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What is the most underrated US series?

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  • cmerlo1cmerlo1 Posts: 7,929 ✭✭✭✭✭


    << <i>The "little" coins are underrated. Because they are little. Add 3c. silvers to the list.
    K >>



    image

    The mintages on some of these (1863-1872) are in the tens of thousands and thousands, but the prices don't seem to reflect it. The same with 3c Nickels...especially in the late 1870's and 1880's...

    --Christian
    You Suck! Awarded 6/2008- 1901-O Micro O Morgan, 8/2008- 1878 VAM-123 Morgan, 9/2022 1888-O VAM-1B3 H8 Morgan | Senior Regional Representative- ANACS Coin Grading. Posted opinions on coins are my own, and are not an official ANACS opinion.
  • cladkingcladking Posts: 28,702 ✭✭✭✭✭


    << <i>Try finding a 1970-P quarter in nice AU. Try finding a '73-D in well struck and undamaged XF.

    I've always found these arguments silly; such coins are available in uncirculated on a moment's notice.

    Might as well say, "Try finding an IKE dollar with the initials "KW" scratched in it. Try finding a 1969 cent counterstamped "Pud Patrol "

    where does this condition rarity business end? >>



    It ends where collectors don't care.

    So why should someone want an 1815 $5 gold when an 1820 is so much easier?

    Try finding a '73-D rev of '72-D or with a type "c" reverse and you might appreciate
    nice XF's a lot more. Not only are most of the clad types rare or unknown in unc but
    they are pretty tough in nice attractive circulated grades as well. There are mere hand-
    fulls of most of these varieties known and they're generally MS-60 or AU at best.

    The '73-D is available "on a moments notice" in unc primarily because the coins are
    underrated. There are far fewer of these than there are '50-D nickels but the '50-D
    nickels are pursued by tens of thousands of collectors which means it will cost you
    ten or twenty dollars. Is the '50-D underrated? Well, I don't hear too many people
    claiming it has more in common with a gas station token than a coin, but yes, it pro-
    bably is also underrated. '73-D quarter rolls are tough. They exist but they are quite
    tough and you'll spend some real time and effort coming up with four or five. There
    are no '73-D quarter varieties in mint sets and the vast majority of the few of this date
    available come from mint sets.

    Maybe if the 1825/ '24 didn't appear in mint sets you'd see more value in "pocket change".
    Tempus fugit.
  • BlackhawkBlackhawk Posts: 3,899 ✭✭✭
    I think that on some series the fact that they're mostly collected as a type coin limits their value. A lot of the older US series should be worth more when you compare them to the series' from the modern era, but a lot of times that's not the case. The fact that the average collector cannot get involved with some series condemns them to be underrated forever.
    "Have a nice day!"
  • Very Fine...

    You are right on target. Unless you are cherry picking scarce varieties in listed series, the others can be found with little work. This will keep the prices down for a long time to come. I advise locating the best of the best in those series. Be choosey since there are so many.

    Garrow
  • cladkingcladking Posts: 28,702 ✭✭✭✭✭


    << <i>I think that on some series the fact that they're mostly collected as a type coin limits their value. A lot of the older US series should be worth more when you compare them to the series' from the modern era, but a lot of times that's not the case. The fact that the average collector cannot get involved with some series condemns them to be underrated forever. >>



    Exactly.

    If a coin is scarce then it simply can't be collected by large numbers of people. Scarce coins
    are far more likely to be absorbed by type collectors than more common coins.

    Always in the past there was far more demand for the lower priced more common coins be-
    cause they were lower priced. This isn't nearly so true today because so many think moderns
    more as gas station tokens than as coins.

    Let's see if this situation lasts indefinitely.
    Tempus fugit.
  • veryfineveryfine Posts: 1,763 ✭✭✭


    << <i>Not only are most of the clad types rare or unknown in unc but they are pretty tough in nice attractive circulated grades as well. There are mere hand-fulls of most of these varieties known and they're generally MS-60 or AU at best. >>


    cladking,
    Based on your past posts, I don't think any collector in here could match your level of expertise when it comes to clad issues. Many of us have a problem with base metal coins that were minted well into the millions and billions. I know we've gone down this path before, but if a coin is worth $5 in ms66 and $5000 in ms69, I get nervous. However, your point is well taken when it comes to finding "nice attractive circulated grades" for certain modern issues.

