Complete albums or single coins, If you are a buyer (or a seller) which do you prefer and why?

SanctionII

For example a Dansco Album of MS coins?

What are the pros and cons of both buying and selling the whole album; and what are the pros and cons of buying individual coins in the album? I suspect that there are many pros and cons to both and am interested in your thoughts and experiences in same.

I will recount one experience I had in buying. I went to a shop and saw it had a complete album of MS Jeffersons from 1938-1961. It was modestly priced and I bought it. I went back to the same shop about a week later and saw it had another album of the same MS coins. It was also modestly priced and I bought it. Many coins in both albums have lovely toning, especially the wilver war nickels.

I looked at the coins in both albums, picked the best of each date from both and put the best coins in one album and the second best coins in the other album (That was fun). I am keeping the best album and may sell the second best. The greatest thing about the purchase of the albums was that in one of the albums, unnoticed by the shop, was a pastel toned MS 1945P DDR. That single coin alone would sell for much more than I paid for both albums.

19Lyds

I generally prefer individual purchases but have considered, at times, entire sets.

The only real drawback is the costs incurred. You were fortunate enough to pick up two sets and combine the best of the best. I doubt that would be financially possible for something like a full set of Kennedy's. Franklin halves, yes but it would be a $400 - $600 purchase which ain't peanuts. It also depends upon the album. Dancso for bioth sides of the coin or old Whitman for only a single side.

Buying single coins also affords me time to examine and appreciate what I have and what I am collecting toward.

SanctionII

The two nickel albums I purchased including one Library Of Coins, with the slides and one Whitman album, also with slides.

I also did the same thing with two MS Silver Roosevelt sets. The first one was in a Capital Holder and the coins were white. The second I bought about one month later and it was a Whitman slide album. I liked the white MS silver Roosies in the Capital holder and thought they were gorgeous, until I saw the coins in the Whitman album. All of the coins in the Whitman album have gorgeous toning, many rainbow. Once I looked at them up close through a loupe, I was hooked on toned Roosies.

Walmann

As as buyer I prefer to purchase single coins.
First I like to select each coin for it own qualities.
Second part of the enjoyment is the hunt putting a set together.

However, I do enjoy browsing albums either for missed varieties or the simple pleasure of viewing the results of someone else's efforts.

DorkGirl

I like to buy the full album, they are always cheaper than buying singles, then upgrade.

BBQnBLUES

<< <i>I like to buy the full album, they are always cheaper than buying singles, then upgrade. >>


I'm with Becky on the _Rare occasion you find an completed album 4 sale.... I ended up doing that with an old disc. Dansco Mexico Type set & upgraded several coins...

zeebob

I like to buy full albums but I always sell single coins - better prices each way.

Bob

droopyd

I've bought a few sets of Lincolns over the years (MS red sets 1934-date), kept the "best of the best" for my own collection, then sold of the set of lesser dupes as a set.

I think at this point I've maxed out my return on doing this, the last couple of times I did it there were very few clear upgrades.

sumdunce

I prefer to buy one at a time.

I do buy rolls of same date and mintmark but I don't believe that counts from your example since I am looking for at least a single coin from the roll to add to my collection.

V/R



Sumdunce

micmt

I have bought both ways. I had a good dealer relationship when I was in college and he sold me a complete MS set of Franklin Halves one piece at a time....just divided the total he wanted by how many were in the set and bought one everytime I came in. Kept me comming back

I also managed to buy a complete set of Lincolns off ebay a few years ago even though I had a very nice set. I was after the undergraded key dates and got them for half the money as if I paid for the keys separately. Upgraded some semi key dates I had and resold the album to make it quite a profitable experience.

I am just in the upgrading my modern sets now so buying comlete sets is really not my thing now. Of course if a good deal comes around Id be on it.

coinman420

i buy singles and albums if it looks right. i sell single to maximize profits. if there are keys in the series i have them graded before selling.

WaterSport

I guess it depends. The fact is, its cheaper to buy a complete set than coin by coin. So if your selling, I would do it coin by coin. This Capital Board I bought as a complete set..most of the 1950 cents were proof. Some I have since upgraded, but for $75, I simply could not resist!!!

WS

ILikeMercs

It's more fun buying each coin individually. I have a complete Merc set that are all basically what I want.
A nice vf-xf set in a Dansco. They all fit together......IMO. To each their own though.

lasvegasteddy

<<<but for $75, I simply could not resist!!!>>>

adamlaneus

I don't think i've seen a Capitol Holder like that. That is a very cool grid of coins you have there and I really do like the presentation.

WaterSport

Old style board from the 1970's. I consider them the ultimate slab. But I would lose a lot of money selling the complete set ( 3 and 1/4 boards) from 09-date in these holders no matter the format. Same reason why you will not see too many if any complete slab collections sold.

WS

21Walker

I go for a little bit of each depending on the set/coin..............Rick

GrumpyEd

I think it's best to sell each single.

Try shopping around a circulated set of 1909-1940 cents, the offers will be about what they would be if someone offered only the 1909-s vdb, 09-s, 14-d and 31-s. So all the semi keys and others don't get much when sold together in a set.

This wouldn't be true for a MS set.

ArizonaJack

Buy collections, upgrade my personal set if possible, then part them out.