What new set should I start working on?

coinlieutenant

The last three years, I have really come to terms with how I like to collect. I've found that if I just buy any old coin that comes along and is nice, then I am soon broke. If I narrow it to one set, because of my picky nature, I can go a VERY long time without finding a coin and I soon become bored and frustrated. I've also realized (I know that sounds silly) that there are certain types I am very fond of (Seated halves/quarters, barber halves, RE halves, merc dimes, SLQ), others that I would like to have as a type piece, and others that I really have no desire to own.

For those that I really like, I don't have the funds or perhaps the patience to collect the whole series, but I want more than one example of them in the collection. For those series, I usually pick out a date run or a Mintmark set with certain standards (two sided toning, perfectly matched XFs or something like that). I limit myself to six of these mini sets at any one time with the possibility of picking up a type coin as an option only if it is one of the coins that is on my very narrow lifetime type set. Of these seven sets, I try to vary the time horizon for completion, one fairly easy (2-3 years), a couple mid range sets (5-7 years), and the rest long range sets (10+ years) I still rarely add to the collection.

To make a long story short, and for those of you that don't think that I am a bit zany for even having thought of all of the above, what new set should I start now that I just finished my merc 1940-1945 two sided toner date set?

I am currently working on:

1. Reeded Edge Half Complete Set in Ch. XF: Going on my 8th year...only 20% complete (I thought this was going to be a mid range challenge...WAY wrong)
2. Swiss Type Set w/ Shooters in high grade: 5 years running...about 40% complete. Long range set
3. Gem+ Morgan Dollar Mintmark set with two sided envelope or album toning: 40% complete. Mid range set (And freaking expensive...)
4. World Travels set, one amazing coin from each country to which I have traveled: As I have not been to every country in the world and still traveling, this % complete changes. Lifetime project.
5. Barber Half/Q/Dime Mintmark Set in F-XF: 3 years running...58% complete
6. ???

So far, I have thought of three, but am up for other suggestions.

**O mint Seated Quarters, original condition, in AU.
**Civil war Set of some type
**Five coin S mint run of low mintage eagles or CC mint half eagles

John

TomB

You know yourself better than anyone here does, so you are in the best position to understand the requirements you put upon yourself for your collection(s). It would seem to me, however, that the collections(s) and goal(s) have and/or will change with time, which is similar to most of us who have spent time attempting to determine exactly how we will best collect what we love. Of the three choices given, my opinion is that the Civil War set could be trivial if you decide to go that route and that the O-mint Seated quarter set cannot be done.

crypto79

I like fun sets like; off metal war coinage w/errors, transitional coins from the 1838-1840 w/branch mints, Die progression of the Major doubled die in the Peace series, and of course CC trade dollars by hub type w/errors. Thats what floats my boat I hope you find what floats yours and I agree with Tom, the AU o mint 25c's isn't happening. but a cir set could be done.

Unknown

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keyman64

My approach: Focus efforts/dollars on one set at a time...finish that set then move on to the next. Trying to do 6 sets at once sounds a bit like ADHD to me which will slow the completion of any one particular set. A couple of sets I can see working on at any given time but...6?

Everyone is different though.

RWB

$4 Stellas make a challenging set.

ColonelJessup

Northern California Bordello Tokens 1848-1888

MFH

John,

These make for a nice collection.
I'm into my 2nd set of AU's - 55 & 58's
with a smattering of MS thrown in.

RedTiger

Six sets pending and you want more? Three years isn't very long in numismatics. That said, I always tell folks to collect what they like and enjoy the hobby. Still, with six sets pending, I would tend to vote to cut one or two sets, instead of starting a brand new one, especially if funds seem limited.

Starting a new set, will likely bring some temporary joy, as the commonly available coins are easily found and bought, probably for not too much money. Then comes the frustrating part, with harder to find, and/or more expensive coins. A year from now, there are likely to be seven unfinished sets, unless an easy, inexpensive set is picked for #7. Then what? Start yet another one next year? And two years from now, have eight unfinished sets, each with hard to find, and/or expensive coins left to buy?

coinlieutenant

Reading the responses, some make it obvious that the whole op was not read.
Tom brings up some good points. I think that I am going to go with the O mint quarters but not limit
the set to original AU.

Col J: If brothel tokens were that easy everyone would collect them

Mike: Liberty nicks barely made my type list so I think that I will stick with just one

Red tiger: Don't know what u r talking about with going to more sets. I don't start a new set until one is finished so I wouldn't move to 7 or 8 as discussed.
Plus, of my remaining sets, one has three coins to go, one has five to go. It really has more to do with the number of sets needed to allow for about one coin purchase per quarter given the standards I exact. And sometimes that coin only costs a couple hundred dollars. It is not like I just completed a five coin set and added a sixty coin project while working on four other of similar scope.

Thanks for all the input. If this one doesn't work out I can always pare it down.

John