    The question is, do enough people care about the varying degrees of eye-appeal among the clad series to classify them as "underrated?"
  • 57loaded57loaded Posts: 4,967 ✭✭✭


    << <i>"Sportsnight" was very underrated. image >>



    I was reading the posts and have to agree!!!!!!!!!!!!!
  • PawPaulPawPaul Posts: 5,845


    << <i>I'd break it down into two categories - proof and mint state coins.

    In proof -

    Exceptional pre-1968 CAM/DCAM proof/SMS of most issues, as far back as you want to go.....

    In mint state -
    Fabulous mint state Franklins!

    BTW Bushmaster - A fellow came by my table at ANA you may know as he lives in Wisconsin or Illinois - he had about a dozen 1962-P's in MS 65 FBL.

    He had the most amazing white 1949-P I'd ever seen. The obverse was like a presentation medal. Virtually perfect. Fully struck. No pitting. Could have been a 68! The reverse was almost as nice - 66+. I wouldn't have complained if the coin was in a 67 FBL holder. >>




    I have seen that feller around at shows.....he`s got several of each and every date ......all white-all PCGS . He very rarely sells though .
    I saw that monster `49 of his years ago ........ it sticks out above the rest like a sore thumb . That guy loves high end white Franklins and I think he`s got very deep pockets too image
  • cladkingcladking Posts: 28,702 ✭✭✭✭✭


    << <i>

    The question is, do enough people care about the varying degrees of eye-appeal among the clad series to classify them as "underrated?" >>



    This is probably a rhetorical question but I'll comment anyway.

    It depends on your definitions. There are very few people who care about the clads in circ or in unc.

    One could say that this means it can't be underrated or one might claim it proves that it is. But no one
    can argue the fact that rare moderns are far far cheaper than any other rare US coins.

    I do not believe this fact can stay out of sight forever. In hindsight people will agree that moderns were
    underrated.
    Tempus fugit.
  • ZoinsZoins Posts: 34,397 ✭✭✭✭✭


    << <i>The question is, do enough people care about the varying degrees of eye-appeal among the clad series to classify them as "underrated?" >>

    If enough people care about varying degrees of eye-appeal in any series, can they be considered underrated? Isn't one characteristic of being underrated that not enough people care about them? image


  • << <i>Try finding a 1970-P quarter in nice AU. Try finding a '73-D in well struck and undamaged XF.

    I've always found these arguments silly; such coins are available in uncirculated on a moment's notice.

    Might as well say, "Try finding an IKE dollar with the initials "KW" scratched in it. Try finding a 1969 cent counterstamped "Pud Patrol "

    where does this condition rarity business end? >>


    your point is well take with AU coins and XF or any other condition.But these are modern times and grades are more specific as ms/63 & ms/65 ..or au/58 & au/55.Collectors today look at numbers on the label..If you want a raw coin then go with eye appeal ..all the way ...you can't go wrong..
    ......Larry........image
  • veryfineveryfine Posts: 1,763 ✭✭✭


    << <i>

    << <i>The question is, do enough people care about the varying degrees of eye-appeal among the clad series to classify them as "underrated?" >>

    If enough people care about varying degrees of eye-appeal in any series, can they be considered underrated? Isn't one characteristic of being underrated that not enough people care about them? image >>



    The high clad mintages, lack of precious metals, and overwhelming availability of every date and mintmark combination may not offset the relatively narrow interest in minute eye-appeal levels.

