There really ARE some neat, very affordable coins to be had

Senlathiel

Inspired by Coinguy1's "There really ARE some old, neat, still affordable coins to be had - here are some to consider" thread, I'm wondering a new question. What, in your opinion, would be some coins you find "neat", not necessarily old, but less than $75 dollars are? Many of us can't spend $500 on a coin. I chose a $75 dollar limit because that is my monthly budget for coin collecting.

So, fess up, what cheap coins do you like most.

Me, I like Sacagawea dollars MS67 or MS68 in PCGS slabs, or Washington quarters in as high of a grade as I can afford.

ConstellatioCollector

I really like "Fractional Notes" for that price limit. I know it doesn't belong in this forum but, they really are neat to me!

Clankeye

Senlathiel--

This may not be of interest to you at all, but I have to point out to people that there are tremendous coins with beauty and history to be found in World coins for under $75.00.

Canadian coins in particular. Coins full of history, full of beauty, with all kinds of surfaces and preservation, toned and untoned mint state, proof alike.

It was my lucky day when I had my eyes opened to these coins. And I have enjoyed myself very much since. And it's all been affordable, and the coins do not lack significance. At least in my world.

Clankeye

CarlWohlforth

A 1956 Franklin PCGS PR 68 Cameo. Not just any one now, some of them have DCAM+ obverses with plain cameo reverses. I'm talking a DCAM obverse with a Cam reverse.

Placid

State quarters

Louis

You can get really nice certified mint state Civil War Tokens for that or less. (the common ones)

Russ

<< <i>I chose a $75 dollar limit >>



I rather like this one:



Came in right at $75 including the $30 grading fee and shipping costs.

Russ, NCNE

FC57Coins

FRANKIES of course!!

You can put together a solid MS64 set together, maybe even graded, and not have to pay $75 for any of the coins!

Whitewashqtr

You can find a PCGS Steel Lincoln in MS67 for under $75, any mintmark. I always thought they were neat coins.

WWQ

coinkat

Yes there are some great coins that can be bought. I have some advice from the cheap seats that I am willing to pass on to those that are willing to listen: (1) If you have a monthly budget, consider saving it for purposes of moving above the $75 self imposed limit that you set for yourself... (2) Sharpen your grading skills and consider looking into circ Buffalos in the EF -AU range because most dates from the 1930's are still inexpensive and the same can be said for Walking Liberty Half dollars. Also consider FDL Franklin Halfs. Good Luck... grading skills are important.

cladking

Not only are there many rare world coins that can be had for less (sometimes much less) than $75
but there are also many US coins and coin-like series which can be very inexpensive. Various state
and federally issued "tokens" come to mind but there is one that hasn't been talked about much here;
Food Stamp Change Tokens. These were privately issued to make change for food stamp progam
coupons. They were used mostly in the 1970's and early '80's and come in a variety of materials and
denominations. There were many thousands of these made and many are very affordable today. They
are often sold in groups of 1 cent, 5, 10, 25 and fifty cent in uncirculated conditiuon for only a dollar or
two per set. There are many rarities which usually don't command a large premium and even the most
common tokens rarely exist in numbers over a few thousand.

State issued sales tax tokens from the '30's are often difficult in unc and nearly impossible in gem. A few
are tough in any condition yet sets can be assembled for pennies per piece.

Many rare coins circulate today because very few people are aware that they are out there. While any
specific one may be very difficult to locate, there are so very many different ones that they are not over-
ly difficult to find.

BU rolls and the various sets issued over the last half a century often can contain some hidden gems as
either varieties or high grade coins. These can often be purchased for little more than face. High grade
cents from the last twenty years were made in fairly significant numbers but are corroding at an alarming
rate because there is so little interest in them and few are being properly protected. Varieties are often
not found in modern times until after nearly the entire mintage is already circulated. Even previously com-
mon varieties like RPM's and OMM's are often quite scarce if they are of more recent vintage. While these
can be found in circulation there are few looking and they continue to wear and become lost.

SeattleSlammer

For under $75 I like true PL common date morgans in MS63-64.

BigD5

In that range, I'd look at vf/xf flying eagle cents (always in demand, problem free), better date IHC's from the 1860's and 70's in problem free lower grades up to your given amount, better date buffalo nickels in vf that hit that range (19-d and s, 20-d and s come to mind), again, problem free. Same with Barber coinage. Better date Barber dimes in problem free grades up to your given amount. Any and all vf/xf Barber Quarters that are problem free, vf Barber halves of similar quality. You can keep going on and on.
An album full of that type of material will keep anyone interested when it comes time to sell.

airplanenut

MS Walkers and Buffs can be had for that money...

Also, lightly circulated Standing Liberty Quarters are that price, and VERY pretty!

kamehameha00

Low grade New Orleans Seated Halves

pontiacinf

whatever makes common sence and feels right within your realm of collecting

that way you can never go wrong

billboat

Common date Morgan and Peace dollars in MS63+ (You can find some beauties if you look around), EF SLQs and many of the Bust and Seated Halves VF to EF can be had for under $75. Of course, those just happen to be my favorites. On the darkside very nice Mexican 8 reales and pesos can be had for well under that figure--I have a number that I've paired with US coins of the same date (e.g., an 1841 Peso and an 1841-O Seated Half). I like to do this since so much of our history here in the southwest is intertwined with Mexico and I'm a history buff.

Conder101

Mint State Conder tokens from the 1790's can be had at that level. I've even bought Proofs at the $100 level.

Jody526

A complete date/mint mark set of Jefferson nickels in MS-65. The key, 1939-D, is right at your limit. Some of the early '50's will also be in that price range.

WorkingMan

There's some nice pics of Civil War Tokens and Conder Tokens here :
http://www.latterinv.com

Senlathiel

Have I told you guys how much I love this thread? I"m going around looking at all your suggestions and you guys have great taste! There are some great projects I can start from this info!

IrishMike

My first advice would be to forget about paying the premium for the plastic that surrounds the coin. Buy a book on grading like photograde, examine some coins at a show to get a feel for the different grades. Educate yourself on a series, choose those coins to collect that you continue to enjoy looking at time and time again. Buy a coin album, decide on the grade you want to collect in those coins and go at it. You may never complete a set quickly with that budget but over time you will enjoy the hobby and may someday be able to afford the keys in the set.

There are many more collectors ought there that collect coins without the slab then those that do. You have to realize that you might get a slanted view of collecting from a site sponsored by a grading company. Part of the fun is not just owning the coins, but learning the history, how to grade them, how to avoid fakes, etc. You can never pay too much or spend too much time for the right kind of education

baccaruda

I got this one for $72 and love it:

ccr

baccaruda - Nice coin and cool.

Here`s one I got for $26. A F15 and one I intend to keep for a very long time. As with any collectable, be finicky about what you get and purchase something that your at least content in keeping. It`s your hard earned money and your not obligated to buy anything. At least that`s my attitude/approach. So buy what your willing to live with.

Geoman

For well less than $50 each, you could get a:

(1) PCGS MS64FBL Franklin's, or
(2) PCGS PR69DCAM Kennedy's, or
(3) PCGS MS64 Walking Liberty Half Dollars

Although the MS64 Walkers are usually right at $50.

Conder101

At $75 per coin you can put together the ENTIRE set of capped bust half dimes 1829 - 1837 in VF. There are no key dates. If you want the varieties listed in the price guides then the 1837 small 5C is the most expensive at $100 in VF. If you move up to XF then they are $125 each with the 37 small 5c at $200. A complete 11 coin 19th century set (no varieties) in XF is under $1400!!