what is the allure of collecting "small" coins
1907Quarter
Posts: 2,770
You know, George is a great guy, and I know he's not alone. He loves those mini busties with a passion. Frank goes nuts over toned Roosevelts. The list can go on. But with all the great designs on quarters, halves and dollars, and all the size that you can enjoy, it makes me wonder what the allure is of the small coin(<20mm) is all about and what it has to offer. Can we chime in on this one? In no way do I want to sound critical-just awefully curious!
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Less than 19mm though, I would have to agree with you.
PURPLE!
Doggedly collecting coins of the Central American Republic.
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Half dimes are one of my favorite denominations. I find it interesting to look at the artwork placed on such a tiny piece of precious metal.
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I've never been a fan of Morgans or dollar sized coins because of the frequent bag marks and scuffs that show up so prominantly in the fields.
The half dollars and dollars had a lot of purchasing power in the early years of our nations' history, and weren't seen or used all that much by the common people.
The smaller denomination coins were the workhorse of the economy.
When you collect the small coins you do literally hold "history in your hands".
Ray
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Treasury Seals Type Set
Its just hard for me to pay substantial money for something - rare and important as it may be - which is no larger than a chickpea.
Andy makes a good point in taking the concept to the extreme, but to me there is a meaningful difference in the experience of collecting 3 cent silver coins vs Draped Bust Dollars, for example. The latter are impressive, big and bold and have a certain heft to them, while collecting the former entails a lot of squinting.
<< <i> while collecting the former entails a lot of squinting. >>
That's what cameras with macro are for. Making them huge
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Treasury Seals Type Set
Hasn't the diminutive size of some coins just killed their value? Look at the price of gold dollars from the 1800s -- even high-grade MS coins really are not all that expensive, esp. when compared to their larger brethren. And no wonder -- you can't even see the damn gold dollars without a loupe. The size began to make me despise the ones I did buy, even overtaking my appreciation of their history. Shallow, but true. (I have only a couple of them and I want to get rid of them. They now annoy me.)
are really great coins if they are for example liquid mirrored deep cameo proof coins and/or monster colored proof or ms and/or mintstate and prooflike
in other words they need to have killer eye appeal and if so then they are like small red colored technical superb quality lazare kaplin cut diamonds that are basically perfect and sparkle and have a look and brillance and fire to them that totally surpasses their smallness
and when collectors advance to higher planes and start to see and understand and apprecaite this as it takes time to get there doesnot happen overnight
these small coins with the above qualities will awake like sleeping giants and make a big and longlasting splash on the numismatic scene and truly be apprecaited for what they really are
Also, small coins like Mercs look good even if beat up a bit whereas a beat up large coin doesn't seem to look as good.
<< <i>Maybe it has something to do with peoples eyes. I'm near sighted and I have no problems seeing the details on small coins when I look at them close up, especially if I don't look through my glasses. Recently an eye doctor talked me into trying contact lenses to give me better far vision, the only thing is that with the contact lenses I have to use bifocals to be able to see close up. The contact lenses make me have excellent far vision but to see coins good I have to use a loupe, even with the bifocals. So I don't use the contacts/bifocals. But now it makes me wonder if all people who are far sighted can't see the details on small coins. MrsSpud has almost perfect vision and she favors dimes over other coins. I bet if she was far sighted she would be more attracted to larger coins.
Also, small coins like Mercs look good even if beat up a bit whereas a beat up large coin doesn't seem to look as good. >>
Mr Spud, Brings up a good point. I also near sighted and wear glasses. I can see the half dimes great. hmmmmmmm this gives me an Idea!
PURPLE!
<< <i>The smaller coins were the coins people used.
The half dollars and dollars had a lot of purchasing power in the early years of our nations' history, and weren't seen or used all that much by the common people.
The smaller denomination coins were the workhorse of the economy.
When you collect the small coins you do literally hold "history in your hands".
Ray >>
I agree with Ray.
Also, large coins tend to have more obvious, visible to the naked eye, unattractive marks. I don't collect Morgans, but all those coins posted by K6AZ and others in 63 and 64 are all scuffed up with bag marks. You don't see that in dimes. When I was putting together my Dansco type set, I had a tough time finding a Seated Dollar that wasn't all baggy in the fields (I'm still not 100% satisfied with the one I have, and I may replace it if I find one I like better).
<< <i>Maybe it has something to do with peoples eyes. I'm near sighted and I have no problems seeing the details on small coins when I look at them close up, especially if I don't look through my glasses. >>
Me too !! I take my glasses off to look at coins. Especially my Cal golds....I really enjoy these tiny things.....Take this proof-like Cal quarter for instance.....Ooops....where did that thing go ?
Paul
those who like small coins:
1)like their coins clean. Big coins=bagmarks=reduced grades. Small coins are more plentiful with less hits!
2)like rarity. The smaller coins were, in general, minted in smaller amounts. The key dates of the small coins are real rarities!
3)are nearsighted and can enjoy the details of their coins without trouble!!
what an eclectic grouping of reasons!
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Treasury Seals Type Set
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Treasury Seals Type Set
<< <i>ok, let's review!
those who like small coins:
1)like their coins clean. Big coins=bagmarks=reduced grades. Small coins are more plentiful with less hits!
2)like rarity. The smaller coins were, in general, minted in smaller amounts. The key dates of the small coins are real rarities!
3)are nearsighted and can enjoy the details of their coins without trouble!!
what an eclectic grouping of reasons! >>
Hmmm That looks pretty good.
BU!?
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Treasury Seals Type Set
<< <i>been used
BU!?
42/92
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Treasury Seals Type Set
1. The coins have been minted continuously from 1856 to the present. And if you want to add the large cents, you can get a coin for every year the mint has been in business except 1815.
2. While there are some expensive key dates, most of the coins are cheap and easy to find.
3. Collecting cents involved very little investment in a hobby from the early days. All you were giving up when you set one aside was a cent.
4. That long collecting history has contributed to their popularity. I don't collect series set, but the thought of putting together a complete date set has crossed my mind from time to time.
I typically go for the larger but, I do have a soft spot for Seated Quarters like the scan of the one I own. Whether big or small, I tend to go for as much detail as possible ( as much as the wallet dictates too
I don't have that one with the cracked reverse.
Ray