POLL: Do you know what you have gotten yourself into?

MrEureka

What is the one series that you are most seriously trying to complete?

Now, have you ever stopped to determine if you have a reasonable chance of completing it?

I'm guessing that most collectors never stop to calculate how much money it will take to achieve their goal. They just wing it until it's finished, or they run out of money and give up.

Let's find out if I'm right.

Myqqy

For me, it's probably a tie between bust halves and cameo proof franklins- and I know that eventually I'll have both sets completed. I also actively collect morgans, but I try not to think about how I'll complete that one..... sort of gives me a headache.....

cosmicdebris

CONDER TOKENS, 32 down about 3,000 more to go.

ColonialCoinUnion

First off I'd like to credit Andy for coming up with a seemingly endless string of interesting posts, none of which has been titled 'Got grades today'.

My answer to this particular question however wasn't one of the choices:

I know exactly what I've gotten myself into - in fact, I've determined what will be in my collection based on my analysis of exactly how much I'm willing to 'invest' in my coin collection and what certain coins should cost (at today's prices).

I fear this may qualify me as a 'geek' even by the exacting standards of numismatics, though I prefer to think of myself as 'thorough'.

Nic

My answer isn't listed as well. I know and I will likely never be able to complete it. At least I won't be bored! K

Mrpawn

About two years wages at the level that I am shooting for -

Not too bad for a lifetime hobby

kranky

For me, it's that I know what it will cost and it's unlikely I'll finish... unless I choose to buy coins of lower quality than I'd like, and that's probably not going to happen.

nwcs

You left out the option of "I have no way of accomplishing my set without winning the lottery"

So because it would take too much to get what I really want, I just settle for fewer coins of higher quality (and still within my comfort price range).

ziggy29

My Flyer/IHC set will be essentially complete when I get a 1909-S for it. It's a set I've worked on since I was about 8.

Since I ultimately want the whole set to be a nice, problem-free XF/AU, I do have a few replacements and upgrades of mostly common dates to do. But I think I can get this completed. Heck, I got the 1877, and if I can get that one I can certainly get this one. I just haven't seen a nice one at a fair price at a time when I had the $500-$600 to throw at it.

MrEureka

Mine will take something close to a lifetime to complete. My lifetime, hopefully.

RYK

I have two sets under construction (coincidentally, I need 10 coins to finish each): Dahlonega $5's and New Orleans $10's. I already own the toughest dates for each. I have specialist dealers looking for nice examples of the coins I need in the condition I can afford. It's just a matter of patience and time (probably 2-3 years).

Edited to add: My biggest potential obstacle is getting sidetracked in other series and spending capital in these that I would be better off putting toward my main interests.

ER

You left out the option, "Been there, done that".

JrGMan2004

I think I can complete it eventually... but, it's gonna take a few collectors dieing first And me with money in the right position when that happens...

DHeath

Completing the series is easy. Finishing it will likely prove impossible. It has nothing to do with money.

ER

<< <i>Completing the series is easy. Finishing it will likely prove impossible. It has nothing to do with money. >>


What's the difference between completing ang finishing?

JrGMan2004

<< <i>

<< <i>Completing the series is easy. Finishing it will likely prove impossible. It has nothing to do with money. >>


What's the difference between completing ang finishing? >>

He means, that it's easy to complete the date set... impossible to complete the date set in the condition he wants

MORGANHUNTER2

Well the goal is ms63 on the morgan basic set, when certain grading companies get their heads back to earth I will submit my raw coins that I have chosen carefully to be a minimum of 63 grade- as for a few key dates- well I may have to settle for them in au58- so far so good- except the wife keeps throwing in silly wrenches to spoil the dream- sez no buying coins til vacation is over that takes place next month.






is it March yet?????

DHeath

ER,

One of the things I collect are Kennedy halves, including varieties and errors. I focus primarily on 64-71 coins. I rarely buy a holdered coin. I like the search. Before I decide I'm finished, I have many million coins left to examine. I've been complete in the traditional sense for years. I've found some conditionally rare coins, but I expect there are a few more monsters out there. I'd love to find a 65 and 6 rotated reverse to go with my 67, and I'm still looking for one of the first strike 65 SMS halves in high-grade dcam. I've got time. It's good to have a hobby.

