Is it always more fun to collect a more challenging series?

MrEureka

By "challenging", I mean that the coins are difficult to find, not that they're too expensive.

That said, if it's easy to build a set, how much fun can it be?

Is the amount of fun in building a set directly proportional to the challenge of the hunt?

How difficult is it for you to find coins for your favorite set?

kieferscoins

Thats what makes sample slabs so much fun. Not to expensive but challenging for certain types and there are new ones being discovered all the time

Cameron Kiefer

Murphy

I've recently started working on finding deep cameo proof sets in particular years for my collection and it is tuff finding DCAM ones for some early years in this series. That's fun enough for me that I have ignored my usually main collecting interests for this new one.

Barry

<< <i>By "challenging", I mean that the coins are difficult to find, not that they're too expensive. >>


The two usually go hand in hand...



<< <i>Is the amount of fun in building a set directly proportional to the challenge of the hunt? >>


I think so.



<< <i>How difficult is it for you to find coins for your favorite set? >>


Up and down. Currently working on early dimes - most dates are readily available. However, it may take a while to find the "right" coin, i.e., in the grade I want, and look I want for the grade. OTOH, there are several dates that are very difficult to find, and that's where I am now. So much for the theory of buying the keys first. It may work for "common" keys like 1877 IHCs and 09-SVDBs, but not in many of the early sets.

RYK

Currently working on early dimes - most dates are readily available. However, it may take a while to find the "right" coin, i.e., in the grade I want, and look I want for the grade.

Excellent question, Andy. I am with Barry. Even the easiest series can be made challenging if you make stringent requirements for your acquisitions (grade range, holder brand, price point, look, etc.). Similarly, if you have unlimited resources and will accept all comers, a challenging set can become rather easy. (I exclude the major rarities for the sake of this discussion--94-s dimes, 76-CC 20c, 18845-5 Trade $1's, etc.) As collectors, most of us probably pick an appropriate set and fine tune the challenge to suit our budget, taste, and our desire to complete it.

AgMe

Hello all,

For me, "the challenge" is part of the fun.

For Example:

I've been looking for a particular coin for a while now & one of my coin collecting friends said "why not just buy this one as a filler". My reply: blasphemy!

Examining thousands of coins (in hand) just to find "that one right one" is ALWAYS worth it, I picked up this Washington quarter a while back that just takes my breath away.

-g

cladking

This is one of the greatest strenghts and weaknesses of the obsolete clad quarters. If you
merely want a date/ mm set few series are easier or cheaper. A complete set can be assembled
for less than $20 and after only a few months of looking. If you want nice VF or better than the
challenge becomes much greater but is still doable. The real problem doesn't so much lie in ass-
embling a mint state/ PR collection as it does in trying to find attractive specimens and varieties.
Many of the varieties are extremely elusive because they all went into circulation and are now
mixed in with huge numbers of other coins and/ or were made in very small numbers. Even some
of the regular issues are fairly tough in gem but these are still cheap enough that most can put
a set together.

Those trying for completeness would be well advised to look to another series but if you set your
sights low then these are too easy. If you aim for something in between or you're in it for the long
haul then they still make a great set to attempt.

JrGMan2004

Yes!! My chosen collection is a VERY difficult task that will take me a good number of years to complete... but, the thrill of the hunt on those rare die marriages is very fun and exciting

Barberman55

Maybe not for everyone, but I personally find it much more fun collecting coins that are a challege to find. I am referring to building sets of Barber quarters and halves, in mostly VF-XF grades, with a couple of AU's thrown in. Originally, I collected sets of BU Washington quarters, (1932-1964), Peace Dollars, Roosevelt dimes, and Ikes. Today, I'm having a great time collecting Barbers, in nice, original, circulated condition.

BillJones

I think a mix of scarce and expensive coins and inexpensive "common coins" is a lot more interesting. If every coin is "dirt common" the challenge in not there. But if every coin in a set costs a forture, you can get tired before it's done UNLESS you are really hooked on the series.

The ONE series that really hooked me over the years (in my case 30+ years) is the early half dimes. I now have all of the Red Book dates and varieties except the 1802 which as always been beyond my means. Every coin in that set cost me more than $1,000 each, but finding them was harder than paying for them. Just go to a major coin show, and you will know what I mean.

boiler78

The collection I am currently working on has proven to be very challenging and at times downright frustrating. I consider myself lucky to find 2-3 pieces per year but each time I add one I feel a great sense of accomplishment.

nwcs

Easy to build sets are the most fun for me.

seanq

Definitely in it for the challenge. The last coin I added to my clipped cent set only cost me $20 but took me eight years to locate.

The only set I ever completed to my satisfaction was circulated Barber Dimes. Not that big a deal, except I wanted the set to look like it had been kept together for decades, and every coin had to have a certain look to it. Took me five years to complete it to my satisfaction, and I enjoyed the hunt immensely.


Sean Reynolds

DHeath

Is the amount of fun in building a set directly proportional to the challenge of the hunt?

The process, and involvement in the hobby IS my goal.