CRO Asks "What are Your Choices for the 100 Greatest US Coins?"
MidLifeCrisis
Posts: 10,560 ✭✭✭✭✭
Coin Rarities Online recently posted their latest Coin Commentary in which they ask what our top ten Greatest US Coin selections would be.
While I understand why someone might choose the 1804 Dollar, 1913 Liberty Nickel, and 1933 St. Gaudens Double Eagle to be on their list, I would not make those same choices - at least not as part of my top five or ten. Instead, I would choose as my top five (in no particular order):
Pine Tree Shilling
Fugio
Chain Cent
Half Disme
Flowing Hair Silver Dollar
Obviously, I lean towards type coins with more historical significance.
What would your top five or top ten be? And why?
(Apologies if this has been discussed recently...)
While I understand why someone might choose the 1804 Dollar, 1913 Liberty Nickel, and 1933 St. Gaudens Double Eagle to be on their list, I would not make those same choices - at least not as part of my top five or ten. Instead, I would choose as my top five (in no particular order):
Pine Tree Shilling
Fugio
Chain Cent
Half Disme
Flowing Hair Silver Dollar
Obviously, I lean towards type coins with more historical significance.
What would your top five or top ten be? And why?
(Apologies if this has been discussed recently...)
0
Comments
I give away money. I collect money.
I don’t love money . I do love the Lord God.
<< <i>The Shield nickel, of course (all of them).
Thanks...but what's up with you and shield nickels?
<< <i>One would have to be the Gobrecht dollar. >>
I agree these should be high on the list. Their design did start a bit of a trend...
<< <i>Coin Rarities Online recently posted their latest Coin Commentary in which they ask what our top ten Greatest US Coin selections would be.
While I understand why someone might choose the 1804 Dollar, 1913 Liberty Nickel, and 1933 St. Gaudens Double Eagle to be on their list, I would not make those same choices - at least not as part of my top five or ten. Instead, I would choose as my top five (in no particular order):
Pine Tree Shilling
Fugio
Chain Cent
Half Disme
Flowing Hair Silver Dollar
Obviously, I lean towards type coins with more historical significance.
What would your top five or top ten be? And why?
(Apologies if this has been discussed recently...) >>
--------------------------
I agree with your list over the popular/promoted stuff
Historically I'd add (ignoring value) the real CSA issues from civil war
and certainly the Brascher Gold ---due to the George Washington connection.
There's other one offs in Smithsonian etc., but they really aren't coins verses National Treasures/Museum pieces.
----Personal number one would be a Jefferson Indian Silver "Peace Metal" given by Lewis and Clark to various "chiefs"
but you could never prove the history/provenance since there's no records written on their distribution.
<< <i>----Personal number one would be a Jefferson Indian Silver "Peace Metal" given by Lewis and Clark to various "chiefs"
but you could never prove the history/provenance since there's no records written on their distribution. >>
That's an interesting choice and one I never would have thought of....
<< <i>Personal number one would be a Jefferson Indian Silver "Peace Metal" given by Lewis and Clark to various "chiefs" >>
I think that's a fine choice for the 100 Greatest Tokens and Medals Book.
2. 10 dollar 1801 gold
3. capped bust half
4.proof shield nickel with rays
5. standing liberty quarter
NGC registry V-Nickel proof #6!!!!
working on proof shield nickels # 8 with a bullet!!!!
RIP "BEAR"
Wreath Cent
1883 No Cents Nickel
1936 Satin Proof Buffalo nickel
UHR Saint
All cool one year type coins.
<< <i>
<< <i>The Shield nickel, of course (all of them).
Thanks...but what's up with you and shield nickels?
I am just messing with IGWT.
I actually think that QDB's More Adventures in Rare Coins does a very good job of covering a wide range of important US numismatic properties.
