How do you collect, by series, type, key dates or unstructured?

oldcameoproofsguy

ANACONDA came up with an interesting point in one of his threads, that collecting by series is boring. He suggests that by collecting type one may learn about each series as one adds to the collection. That one will usually want to become educated about each coin and read the literature associated with it before actually investing hard earned money into it. (Forgive me Adrian if I did not correctly represent your thoughts)

I agree, but it would seem that this is a jack of all trades, master of none appraoch.

I collect by series because I can learn all the subtle nuances of each date. I think that a completed series placed on the table gives me a certain amount of awe. I feel that when I am done collecting a series that it gives me a certain level of expertise within it.

Some collect key dates, concentrating on only the most difficult dates in a variety of series.

Some may choose to ignore structure in their collecting all together. They will just collect what suits them at the time.

I don't believe there is a right or wrong way to collect, I just like some form of structure and direction in my approach.

airplanenut

I collect what I like because I like it... I like 1700s and prior coins as a top lookout, but if I see it, I like it, and I can afford it, I buy it.... it's a nice system.

itsnotjustme

I collect both ways... when I was doing Whitman albums, I collected series. As I moved to slabbed coins, I started into type sets, but still did some series like Ikes & SBAs. Now I am primarily type collecting, but slowly working on a set of PR silver Washingtons.

goose3

I collect Flying Eagle cents and their varieties but outside of that I have stuck pretty tight with KEY date stuff. Lately I have been unable to help myself and have been picking up some attractive "type" pieces.

TomB

I purchase coins based upon the "look".

oldcameoproofsguy

Goose3,

You've reminded me that I forgot key date collecting all together.

(Original thread edited to include key date collecting)

jtryka

I started collecting series as a kid, like Lincolns, Jeffersons etc. then I moved into type when I started buying slabs, but then I got bored with that and started to collect series again, with circ stuff, like Morgans, Washingtons, etc, finished a few sets I started as a kid (still working on Lincolns!) and started my first slabbed series with Franklins. Finished them, and now am working on a slabbed set of Saints. The frustrating thing about that is I know I will probably not be able to complete it, since I don't have $7 mill for a 33! But when collecting a more challenging set like them, or so many other sets that are almost impossible to complete, you get a real sense of accomplishment for just trying. I am about 46% complete with an average grade of about MS-61, and I feel both satisfied and proud of that. I still work on other series and buy an occasional type piece, but to quell the ADD tendancies, I find it more pleasing to concentrate on a series now.

ccr

When my wallet says so, I`m a series collecter. Right now I`m working on Peace dollars because I like the reverse side and it fits in my budget. I also like Morgans and Braided Hair Large Cents. Realisticly I`ll never be able to collect a complete set of Morgans or Large cents so I have to go the type set route.

coppercoins

It might seem really boring to some people, but it's fun and exciting to others, including me. I collect by series only, and add to it by collecting the die varieties. That will have me hunting Lincolns for the rest of my life (approximately 3,000 different die varieties documented in the series). I don't understand why some people have to believe if it's not worth a bundle of money it's not worth doing. Some of us DO enjoy it, and don't need to be spending a mint on "valuable" coins to find value in the thrill of the hunt.

MrMoo

I haven't bought in awhile but I mostly buy at random. If it catches my eye I will go for it. Then if it keeps my interest I will go for more in the series. Bust Halfs and Dollars I will poabably go for at this time.

MrKelso

The only structure i have is that if it is Silver or Gold, Morgan, Walking Liberty, or Canadian Gold,American,British Gold. I have been toying with putting a 1912 year set together in the comming year.

shirohniichan

I have a number of type sets going, but I've slowed down on my date runs of single denominations. My latest endeavor is to collect one denomination of various colonies in the British empire under a single monarch.

coinrookie

I collect using both approaches. When I pick a structured set, I try to pick a relatively small one. About 15 coins at most. The other way is if I see a coin that is really neat , I try to buy the best example that I can afford or not afford as it works out alot of the time. I think over time that this is the way that will keep me in collecting for along time. That way you do not get burned out on a particular coin.

relayer

I'm more of an unstructured type collector that sometimes gets distracted and focuses in on a short series.

Mrpawn

I tend to collect series. The first that I finished first was the silver Roosie dimes. The one I have started the most often is Morgan dollars, I have yet to finish that series but will work on them again and again till the day I die, plus some.

For more fun I look for coins with ships on them, US and others. The State Quarters have added a few to my collection. There is some gold and some silver, but my favorite, so far, is an 1806 Bahamian 1/2 penny. Something about pirates of old that appeals to me.

Jr

SarasotaFrank

Having first been exposed to collecting the late fifties early sixties putting together Whitman Albums with my Dad, I am hopelessly hooked on the full series. While I have given into the temptation to finish out series - I am not a fan of modern coins - which I perceive to be anything that is pre-1964. I have however, finished a very nice collection of FDR's to current date, as well as Jeffersons. I have four Lincoln Cents to go, and I have completed the Washington Quarter and Kennedy Half Series. Argh. Come to think of it, I have also nearly completed SBA's and I have completed the Sacs and Ikes.

All of these are really side lights - the post 64 coins being accrued from Mint and Proof sets. My main interest is Morgans, Walkers, Peace, Mercs, V Nickels, Buffalos and IHCs. While I have completed a few, I continue to upgrade of start again at a higher grade, or over periods of time - like building a certified walker short set - which I have just completed.

