What to do when you are 90% complete or 100% complete...

RYK

When you are 90% complete, you start to think about what to do when you are 100% complete. Inspired by Longacre's thread (I am sure many other find Lonacre inspirational!), I am about 90% complete with my New Orleans and Dahlonega $5's. I have 38 out of 42 of these coins, and two of the remaining four can be easily purchased whenever I am ready. I must admit that I am hesitant to finish in part because I am not sure what to do next. Here are the things I am considering:

1. Upgrading some of the coins that I liked when I purchased them, but now do not match the grade, look, originality, or quality of the the majority of the coins.

2. Buying duplicates in these series. I feel I know the issues pretty well and like the coins a lot. Why not?

3. Starting a new Dahlonega or New Orleans denomination.

4. Adding select New Orleans and Dahlonega coins in other denominations as I find them, without the goal of completing a denomination set.

5. Starting a new half eagle set: Charlotte and Carson City are obvious choices, and I have a pretty good head start in CC.

6. Starting a completely different gold series.

7. Starting a completely different non-gold series. I am already working on an album set of SLQ's.

8. Getting involved in a, new non-coin related hobby.

9. Taking a break from coins and other collectibles and focusing on something completely different (ie. tennis, marathons, etc.)

All of these options (and more) are on the table, and none are really mutually exclusive. Any advice from the council of elders?

fc

Any advice from the council of elders?

well my son, it sounds like you have the ability to collect quite
a few nice coins. very few items are out of your reach except for
super rare items (read one of a kind or close to it).

i would start looking for coins that are uber rare that will fit
in nicely with your current collection.

this would probably be territorial gold, if i could pick and had the
money to swing it.

so in other words, do a change up and broaden your perspective
while keeping your current theme going. gold, the south, and half eagles.

Longacre

I never thought I inspired anyone, until today.


I like Option #1 that you listed. If you could make all of the coins have the same look, I think the set as a whole will have added value. You will also not have the pressure of starting from scratch and you can take you time to find just the right pieces.

I don't like the idea of starting another N.O. denomination. I hear that N.O. quarter eagles are truly awful coins. What about CC's?

BECOKA

I would do 1, 2, 5 and 6.

You can never have enough Half Eagles.

How about doing a date set of the early half eagles in XF/AU. That would be a challenge. Personally since you are heavily vested allready I would do the C and CC's and then just go on to finish off the entire Lib Half Eaglle set.

I just finished my Indian Half Eagles and have thought about the same questions. I have pretty much decided to continue improving my existing set. There are always examples in the same matched grade with better eye appeal and I intend to continue swapping out coins. I may even use the duplicates to start a second set. Right now I am going for the toned dirty look so maybe the second set will be a shiny lusterous look.

holadude

Give 110% Duh!

mgoodm3

#2 start accumulating nice coins.

I'm nowhere near complete and I already do this a bit. I have duplicates of several dates, as long as their nice coins, who cares.

partagas

I am 67% done, soon to be 78% after an upcoming auction. I will only need 6 more coins, a few that won't appear but on a blue moon. So in the meantime, I have taken up photography. Trying to perfect my little gems under the lense.

It satisfies both needs, I look at coins, and have something else to keep me busy. Makes you really appreciate those you already own. when you nail the photo. Granted I still suck at it, but am getting better.

KentuckyJ

I've chosen 8 and 9, when faced with a similar challenge. On the good side, when the time is right and you cycle back around to numismatics, your collection is fresh to your eye and you have a better feeling for what makes sense and what doesn't. On the bad side, you'll probably be a bit rusty and definitely out of the loop as to what is happening in the current market. Overall, I have few regrets for having taken some time outs in my collecting efforts.

KJ

IGWT

Here's an idea from outside the Council of Elders: Scour the world of U.S. federal and world coinage to define a collection that's ridiculously (or at least relatively) inexpensive and outrageously difficult. No dealers will be able to help you find the coins. And, even if they could, it probably wouldn't be worth their time. Find a purpose for your collection that only one or two other numismatists at most have even contemplated. Ideally, you'll "complete" the set one week before your body gives out with your mind intact.

TheRaven

I would think Charlotte would be the natural fit.....

Carson City also would make sense.....

A complete Dahlonega coin set would be awesome as well.....

Russ

Sell them, wait for the market crash, then start again.

Russ, NCNE

Barry

I've pondered that one as well, having finished several series.