My top group of Federal issues would include:
1793 Chain Cent
1794 FH Dollar
1795 $5
1796 No Stars QE
1799 Large cent
1836 Gobrecht Dollar
Any Dahlonega or Charlotte gold coin
1854-O and 1856-O $20
1854-S QE and HE
1856 Flyer
1870-CC $20
1907 HR $20
1909-S VDB cent
1916 SLQ
1955 DDO cent
John Nanney's Discovery, 2008 ASE's with 2007 reverse
I do not include fantasy pieces (1804 dollar, 1913 Liberty nickel, and the like) as they were not intended for public consumption.
<< <i>I do not include fantasy pieces (1804 dollar, 1913 Liberty nickel, and the like) as they were not intended for public consumption. >>
I'm not too into these issues either, but the "not intended for public consumption" qualifier would exclude any pattern and, logically, any error coin, right?
100) 2008 w/ rev '07 ASE
Somebody has to stand up for moderns.
``https://ebay.us/m/KxolR5
<< <i>Didn't someone write a book about this
That's kind of the point . . .
1892 Columbian half
1893 Isabella quarter
1900 Lafayette dollar
all deserve a place on the top 100 U. S. coin list
<< <i>The Shield nickel, of course (all of them).
OK, I'm off the boards for a few days as I continue my travels around China, and I see that RYK is now collecting shield nickels, and changed his avatar to a Morgan dollar. Then I scroll down and see that IGWT is using RYK's old dirty gold eagle avatar. I know that firewater they were toasting me with last night in Luzhou was potent, but I didn't think it would affect the order in the world.
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)
1943 copper cent
1974 Aluminum cent
2) 1848 'CAL' $2.50 Gold
3) 1907 Ultra high relief $20
4) 1793 Chain Cent
njcc
1946 D/D Jefferson
1942 D/D Jefferson
oh heck... just Jefferson Nickels!
Steve
In memory of the USAF Security Forces lost: A1C Elizabeth N. Jacobson, 9/28/05; SSgt Brian McElroy, 1/22/06; TSgt Jason Norton, 1/22/06; A1C Lee Chavis, 10/14/06; SSgt John Self, 5/14/07; A1C Jason Nathan, 6/23/07; SSgt Travis Griffin, 4/3/08; 1Lt Joseph Helton, 9/8/09; SrA Nicholas J. Alden, 3/3/2011. God Bless them and all those who have lost loved ones in this war. I will never forget their loss.
An MS-60 example(illustrated below) from Superior Galleries' "Pre-Long Beach" Sale, June 5-7, 2000, Lot 1819, sold for $11,500.00
Edited to add photos
Often times in regards to coins the individual responses seem to fall into two groups those that apply the term towards the design element of the coin and those that apply this towards the historical significance of the coins. These two groups can and do often overlap.
How would the responses look if this question was posed not as the which US coins were the "greatest" but the which US coins were the most influential on American culture or delevopment?
Some responses seem obvious the 1792 Disme and maybe others not so clearly seen unless exaimed from a very different perspective taking other factors into account. Was the small cent vital in regards to large brick and mortar retail stores to have a means for cash control in conjunction with the cash register? Prices were often set with 99 cents, forcing change to be made and the sale recorded, reducing the amount of money that could be pocketed by the cash registers operator.
A number of perspectives can be seen, which coin had the most influence on the gambling industry? etc.
Is there any US coin that can be deemed as influential Lydian Lion c 600 BC in regards to world impact?
K S
1885 20$( big, rare and meaty)
1922 HR (proof or cir strike) peace ( a top 5 coin in my eyes)
1856 FE 1c (it was the first small cent and who doesn't collect at least a few small cents at some point)
1916 SLQ (wow)
1996 w dime( great doesn't have to mean rare and costly)
I wish I posted something about this before I had to turn in my list of the "100 Greatest US Coins" to the publisher.
I should emphasize that I was only one of many people in the hobby who was asked to participate in this, so my list will not be exactly the one they publish. It is a collaborative effort.
There are at least 2 coins mentioned in the above threads (maybe more) that I would have included had they come to mind at the time.
Coin Rarities Online
They are certainly not the "greatest" coins for sure, but they probably had the "greatest" influence (mostly because they were SO promoted) than nearly any other coin in the top 100 list in the past 200 years.
