Box of twenty

LincolnCentMan

I was wondering if there are any other collectors out there that are activly persuing a box of twenty... or something along those lines. If so could you post your picks for your box of twenty. And even if you're not working on such a collection, what twenty coins and ball-park grades would you go for if you wanted to focus your efforts.

Here my list:
1804 Large Cent VG08-F15
1856 Flying Eagle Cent, XF45-MS64
1877 Indian Cent AU55-MS64RB
1909-S VDB Lincoln Cent AU58-MS65RD
1872 Two Cent XF45-MS64RB
1872 Three Cent Silver XF45-MS64
1877 Three Cent Nickel PR64-PR66Cam
1880 Shield Nickel XF45-MS63
1885 Liberty Nickel AU55-MS64
1937-D Three Legged Buffalo Nickel AU55-MS64, recent purchase, sorry for the cruddy pic
1895-O Barber Dime G06-XF45
1916-D Mecury Dime VG08-XF45
1901-S Barber Quarter G06-VG10
1916 Standing Liberty Quarter XF45-AU55
1932-D Washington Quarter AU55-MS64
1892-O Barber Half AU58-MS64
1921-S Walking Liberty Half VF20-VF35
1950 Franklin Half PR65-PR66Cam
1893-S Morgan Dollar VG08-VF35
1921 Peace Dollar MS64-MS65

David

Edited to link pics.

lordmarcovan

Interesting idea.

It requires far too much thought for my feeble mind to assemble at the moment, though.

PS- would our hypothetical budget be unlimited for this "box of twenty"? What sort of restrictions, or is the sky the limit? If the sky's the limit, I already have a few picks...

dthigpen

While the style definately has merrit, it takes the fun out of the hobby for me (I realize that it doesn't for others).

fountainheadgold

Neat idea, I have 1 of 20 now , long way to go

Cladiator

Looks like a key date type set to me.

nwcs

I am following a similar philosophy except it is a box of 40. Mostly made up of $100-$600 coins.

LincolnCentMan

PS- would our hypothetical budget be unlimited for this "box of twenty"? What sort of restrictions, or is the sky the limit? If the sky's the limit, I already have a few picks...

Well, I was looking at a set that you would have a somewhat realistic chance of assembling. The list above is my "dream list." I dont think I have a reasonable chance of assembling it, but I'm working toward that endevor.

While the style definately has merrit, it takes the fun out of the hobby for me (I realize that it doesn't for others).
I'm sure it would for some. I've worked on many sets and getting the last coin is definatly a good feeling. I dont get the satisfaction that I used to, though. I do get excited each time I get one of the coins on my list, though. Most of the coins on that list would have been beyond my reach just ten years ago. Sure, some are beyond my reach right now, but I'm sure as time goes on more will become attainable. I agree with you in that it isnt a task for everyone.


Neat idea, I have 1 of 20 now , long way to go
I'm up to six right now.... and a LOOOOOONNNNGGGGG way to go.

Looks like a key date type set to me.
That's the idea... and one of the reasons I asked for other people's dream lists. I just wanted to see what they picked and look to see why they would have picked that.

David

ColonialCoinUnion

I like it. A great collection of key date, interesting coins that can fit comfortably in an old shoe box.

fcloud

I guess I have a box of 80... That would be the Merc dimes. I would like to update the 1921-D to a minimun of AU at some point. But right now the set is a least complete with one of each date/MM and the varieties.

I have three coins on your list!

LincolnCentMan

I have three coins on your list!

Sweet. I know one is the 16-D dime (AU, right?). What are the other two, if you dont mind my asking.

My thoughts on this is that I could have a nice collection of other stuff (and I did), but I wouldnt be able to afford the better date coins. So if I pool my resorces, I'm able to afford better grades in better dates.

Another pro is that it doesnt take so darn long to look at the coins. I was working on a lincoln cent set. The problem there is that I had about 130 slabbed coins. Man, at a minute per coin, it'd take me over two hours to look at the whole set. I can sit and enjoy these coins much more fully.

David

morgannut2

Although the box strategy is an investment theory instead of a collection method, I'm working on a box of keys in the lowest grade (cheapest) grades I can find to combine the 2 ideas. It's actually pretty fun if you try to find no-problems examples.

JRH

Here's the list (all uncirculated examples):

Large cent
Wheat cent
Indian cent
Steel cent
Flying Eagle cent
Buffalo nickel
Mercury dime
Standing Liberty quarter (Type one)
Walking Liberty Half
Half dime
One dollar gold
2 1/2 Indian gold
3 Dollar gold
5 Indian gold
10 Indian Eagle
St. Gaudens Double Eagle
Liberty Double Eagle
High Relief St. Gaudens
Early Eagle or Half Eagle (small) - could be XF or AU
Toned Morgan Dollar

This is the "dream" box - not even close yet, but maybe 10 years (or more, probably) from now.

mrearlygold

I have a customer as a case in point who put a box of twenty keys together over a period of years and his cost I think was about 100K. It's worth more than 3 times that now. It's part of his retirement savings.


