Help! What to collect now that I've sold everything!

mansco

As of 1 hour ago, I finished selling all my coins (except for my commemoratives). I thought my collection was a large accumulation of coins lacking any comprehensive focus. It dawned on me that I couldn't own everything (make that couldn't afford everything) and so I decided to be a serious collector I needed to focus my efforts.

Now that I've liquidated, I don't know what to focus on. I have several thoughts, but am curious as to what "serious" (presuming only serious collectors participate on the Registry board).

I think I want something special, but also something that will marketable when it comes time to sell. I'm looking at devoting 3 to 5 years and spending $10 - $20 K a year. I don't want to focus on any set or series that began after 1964.


Any thoughts???

foodude

MS or PR Franklins

Or

MS or Proof V-nickels 65 or higher
MS $2.5 Indians 64 or higher

Cocoinut

Mansco,

I'm in a similar situation, having a large accumulation various coins (including some complete sets), but I haven't sold anything. I know you had a set of Washingtons (I bought a couple from your set), so I won't recommend those, and while the Merc collectors don't need any more competition for the scarce dates, that's a series for you to consider. You can assemble a very marketable set within the time and budget you mention.

Other possibilities: Wheat cents (provided you're willing to settle for MS64RD's for some key dates), Buffaloes (without varieties), Standing Liberty quarters (with some non-FH's), FBL Franklins, Peace dollars, and Indian $2½ gold. There are lots of series where you could assemble sets of proofs, such as Barber dimes, Lincolns from 1909-2004, Buffaloes, or cameos of all denominations from 1950-1964. If you tend to get bored with just a single series, a type set would be a good choice.

Let us know what you decide.

Jim

mansco

Thanks Jim,

I wish I had hung onto the Washington set for another year, but...

part of what I sold included a near complete Morgan set, 90% complete Type 3 Liberty Double eagle set, a Franklin set, begins of a type set (mostly 20th century stuff), Kennedys, Ikes, and Roosevelts. If concluded that there is too much competition for the post 1964 modern stuff. I'm thinking about Mercs, Walking halves, and Standing quarters, but after the Morgan and Washington's, I'm afraid I'll have a nice set going only to be frustrated that the keys won't equal the rest of the set.

I've owned a near complete type set in the past...it was raw and mostly circulated. I'm thinking about something from the 1800's (1700's) too, but I probably could only afford an XF set at most. I'm thinking some ante bellum (pre-Civil War) coinage would be fun, probably in the form of a type set or a short series would be an exciting hunt. But before I do anything, I'm going to have to satisfy myself that when it comes time to sell it will be liquid and able to at least hold its value.

If you have any further thoughts, I'd love to hear them.

Mansco

pursuitofliberty

Mansco,

Here's my two cents ... you kept the commemoratives and sold off the accumulation that lacked focus. I think you enjoy different designs. Sounds like you love coins.

With a fair budget and a dedication to the pursuit, why not consider an impressive U.S. type/major variety set ... maybe focus on the 19th Century first ... with an eye out for 18th Century pieces ... something really worthwhile. Better dates, spectacular pieces for the grade.

Oh, and don't kid yourself on the registry. A lot of serious collectors do not participate, and a some not so serious ones do.

Good luck, what ever it turns out to be.

grip

Thats a hard question to answer,im also in the same boat,after liquidating my mercs,I just cannot seem to find
a series that realy gets my intrest enough to collect the full series,I do buy here and there ,But I belive it's out of bordum,
A few mercs,bust halfs,and quarters.....Maybe im just burned out and need a long break?
Al

rainbowroosie

20th century type set high MS, or a lark -- a toned set of Washington proofs 36-64. Color rocks!!

