Help! Need assistance figuring out what a 50 piece commem set will run.....

Bustman

I'm starting to put together a MS65-66 toned commem set, and seeing as how real nice toned commems command serious premiums, it's pretty hard to figure out. So here are my criteria. For the most part they will all have real nice color to monster color. They will be correctly graded if not very high end for the grade. No average pieces at all. The rarer, more pricey coins ( such as the Lafeyette, Sesqui, Hawiian, etc.), will be MS65. Most coins will be MS66, and a few of the less expensive coins may even be 67. So that's pretty much it. Looking for ball park opinions on what this might cost to put together over the next few years. I have a good idea, but would like to see hat others think. Especially if you have or are attempting to put together the same set.

relayer

Using the PCGS Price Guide for the 50 piece set

EF = $12,165
AU = $14,232
60 = $16,594
62 = $17,691
63 = $20,846
64 = $30,246
65 = $68,319
66 = $141,301
67 = $382,542
68 = $565,368

I don't know how you would factor in "monster color" $$

Clankeye

<< <i>For the most part they will all have real nice color to monster color. >>



That right there is going to be a challenge, because some issues are very scarce with what might be considered "very nice color." For instance, if you find an affordable Spanish Trail like that... grab it.

Some will be easy to find with nice color. Iowa, Booker T, Texas, Elgin, Oregon... off the top of my head.

A Cincinnati, Hudson, Hawaiian, Missouri... those will be tougher.

I am not in any way trying to discourage you from this undertaking. It can be done. It's going to take a little patience, and yes, it will cost you. How much? You know I hesitate to even guess, because when you're talking "nice color" you're in a real gray area.

Clankeye

Outhaul

It took me four years to put a 50-piece classic commem set together...ALL in 1st generation PCGS rattlers. The last one was, of course, the Hawaiian. If I was going for color, it would have been nearly impossible. As already stated, some commem issues just don't tone very nicely and are EXTREMELY rare in vivid colors.

Cheers,

Bob

Oh, yeah...my set was completed for just under 30K with no coin less than MS-63

USAROK

My WAG is 100K+ for the set you want to assemble and I agree with the previous posters that some issues are very difficult to find with pretty colors.

mozin

Bustman,

You set your sights pretty high, mostly in finding especially nicely toned specimens. The grades you want are certainly available but the toning requirement could cost you a bundle. I would guess you will need to spend at least $100,000 to own such a set, possibly up to $150,000.

If you are willing to buy PCGS and NGC holdered coins your search will be twice as easy and a little less expensive.

I don't recall ever seeing an MS66 Cincinnati with nice toning. You might find a MS65 Hawaiian with special toning but you will be competing against those with lots of money to burn. Hudson and Missouri you could locate but for strong luster AND nice toning you likely will be spending double greysheet.

You can make your collection much easier to fill if you forget the toning and go strictly for luster. PCGS prices for such a set are probably pretty close. Remember that what you consider nice toning may not be nice toning to others.

Bustman

I do realize there are a few coins that I will likely have to forget about finding with great color ( Spanish Trail comes to mind). I also realize they will be much more expensive than a white set . The challenge of finding the truly nice coins, and the pride of owning more unique coins is what the set will be all about for me. I'm on the heels of auctioning off my bust, seated and gold collection (ANR Baltimore) .... which I will miss greatly. At the risk of sounding like a coin snob, it's going to take some real nice commems to thrill me half as much as those did. White coins just don't do it for me.

scher

Probably a pretty costly venture..I love toned commems and have thought of trying to put together a nice set in lower grades just for fun..I still occasionally think about buying stunning high grade commems but it would be a harder challenge I think to find em with great color in 63/64 type grades I would bet it would take forever to put together a toned set in those lower level grades regardless of price..
Bruce Scher

dizzyfoxx

I think you are on the right track with your hopes and interest in only acquiring pretty toners. I also think patience will be a prerequisite but the hunt will be a fun and rewarding endeavor. I only started my collection less than a year ago and I have already had great fun and excitement in finding the coins I've acquired thus far. I'm not necessarily attempting to build the entire 50 piece set. For example I wouldn't mind owning more than one of certain coins that "blow me away". The Gettysburg, Antietam, and Oregon come to mind. On the otherhand, there are some issues that I am not interested in pursuing strongly unless the toning makes me .
I don't even know where to begin to give an opinion of what such a collecting adventure would set you back over all when completed, but I would say with confidence that it would be a serious chunk of change. I look forward to you sharing your "pick-ups" as your collection progresses.

Bustman

After crunching some numbers, I have estimated it will take anywhere between 110K to 150 K. Mozin pretty much agrees with me on this one.

Coinhusker1

Coin Dealer Newsletter for 50 piece set:

MS65: $48k bid, $52k ask

MS66: $92k bid, $100k ask

If you want color, add the apporopriate premium.