Typically, I review the set, find some coins that no longer fit or I don't like, and look to replace them. Then, I decide whether I want to keep the set or sell it. I'm not a fan of dupes (unless trying to create a hoard of a single date ) With the exception of Large Cents, Seated Dimes, Bust Dimes, and my 7070 Type set, I've sold all my other completed sets.

I'm currently at the point where I'm upgrading a few coins in my current, completed, Bust Dime set, and also replacing a coin here and there in my 7070 Type set. I'm being fairly picky, and the upgrade process is going on 2-3 years now. What it has meant is I buy far fewer coins than I used to, but the ones I do buy are nicer (and pricier). At this point, I have no idea what set I'll do next.

My collecting habits had not affected non-coin interests. I don't spend that much time on it that it has interefered with anything else I like to do. If it ever does stop raining, I will be bicycling again, one of these days...

Russ

<< <i>My collecting habits had not affected non-coin interests. I don't spend that much time on it that it has interefered with anything else I like to do. >>



You know, they say that denial is one of the symptoms.

Russ, NCNE

Barry

You know, they say that denial is one of the symptoms.

Perhaps, Russ... (as I munch on some blueberries and strawberries just picked from my garden)

Merc

Now that you have a complete series, you could make a nice coin exhibit for the ANA summer show or the FUN show. A winning exhibit takes a large amount of work even after you have all the coins. It would allow you to reflect on what you collected and why it is a rare or important collection. Then others would get to see some rare coins in a complete set.

mrcommem

Maybe something challenging like Betchler gold type set or a Charlotte half eagles?? I am in the same situation now that I have completed my Dahlonega type set and classic commemoratives. I am maybe looking to complete a type one gold dollar, then on to type two.

Barndog

#1 without question! I'm 89/91 on bust half dimes and constantly seek upgrades that I can afford. Challenging enough that my lifetime will be insufficient to achieve completion.

Sunnywood

First off, assuming there is no compelling financial reason to sell, you're not done until you are completely satisfied with the set, and feel that you have gone as far with it as possible. I reached that level with shield nickels ... there simply wasn't anything else to be done with the set. But for me, that didn't happen until I owned many duplicates and triplicates, and had investigated patterns, varieties, and more. Many of the coins in my primary MS and proof sets had been replaced at least once. So the first two strategies in the list above will increasingly become the focus as your set matures.

Once you do reach that sense of accomplishment and completion, then what? The decision at that point is often financially motivated. I would have liked to keep my shield nickels together, but in order to pursue other series (not to mention buying a house), I had to sell off the whole collection. It was a shame really; it would have been nice to have been able to keep at least the finest MS and proof pieces. But I found that having just a small handful wasn't very satisfying after having owned such a full collection. So in the end I sold every last one.

The real question is ... what do you feel compelled to do? When you get an auction catalog, what coins do you look at and think, "Boy I wish I could buy those, but I better stick to my main discipline or I will lose focus and break the bank !!" Those coins that you lusted after but refrained from buying, those are the ones that you should collect next !!!

And of course, it wouldn't be a bad idea to have non-coin hobbies and physical activities ... but as a supplement or complement, and not as a "replacement" for your coin habit !!

As for me, I just couldn't wait to jump into new series ... collecting a series by date and mintmark is my favorite approach, but which one? And there are so many other worthwhile things to do. For example, I always wanted to put together a complete set of 1873 coinage, inspired by the Harry Boosel monograph on the subject, plus patterns. I also love assembling early proof sets, with the challenge being to create a matched appearance. This time around, the decision was to go with complete MS sets of Barber quarters and beautifully toned Morgan dollars ... but this time I do hope to keep the primary sets and just sell off the duplicates when I am done.

Best,
Sunnywood

RYK

There is some terrific advice and suggestions in this thread, and many apply to all collectors as they finish a series. I am going out tonight and will comment later in more detail. Until then, keep them coming.

Give 110% Duh!

Okay, some were not so hot.

JJM

Morgans........

RYK

Great ideas, everyone. I have addressed most. As for continuing to buy duplicates, there are so many other interesting issues that I want that I cannot have for lack of funds that it is hard to keep duplicates around long.

Morgans........

Thanks, but, no thanks.

First off, assuming there is no compelling financial reason to sell, you're not done until you are completely satisfied with the set, and feel that you have gone as far with it as possible.

Agreed. There are some replacements that will need to be made (not necessarily upgrades) before there is a true sense of finality. Two Dahlonega $5's are already earmarked for replacement at a similar grade and one for a probable upgrade.

The real question is ... what do you feel compelled to do? When you get an auction catalog, what coins do you look at and think, "Boy I wish I could buy those, but I better stick to my main discipline or I will lose focus and break the bank !!" Those coins that you lusted after but refrained from buying, those are the ones that you should collect next !!!

