10 Best Individual Modern Coins Since 1950?

Casabrown

As a curious and still learning collector, I thought I would start a new thread focusing on this question. I know that some may say this is somewhat premature, however it may provide an opportunity to forecast as well. So, my fellow board members, share your opinions.

Casabrown

dpoole

Well, the first and obvious one is the 1955 Lincoln DDO.

SanctionII

My vote goes to the 1950-1970 DeepCameo Proof and Special Mint Set Franklin Half Dollars (1950-1963) and silver Kennedy Half Dollars (1964-1970). Go over to the U.S. Coin Forums and search prior threads for Cameo Half Dollars and you will get many pictures of these beautiful coins.

[ok its 21 coins instead of 10, so what].

Typetone

Modern best coins depend on grade as well as date. It's really a condition rarity game.

In no particular order. I didn't include errors as that is not my bag.

-Type 2 1972P IKE dollar (JCs MS66 is hands down the best - The King of IKEs)
-Any MS67 clad IKE from the PKOK hoard (probably JCs 74D is the best - The Queen of IKEs)
-A 1950 Franklin DCAM proof graded by PCGS
-1980S SBA in highest grade.
-DCAM Accented Hair proof Kennedy halves.
-DCAM SMS Lincoln cents in highest PCGS grade
-51 proof DCAM Lincoln
-53-S Franklin in 66FBL
-The 55 Double Die Lincoln in highest grade (OK so I included one error)
-I'm not a Jeff guy, but there is cetainly a key date FS nickel to include on the list

Greg

Dabigkahuna

1995-W proof SAE?

segoja

Agree with Type Tones list except who owns the nicest Type II 72-P.

I haven't seen Golans, so I can't comment, but the one in my set is as good as or better than JC's. Both are nice 66's.

The PKOK's are tough and JC's 74-D in 67 is certainly the nicest (grade wise) for a clad. My 76-D Type II PKOK is pretty wicked as well.

mnmcoin

Here is my list...

1. 1950 Franklin PCGS PR66DCAM
2. 1951 Lincoln PCGS PR67DCAM
3. 1956 Type 1 Franklin PCGS PR68DCAM
4. 1953 Jefferson PCGS PR68DCAM
5. 1957 Lincoln PCGS PR68DCAM
6. 1965 sms Washington MS67DCAM
7. 1952 Roosevelt PCGS PR68DCAM
8. 1966 sms Wasington PCGS MS68DCAM
9. 1967 sms Roosevelt PCGS MS69DCAM
10. 1966 sms Roosevelt PCGS MS68DCAM

Honorable mentions...

Any MS68RD Wheat Lincoln, MS68FB Roosevelt, MS68 Washington or MS67FBL Franklin
1965 sms Lincoln PCGS MS65DCAM
1966 sms Lincoln PCGS MS65DCAM
1966 Jefferson PCGS MS68DCAM
1953 S Jefferson PCGS MS65FS
1954 S Jefferson PCGS MS67FS
1960 D Jefferson PCGS MS64FS
1961 D Jefferson PCGS MS65FS
1954 Lincoln PCGS MS67RD
1957 Jefferson PCGS PR67DCAM
1959 Franklin PCGS PR69DCAM (On the HM list due to history)

morris <><

clackamas

Gerry's 1955-S MS68RD Lincoln is near the top for me.

BowTieCoins

1961 and 1963 ms67 are a couple of coins I dream about.

Chris

08822

1964SMS coins

Stooge

1982 NO-P PCGS MS67FB Roosevelt Dime!

Later, Paul.

badger

I agree with Morris.

mnmcoin - Do you have any of those 1950-1964 proofs for sale?

keets

"Best" in what way? i assume you mean a coin that will perform well in the future regardless of grade and if that's the case, there are at least 10. some of my favorites are the Type 1 Franklin Proof, 1971 No "S" Jefferson Proof, the 1990's SMS issues, especially the 1997 Jefferson and the 1998 Kennedy, that 1995-W ASE, Dave's 1955DDO Lincoln and AH Kennedy Half-Dollars.

al h.

Deb048gold

Ditto Dibigkahuna! 1995-W SAE.
Especially the MS70. The rarest of the rare, and without a doubt the most expensive!

Coppernicus

If "best" doesn't refer to value, but rather beauty of design, I have a couple that come to mind. I have the '76 dollar, half dollar and quarter in PCGS PR69DCAM (all silver) and I really like the design/cameo on the reverses. I never liked the Ike obverse, but I think they did a good job with the reverse.

I'll bet I'm in a very small minority group on this one!

Mike

jcping

Where is the 53-S Franklin MS66FBL? The coin has nice color and good strike

Typetone

JC:

I put the 53-S Franklin in my list. BTW have for seen Jim's 72P Type 2 IKE in PCGS MS66? Has he seen yours? It's hard to believe his is as good as yours. I believe yours is someday an upgrade to 67.

Greg

wondercoin

Greg: I assume the 80(s) SBA was a typo on your list?

Wondercoin

braddick

Difficult to believe no one's mention the 1998-S SMS Matte Kennedy.

Here's a one year type coin with a mintage less than any other.

Typetone

Mitch:

Good catch on the 80-S SBA. Just wanted to see if anyone was watching. Of course, the 81-S is the correct date.

Greg

egsantos

The rarest 1964 Accented Hair Kennedy Half in PR68DCAM.
The only one with weight 3 in the Proof Registry Set.

In beautiful class the $50 Golden Eagle

WaterSport

1970 "no S" Lincoln proof!

WS

CameoDimeMan

1968-S no S roosevelt

mnmcoin

<< <i>1970 "no S" Lincoln proof!

WS >>



Yes, that would be one rare coin!

morris <><

cladking

Any of the rarities could be included and this especially applies to the better
known ones like the '69 DDO cent, '75 No-S dime, or several others. The list
might need one pretty common coin on it though. A coin which is common be-
cause it got so little attention and was allowed to simply wear away in circulation.
While this applies to many of the circulating coins there is probably none to which
it applies to more than the '69 quarter in VG. The coin rapidly was placed into
commerce and they were likely the very first clad coin which had its entire mintage
in circulation. It wore a little less well than most of the clads probably due to poor
annealing and it was the last of the poorly made dates of quarters.

There is the occasional G or F '69 in circulation but the majority of these are in VG.

It is very representative of all moderns when looked at in terms of the vast quan-
tities of these which have been made. It is the coin whose funtion has changed
the least over the years even if it's buying power has been dramatically reduced.