SanctionII

1970 (or 1971 possibly) and earlier cameo/deep cameo proof and special mint set coins; 1947-1958 mint sets; Cameo Proof/proof type set from 1970 back in time as far as you and your wallet can go.

cladking

<< <i>...concluded that there is too much competition for the post 1964 modern stuff. >>



No one should collect anything they don't enjoy or find exciting but If your only
problem with the moderns is that you think there's too much competition then
you shpould look at these again. Certainly there are a large number of registry
sets but this is largely just that these are the least expensive sets to assemble
and there are a lot more collectors of modest means than there are wealthy col-
lectors. This is really the gratest strenght of the moderns, that meaningfull sets
can be assembled on a shoestring. Indeed, important sets can even be assemb-
led from circulation. While there are huge numbers of collectors who compete for
the entire surviving populations of all the most desirable classics, most modern
collectors are either not yet extremely knowledgeable about coins or are content
with the nicest coin they find in circulation or the first coin they see in a mint set.
There are not a lot of people assembling attractive unc sets of the moderns. As in-
dication of this just watch the price of a coin like the '82-P quarter in nice choice BU.
While there are only a several thousand of these in existence they can be found for
as little as seven or eight dollars and some price guides list them as low as a couple
dollars. Until this year the Red Book listed this coin for $6 in gem!!!

Moderns are still the area where you'll find the least competition (even less than ul-
tra moderns). If you like these coin now is the time to acquire them.

mansco

Thanks guys for the comments. Please keep them coming. I didn't really explain my aversions to commons. I've collected many of them, actually eveything from the 1930's to now except Lincoln cents and Jefferson nickels. Instead of competition, what I really meant is there are a lot of collectors focusing on them and my personal belief is that the prices are more expensive for some of the coins than I want to put in them. A couple of examples. I've seen several coins from the 60's, 70's and 80's that have high mintages and low certified populations for better than gem mint specimens resulting in the prices being bid up. While the law of supply and demand is clearly at work, I (just my personal feelings) don't want to several hundreds of dollars for an MS67 when the MS 66 costs $40. Don't get me wrong, pursuit of such sets is fine. I just think I'd have more satisfaction owning a 179X dollar now.


I think pursuitofliberty's comments are close to where I'm headed. But I guess I'm trying to get a sense of how popular that course seems to be. In any case, I'm only looking for PCGS graded specimens.

I hope I get more thoughtful comments over the few days.

Thanks again!

COINDOG

I Recommend That You Reconsider Your Decision.
Getting In On The Ground Floor With Any Series Is A Win-Win
Situation !!
Now That Washington Quarters Have Taken Off, They Are No Longer Affordable For The Average Collector !! The Same Was True For FBL Franklin Halves !!
Right Now, Ike Dollars, Full Step Jeffs, And Full Torch Roosevelts
Are A Great Buy, Very Difficult In High Grades, And Sure To Appreciate In Value !!!!!
The Same Is True In The Bullion Market. Buying Gold For $ 350.00 Per Ounce Is Much Better, Than Waiting For It To Hit $ 800.00,
Then Going Out To Buy, Like Everyone Did In 1979-1980 !!

boiler78

Another typeset seems like a logical fit for you. You kept the commems so you must like the variety that the different designs provide. When I look at the sets that I have worked on over the years they all have one thing in common....... with the exception of the different dates they all look exactly alike. In fact the emphasis is on matched sets so they tend to be visually boring.

You might consider mint state and/or proof typesets from 1858-1963 in 63 or better. When you finish that set it will definitely be visually appealing.

Good luck and happy hunting,

Mark

Typetone

I enjoyed putting together a U.S. major design (no gold) typeset. Maybe you want to consider that set. The set has 39 coins, and so is finishable in your price range. Or, there is a parallel with gold set. And, it is a set that can be upgraded for a long time if you choose.

Greg

coinrookie

Walking Liberties have seen a nice rise in the past few years.

saintguru

SAINTS, BRO, SAINTS!!

