Help build my Type set - read before voting

Blade

One of the aspects I have started in my type set collecting is building horizontal dates that cut across the types. I am 75% complete with my first venture - a 1907 cross cut. I got this idea because of all the interesting St Gaudens gold transitions that year, it would be interesting to show a non-collector what all coins in circulation would be like that year to someone living in 1907. Plus I'm on the hook for the high reliefs anyway, so thought it would be fun to add all the other 1907 coins. Please note I am only collecting the Philadelphia dates.

I have only a few mid-19th century coins, so have the luxury of planning ahead. I am about to embark on my no-motto gold type (1838-1866) and have a couple options to share with the board. Please vote and give me your thoughts below.

1855 - This date has some very cool 55 slanting 5 dates in the half cent and cent for little premium. Slant 5's seem pretty cool. Also has the TyII gold, which I was going to buy soon. A plus is I have a line on a PQ 1855 $10 to get me started. However, major drawback is 1855 3 cent Var 2 is a semi-key to the set and expensive in MS, and the Seated Dollar is also a tough coin, well above Type price. In AU58 target, will cost about $3-4K above Type. Means less money for other coins. I can stretch for it and I'll get the money back someday, but budget is a consideration.

1853 - No real challenges in this date and will have the quarter and half with arrows and rays. Silver Dollar is more than Type, but not as prohibative (2X vs. 4-5X for the 1855). DRAWBACK - I don't need an 1853 Ty 1 Gold dollar - have that covered with 1849 Open & Closed varieties that I don't want to replace so would be a duplicate.

What would you do? Go for 55's with the cool slant 5's? Or the 53's and save about $3-4K overall in the type collection? I think about showing a new collector or non-collector the 55's with the slants and the Ty II, or the 53's with the arrows and rays and both seem cool. And I'm sure I can get the money back out eventually.

Thanks for your thoughts.

Edited for typos

Dennis88

I would say 1855. I just love those 55's!!!

Dennis

anablep

1855

The challenge will keep it interesting and fun...

Blade

ttt - other opinions?

mgoodm3

I like 1853. Arrows and no arrows some with rays. interesting time.

Baley

I went the '55 route, choosing 1855 coins for my 3 cent type 2, half dollar, gold eagle, half eagle (S mint) and quarter eagle. I still prefer the 1853 quarter with rays and the copper has different dates so I didn't follow it hard and fast rule, just a preference for the 1855 coins when they were available. (got lucky on the half eagle, haven't seen many of those at all, since, in any grade.

RYK

I like 1855, also favoring the slanty 5's. I was not sure whether you were planning on including branch mint gold coins. If you are, the 55-D $1 and the 55-O $20 are both going to be whoppers that dwarf the price of the seated dollar under consideration.

I myself am working on the same concept for 1857, a year chosen in large part because there are no stoppers, all 5 mints were in operation (P, S, D, C, and O), the SS Central America sinking, and the "Panic of 1857." Plus, I had a head start with the half eagles.

jdimmick

I think I would choose the 1855. Neat year and as you mentioned picking up different varieites of the 5's in some series would make it more intresting. You will still pick up all the seated with arrows coin in 1855. Anyway, I have always like looking at the 1855 date on coins. The three cent is a little better date, but not super tuff. The seated $ would be a monster, but it would give you a challenge both from a monetary standpoint as well as even trying to locate a nice one.

jim

jcping

1855 3c is not a big deal as long as you are not looking for MS65 or better ones. 1855 type 2 gold dollars are big deals especially when mint mark coins kicking in.

I will go for 1853 since it is a major transition.

lordmarcovan

I was thinkin' 1853, but voted 1855 after reading a little. Interesting idea.