Excellent suggestion. I have always admired nicely toned proof seated coins, but admiration is far from obsession, and the coins do not have enough history or "je ne sais quois" to keep me interested for the long haul. Excellent advice, overall, Sunnywood.

Maybe something challenging like Betchler gold type set or a Charlotte half eagles??

Both are excellent suggestions and natural extensions of my current collecting interests. The former is quite esoteric and expensive and the latter not as interesting to me as Dahlonega and New Orleans, but both are worth of consideration.

Now that you have a complete series, you could make a nice coin exhibit for the ANA summer show or the FUN show. A winning exhibit takes a large amount of work even after you have all the coins. It would allow you to reflect on what you collected and why it is a rare or important collection. Then others would get to see some rare coins in a complete set.

Superb idea. I probably would enjoy this very much, and I know some people who could help. I would be very worried about the transportation, security, and insurance issues, but these are all possible to overcome (with valium ). I will consider doing this.

Sell them, wait for the market crash, then start again.

Probably tongue-in-cheek, but there is some wisdom in this, too. There are some coins that will not likely be replaceable at a lower price in my lifetime, but I could be all wet here. This might be the most financially savvy suggestion. Unfortunately, all of the coins have been purchased in the last four years and many have not appreciated (New Orleans $5's as a group, for example).

Carson City also would make sense.....

Yes, I have thought about this. I have recently sold two CC $5's, so I am likely moving away from this area.

A complete Dahlonega coin set would be awesome as well.....

That is a very ambitious project and something that I am considering. I have a decent head start with one gold dollar, three QE's, and the $3. There are some very expensive and difficult to locate coins that remain. Completing this might take the rest of my collecting life to do...still a consideration, but an intimidating one.

Here's an idea from outside the Council of Elders: Scour the world of U.S. federal and world coinage to define a collection that's ridiculously (or at least relatively) inexpensive and outrageously difficult. No dealers will be able to help you find the coins. And, even if they could, it probably wouldn't be worth their time. Find a purpose for your collection that only one or two other numismatists at most have even contemplated. Ideally, you'll "complete" the set one week before your body gives out with your mind intact.

A good idea for some, but this one does not fit my collecting personality. It would be a good opportunity for someone who is creative and on the ground at a lot of coin shows. Perhaps later in life for me.

So in the meantime, I have taken up photography.

I have dabbled in this area without success, much for the same reasons as you have. I will continue to do so until I succeed or break the camera trying.

How about doing a date set of the early half eagles in XF/AU.

I have considered this. Some of the 18th century issues are prohibitive in any grade. If you are talking about the fat heads, I do not imagine that I could ever afford all but the most common two dates, and even these are a stretch.

Personally since you are heavily vested allready I would do the C and CC's and then just go on to finish off the entire Lib Half Eaglle set.

Two many extremely boring P and S dates from 1880 or so on. I could never do a set that long. The No Motto Coronet $5's in VF-AU would be a consideration.

this would probably be territorial gold, if i could pick and had the
money to swing it.

A sprinkling of territorial $5;s might make for a nice side-show. I have considered this in the past.

Reece

I think you are a "D" collector at heart. You have some great "D" mints that are not half eagles, you have the finest known 57-D $1, I think you should finish the series!! Yes it could take the rest of your life, having the series in nice AU and some MS coins would be a killer set! You could continue to upgrade coins as they become available, and as finances permit, it would be a great hunt, and a very origional, crusty, and beautiful complete set of Dahlonega coins would be worth a small fortune when and if you would want to sell. Just a thot.

jabba

UPGRADE! you can spend a whole life time trying to find just the right coins for your set!

Julio

Wow; that's a great problem to have. For me it's a no brainer, upgrade. Trust me if you could see my collection you would agree if you could stop laughing. I've only got 2 really nice coins and those were both purchased from fellow board members.
Unfortunately I will never live long eneough to have this problem and I'm in excellent health. jws

Lead, follow or get out the way. Unknown.

OldReading

I'll add one to the list..

10. Time for a giveaway.

Reece

giveaway, yes, yes.

RYK

I have made my decision:



Look out, CharlotteDude, here I come.

Longacre

Whew.. that was a close one. I thought you were going after N.O. QEs.

IGWT

There are few things better than the excitement of venturing into new territory. On to Charlotte!

dizzyfoxx

When you're 90% complete, you look for the remaining 10%.
When you're 100% complete, you're done.........