Tom

KurtHorn

cool idea!

fcloud

Three legged buffalo and 1921 peace.

braddick

Very nice!
(Your 1909-S VDB MS65 RED is really a MS65 BR per your photos...)

haletj

Why 1804 Large Cent and not 1799 or 1793 Lib Cap?

BAJJERFAN

I have no interest in the box of 20 concept unless they are all 1895-s in ms63/64 or something like that.

LincolnCentMan

(Your 1909-S VDB MS65 RED is really a MS65 BR per your photos...)

I posted a grade range.... AU58-MS65RD. It falls in that range.

Why 1804 Large Cent and not 1799 or 1793 Lib Cap?

I just like the mystic of the year 1804... so many tough coins from that year. It was either that or a nice chain cent. The problem with that one is that it'd cost me thirty grand (on the current market) to get one that I'd be happy with.... and I dont have thirty grand. I'd like to keep the list somewhat attainable. I'd like to at least dream that I'll be able to get most of the coins.

Though I dont use retirement funds for this endevor, I plan on making this part of my retirement as well.

David

braddick

Yes, it does.
I actually like yours better than REDS. With a RED I'd be worried it might turn on me, living so close to an ocean.
With a Brown I'd have no concern. Plus, I think the patina on early Brown Lincolns is more attractive than RED.

Nice coin in the 'perfect' grade.

relayer

keifercoins linked some threads on the topic in this post

fivecents

Why the 1921-S half instead of the 1921-P or D?

I have always liked the "box of 20" idea.

LincolnCentMan

I actually like yours better than REDS. With a RED I'd be worried it might turn on me, living so close to an ocean.
With a Brown I'd have no concern. Plus, I think the patina on early Brown Lincolns is more attractive than RED.

I couldnt agree with you more... though reds certainly have the best upside potential.


Why the 1921-S half instead of the 1921-P or D?

The 21-S is actually a tougher date than the others in VF/XF.

David

numobri

I kinda was working on a" BOX OF TWENTY", bust dollars. I had 19 with one to go.

I sold 7 to buy one,now I'm down to 13.

As far as grade,they keep getting better.

Twenty is a good number,but I do have more then twenty coins.

LincolnCentMan

And by the way, I'm not limiting myself the twenty. I do have other less financially demanding things that I enjoy... raw sets. I really like the presentation that dansco albums make. It makes for a greater veiwing pleasure than slabs... to me at least.

David

keets

i'm putting together a Denomination Type Set, one example of each denomination from half-cent through $100. it just so happens to be 20 coins, but there's one that i lovingly call Stella-the-Stopper for obvious reasons. the neat thing about the set is that i get to choose which design for each that i want to use. i have the cent, nickel, half-dollar, dollar and quarter eagle that i can live with so far and i'm in no hurry to complete it.

al h.

Eagle74

This is a subject I have actually given some thought to. Picking coin designs I like, the list is actually only 14 coins:

Saint Gaudens double eagle
Liberty head eagle
proof Indian head cent
indian head eagle
indian head half eagle
Oregon Trail half
draped bust half
capped bust half
proof barber half
proof walker half
proof morgan
proof buffalo nickel
proof seated half
Old Spanish Trail half

Mike

greghansen

I'm trying to wean myself down to a 'box of 50' first. I don't think I really want less coins than that. The problem I have is I'm too creative in coming up with reasons why certain coins shouldn't count towards the total. For example, on my Franky Proof Registry set, I've absolutely convinced myself that since its a 'set' it should only count as 1 coin! Also, I really, REALLY, like working on circulated album sets trying to match condition and color...right now I'm doing a Morgan set in VF20-35 and trying to match color on all coins. I've convinced myself that the album set is only 1 coin. I think the general concept of 'box of 20' is a good way of forcing some discipline on yourself, and to keep the number of slabbed coins from piling up over time. I'm shooting for no more than 50 by the end of 2005.