    A fully struck standing liberty quarter set is the ultimate in eye-appeal, but these coins are simply unavailable. Many would settle for almost fully struck with a few distracting marks. But as it stands now, there are too many clads around in the generally acceptable grades of MS65 or MS66. Unlike most post 1930 coins, one might have no choice but to sacrifice eye-appeal in order to get that hard to find date in that hard to find condition. It might take years to find the one perfect pre-1930 coin in AU58 but only months to find it in XF40. But, it might take years to find that clad roosevelt dime in MS68 but seconds to find it in MS66. It's a matter of choices and availability. At least, for the time being.

  • eCoinquesteCoinquest Posts: 1,485 ✭✭✭
    I would say the 20 cent pieces as there less than 100,000 made for the entire series! image
  • EdscoinEdscoin Posts: 2,028 ✭✭✭
    Underrated really has nothing to do with mintage figures or being scarce now. It is all about collectors or future collectors and what they will be collecting in the future. If a coin had a mintage of 1000 and only 500 people wants one then its not a scarce coin . A coin with a mintage of one million and there are two million people who wants one then it is a scarce coin. Any series that is underrated now are the ones that will have the greatest influx of new collectors in the future.
    Now which series will have the biggest influx of new collectors and why?
    ED
    .....................................................
  • seateddimeseateddime Posts: 6,180 ✭✭✭
    seated dimes, what else?
    I seldom check PM's but do check emails often jason@seated.org

    Buying top quality Seated Dimes in Gem BU and Proof.

    Buying great coins - monster eye appeal only.
  • ZoinsZoins Posts: 34,397 ✭✭✭✭✭


    << <i>Now which series will have the biggest influx of new collectors and why? >>

    Depends on the demographics and collecting habits of new collectors. It seems that a lot of them are being trained to collect by type in which case no date/mintmark series may be particularly underrated.
  • cladkingcladking Posts: 28,702 ✭✭✭✭✭


    << <i>

    The high clad mintages, lack of precious metals, and overwhelming availability of every date and mintmark combination may not offset the relatively narrow interest in minute eye-appeal levels.

    A fully struck standing liberty quarter set is the ultimate in eye-appeal, but these coins are simply unavailable. Many would settle for almost fully struck with a few distracting marks. But as it stands now, there are too many clads around in the generally acceptable grades of MS65 or MS66. Unlike most post 1930 coins, one might have no choice but to sacrifice eye-appeal in order to get that hard to find date in that hard to find condition. It might take years to find the one perfect pre-1930 coin in AU58 but only months to find it in XF40. But, it might take years to find that clad roosevelt dime in MS68 but seconds to find it in MS66. It's a matter of choices and availability. At least, for the time being. >>




    Mostly I agree but there are a few exceptions.

    There are lots of clads in MS-65 and MS-66 but they tend to be those which are
    easy in such grades.

    You won't find lots of '76 type I Ikes in MS-65. You won't find many 1982-P 25c's
    in MS-65. In fact, I'd wager most of the standing liberty quarters are more common
    in true FH MS-65 than '82-P qurters in true MS-65.

    Of course you're right that in many of the clad dimes that are tough in MS-68 are
    quite easy in MS-66, but this is hardly true across all moderns. There are several
    dates that are tough in one grade and don't get easy until you get three grades
    lower. The '70-S nickel is a standout in this regard. It comes exceedingly nice on
    "rare" occassion.

    Collecting is about making decisions. Those who want the finest will pay more no
    matter what they collect. While some see the large multiples in moderns as evidence
    that they are a sucker's bet, I just see an opportunity to get nearly as nice coins on
    the cheap.
    Tempus fugit.


  • << <i>I'd break it down into two categories - proof and mint state coins.

    In proof -

    Exceptional pre-1968 CAM/DCAM proof/SMS of most issues, as far back as you want to go.....