Get one of these to start...1909 MS66!!!

cosmicdebris

Conder Tokens

michael

eye appealing cameo type coins proof 63 64 65 1860 to 1915 silver copper copper nickel

indian head cent in proof copper nickel proof 64 and bronze a nice proof 65 rb

two cent piece proof 65 rb

matte prooflincoln only buy a proof red coin proof 65 1909 a sexy date too

three cent piece nickel proof 65 66 cameo three cent silver type three proof 64 65 cameo

shield and liberty nickel proof 66 cameo

half dime proof 65 66 cameo

seated dime proof 66 cameo

twenty cent piece proof 64 cameo

seated quarter proof 64 65 cameo

seated half dollar proof 64 65 cameo

seated dollar proof 64 cameo
morgan dollar proof 65 cameo
trade dollar proof 64 cameo

barber dime proof 65 cameo

barber quarter proof 65 64 cameo
barber half proof 64 cameo

this would be a start

you could do others or a sub type set within a set but this would be a tremendous divirsification and a gopod staret of beautiful undervalued collectible sleeper coins with scarcity especially so in eye appealiing hand picked coins


michael

mansco

I've done the Saints. Impossible to complete on my budget...so I liquidated them earlier this year.

COINDOG

Civil War, Or Hard Time Tokens Are Another Area. Especially
If You Want Something That Is Very Collectible.
Also Most Of These Are Still Very Affordable, And Have A lot Of History To Boot !!

merz2

I also believe the 19th century type set would be the way to go.I myself have been toying with the idea of all 1899's.I haven't looked into it that closely but pick a year and get them all in that year.

PQpeace

Mercs or Peace Dollars

Bunker

I also am getting rid of most of my collection to better focus on what I really like. I have collected (Accumulated) coins for over 20 years buying whatever striked my fancy.

Within the last 2 years I started getting serious about my type collection and my early commemorative's. (I like the variety, I started to get bored collecting coins that all look alike). It took me over 20 years to finally decide what to collect with a purpose in mind.

All the money that I get from the sale of my accumulation coins are going into those two focus areas. My type coins are all PCGS and my early Commem's are raw.

I am now officially a collector and not an accumulator....

BigE

mansco, just stick to Commems and buy more!----------------BigE

PQpeace

The 50 piece commem set looks pretty easy to complete..
How much are 67-68 coins ??
What would it take to complete a top set ?
BigE ??
lARRY

BigE

Larry, 67-68 coins are all over the boards depending on color and particular type, quite similar to silver dollars. I have been working on 50 piece and 144 piece sets for 5 years and I seem to always be around 10-12th place in the registry on both sets. Scher has the top 50 piece set and I would venture a guess at 400K+or-100k I know mansco has had his commems for some time now-------------------------BigE

mansco

Commems definitely continue to be a major interest and will probably continue to be a focal point. What I'm looking at is determining the best value. Do I buy a 1928 Hawaiian in MS 63, Ms64 or hold out until the budget can handle get me an MS65. Ditto for Grant w/ star, Layfayette, and Pan - Pac??

mansco

ttt

WaterSport

Ok, you read all he sweet stuff, now suck on this. If you’re trying to satisfy some investment need, go elsewhere. I mean, there are dozens of books that say that collecting for investment is dangerous. I just do not support that concept of investment collecting. While I have always said coin collecting beats Pokiman cards, you need to look at where the satisfaction you need is located. It may be new hobby, it may be mountain climbing! But if you got dissatisfied and sold it all once, then I dare say, You will do it again, and be just as disappointed, IMO.

Sorry If I misread you...
WS

mansco

Hi waterSport,

Yes, you misread me.

I set out collecting and having fun. I had plenty of fun. But much of the fun is in the chase. Caught most of what I was after.

With the Registry, you get the opportunity to compare. I had a Washington Quarter set that was made up of primarily MS66's (except the 32d&s, of course) and I held the number variety spot for about a week, but then MS67's started to predominate most sets. I felt like I had got left at the starting gate. The MS66's were fun and challenging, but I never expected to see so many more sets pass me by so quickly.