BAJJERFAN

But how can a box of 20 be a collection? It would be a hodge podge one at best. Hell there are 5 boxes of 20 in a set of Morgans. Maybe you can justify more than a box of 20 by saying I think I will do a date set since thats about 20 coins, hmm no an O mint set is the ticket; nah I like S mints how bout a box of those; hey Tom you like CC Morgans? maybe a box of those too.
Sheesh I bet I could find more than 20 nice better date Morgans to keep.
Hey DAVEEEEEEEEEE!! we need a blue box that holds 100 slabs.

mrearlygold

<< <i>But how can a box of 20 be a collection? It would be a hodge podge one at best. Hell there are 5 boxes of 20 in a set of Morgans. Maybe you can justify more than a box of 20 by saying I think I will do a date set since thats about 20 coins, mm no an O mint set is the ticket; nah I like S mints how bout a box of those; hey Tom you like CC Morgans? maybe a box of those too.
Sheesh I bet I could find more than 20 nice better date Morgans to keep.




Guess it all depends on what your goals are doesn't it? It's a base. One of my customers is just about ready to complete his 3rd box, and currently into the 2 2/3 boxes of 20's for just a tad under 1M.

It'll be a series of boxes of 20's equaling a complete collection of __________!

But no "20's" in any of the boxes


Tom

pharmer

I started a similar set when I got back into coins in the early 90's, around the time Teletrade started, which made it easier. Just first year issues, when possible, no biggies except 1921 $ and s-vdb pcgs64rd. Makes me realize the appreciation that has occured in most except the Peace, a complete set of which I put together in mostly low-ms slabs at the same prices as today, which means they have dropped.

LincolnCentMan

But how can a box of 20 be a collection?

How can a box of two not be concidered a collection? If you buy more than one of something for the purpose of enjoying ownership of them, to me that's what a collection is. To each their own.

David

ziggy29

Here's my "box of 20," ordered by denomination and date (in terms of what I have today):

* 1833 half cent, PCGS AU-58
* 1859 IHC, NGC MS-61 (market graded -- it's really AU-58 IMO)
* 1864-L IHC, AU-50
* 1869 IHC, NGC MS-62 (another market graded AU-55/58 coin)
* 1870 IHC, NGC AU-58
* 1871 IHC, NGC AU-55
* 1872 IHC, NGC XF-45
* 1877 IHC, NGC XF-40
* 1878 IHC, NGC XF-45
* 1909-S Lincoln cent, NGC AU-50
* 1914-D cent, PCGS AU-50
* 1853 3-cent silver, PCGS AU-58 (ex-Eliasberg)
* 1867 nickel (with rays), NGC AU-58
* 1841-O dime, NGC AU-58
* 1917 SLQ, Type 1, PCGS AU-58FH
* 1831 half, NGC AU-58
* 1854-O half, NGC AU-58
* 1862 half, PCGS AU-58
* 1904 Eagle, PCGS AU-58
* 1914-D Double Eagle, NGC AU-58

Baley

I'm trying to wean myself down to a 'box of 50' first. I don't think I really want less coins than that. The problem I have is I'm too creative in coming up with reasons why certain coins shouldn't count towards the total. For example, on my Franky Proof Registry set, I've absolutely convinced myself that since its a 'set' it should only count as 1 coin! Also, I really, REALLY, like working on circulated album sets trying to match condition and color...right now I'm doing a Morgan set in VF20-35 and trying to match color on all coins. I've convinced myself that the album set is only 1 coin. I think the general concept of 'box of 20' is a good way of forcing some discipline on yourself, and to keep the number of slabbed coins from piling up over time. I'm shooting for no more than 50 by the end of 2005.

I agree with this concept, and am going for a box of 20 slabbed coins, while my collection includes hundreds of other coins in albums and flips. For the "20" (well, maybe 40) coins, they'll be coins that either are too nice to pop into an album hole (my proof Morgan, Walker, and Merc, for example) or coins for which there are no holes in my type set (my classic head and no motto coronet gold, for example). This forces me into some sort of discipline for my "really nice" coins while allowing me to also be a collector, not just some dude with 20 coins in a box.

coachleonard

i agree with the 50 (if you had to) concept-- at this point i don't know that i could do 20 without some extremely painful goodbyes.

BAJJERFAN

<<"How can a box of two not be concidered a collection? If you buy more than one of something for the purpose of enjoying ownership of them, to me that's what a collection is. To each their own.">>

In reality you can call anything a collection that you want to and I of course understand that. But a random box of 20 'ol coins aint what most people would think of when you mention the word collection. A random box of 20 lacks the direction and organization that a collection mite have IMO. But yer right "to each his own."

mgoodm3

I'm not sure I'd be happy with a box of 20. Box of 100 is where I would probably lean toward.