    In mint state -
    Fabulous mint state Franklins! >>



    Ditto!
    John
    Chance favors the prepared mind.
    imageimageimage
  • pcgs69pcgs69 Posts: 4,339 ✭✭✭✭
    anything that I don't collect, apparently.
  • RonyahskiRonyahski Posts: 3,117 ✭✭✭✭✭
    If underrated = price vs. scarcity:

    3C silver, Proof and MS
    2 1/2 Libs
    Draped Bust half dimes.....o.k. almost anything small

    Also,

    No Motto Seated Quarters
    20C, Proof and MS... high end...I've been looking for years...nada
    Franklins...high end MS, better date, eye appealing...try and find one!
    Some refer to overgraded slabs as Coffins. I like to think of them as Happy Coins.
  • kiyotekiyote Posts: 5,585 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Three cent *yawn* silvers...
    "I'll split the atom! I am the fifth dimension! I am the eighth wonder of the world!" -Gef the talking mongoose.
  • I am not saying cos I want to complete my set while they are still underrated! Ask me again in about 5 years
    Buy the dips!!!
  • LincolnCentManLincolnCentMan Posts: 5,347 ✭✭✭✭
    Emmm.... just from my experience:

    1) Merc dime set in VF. Many of the early dates with mint marks are vastly under rated in a nice origional VF.
    2) Liberty Nickels in XF-AU
    3) Barber Dimes in G through XF.
    4) High end raw Jefferson nickels.


    -David
  • I remember capped bust half dimes being very weak 30 years ago. While I find them intesting and historical, not much has changed since.

    Garrow
  • ashmoreashmore Posts: 126 ✭✭
    Those MPL's are just awesome... I'm loving them..

    Ash
    Ash Harrison

    President, Society of Silver Dollar Collectors
    Governor, National Silver Dollar Roundtable
    President, Ashmore Rare Coins


  • << <i>I would say the 20 cent pieces as there less than 100,000 made for the entire series! image >>




    ..............got to be the most underrated of them all ; not only super low mintiges ;but try to find a couple with eye appeal !

  • joebb21joebb21 Posts: 4,758 ✭✭✭✭✭
    half dimes-libery nickels-shield nickels
    may the fonz be with you...always...
  • privatecoinprivatecoin Posts: 3,546 ✭✭✭✭✭

    So, more than 10 years have passed on this discussion, whats changed if anything? I think about what i thought was underrated then vs now? I think it still leans more so to modern clads. As most look down on them for no real metal value and the high mintages. But I have certainly gained more interest with how hard it is to find quality strikes on certain dates and mintmarks in the certain denominations. It started for me working on my Eisenhower set in the last few years. I browsed through at least 25 1975 mint sets before I found a type 1 1976 that I thought was pretty good and fortunately when I got it graded it came back MS65. While it is likely that many years or mints will be saved in numerous rolls, there are likely to be years or mints that are not and only time can tell that. So I myself have started to try to find or purchase the best of clad for my modern sets that I can afford now.

    Paper money eventually returns to its intrinsic value. Zero. Voltaire. Ebay coinbowlllc

  • HydrantHydrant Posts: 7,773 ✭✭✭✭✭

    1982 parking lot find Lincoln pennies. The possibilities are unlimited. No known stoppers.

  • cladkingcladking Posts: 28,702 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @privatecoin said:
    I browsed through at least 25 1975 mint sets before I found a type 1 1976 that I thought was pretty good and fortunately when I got it graded it came back MS65.

    >

    Very nice. Gems of this date are quite elusive. Even in the late-'70's one would expect to go through more than 25 mint sets to find one and now days it would be a lot more.

    Some coins are surprisingly easy to find in very high grades relative how hard they are in MS-65. This isn't one of them. You can look at roll after roll and set after set and that MS-66 will be far tougher and the MS-67 will be virtually impossible. It was that tough then and it's much tougher now. Just finding the rolls and sets to check is that much tougher now. This date WHOLESALES at $4 now days. Where do you find it and how do you get rid of the rejects?

    Graded examples tend to be a steal relative the effort that is required to find them today or even back in the day. There are lots of scarce moderns available in slabs for $5 or you can wear out a pair of shoes trying to find them raw.

    Tempus fugit.
  • johnny9434johnny9434 Posts: 28,813 ✭✭✭✭✭

    seated halfs

  • PerryHallPerryHall Posts: 46,530 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Classic and modern commemorative coins.