Another thought=========what about the Carson City silver dollars from the GSA sale of the 1970's? Did that not have the "greatest" influence in the 1970's coin boom and have the most profound influence on silver dollars and coin collecting in general over the next 35 years?
The GSA silver dollar were also the first coins EVER to be SLABBED with a GRADE of circulated or UNCIRCULATED!
They are so prized for their originality.
<< <i>Consideration might have to be given to the 1950-D nickel and the 1960 small date cent for their historical role in the 1960's coin boom that put the coin collecting hobby on the map that still stands today.
They are certainly not the "greatest" coins for sure, but they probably had the "greatest" influence (mostly because they were SO promoted) than nearly any other coin in the top 100 list in the past 200 years.
Another thought=========what about the Carson City silver dollars from the GSA sale of the 1970's? Did that not have the "greatest" influence in the 1970's coin boom and have the most profound influence on silver dollars and coin collecting in general over the next 35 years?
The GSA silver dollar were also the first coins EVER to be SLABBED with a GRADE of circulated or UNCIRCULATED!
They are so prized for their originality. >>
Really good points, IMHO though the coins are only pushed by people already in the hobby and most decades have their all stars that bring people into the fold, such as the 1844 dime, 1804 dollar, early comm's, state quarters, 1955 DDO penny ect. Although this makes them special coins, when I think greatest I think based off merit not popularity. Greater Actor or actress? Russel Crow or Jennifer Lopez both of them are draws you must then go to merit.
<< <i>
<< <i>
<< <i>The Shield nickel, of course (all of them).
Thanks...but what's up with you and shield nickels?
I am just messing with IGWT.
I actually think that QDB's More Adventures in Rare Coins does a very good job of covering a wide range of important US numismatic properties.
My top group of Federal issues would include:
1793 Chain Cent
1794 FH Dollar
1795 $5
1796 No Stars QE
1799 Large cent
1836 Gobrecht Dollar
Any Dahlonega or Charlotte gold coin
1854-O and 1856-O $20
1854-S QE and HE
1856 Flyer
1870-CC $20
1907 HR $20
1909-S VDB cent
1916 SLQ
1955 DDO cent
]John Nanney's Discovery, 2008 ASE's with 2007 reverse
I do not include fantasy pieces (1804 dollar, 1913 Liberty nickel, and the like) as they were not intended for public consumption. >>
ROFL!!!!
Knowledge is the enemy of fear
<< <i>why's there no "100 crappiest coins" book???
K S >>
That's simply because there are way more than 100 common, hyped, modern widgets out there (are there any toes I haven't stepped on so far
<< <i>1) 1792 half disme
2) 1848 'CAL' $2.50 Gold
3) 1907 Ultra high relief $20
4) 1793 Chain Cent
njcc >>
Yea, verily.
I'd add some common coins with great designs (e.g. Oregon Trail half), coins with historic interest (e.g. Pine Tree Shilling [OK, it's not a "US" coin, but it was from an area that would belong to the US]), coins with interesting stories (e.g. 1859-S seated dollar, the first trade dollar), and has-been coins (e.g. 1903-O Liberty Head dollar, the former key to the set).
Obscurum per obscurius
<< <i>
<< <i>The Shield nickel, of course (all of them).
OK, I'm off the boards for a few days as I continue my travels around China, and I see that RYK is now collecting shield nickels, and changed his avatar to a Morgan dollar. Then I scroll down and see that IGWT is using RYK's old dirty gold eagle avatar. I know that firewater they were toasting me with last night in Luzhou was potent, but I didn't think it would affect the order in the world.
Nice hearing from you while you travel in China. Are you using a counterfeit Chinese computer? I don't see where RYK's or IGWT's avatar are changed (did I come into the thread after they changed back?).
Bring back some of China's best counterfeits.
Entire mintage was coined by the Confederate States of America.
one of the longest running denominations, minted in all several mints, spans a huge amount of history of this country, and was
actually small enough to be used by many citizens of the US.
