
      If I could, I'd have a reg. set of half dimes... image
    • lordmarcovanlordmarcovan Posts: 43,655 ✭✭✭✭✭


      << <i>In the past, except for the Half Cent, I have stayed away from odd denominations (2 cent, 3 cent & 20 cent coins).

      My experience is that there is a reduced collector base for them, and while they are usually cheaper to buy, you have a harder time selling them. >>



      Oh, great. NOW you tell me. imageimage

      Bigger is better when you get older and the eyesight ain't what it used to be (which is happening to me now, but I still don't wear glasses). However, those teeny little coins are kinda cute, too.

      And if we could all afford coins that looked like the ones Michael and BillJones posted, I'd be willing to bet that half dimes might just be a bit more popular...


      Explore collections of lordmarcovan on CollecOnline, management, safe-keeping, sharing and valuation solution for art piece and collectibles.
    • darktonedarktone Posts: 8,437 ✭✭✭
      lordmarcovan-excellent coin! Now how could somebody not think two cents coin are attractive after seeing your coin?
      image mike
    • I have an original 1837 no stars that I love, in F+. The lack of stars creates room in the field and it's attractive loupe or not! Perhaps one of these in xf will suit your need!
      USPI minimalist design collage
      image
      designset
      Treasury Seals Type Set
    • HigashiyamaHigashiyama Posts: 2,198 ✭✭✭✭✭
      Yes, the no stars obverse is a wonderful coin -- a real minature Gobrecht dollar.

      The half dime, having been minted for about 80 years, is much more central to US coinage than are the truly exotic denominations (2c, 3c, 20c).

      Even with my eyesight, high grade specimens are notably attractive.
      Higashiyama
    • BillJonesBillJones Posts: 34,272 ✭✭✭✭✭
      The No Stars half dime also came very well struck because the dies did not have to impart as much detail on the tiny coin. Gobrecht's art work on Ms. Liberty was also far better than Robert Ball Huges' work (with drapery design) which followed.

      Believe it or not there was actually a time when the No Stars half dime was a "hard sell" for dealers. Apparently years ago collectors thought that the type was too minor to include in their sets. Fortunately more collectors have come to appreaciate this coin.

      BTW the No Stars dime is a lot harder to find that the the half dime.
      Retired dealer and avid collector of U.S. type coins, 19th century presidential campaign medalets and selected medals. In recent years I have been working on a set of British coins - at least one coin from each king or queen who issued pieces that are collectible. I am also collecting at least one coin for each Roman emperor from Julius Caesar to ... ?
    • tjkilliantjkillian Posts: 5,578 ✭✭✭
      I guess I'm one of the few who actually collect half dimes by date/mint/major variety. I love all seated coins. I found that the half dimes were going to be the easiest to complete a full set. I'm only going for circulated ones as I cannot afford a mint set one. If anyone has a reverse in MS-62/63 in a PCGS holder they want to unload, or a 1853 with arrows or a 1837 no stars, just pop me a PM. I need them for my type set.

      Tom
      Tom

    • lordmarcovanlordmarcovan Posts: 43,655 ✭✭✭✭✭
      I must agree with the commentary about the No Stars design. It's too bad there aren't any No Stars quarters and halves.

      Explore collections of lordmarcovan on CollecOnline, management, safe-keeping, sharing and valuation solution for art piece and collectibles.

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