BAJJERFAN

Well my set is complete. I would like to upgrade a few but I expect that will take about a third of what I already have in it. Upgrading is ongoing and inevitable.

mirabela

My merc set is all about upgrades now -- what I can't afford, I just won't buy, simple as that. I got a very attractive F12 16-D that's better than I'd hoped for; that's the spendiest part right there, and I won't be upgrading unless something in my financial picture changes dramatically. I need nicer 21 & 21-D than the VG10-ish pieces I've got. Beyond that -- something between 45 & 65 is totally doable for everything else. I've got 'keepers' of most of the pieces from the 40's. As for the others, over time, I won't even feel it. The hard part is finding some of those earlier dates/mints in 45-58 range. Just not that many of them around in some cases. Try finding a strong XF 19-D that you like to look at...

I've got a type set going, something like 75% complete. It, too, will be ripe for upgrades once done, but I'm focused now on adding new pieces that are good enough to want to hang onto, which usually means nice AU or better depending on series. I allow, however, for coins right down into very low-budget grades if they are in whatever way really interesting or attractive. I figure about $6-10,000 later it ought to be finished. I move very slowly lately. Haven't bought a coin since... I don't really know. October? Could be many years. No worries...

seanq

I choose "I know and I'm up for the challenge" but really my answer would be more like "I know and if everything breaks right I'll complete it, but if not I'll try to get as close as I can." Most of the coins I need for my clipped cent set aren't expensive, they're just not available. I just made a deal for a clipped '24-S in VG, it cost me just $20 and I probably overpaid for it, but it's the first one I've found in eight years of looking. About the only two that might be cost-prohibitive are the '31-S and '09-S-VDB, I've been offered the '31-S twice but turned it down both times as too expensive.

With that being said, I absolutely took cost into account before I even started this set. I wanted to do off-center cents by date, but the early ones were way too expensive to ever get close to completing it. The last set I completed was Barber Dimes, and I chose them by scanning Trends for a series without any really expensive keys.


Sean Reynolds

michael

I'm guessing that most collectors never stop to calculate how much money it will take to achieve their goal. They just wing it until it's finished, or they run out of money and give up.


AS PER THE ABOVE I AGREE TOTALLY

another great thread andy!!!! keep them coming

Merc

I know I can never finish the set of proof V-nickels. It will cost around 2 million -and most of that would be on just 1 coin! I'll have to settle for the 1883 to 1912 set.

BAJJERFAN

<< <i>What's the difference between completing ang finishing? >>


Er uh how does that go? A man isn't complete until he is married; then he is finished.

pursuitofliberty

I've got a pretty good idea what it will cost and I'm up for the challenge.

That was the closest answer I could find. Of course, my idea of complete in that current "most important set", is not exactly what others might deem complete. However, I have a plan ... and I think if the coins become available, I will be able to complete more than a few of the goals I have.

Interesting post ... as always Andy

0i812

Sorry If offended "Colonial Coin Union" with my uninteresting"got my grades today"thread. I find Andy's posts interesting as well. It's great to know that you're "thorough". Now that makes for interesting reading!

BigE

If I knew how much it costed I would never have started, but I am glad I didn't know because I am almost there(I think)-----------------------BigE

BigE

Oi812, turn your Private Message function on----BigE

ChuckC

Concentrating on a FB merc set...it will take me a long long time, hoping to have 1936-1945 (less perhaps the 45-P) knocked out in 5 years. The rest will be decades in the making (unless I strike it rich!)

OKbustchaser

<< <i>My answer isn't listed as well. I know and I will likely never be able to complete it. At least I won't be bored! K >>



My answer as well...I just don't think that I will ever convince my wife to let me sell her house and both of our cars in order to buy an AU58 1796 half dollar. Even then, I would need to come up with close to the same amount again in order to get the 1797.

Jim