2) Territorial Gold (take your pick)
3) Fugio cent
4) 1870 S Half Dime
... to name a few
The top 100 in specific order is about as tough as filling a Dansco 7070 with coins.
``https://ebay.us/m/KxolR5
[1652] New England shilling
"1652" Pine Tree shilling
"1652" Wyatt's Good Samaritan shilling struck copy
1659 Maryland penny
1694 New England elephant token
1733 Rosa Americana twopence
1783 Chalmers' Ring shilling
1737-1739 Higley coppers in general
1787 Machin's Mill halfpence
1774 Virginia shilling
1776 silver continental currency
1776 pewter continental currency
1783 Nova Constellatio silver patterns as set
1786 Nova Constellatio copper counterfeit
1785 Immune Columbia/Nova Constellatio gold "guinea"
1785 CT Copper African Head
1787 CT copper Muttonhead
1787 CT copper Horned bust
1785 VT landscape copper
"1785" VT landscape copper, R-5
1787 VT/Britannia copper
1787 NJ copper camel head M. 56-n
1787 NJ copper M. 69-w
1787 NJ copper M. 83-ii counterfeit
Fugio copper from Bank of NY hoard
Bar copper
Brasher doubloon
1794 TAL token
1783 Washington Unity States cent
1784 Washington Ugly head
1792 Getz/Washington patterns
1792 Washington Roman Head pattern
1792 half disme
1792 silver center cent
1792 Birch cent as type
1796 no pole 1/2c
1797 1/1 half cent, struck on TAL token
1831 1/2c
1793 Chain Ameri 1c
1793 strawberry leaf 1c
1794 starred reverse 1c
1795 reeded edge 1c
1795 Jefferson Head 1c
1799 1c
1804 1c
"1815" 1c, altered date
"1848" small date 1c contemporary counterfeit
1856 flying eagle 1c
1877 1c
1909 VDB Lincoln 1c
1909-S VDB Lincoln 1c
1914-D 1c
1943 steel 1c
1943 copper 1c
1955 DDO 1c
1960 SD 1c
1990 no-S proof 1c
1851-O 3c silver
1867 w rays 5c proof
1883 no cents Liberty 5c
1913 Liberty 5c
1918/7-D 5c
1837-D 3-legs 5c
1938 Jefferson proof in poster 5c
1942-45 war 5c
1944 no-P Henning counterfeit 5c
1802 1/2 10c
1870-S 1/2 10c
1804 10c
1872 180-degree DDR 10c
1873-CC no arrows 10c
1874-CC 10c
1894-S 10c
1916-D Mercury 10c
1942/1 10c
1975 no-S proof 10c
1982 no-P 10c
1875-S 20c
1876-CC 20c
1796 25c
1822 25/50 25c
1823 25c
1827 25c
1842 small date proof 25c
1853 arrows/rays 25c
1860-S 25c
1873-CC no arrows 25c
1901-S 25c
1916 standing liberty 25c
1918/7-S 25c
1932-D and -S 25c as class
1965 25c
1976 25c/50c/$1
1796-7 50c as type
1817/4 O-102 50c
1838-O 50c
1838 50c lettered edge contemporary counterfeit
1853-O no arrows/rays 50c
1878-S 50c
1964 50c
1794 $1
1801-1803 $1 proof restrikes as class
1804 $1
1836-1839 Gobrecht $1 as type
1859-O/1860-O $1 silver from Treasury hoard
1870-S $1 silver
1884 $1 trade
1885 $1 trade
1886-O $1 Morgan, Miller DMPL specimen
1893-S $1
1895 Proof $1
1903-O $1
1921 $1 Peace
1922 $1 high relief matte proof
1979 $1 SBA
2000 $1 Sacajawea
[2000] 25c/$1 mule
2000-P Sacajawea, "Cheerios" reverse
2007 $1 president-Washington, plain edge
1849-C $1 gold, open wreath
1861-D $1 gold
1796 $2-1/2, no stars
1804 $2-1/2, 13 stars
1834 $2-1/2, with motto
1841 $2-1/2
1848 $2-1/2, CAL reverse
1854-S $2-1/2
1863 $2-1/2 proof
1908,1911-1915 sandblast proof gold as class
1870-S $3
1875 $3 proof
1879-1880 stellas as class
