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Blue chip coins

RYKRYK Posts: 35,797 ✭✭✭✭✭
in U.S. Coin Forum
Various mentors and advisors have used the term "blue chip", in reference to coins that are always popular and in-demand, no matter what the market conditions, and those that seemingly continue to relentlessly rise in price over years, decades, generations, etc.

These two (really three) coins from completely different areas of the US coin spectrum come to mind:

Chain cents
1861-D $1 and $5 gold coins

I can think of some additional coins, but I would like to hear from others before listing more. What are some collectible coins (read: not 1804 dollars, 1913 Liberty nickels, etc.) that seem to in constant demand with upward price pressure. Feel free to disagree with my blue chip suggestions, but you will not be able to convince me otherwise. image
My Box of 20: https://pcgs.com/setregistry/collectors-showcase/box-20/ryks-gold-box-20/17132

Comments

  • BlindedByEgoBlindedByEgo Posts: 10,754 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Any 1874-CC W/A Dime would be one for me.

    Check out my current listings: https://ebay.com/sch/khunt/m.html?_ipg=200&_sop=12&_rdc=1

  • ziggy29ziggy29 Posts: 18,668 ✭✭✭
    Key dates in popular series.

    Anything flowing hair or draped bust.
  • DUIGUYDUIGUY Posts: 7,252 ✭✭✭
    1799 Large Cent.

    image

    image
    “A nation can survive its fools, and even the ambitious. But it cannot survive treason from within. An enemy at the gates is less formidable, for he is known and carries his banner openly."



    - Marcus Tullius Cicero, 106-43 BC
  • vega1vega1 Posts: 941 ✭
    1916-D Mercury?
  • TomBTomB Posts: 21,399 ✭✭✭✭✭
    1909-S VDB Lincoln cent is a great example of such a coin, in my opinion.
    Thomas Bush Numismatics & Numismatic Photography

    In honor of the memory of Cpl. Michael E. Thompson

    image
  • UtahCoinUtahCoin Posts: 5,351 ✭✭✭✭✭
    1877 IHC
    1909 S IHC
    1909 S & S VDB Linc
    1914 D Linc
    1955 DDO Linc
    1937 3 Leg Buff
    1916 D Merc
    1893 S Morgan

    Just a few that come to mind...
    I used to be somebody, now I'm just a coin collector.
    Recipient of the coveted "You Suck" award, April 2009 for cherrypicking a 1833 CBHD LM-5, and April 2022 for a 1835 LM-12, and again in Aug 2012 for picking off a 1952 FS-902.
  • RYKRYK Posts: 35,797 ✭✭✭✭✭
    I will add some more:

    1907 High Relief Saint
    1848 "CAL" quarter eagle
    1796/1797 draped bust halves
    My Box of 20: https://pcgs.com/setregistry/collectors-showcase/box-20/ryks-gold-box-20/17132
  • VintageJeffVintageJeff Posts: 1,282 ✭
    Are there any "blue chip" coins that are more affordable for those of us with smaller collecting budgets?
    Collecting
    Minnie Minoso Master and Basic
    1967 Topps PSA 8+
    1960's Topps run Mega Set image
    "For me, playing baseball has been like a war and I was defending the uniform I wore, Every time I put on the uniform I respected it like the American flag. I wore it like I was representing every Latin country."--Minnie Minoso
    image
  • dogwooddogwood Posts: 1,935 ✭✭✭✭
    I'm surprised to be saying this, but after having come back to collecting now three years after a 12 year abscence, I am shocked at the price and scarcity of Gem 1932-D quarters.
    We're all born MS70. I'm about a Fine 15 right now.
  • RYKRYK Posts: 35,797 ✭✭✭✭✭


    << <i>Are there any "blue chip" coins that are more affordable for those of us with smaller collecting budgets? >>



    Excellent question, which brings up an important point. A true "blue chip", in my mind, is a coin that is desirable in any problem-free grade, independent of the price of the coin. The least expensive that I can think of are the 1937-D 3 legs buffalo nickel, 1932-S quarter, and the 1916-D merc dime.
    My Box of 20: https://pcgs.com/setregistry/collectors-showcase/box-20/ryks-gold-box-20/17132
  • VintageJeffVintageJeff Posts: 1,282 ✭


    << <i>

    << <i>Are there any "blue chip" coins that are more affordable for those of us with smaller collecting budgets? >>



    Excellent question, which brings up an important point. A true "blue chip", in my mind, is a coin that is desirable in any problem-free grade, independent of the price of the coin. The least expensive that I can think of are the 1937-D 3 legs buffalo nickel, 1932-S quarter, and the 1916-D merc dime. >>



    Thanks! Guess I need another job. image
    Collecting
    Minnie Minoso Master and Basic
    1967 Topps PSA 8+
    1960's Topps run Mega Set image
    "For me, playing baseball has been like a war and I was defending the uniform I wore, Every time I put on the uniform I respected it like the American flag. I wore it like I was representing every Latin country."--Minnie Minoso
    image
  • droopyddroopyd Posts: 5,381 ✭✭✭


    << <i>Are there any "blue chip" coins that are more affordable for those of us with smaller collecting budgets? >>



    1909 VDB in MS64 RB or RD and up seems to be a long and strong winner.
    Me at the Springfield coin show:
    image
    60 years into this hobby and I'm still working on my Lincoln set!
  • ElcontadorElcontador Posts: 7,541 ✭✭✭✭✭
    The following don't get the attention of the "big splash" coins, but I'd classify them as blue chip:

    1885 Nickel and 1901 S Quarter, all grades
    1912 S Nickel In MS 63 and better (you can find other Lib Nickels with the same pops or less in the same grade as the 12 S for far less $)
    1872 and 1877 IHCs in RD Unc.


