Assembling a pre-1900 proof set?

rhedden

I have been contemplating "re-assembling" a proof set from the pre-1900 era, including all copper, nickel, and silver denominations for a single year. The goal would be to assemble "matched" coins that look like they came from an original set, and just to make it difficult, they all have to be from the same year, rather than a type set of several different dates. They would need to have similar luster, toning, and surface quality to give the maximum visual appeal. I don't think gold coins would have to be included due to their rarity and the tremendous outlay required (but their desirability is undeniable). It's an interesting project, as one would want to select a year that is interesting from a numismatic standpoint, but not prohibitively expensive to complete. For example, 1895 is out of the question for most of us because of the expensive Morgan proof. 1879 might be the easiest year to do, given the huge number of surviving proofs for many denominations. Anything post-1873 would not require a 2-cent piece, 3-cent silver, half dime, or Seated dollar, which diminishes the appeal of the set somewhat. Selecting a year between 1878 to 1885 would technically require BOTH a proof Morgan and a proof Trade dollar, knocking 1884 and 1885 out of consideration for many of us. Perhaps the year 1873 would be the most "complete" proof set, requiring an indian cent, two cent piece, three cent silver, three cent nickel, shield nickel, Seated dime, quarter, and half, and both Seated and Trade dollars, the only such year of the century. That would be a truly impressive 10-coin set!

Is anyone else attempting to assemble such a proof "set"? I do believe there have been some incredibly nice photos of an 1892 set posted on this forum previously, but I'd love to see any others, whether complete or in progress. It's too bad more people don't collect this way.

Another thought along these lines is that one could do a "Mint Set" from a specific year that would need to include all of the branch mint coins. That could be a painful project money-wise, especially if the branch mint gold coins were truly "mint."

mgoodm3

You forgot the half dime for 1873.

Coxe

My favorite date for that has always been 1877, all low mintage and the Trade dollar can make a nice option to consider as well .... and if you ever win the lottery, you can tackle the gold proofs of the date too.

MFH

I've assembled an 1889 Proof Set as well as Mint Set ... the only problem is the proofs are not completely matched; the mint state coins are matched. ( all of these coins are in mixed holders / NGC & PCGS ). I also assembled a gold date/ mint mark set of 1889 as well, but the majority of these coins are not MS, but are AU55-58.

Last year I started an 1898 Proof Set , however this time the coins are perfectly matched. I lack the Morgan dollar but have located a stellar coin and hope to acquire it soon.

This 1898 set is available for viewing on the PCGS Registry, under 1898 Proof Set ( no gold ), under the name of Ellen Gorman Hayes.