1798 $5 small eagle
1810 $5 small date/small 5, and large date/small 5 as class
1815 $5
1819 $5
1821 $5
1822 $5
1828/7 $5
1832 $5, 12 stars
1847-O $5
1854-S $5
1861-D $5
1864-S $5, Norweb specimen
1887 $5 proof
1804 $10 restrike
1841-O $10
1858 $10
1933 $10
1849 $20 proof
1854-O $20
1856-O $20
1861 $20 Paquet reverse
1861-O $20
1870-CC $20
1883,1884,1887 $20 proofs as class
1907 $20 S-G EHR
1907-1908 normal relief, no motto $20
1927-D $20
1933 $20
1892 commem 50c Colombian
1926-1938 commem 50c Oregon Trail
1936 commem 50c Cincinatti
1925 commem 50c Stone Mtn w/ state counterstamps
1900 $1 commem Lafayette
1915 commem $50 round/octagonal as class
1982 commem 50c Washington
1986 commems as class
1986 $1 ASE
1995-W $1 ASE proof
1986 $50 1oz AGE
1997 $100 1oz APE
[1960's] GM roller-press 1c pattern, P-4060
1974 1c Al pattern
1872 25c/50c/$1 Amazonian patterns as class
1872 gold Amazonian patterns, in gold, as class
1882 25c/50c/$1 Shield Earring patterns as class
1879 $1 Schoolgirl pattern
1877 50c patterns as class
1849 $1 gold hand-engraved pattern in gold
1860 $5 thin, large diameter pattern
1874 $10 Bickford pattern
1879 $20 quintuple stella pattern
1907 $20 Indian Head J-1776 pattern
1877 $50 patterns in gold as class
Templeton Reid gold as class
Humbert $50 1851
Moffatt gold coins as class
Kohler ingots as class
Kellogg $50
Baldwin $10 1850 Horseman
Hawaii 1883 $1
1c on 10c double denomination errors as class
Ed. S.
(EJS)
<< <i>why's there no "100 crappiest coins" book???
K S >>
Well grab a camera, take some pictures and we can start one!
"Inspiration exists, but it has to find you working" Pablo Picasso
<< <i>Here's a 193-item list which I suppose can be cut down to size. Full of the extremely rare, the key dates, the common but interesting, the offbeat, the fake, and the individual specimens.
[1652] New England shilling
"1652" Pine Tree shilling
"1652" Wyatt's Good Samaritan shilling struck copy
1659 Maryland penny
1694 New England elephant token
1733 Rosa Americana twopence
1783 Chalmers' Ring shilling
1737-1739 Higley coppers in general
1787 Machin's Mill halfpence
1774 Virginia shilling
1776 silver continental currency
1776 pewter continental currency
1783 Nova Constellatio silver patterns as set
1786 Nova Constellatio copper counterfeit
1785 Immune Columbia/Nova Constellatio gold "guinea"
1785 CT Copper African Head
1787 CT copper Muttonhead
1787 CT copper Horned bust
1785 VT landscape copper
"1785" VT landscape copper, R-5
1787 VT/Britannia copper
1787 NJ copper camel head M. 56-n
1787 NJ copper M. 69-w
1787 NJ copper M. 83-ii counterfeit
Fugio copper from Bank of NY hoard
Bar copper
Brasher doubloon
1794 TAL token
1783 Washington Unity States cent
1784 Washington Ugly head
1792 Getz/Washington patterns
1792 Washington Roman Head pattern
1792 half disme
1792 silver center cent
1792 Birch cent as type
1796 no pole 1/2c
1797 1/1 half cent, struck on TAL token
1831 1/2c
1793 Chain Ameri 1c
1793 strawberry leaf 1c
1794 starred reverse 1c
1795 reeded edge 1c
1795 Jefferson Head 1c
1799 1c >>
This is a nice list.
The rest weren't bad either.