If you were working on a US type set...

LincolnCentMan

....would you go for only better dates (keys where possible), or the best eye appeal for each type?

David

WashqrtrsRme

David,

I can only speak from my own personal choices/experiences with Type collecting, so here goes...
I am currently working on a U.S. Quarter Type set, which I began early last Spring. It was a venture I thought I'd enjoy, since I'm a Washington quarter collector first, and in general, I just like quarters. With most early coin series, just about every 19th and early 20th century Type has one or more tough coins in that given series, as does the U.S. quarter Type set. My BIG "toughie" is the 1796 Small Eagle. A one year Type coin, with only slightly over 6,100 produced. I know I don't have to tell you that a coin that's over 200 years old with a mintage that low is virtually impossible to find in an affordable grade, but also hard to find without some sort of problem. I was fortunate to find a really nice PCGS-certified coin for my set, however it was a combination of good luck and patience that led me to it. Suffice to say, in my opinion, I think you're better off to collect nice, more common-date and affordable examples of each type, rather than only key dates for a type. In my case with the 1796 quarter, if I wanted a COMPLETE U.S. Type set of quarters, which I did, I had to have the 1796. Obviously, being able to afford certain coins presents it's challenges for the majority of collectors, myself included. Let's face it, the cost of collecting only key dates for every U.S. Type coin would most-likely be cost prohibitive as well as a chore in finding them all.

To me, one of the nicest things about coin collecting is that there are no rules that say you have to collect certain coins in a certain manner. Coin collecting should be geared to suit you, what you personally find most appealing and FUN! I have already learned a great deal about the different U.S. quarters. It's been a lot of fun for me as well as educational. I love learning about our coins and their history! To me, it's pretty fascinating stuff!

I have only given you my opinions here. You may prefer to go after all the key dates, and if so, I wish you well. Whatever you decide, have FUN and ENJOY the best hobby in the world!!

Best regards,

Tom Schiera

Steve27

It depends on what your goals are. If you want a high Registry score then go for "eye appeal;" however, if you want coins which will appreciate then "better dates" makes more sense.

DAM

Unless you have deep pockets, better dates will cost you lots more than common dates. Common dates allow you to collect higher grades, even top pop coins for far less than the better date coins.

It all depends on what you prefer.

Typetone

Usually the keys are too expensive for a type set. However, I normally try to avoid the common dates and go for slightly better dates with eye appeal.

Greg

LincolnCentMan

I get torn between the two. Although going for common eye appeal produces a more asthetic set, I realize that there are few coins that I'll have for the LONG hall. Better date coins are much easier to sell than common date ones. A 13-D T2 buff in XF-AU has easy liquidity, while a MS67 38-D is a more difficult coin to sell. 16-D mercs in VG-VF are so easy to sell that you can briefly mention it and get serious inquiries. But a common date 67FB's is a little more tasking. Dont get me wrong, there's ALWAYS a market for eye appeal... even if the coins are common. However, I think the better moderate term (1-5 years) investment is in the better dates.

Going to the real factor of what I can put together... price. I tend to gravitiate to the coins in the $50-$500 range. I have several coins above that, and even more below it, but that value target is where I like to be. Anything less, and it's almost a bother to sell it when the time comes. I can generally afford a $500 coin that I have the "hots" for at any given time. Once you drift a little higher, though... it gets to sacrificial. If I did better dates, I would probably gravitate to keys in the 20th century...then anything that's a little tougher in the 19th centery. I would probably spearge out of my $50-$500 range for keys like the 16-D dime, 16 Lib. quarter, SVDB, 13-S T2 Buff. I'd also want a nice MS 1877 indian.

On the other hand, for what that 1877 indian that I'd like to own would cost, a nice AU-MS 20th century type set can be completed with common dates. Decisions decisions...

I have some time to decide. I'm probably not going to start on it until I finish my lincoln cent set. In all likely hood, I'll liquidate my cent set and that'll give me some funds to work with.

David

Dennis88

I would say eye appeal....

Dennis

LincolnCentMan

Tom,

Very nice read on the type set post. I think I'll probably do the commons, but I might get some of the dates that I really want in the keys.

David

Colorfulcoins

All things considered, I would prefer a "better" date. For instance, the 1794-1796 Cap Large cents....I have a 1795 but am in the process of getting a 1794 head of 1793 coin to replace the 1795 (same grade). I personally think the earlier coin is a more desirable coin - but either "fills" the type set requirement.

jbsteven

I am putting together a raw Type set in a dansco album (if I can find a Wayte Raymond I will transfer it to that). I am going for eye appeal first then grade. Easy coins like Morgans I will put a nice 65DMPL blast white or a killer toner. I prefer toned coins over white.

prooflike

I am slowly working on a type set and going for eye appeal in best grade can afford, even if common date (cheaper).

I think a 44-D mercury in 67FB would be a more appropriate addition to a type set than a 16-d in G4.

On the other hand I am using a '21 Peace in 62 rather than a common date in 65 which would be cheaper...

...so maybe, key dates when nice representative samples are somewhat affordable?

jcping

I always go for eye appealing and avoid the common date.

Cocoinut

I would go for the better dates (not necessarily "keys") in as high a grade as I could afford, even if it means sacrificing a point or two in the Registry. However, there are a lot of better dates that can be purchased for a very small premium over common dates, particularly in pre-1930 types. Just check the pop reports and the prices for the not-so-common coins, and you'll probably find some "sleepers". If you're on a tight budget, and concerned with having a high registry GPA, go for high grade common dates, but I just don't get a lot of satisfaction from owning just common dates, regardless of the grade.

Jim

sumdunce

I have over the years learned to appreciate the better grade vs. the full set.