The mysteries of coin collecting.....

Donovan

Flying eagle cents, which are completly different from Indian cents, are collected along with them. Reeded edge bust halves, which are nearly the same as lettered edge bust halves, are not collected along with them.

The 1856 flying eagle cent, which is a pattern, is considered a regular issue. The 1836 dollar, which is a regular issue, is considered a pattern.

The 1913 liberty nickel, which is not a regular issue is considered part of the series, as in "liberty nickels from 1883-1913" The 1882 liberty nickel, which is not a regular issue is not considered part of the series, as in "liberty nickels from 1882-1912"

Liberty seated coinage types that are with or without a motto are called "with motto" or "without motto". Bust coinage types that are with or without a motto are called "reeded edge" or "reduced diameter".

The high relief on a portion of the reverse of the buffalo nickel is sufficiently different to merit calling it a separate type. The high relief on the whole of the 1921 peace dollar is not considered a separate type.

The 1895 Dollar which is a proof only issue is collected along with the regular issues. The 1894-s dime which is a proof only issue, is not collected along with the regular issues.

gsaguy

Go figure.

GSAGUY

PutTogether

The peace dollar one really gets me. I believe David Bowers called it "one of the true injustices in numismatics"

Jody526

It's really no mystery at all. The list you quoted, represents someone's opinion on how coins should be collected. The only opinion that matters is yours.

JRocco

I collect ONLY what I enjoy collecting. Rarity only effects the price, not my opinion of the coin. I consider myself lucky in that I collect a lot of cheap stuff. There are so many mysteries (some you pointed out) and all of it together makes collecting collecting. Not many other hobbies in the world that state as a rule- if you clean it, it goes down in value ?????

291fifth

The "errors" of earlier numismatic writers, catalogers, etc. tend not to be corrected over time. Original thought is not something that is highly valued in numismatics. Hmmm...it's kind of like working for a large corporation or the government!