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What is the longest time period it has taken you to complete a collection?

SanctionIISanctionII Posts: 12,600 ✭✭✭✭✭
For me, I have been working on one for 10 years now (1950-70 Cameo Proof and SMS set) with most all of the coins cherrypicked from raw sets and singles. Still have not finished and do not expect to be finished until years from now. Only have a few coins which are not Cameo (i.e. 1955 dime has been impossible to find raw, thus far) and even when I do find these few coins, the upgrading of the set to higher level expamples will keep me busy for a long time.

Over the years, continuing on the look out for needed coins, through times when I am seriously looking and through times when I do not look for months on end, a lot of the fun for me is simply the process of looking, finding, and upgrading the set. The end result (a completed, hand picked set) is almost beside the point.

How about you?

Comments

  • 50 Years and still working on my collections. Have upgraded coins, changed from books to slabs and upgraded my standards along the way. In my estimation, my son will most likely complete the set for me. I will just enjoy my journey and what coins I have.
    Crazy old man from Missouri
  • Coll3ctorColl3ctor Posts: 3,355 ✭✭✭
    34 years and going.... still no 1916-D image
  • DorkGirlDorkGirl Posts: 9,994 ✭✭✭
    It took 3 generations to complete our Morgans. Grampa, Dad, then me.image
    Becky
  • BarndogBarndog Posts: 20,515 ✭✭✭✭✭
    I will never be finished collecting capped bust half dimes. Die marriages, die remarriages, die states/stages, grades of choice, etc -- too many opportunities to ever be complete
  • feel like a newbie compared to all the posters above meimage have been working on my CC set for 9 years and still tweaking as I go!image
    of course now I have been adding to it ( now at 45 CC's 35 pcgs 10 ngc)
    steve

    myCCset
  • pursuitoflibertypursuitofliberty Posts: 7,308 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Ohhhhhh image

    you mean I was supposed to complete it????







    image






    “We are only their care-takers,” he posed, “if we take good care of them, then centuries from now they may still be here … ”

    Todd - BHNC #242
  • Maybe a better question would be has anyone ever truly finished a collection. image

    merse

  • AUandAGAUandAG Posts: 24,933 ✭✭✭✭✭
    I've been collecting for over 50 years. I don't buy from dealers or shows. Just get what I can in collections
    and I'm still missing the 09svdb and 14d. Never have found acceptable examples. Nothing but low grade
    ones that I sold (now wish I'd kept)!
    bob
    Registry: CC lowballs (boblindstrom), bobinvegas1989@yahoo.com
  • 34 years for my seated half set (date/mm)........ varieties still in pursuit !
    Cam-Slam 2-6-04
    3 "DAMMIT BOYS"
    4 "YOU SUCKS"
    Numerous POTD (But NONE officially recognized)
    Seated Halves are my specialty !
    Seated Half set by date/mm COMPLETE !
    Seated Half set by WB# - 289 down / 31 to go !!!!!
    (1) "Smoebody smack him" from CornCobWipe !
    IN MEMORY OF THE CUOF image
  • I have been working on my lincoln cents for around 20 years. Upgrading and buying key dates as I go. I figure even with the modern set I will never be truly finished in my lifetime.
    "One of the advantages of being disorderly is that one is constantly making new discoveries" -A.A. Milne
  • lkeigwinlkeigwin Posts: 16,893 ✭✭✭✭✭


    << <i>34 years and going.... still no 1916-D image >>

    Sell the car and take out a loan?
  • SwampboySwampboy Posts: 13,109 ✭✭✭✭✭


    << <i>It took 3 generations to complete our Morgans. Grampa, Dad, then me.image >>



    Awesome!!!!image

    "Inspiration exists, but it has to find you working" Pablo Picasso



  • << <i>I will never be finished collecting capped bust half dimes. Die marriages, die remarriages, die states/stages, grades of choice, etc -- too many opportunities to ever be complete >>



    Get with the program, Barndog! I'm collecting the same thing and expect to be done in 10-18 months.image
    "College men from LSU- went in dumb, come out dumb too..."
    -Randy Newmanimage
  • ShamikaShamika Posts: 18,785 ✭✭✭✭
    I've given myself 10 years to put together a complete date/mm set of uncirculated Buffalo nickels. I'm on year number 7 and am progressing nicely.

    I started a Lincoln cent collection when I was 7 (35 years ago) and still haven't finished it although I'm not "actively" adding to it.


    Buyer and seller of vintage coin boards!
  • ArizonaJackArizonaJack Posts: 4,029 ✭✭✭
    I am always looking to upgrade my AU-BN Lincoln set. It is " complete " but there is always room for just a " hair better "image
    " YOU SUCK " Awarded 5/18/08


  • << <i>I've given myself 10 years to put together a complete date/mm set of uncirculated Buffalo nickels. I'm on year number 7 and am progressing nicely.

    I started a Lincoln cent collection when I was 7 (35 years ago) and still haven't finished it although I'm not "actively" adding to it. >>



    I'm in the same boat with the Lincolns. Started mine 36 years ago at age 10 and still need a couple keys. I occasionally upgrade a few, but I have no reason for not filling in the remaining keys. I should make that a goal soon.
    Witty sig line currently under construction. Thank you for your patience.
  • ECHOESECHOES Posts: 2,974 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Eight years, Lincoln Cent 1909-1958 in XF
    ~HABE FIDUCIAM IN DOMINO III V VI / III XVI~
    POST NUBILA PHOEBUS / AFTER CLOUDS, SUN
    Love for Music / Collector of Dreck
  • OuthaulOuthaul Posts: 7,440 ✭✭✭✭✭
    It took me eight years to assemble a early silver commem set entirely in 1st generation PCGS holders.