    Worry is the interest you pay on a debt you may not owe.
    "Paper money eventually returns to its intrinsic value---zero."----Voltaire
    "Everything you say should be true, but not everything true should be said."----Voltaire

  • yspsalesyspsales Posts: 2,515 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Classic Gold Commemoratives
    Classic Silver Commemoratives

    Low mintages and jaw dropping designs.

    More esoteric... Peace and Morgan VAM's

    BST: KindaNewish (3/21/21), WQuarterFreddie (3/30/21), Meltdown (4/6/21), DBSTrader2 (5/5/21) AKA- unclemonkey on Blow Out

  • BoosibriBoosibri Posts: 12,293 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Liberty quarter eagles and No Motto half eagles

  • WalkerfanWalkerfan Posts: 9,559 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Franklins and Peace Dollars.

    Sometimes, it’s better to be LUCKY than good. 🍀 🍺👍

    My Full Walker Registry Set (1916-1947):

    https://www.ngccoin.com/registry/competitive-sets/16292/

  • derrybderryb Posts: 37,274 ✭✭✭✭✭

    half dollars

    Gold has a world price entirely unaffected by accounting games between the Treasury and the Fed. - Jim Rickards

  • santinidollarsantinidollar Posts: 1,056 ✭✭✭✭✭

    $3 gold
    $10 Indian gold
    2-cent pieces

  • ZoinsZoins Posts: 34,397 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @coinkat said:
    Jefferson Nickels will get there day... however, there still seems to be a Full Step mentality that keeps alot of well struck dates that rarely show up well struck that no one seems to care about unless there are 5 steps.

    I have made the suggestion that full steps does little to clearly define and measure the most meaningful component of the design... lets have a Full Monticello and just get over the steps. I know that among serious collectors of this series that this type of talk is not appreciated but the facts remain that there are many dates that rarely surface in Full Steps to justify that standard across the board to the entire series. I really love the 1952-s, 53-s and 54-s I have and they are not close to Full Steps but they are very well struck for the dates. I can live with that

    There's a Full Step Nickel Club. Perhaps they need to be convinced to change their name to the Full Monticello Club?

  • ZoinsZoins Posts: 34,397 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @privatecoin said:
    So, more than 10 years have passed on this discussion, whats changed if anything? I think about what i thought was underrated then vs now?

    Did anything underrated 10 years ago get their due and become popular today?

  • OuthaulOuthaul Posts: 7,440 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited January 25, 2020 2:08PM

    Classic commems, of course. 😢

  • coinkatcoinkat Posts: 23,578 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Thanks for reminding me what I wrote over 12 years ago. My view has not changed... But I have learned that this is a hobby that is simply unable to embrace change or accept a more comprehensive grading standard that realistically measures/evaluates the preservation status of a coin.

    Experience the World through Numismatics...it's more than you can imagine.

  • ZoinsZoins Posts: 34,397 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited January 25, 2020 4:24PM

    @Outhaul said:
    Classic commems, of course. 😢

    Given the low mintages, I'm surprised by how many are on the market.

    Imagine what it would be like if a classic commem only came on the market a handful of times a year?

    I think probably what keeps them available is the fact that many designs were issued over multiple years from multiple mints. If each design was struck by a single mint in a single year, I believe supply would be lower and prices higher. For example, I love the Oregon half but I don't need 14 of them. Even if someone decided to collect all 14, I think it would be many fewer that would collect all date/mintmarks across all types. It's a tall ask.

  • SonorandesertratSonorandesertrat Posts: 5,695 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @Zoins said:

    @privatecoin said:
    So, more than 10 years have passed on this discussion, whats changed if anything? I think about what i thought was underrated then vs now?

    Did anything underrated 10 years ago get their due and become popular today?

