Why do you think the popular coin series are...well...popular?! Timing...design...other?

TheLiberator

I am thinking Morgan's Mercs, Walkers, Buffalos etc. Is it because many of these coins were in curculation during a great timein con collecting?
Is it because of there beautiful designs?
What is the deal do you think? (I am still baffled at the number of "deals" in coins. I think 2, 3 centers, shields, barbers etc are the bomb but it is all about demand.)
Do people just not look too far into the past for coins?
Why the demand for the popular coins? I'll take a stab:

Morgans: The treasury release, gem condition of so many and the large size of them.
Lincolns: They have been around for almost a hundred years! Probably more people collect this coin than any other. (the 09svdb and the zinc cent helped some too!)
Walkers: They are probably considered the most beautful coin we have ever had by a great number of people
Buffalos: Well, they have a buffalo on them...COOL!
Indian heads: The mystique of the coin that preceeded our current cent and high mintages of many issues.
Mercs: I think the 1916-d helped this baby along early on. Plus, the designs are quite pretty.

What do you guys think? Am I close on any of these? What is your opinion on some of the popular coins and how they became that way?

Myqqy

I think having beautiful designs is one element that makes many coins popular, and many people are attracted to larger coins that show off their designs better than smaller coins. With some series, like morgans, you get a coin that appeals to many different spending styles... Many choice bu coins for cheap, and many tough key dates that appeal to higher end buyers.
But with lincolns, I have no idea why they are popular.....

airplanenut

I think Morgans are popular because they are big, and easily affordable in relatively high grades.

Lincolns are popular, especially wheats, because they are cheap, and can be found in change if you look enough.

Buffalos and walkers have great designs, and are also not hard to attain in gem conditions

Jeremy

michael

many reasons but for the most part promotion and marketing

michael

jonesy

Buffalos!!

TheLiberator

<< <i>many reasons but for the most part promotion and marketing

michael >>



Ah yes...I forgot about this one but you are very right! I mean, how many times hve you seen a coin ad saying. "Gem BU two cent pieces! 5 dates (our choice) for only 200 dollars!"

Never? Exactly. But, let's replace that "two cent"with "morgan." BINGO! Every coin ad in the world sounds like that, doesn't it?! I had COMPLETELY forgotten about marketing and it is probably THE main reason just like Michael said.

Interesting!

BAJJERFAN

One thing about Morgans is that if you are a "set" collector it is possible for even a collector of modest means to complete a full set. One of the goals for most collectors is to complete a collection whether it be coins, salt shakers or beer cans. If there were 30 business strike 1895 Morgans minted there would be at most 30 full sets and MAYBE a lot fewer interested collectors.

cladking

Buffalos, mercury dimes, SLQ's, and walkers were circulating when the current
generation of collectors got their start. These were the old coins in circulation
and had a lot of mystique because these sets contained rarities which might be
in the next batch of change we checked. It certainly didn't hurt that everyone
considered them beautiful designs and they were available from various sources.

While the current coin was considered common the obsolete coinage wasn't so
often seen and was never seen in nice condition.

dimples

Morgans morgans morgans.....Hey what about her sister the PEACE dollar. Beautiful design, big coin, inexpensive in 63,64


PEACE dollars RULE!!!!!

TerrapinWill

I agree about the Peace Dollars. I think they are often over looked. As I go through my collection I realize I am only a few coins away from a real nice set....obviously 1921 & 1928 , the more cost prohibitive coins in the set. But I have picked up a few absolute Gems for very little premium and am currently in the process of getting them graded. I think these will turn out to be very popular some day, as it is possible to create a full set at a reasonable price.

airplanenut

<< <i>Ah yes...I forgot about this one but you are very right! I mean, how many times hve you seen a coin ad saying. "Gem BU two cent pieces! 5 dates (our choice) for only 200 dollars!" >>

I'll take 5 BU 2-centers for $200

Shamika

I collect Buffalo's for the design pure and simple. However, I believe timing and hype can do a lot also.

Baley

Yep, the #1 reason has to be "availability"..
availability for marketing and promotion yes, but also simply availability in the market AT ALL.

Lincolns, Indians, Buffs, Mercs, Walkers, Morgans, they are EVERYWHERE!

Ever try putting together a nice set of, say, draped bust quarters in Fine to Very Fine?

cladking

<< <i>Yep, the #1 reason has to be "availability"..
availability for marketing and promotion yes, but also simply availability in the market AT ALL.

Lincolns, Indians, Buffs, Mercs, Walkers, Morgans, they are EVERYWHERE!

Ever try putting together a nice set of, say, draped bust quarters in Fine to Very Fine? >>



This is one of the big problems with clads also. The varieties and special issues are often not available
and are poorly known. Most of the regular issues are deemed common but even these can be difficult
to locate in more "collectible" grades.

The Morgan dollars started to get popular with the treasury releases in 1963 but there wasn't widespread
interest until the GSA sales in the '70's. Each time there were more released their popularity grew.