    Cheers,

    Bob
  • jgrinzjgrinz Posts: 985 ✭✭✭
    Is a collection really ever completed ? ... No One EVER upgrades a coin here or there in their so called completed collection ... " image
    image
  • OuthaulOuthaul Posts: 7,440 ✭✭✭✭✭


    << <i>Is a collection really ever completed ? ... No One EVER upgrades a coin here or there in their so called completed collection >>



    A collection is complete when you have achieved your objective. For example, my goal was to assemble a classic silver commem set entirely in 1st gen PCGS holders. I achieved that goal, collection completed. Now, if there was a stipulation that they all had to be MS-63 or higher, I would have to continue until I achieve THAT goal.

    Aynthing, coins or otherwise, is complete when you ahvieve the goal. If you then state further stipulations it becomes a NEW goal.

    Just my eversohumble opinion.

    Cheers,

    Bob
  • I've been working on a Merc set in rattler holders for only about 2 years but I expect to be working on it for many, many years to come and there's probably a good chance that I won't be able to complete it. If you're interested in my progress check out the sig line.

    Millertime
  • BECOKABECOKA Posts: 16,961 ✭✭✭
    I'll let you know when it's done. image
  • SkyManSkyMan Posts: 9,508 ✭✭✭✭✭
    You mean you can complete a collection?
  • seanqseanq Posts: 8,733 ✭✭✭✭✭


    << <i>I'll let you know when it's done. image >>



    What he said. Twelve years into my clipped Lincoln set, I'm ten coins short.

    The lousy thing about collecting a modern series is even when you think it is complete, every January you're wrong. image


    Sean Reynolds
    Incomplete planchets wanted, especially Lincoln Cents & type coins.

    "Keep in mind that most of what passes as numismatic information is no more than tested opinion at best, and marketing blather at worst. However, I try to choose my words carefully, since I know that you guys are always watching." - Joe O'Connor
  • 1975-1995 to complete my Buffalo Nickel collection. I'm still upgrading.

    Garrow
  • anablepanablep Posts: 5,160 ✭✭✭✭✭
    5 years working on my Morgan collection thus far; still have 18 more coins to go for the complete date & mm.

    Then there's upgrading 63s to 64s to 65s etc...

    VAMs & varieties? That may take forever, so I'll stick with date/mm set for now....

    In other words, I'll never be done...
    Always looking for attractive rim toned Morgan and Peace dollars in PCGS or (older) ANA/ANACS holders!

    "Bongo hurtles along the rain soaked highway of life on underinflated bald retread tires."


    ~Wayne
  • BearBear Posts: 18,953 ✭✭✭
    Till they lay me AWAY....AND THEN SOME.image
    There once was a place called
    Camelotimage
  • ShamikaShamika Posts: 18,785 ✭✭✭✭


    << <i>I've been working on a Merc set in rattler holders for only about 2 years but I expect to be working on it for many, many years to come and there's probably a good chance that I won't be able to complete it. If you're interested in my progress check out the sig line. >>

    After 2 years it appears you've done very well.



    Buyer and seller of vintage coin boards!


  • << <i>Is a collection really ever completed ? ... No One EVER upgrades a coin here or there in their so called completed collection ... " image >>



    Actually I have never upgraded a single set or series of coins that I have completed. Once I have a date or date & mm set completed I move on to something different. It's not that the sets are perfectly executed to my wishes but rather my idea that each collected series has a story that goes with its accumulation. For every coin that turns out not to be ideal I seem to have found one that surprises me - a rarer variety or something that mysteriously shot up in value. Each set looks like I learned something as I was collecting them. No set has ever taken more than a few years and I have completed about twenty (20) different Danscos XF to MS. My collection is never complete because I always start something new before I find the last few coins of whatever I am working on. But I do complete different sets on a regular basis.
    In the land of the blind the one-eyed man is king.


  • << <i>

    << <i>I've been working on a Merc set in rattler holders for only about 2 years but I expect to be working on it for many, many years to come and there's probably a good chance that I won't be able to complete it. If you're interested in my progress check out the sig line. >>

    After 2 years it appears you've done very well. >>



    Thanks. I actually picked up another decent one tonight on Heritage, 1935-S MS65FB.

    Millertime
  • lasvegasteddylasvegasteddy Posts: 10,432 ✭✭✭
    hopefully next year i'll finish my 09 -16 date set matte proof lincolns in 64r/b that i started last year

    i so should of bought the 16 firstimage

    are the 13 &16 even going to be up for sale next year
    image
    everything in life is but merely on loan to us by our appreciation....lose your appreciation and see


  • Steve27Steve27 Posts: 13,275 ✭✭✭
    About 35 years, here's the last coin I purchased (P.S. Buy the keys first not last):

    imageimage
    "It's far easier to fight for principles, than to live up to them." Adlai Stevenson
  • 09sVDB09sVDB Posts: 2,420 ✭✭✭
    I'm always working on my collection. I did put together a PCGS Morgan Dollar grading set. It took over two years to find a coin in each


    grade from P01-MS67.
  • coinandcurrency242coinandcurrency242 Posts: 1,971 ✭✭✭✭


    << <i>It took 3 generations to complete our Morgans. Grampa, Dad, then me.image >>




    thats my life dream to put one of those together!!

    Positive BST as a seller: Namvet69, Lordmarcovan, Bigjpst, Soldi, mustanggt, CoinHoader, moursund, SufinxHi, al410, JWP

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