Silver three cents or $2.50 Indians

meos1

As I have said many times over the last week or so, I am really getting into the 2003 redbook. I have not seen one of these since I was a child and never really paid much attention to it then.

I am using the redbook to research a short series that I can collect and finish. I want a series that is not in my collection already. I think I have narrowed it down to two series, the silver three cent piece and the $2.50 Indian (incuse).

I am really facinated by the design of these two coins. As I look at the retail pricing across both series I am kind of leaning on grades above VF, possibly even AU or MS level. I want good representations of the coins detail.

I noticed that one being gold and the other silver the pricing was not far apart when comparing coins from the same grade. So I think the Indians are a better fit as they are gold.

Anyone collecting these that can provide additional input I can use to lock in the selection?

ara

There's just something about gold that sets it apart!

greghansen

Looking ahead....if and when it comes time to dispose of your collection...it is likely that the Indians will enjoy a more liquid market. The little trimes have never attracted a widespread collecting crowd, and I say this owning a few high grade pieces myself. If I had to pick between these two options I would go with the gold set, but at the same time, why not just collect a 3 piece type set of the three cent silvers. You could probably afford a little higher grade if you were only going to buy three coins, one of each type, and each type is readily available at high grades while being modestly priced. Good luck, whatever route you go.

FC57Coins

I'll give the counterpoint on this view. The reason I would be attracted to the trimes is exactly the fact that not too many people collect them. When I start collecting a series I do so because I like the coins, I don't necessarily think about it from the stand point of what am I going to do when I sell them. Sure, that comes into the picture, but only from the standpoint of buying at reasonable levels for reasonable coins. The trime existed at a time of great historical interest to me, and I guess this would play a pivotal role in collecting them. Not only do I like to collect the coins, I like to research the history of their time, see what was happening, why the coins came into being and so forth. So to me, and the historian in me, the period of 1851 to 1873 would be of more interest than the early 20th century. But that's just my personal opinion. I guess one other thing that I would take into account is the existence of counterfits in the indian series as opposed to the trime series. Here I would hedge on the fact that every once in a while you might find a really prime raw piece. Now, unless you've done a lot of research, which can also be part of the fun, you might get stiffed on a counterfit indian more readily than a counterfit trime. Both are excellent series - I hope I've muddied up the water a little bit more for ya!

Frank

airplanenut

I think it depends on how much you can spend... for me, while both coins are beautiful, the oddness of the smallest coin in our history is very compelling... while with gold Indians you may get circulated grades, there are a lot of silver 3cs that can be had for low prices in MS- many also have gorgeous toning.

To each his own

relayer

The $2.50 Indians are nice because of their unique inclusive design. But a lot of raw gold is either cleaned or whizzed or fake, so be careful

mbbiker

go for the gold!!!

AbesNeighbor

I collect the Indian $2 1/2 gold series and it has been a great experience...Some have offerred good advice, though. Buying raw coins of this series is risky because the coins are very rare. Most AU and MS coins have been graded or body bagged.

If you stick to PCGS or NGC graded coins I believe you will really enjoy collecting this set.

Dan

jom

meos1: If you are new at the hobby RUN as fast as you can from gold...especially the $2.5 Indians (and the $5's). Very hard series to grade....and I'm not just saying that because I don't want the competition. LOL

Do yourself a favor: Look at as many of the 2.5's as you can (auctions, shows...etc etc) for a good year before you BUY any. Just some advice from one who has been burned....

jom

relayer

If you start collecting gold, you'll start collecting these:

Keyrock

I'll chime in w/ Dan. The quarter eagles are a very do-able set in MS. Depending on you finances the 11D is the real key to the series, and still affordable in circulated grades. Both series are nice but I like the quarter eagles.

Rich

Singapore

Heres my numismatic theorem: Never collect any coin that is smaller than your watch battery.

The biggest downside to the Trimes is that they are ridiculously small, not impressive to llok at, hard to see, hard to handle, and just too small. Plus they don't weigh anything.

In the colonials that I collect there are a few coins that are about this size and I tell you its very difficult to extract your wallet from your pocket to buy something so absurdly small.

Given the choice between the two series I'd say go for the Indian 2.5s.

Cam40

Both are tough series.With the gold there are tons of fakes.Buy slabbed only.With the 3c silvers alot of the dates are just not available due to the fact so many were melted.That sorta puts a damper on that series.It may be possible to do both as in a 3 coin tyoe set for the trimes,and a slabbed set of the 2 1/2 dollar indians.Finances willing.
Good luck.

Placid

$2-1/2. The silver 3¢ is so small the design can't be seen without magnification

meos1

Thanks everyone! Like I said I am sizing up a series to collect. I like the unique characteristics of each of these series. They are also relativly short. I am thinking about aquiring two maybe three really quality examples each year.

I really apprecaite the advice about counterfeit Indians and to really research. I like the research aspect and learning the intricacies of the era in which the coin is minted. The incuse design is what draws me to them. That, and that Indian!

The trime is it?? Ok, I hear everyone about the small size and weight. I read about the meltdown and think it adds a interesting challenge. This series too, has a great era of history behind it. The design of the star with the ridge would require a very nice example to represent the design correctly.

I think I will research these series more closely. Maybe there will be a decision in the fall regarding which will be the series I decide to collect. In the mean time if you happen upon good examples of these please let me know. I like to learn too!

Dan

ScarsdaleCoin

I just love this thread....of course I am partial to the 3c Silvers...but let me add that as easy as it seems from the Red Book It is a very hard set to put together!!!!! One day we shall see the series take off as these three cent pieces are VERY undervalued.....just look for example at the 1872 business strike which in AU has a greysheet value of around $500-$600, only 1-2 pieces turn up each year and when they do they sell for quite a bit more than sheet! If you need any help with Three Cent Silvers, give us a look Scarsdale Coin We are the Market Maker in the Series and sell quite a bit of them....our web site is www.coinhelp.com current inventory shows quite a few pieces of trimes at all times.....In all grades/price ranges/services.....Best Jon

merz2

I have a beautiful PCGS 1928 MS62 2 1/2 dollar Indian.