    "Vou invadir o Nordeste,
    "Seu cabra da peste,
    "Sou Mangueira......."
  • savoyspecialsavoyspecial Posts: 7,292 ✭✭✭✭
    >>Are there any "blue chip" coins that are more affordable for those of us with smaller collecting budgets?>>

    1895-O Barber Dime in VF or higher has always performed well

    greg

    www.brunkauctions.com

  • LeeGLeeG Posts: 12,162 ✭
    55 DDO and Classic Head Large Cents.
  • AUandAGAUandAG Posts: 24,794 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Any coin that I don't have at the moment is KEY for me!~
    bobimage
    Registry: CC lowballs (boblindstrom), bobinvegas1989@yahoo.com
  • CladiatorCladiator Posts: 18,058 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Wow, no one has mentioned the 1792, 1802 and 1846 H10¢'s
  • RYKRYK Posts: 35,797 ✭✭✭✭✭


    << <i>Wow, no one has mentioned the 1792, 1802 and 1846 H10¢'s >>



    We were waiting for you to come along and mention them. image

    I am also going to add the 1796 quarter and the 1794 dollar.

    And the 1796 (stars and no stars) and 1808 quarter eagles.

    Is it fair to add any US coin from the 18th century to the list?
    My Box of 20: https://pcgs.com/setregistry/collectors-showcase/box-20/ryks-gold-box-20/17132
  • PatchesPatches Posts: 1,700 ✭✭✭
    1913-S Barber Quarters have been on a good run
  • Cam40Cam40 Posts: 8,146 ✭
    `16 DDO 5c
    `18 8/7 5c
    `36 D 3-legged 5c
    1796 25c
    1916 25c
    1928 $1
    1889 CC $1
    1893 S $1
    $3 Gold
    ?
  • Sunshine Rare CoinsSunshine Rare Coins Posts: 2,322 ✭✭✭✭✭
    1796 $10

    Sunshine Rare Coins

    sunshinecoins.com/store/c1/Featured_Products.html

  • LindeDadLindeDad Posts: 18,766 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Looks to me like most anything that is Pre WW1 might be on your list.
    My Current project....https://www.pcgs.com/setregistry/mysetregistry/album/160794
  • RYKRYK Posts: 35,797 ✭✭✭✭✭


    << <i>Looks to me like most anything that is Pre WW1 might be on your list. >>



    I do not agree with that. There is nothing blue chip about an 1892 Barber quarter in VG, for example. Most anything post WWI is not on the list, however. image

    I see a few individual coins mentioned in this thread whose blue chip status I would be disputing were it not Xmas. image
    My Box of 20: https://pcgs.com/setregistry/collectors-showcase/box-20/ryks-gold-box-20/17132
  • GoldenEyeNumismaticsGoldenEyeNumismatics Posts: 13,187 ✭✭✭
    1848 CAL $2.5
  • LakesammmanLakesammman Posts: 17,402 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Seems like the price of Territorials goes up every time I check, with the exception of the more common assay pieces.
    "My friends who see my collection sometimes ask what something costs. I tell them and they are in awe at my stupidity." (Baccaruda, 12/03).I find it hard to believe that he (Trump) rushed to some hotel to meet girls of loose morals, although ours are undoubtedly the best in the world. (Putin 1/17) Gone but not forgotten. IGWT, Speedy, Bear, BigE, HokieFore, John Burns, Russ, TahoeDale, Dahlonega, Astrorat, Stewart Blay, Oldhoopster, Broadstruck, Ricko, Big Moose.
  • roadrunnerroadrunner Posts: 28,303 ✭✭✭✭✭
    A number of the coins listed above will not be on the list following the next major market correction. However most seated semi-keys in the 19th century won't be part of that list. Would not be surprised to see stalwarts like 1796 quarters and halves to drop some in price.

    roadrunner
    Barbarous Relic No More, LSCC -GoldSeek--shadow stats--SafeHaven--321gold
  • mrearlygoldmrearlygold Posts: 17,858 ✭✭✭
    1795 Eagles ( both )
    1795 Half Eagles ( Both )

    Coin's for sale/trade.


    Tom Pilitowski
    US Rare Coin Investments
    800-624-1870

  • LongacreLongacre Posts: 16,717 ✭✭✭


    << <i>1909-S VDB Lincoln cent is a great example of such a coin, in my opinion. >>



    I agree.
    Always took candy from strangers
    Didn't wanna get me no trade
    Never want to be like papa
    Working for the boss every night and day
    --"Happy", by the Rolling Stones (1972)
  • NHSBaseballNHSBaseball Posts: 2,470 ✭
    1921 and 1921-D Walking Liberty halves- the keys to the set and not getting any cheaper...
    "College men from LSU- went in dumb, come out dumb too..."
    -Randy Newmanimage

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