TomB

The "Box of Twenty" strategy has been around for a while and I believe Jay Parino championed this concept in the mid-90s. Personally, I like the idea very much as a sharing tool. That is, when I know I will meet someone who might appreciate a portion of my coins I then may take with me a box of twenty similar coins for their enjoyment. The two numismatic niches that I stick with for this idea are superbly toned coinage and early, attractive, problem-free type. The type box has a far higher dollar value, but the superbly toned box elicits the greatest visceral response.

michael

if you're not working on such a collection, what twenty coins and ball-park grades would you go for if you wanted to focus your efforts?

my dream collection would be the following 20 coins all would be either pcgs/ngc

all the wildly colored coins as per the below would be never dipped thick skinned original coins

1) wildly colored gem proof three cent nick
2) wildly colored bn/rb gem proof indian head cent
3) wildly colored bn/rb gem proof two cent piece
4) wildly colored bn/rb gem proof half cent
5) wildly colored bn/rb gem proof large cent
6) wildly colored gem ms large size open collar capped bust dime
7) wildly colored gem ms capped bust half dime
8) wildly colored gem proof liberty nickel with a strong cameo
9) wildly colored gem ms type two fish scale
10) wildly colored gem ms seated dime
11) wildly colored gem ms half dime
12) wildly colored gem proof seated half
13) wildly colored gem ms late date walker 1941-s even better!
14) wildly colored gem ms early s mint pre 1955 frankie
15) wildly colored gem ms type three one dollar gold
16) wildly colored bn/rb gem proof 36-42 lincoln cent
17) wildly colored gem ms "cc" seated quarter
18) wildly colored gem ms texas commem
19) wildly colored gem proof original mint tissue toned ice blue with strong cameo three cent nick
20) wildly colored gem proof 36-37 buffalo nick

as a bonus

21) matte gem proof *red* 1909 lincoln cent
22) deep/ultra cameo gem proof trade


michael

mirabela

It's a good idea. I think, in fact, that's more or less what my buying will look like in the future, as I've concluded I'm better off buying one $1000-4000 coin than twenty $50-200 coins, and at that price I can only do one or two most years. The next acquisitions will be those that complete my type set, but in the best combo of rarity & grade I can afford. After that... other classic keys, I guess. I don' think about a magic number (i.e. twenty, as opposed to eleven, or thirty-three or whatever) but I'd like later in life to have an uncommon collection -- one with gravity -- the kind that doesn't just casually happen.

So far, only one in hand qualifies -- a sweet 16-D mercury in F12.

LincolnCentMan

The type box has a far higher dollar value, but the superbly toned box elicits the greatest visceral response.

My wife has beat me to that area already.

Dollars
null

David

morgannut2

Just looked at Heritage and picked up a "cheapy" 1932-D Washington in FR-2! That's five of 'em listed in my box and still under $600! This might be getting more expensive soon though.

kieferscoins

Was that an ANACS one from last night? You outbid me!

Cameron Kiefer

zenny

<< <i> But a random box of 20 'ol coins aint what most people would think of when you mention the word collection. A random box of 20 lacks the direction and organization that a collection mite have IMO. But yer right "to each his own." >>




I just sold a nearly complete set of proof SAEs that my girlfriend's uncle had amassed. It was obvious that he was trying to collect one of each date, but had not gotten around to the really expensive dates before passing away. These were all nicely preserved coins, original packaging, etc.

Not a "random box" by anyone's definition. Plenty of direction and organization.

Absolutely not interesting in the least.

(It had, ironically, appreciated in value, in some cases considerably.)

Also contained in his estate was a "150 years of America's most famous coins" telemarketed (i'm guessing) box. 5 each of cent through dollar. Coins were obviously randomly selected for inclusion, (hence a 1905! racketeer nickel) some are in barely recognizable condition.

I've actually looked at each of the coins individually, some multiple times.

(Paid way too much for it, there would be very little chance of recovering most of the investment ethically, IMO.)

He had other various and sundry things filling out the "numismatic estate" but these two examples serve my purpose perfectly.

I've started the "denominational type set." Makes for a nice box of 20. (run into a touch of stella-bloc, myself.)

I've started a box of "denominational-design change date runs" (04 dollar, 05 half, 06 quarter, etc.; 16 cent, 17 nickel, 18 dime, etc.), a fun challenge.

I've started a box of toned peace dollars. Extreme fun.

Each of these could very possibly look like a random box of coins. Heck, a box of 1889-1893 business strike morgan dollars collected by cost per coin could look pretty dang random (89-p in ms66, 89-cc in xf, 90-s in ms67, 93-s in vg, etc.).

I consider each of these boxes far more closely related to the telemarketed junk box than the carefully selected SAE "collection," however.

Universes apart in terms of interest, to say the least.

I guess what this boils down to is there are quite a few members of this board that i would gleefully trade a box of 20 with, no matter how "random" they might seem....

I just wouldn't do it if I didn't know who it was first!

z