Yes Lucy, I did collect a few sets of Franklins.

I guess I will always be a set collector, but my intent is for my Son to enjoy these 40 years from now and hopefully remember reading dates and mint marks for me off of coins I can't see without a magnifying glass, like I did for my Dad 40 years ago.

greghansen

I like to collect type in high grades and series in low grades. I agree with those who say series collecting can get stale....but I don't agree as much as I would have 10 years ago. With the incresing focus on die varieties and types, a focused series collector can get a real marketplace advantage with their superior knowledge. Like many who have posted here, I am a real sucker for any coin which 'strikes my fancy' upon seeing it...even if it doesn't fit into any collecting theme I'm engaged in.

Greg Hansen
Melbourne, FL

CharlieB

I have been through a number of series over the years and just can't
take it anymore. It's not fun for me to collect every coin in the
series because not every coin in the series interests me. Now it
takes a certain coin to catch my eye and then I focus on that coin.
I am a hoarder you might say so I really specialize right down to the
denom, date and mintmark. This is exciting to me, to compare many
examples of the same coin. But as in a previous thread posted here today
I am thinking about picking up some common early $20 gold dates I am
missing with the price of gold down so low.

I have all these comments and more clearly defined in my website if
interested just pm me and I'll give you the web site address.

- Charlie B -

nwcs

I started by collecting haphazardly. Then I went into the Morgan series. Missed the haphazard and did haphazard again. Now I've learned my lesson and am now into quality pieces, whatever they are but focusing on Morgans then 20th century, then quality of whatever else. I'm selling off most of my proof sets, prestige proof sets, and bulk silver to convert them into better quality coins in those three areas which have a chance of increasing in value.

BillJones

I'm a type collector with a strong interest in history. I've collected a few series including Lincoln and Indian cents and Franklin half dollars as a child and teenager, the 50 piece "old" commemorative type set, Indian $2.50 gold pieces and fitful starts on a one a year set of Morgan dollars.

Currently I am most interested in upgrading my type coins and adding new types gold coins. The gold coins are tough because everything I need was minted before 1834, and those pieces are very scarce and expensive. I also collect selected Civil War tokens and Presidential campaign medalets.

MacCoin

I start with series I still collect lincolns, IHC, washingtons, kennedys, Ikes, and SBAs. then I started a 1900th century registry type set. now I am working on a complete US type set with varieties. I find I afford the most common date of most types at fairly good grades. On the other hand some of the varieties are a little pricey if you can find them at all. But its still fun looking and learning about and for them.

agfox

Slow type collector. Like to get the best quality coin of a type I can afford, learn about it and it's history. Allow time for the bank account to rebound and repeat.

Then of course I have my morgan addiction....

my3cents

if it's beautiful and rare, I'll try and get my hands on it.

Sometimes, I just want to have a good specimen of a coin so that I can "inspect" it and keep it for a while.

I guess this would be a more haphazard approach.

Conder101

I collect by die variety. Yesterday was a great day for me. I bid in an auction three weeks ago on some conder tokens and thought I got shut out because I hadn't heard anything, but yesterday a package shows up with two lots. The first was a nice brown Norfolk 6 in AU-58 (mintage of 550 pieces) and what was supposed to be an Essex 3 in MS-62. Now the Essex 3 is considered to be rare and I have seen several misattributed piecesover the years as I have tried to find one so I checked this one out carefully. Once again it is misattributed, but it turns out to be a previously unlisted variety in MS-61 with lots of red. That's one thing I like about Conder tokens, two hundred years old and you can still make new discoveries in them.

meos1

While most will passe the idea I am collecting the state quarters: Silver Proofs, Clad Proofs, Mint sets, and a collection of circulated P and D mint just for good measure. But on the other hand I collect the designs. SAE, Walkers, etc. They almost all have something that sparks my interest. I even find myself drawn to the britannia!

Dan

DoubleDime

I have collected by both, series for the 20th Century and type for the older issues. My collecting goal now is a coin from every country.

jdimmick

I collect key-dates only, I like to take one of the top dates in a series and look for the nicest original eye-apealing highest graded coin for that series that I can afford.

At this time I have mainly stuck to typically collected series such as FE's, Indians, lincolns, Liberty nicks, buffalo's, barber's etc, walkers, morgan $

As time goes on and my finances improve, I may look at going back further into series such as Liberty seated, shiels nick's, Large cents, etc. (but that will be a while, cause there's a few high dollar 20th century pieces, that i am stil trying to get now.

jim

Clankeye

I like the classic commemoratives, because it's almost like collecting type. So many different designs, different years, different striking characteristics, it keeps things from becoming static. Also within the commemoratives themselves there are series. For instance the Wash Carvers which I pay particular attention to. You can collect and complete sets within the set. And the history behind each different issue, and the story of their promotion within numismatics is usually very interesting. So... basically, that's what I collect.

matteproof

I like the idea of putting together an entire Series to full completion. However, I start out by acquiring the key dates FIRST and then move on to the more common dates to close. This way, I'm not "stopped" out if the Series gets too hot or the Keys become unavailable.

By getting the key dates out of the way first, the acquistion of the common dates can be done with grace and discrimination as there are far more examples to choose from with little pressure of "missing out" or being hurried.

Finally, if I start with the Key Dates and then lose interest in finishing the Series, I can sell off the key dates that I already acquired without much hassle.

matteproof