    That is an interesting question. MPLs were run up for the 100th anniversary of the Lincoln cent. I bought a bunch as an investment in 2007-2008. They certainly shot up in price, but the collector in me could not part with them when they should have been sold to make money. The classic dealer pump and dump. Well-made antique electrotypes seem much more expensive now than a decade ago. There also seems to be more interest in contemporary counterfeits and antique mechanical counterfeit detectors. I sold a full set of AU55-58 Barber halves 13 years ago, but afterwards thought I should have kept it because prices seemed to be rising. Now? Look at what happened to the prices of MS Barber halves. They seem too cheap today. Ditto for prices of proof Barber coinage, particularly dimes. I am not aware of any pre-WWII coinage, that was in the doldrums a decade ago, that is much more popular today. What was dead then seems still dead. I can't say anything about moderns, however.

    If I were strictly interested in 'underrated' coins, because of investment considerations, I think I would look at certain kinds of foreign coins.

    Member: EAC, NBS, C4, CWTS, ANA

    RMR: 'Wer, wenn ich schriee, hörte mich denn aus der Engel Ordnungen?'

    CJ: 'No one!' [Ain't no angels in the coin biz]
  • SmudgeSmudge Posts: 9,641 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @Boosibri said:
    Liberty quarter eagles and No Motto half eagles

    Amen.

  • rheddenrhedden Posts: 6,630 ✭✭✭✭✭

    I'll go with proof Barber and Seated coins - nice ones, not the dipped examples with hairlines.

    Virtually everyone has been chasing the better date business strikes, and the prices have risen steadily since 2007 (as they should have). A good answer to this question in 2007 might have been, "better date Seated & Barber coins with wholesome, original surfaces, because they will one day get CAC beans. My crystal ball said so."

    About those proofs - they have mostly dropped in value, even if they are nice. Why? They aren't minting any more of them.

  • Cougar1978Cougar1978 Posts: 8,553 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited January 25, 2020 5:30PM

    USA 20 c pieces

    Coins & Currency
  • privatecoinprivatecoin Posts: 3,546 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @Zoins said:

    @privatecoin said:
    So, more than 10 years have passed on this discussion, whats changed if anything? I think about what i thought was underrated then vs now?

    Did anything underrated 10 years ago get their due and become popular today?

    I don't know.... Silver eagles? That was certainly a shake up recently... :D

    Paper money eventually returns to its intrinsic value. Zero. Voltaire. Ebay coinbowlllc

  • amwldcoinamwldcoin Posts: 11,269 ✭✭✭✭✭

    What's hurt the perception that Barber Coins are cheap is all the crap out their that is straight graded that shouldn't be. While a few fall through the cracks, most nice original Barbers still sell strong. Very few appear in the major auctions these days except the top pop type stuff.

    @Sonorandesertrat said:

    @Zoins said:

    @privatecoin said:
    So, more than 10 years have passed on this discussion, whats changed if anything? I think about what i thought was underrated then vs now?

    Did anything underrated 10 years ago get their due and become popular today?

    That is an interesting question. MPLs were run up for the 100th anniversary of the Lincoln cent. I bought a bunch as an investment in 2007-2008. They certainly shot up in price, but the collector in me could not part with them when they should have been sold to make money. The classic dealer pump and dump. Well-made antique electrotypes seem much more expensive now than a decade ago. There also seems to be more interest in contemporary counterfeits and antique mechanical counterfeit detectors. I sold a full set of AU55-58 Barber halves 13 years ago, but afterwards thought I should have kept it because prices seemed to be rising. Now? Look at what happened to the prices of MS Barber halves. They seem too cheap today. Ditto for prices of proof Barber coinage, particularly dimes. I am not aware of any pre-WWII coinage, that was in the doldrums a decade ago, that is much more popular today. What was dead then seems still dead. I can't say anything about moderns, however.

    If I were strictly interested in 'underrated' coins, because of investment considerations, I think I would look at certain kinds of foreign coins.

  • Dave99BDave99B Posts: 8,633 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited January 25, 2020 6:01PM

    VF/XF Seated Quarters!

    Dave

    Always looking for original, better date VF20-VF35 Barber quarters and halves, and a quality beer.

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