I never said I was quiting collecting. I've added more books to my numismatic library since I sold the collection. While I'm nowhere near Jack Lee as a collector, he too reached a point where he sold and started anew.

Purpose of the thread was to solicit ideas.

Okay, what are yours.

Fairlaneman

Hi Mansco

Your problem of no focus is just the opposite of what I have had for 25 years. Almost entirely Mercury Dimes have been collected. I aim for no focus now so that something about other series can be learned.

Good Luck with finding something to focus on.

Ken

michael

well pre 1915 proof coins a type set nice eye appealling proof 63 64 maybe 65 also ms coins too 63 64 maybe 65

or some really nice type coins pre 1915 CIRCULATED choice xf au maybe some uncs and as you work your way back to the 1830's maybe choice vf xf going back 1820's 1810 vf fine

pre 1800 nice vg

also a nice set of average circ colonial coinage




best dealers for some/MOST of the above??


www.markfeldcoins.com mark feld of course


www.pinnacle-rarities.com todd imhof last on here but not least!!

also on the pinnacle web site is a section for research and articles all about the above coins and how to start collectinmg them what to watch out for

all free to read on the site

and many good advices for collectors wanting value and opportunity for their hard earned dollars

-------------------------
Posts are based on experience and are opinion only. Experiences and opinions of others may differ.

jpkinla

Mansco,

I would suggest you collect $2 1/2 Indians (15 coins) or for a real challenge $5 Indians (24 coins)....You can set the grade you want to buy and they are very challenging particularly in higher grades.....The sets can be completed with some effort and money but they are not easy.......

$10 Indians and Saints can get very expensive very fast....

cmanbb

A Draped Bust Half Set (1801-1807) would be fun, will be a challenge, can be completed. I think a nice XF45-AU58 set would be a nice accomplishment. Once that set was complete you can think about upgrading the set....................or start something else.

Draped Bust Dimes (1798-1807) another cool series

THE set to complete (imo) would be the Early Dollars (1795-1803) Choice XF45..................now that would be FUN

halfnut

mansco, I to just got done decollecting my set ( thanks to a few board members ) but unlike you I did this to focus on my Kennedy and Type set. I have had a blast doing my 20th cent. Type set and doing a nice Kennedy Set on a budget can be done . You can still do nice sets on budgets with out killing your self. As for the one thats sound good for you I would say do a Type set there are a bunch to pick from.

STEWARTBLAYNUMIS

Matte Proof Lincoln Cents in full Red 1909 - 1916 Proof 65 and better
They are very under valued.

Stewart

WaterSport

Ok, I would have to say Lincolns, and like Stewart, that includes any proofs. Why, 2009 is coming. If you think they are hard to find now, wait tell then when everyone starts collecting them because the mint changes or drops them. I think the difference in what you experienced with the Washington’s will happen, again, only there will not be a Bunch of MS 67s floating around to bump your set down. In fact, the competition as it exists, usually is why people give up before the sets are ever completed. This very challenge may help you the never ending “hunt” that we all enjoy.
WS

grip

THE set to complete (imo) would be the Early Dollars (1795-1803) Choice XF45..................now that would be FUN

I have to agree.If your going to go for it,go
for it big.And dont forget the 1794.

Al

1985ChicagoBears

Seems like a lot of folks have the same problem of what to collect.

I completed a Morgan Dollar set (w/ varieties) then moved onto Large Cents. I have a real nice Morgan set of which all coins are PCGS slabbed. The majority of Large Cents are PCGS, some ANACS and NGC. Love large cents but tough to find decent varieties without killing myself financially especially early dates.

Current problem is that both are getting very expensive to upgrade or complete (large cents). So I too have been looking in another direction for collections. Something that will hold my interest but not break me.

I am leaning toward Standing Liberty Quarters, Lincoln Cents (Wheaties) or Buffalo Nickels. Would love to go after Barbers but too expensive as well.

Good luck on your decision.