CC Morgans or Classic Proofs? I'm torn between two goals for new collections. Chime In!
PutTogether
Posts: 2,141 ✭✭✭
Ok. I'm ready to start a totally new path for a small collection. Both should be difficult, but not impossible. Not cheap, but not outrageous either. Small and completeable, and hopefully something you don't see every day.
Ultimately, I've got to choose for myself, but I'd love to hear other's input on what to expect, what they'd think about the completed set, etc. Even wild guesses on future value are welcome, even though It isn't really a concern, because I don't see the market for either dropping by 80% overnight.
The choices:
Assemble a late 1800s proof set (no gold) I just don't see anything like this that often. I'd try to build a matched looking set of cent through dollar. I'd do the best I could to pick coins that looked like they might have been together since birth. I'd go post 1885, so I can skip buying a trade dollar. The Morgan will be pricey enough. Depending on how much I decide to spend, and what is available, I might go pre 1892 to go with seated coins instead of Barber. My preliminary plan is to pick a year that looks like I could reasonably acquire all the proof issues from that year without hitting a crazy 'stopper.' I'd whittle that down to group of years, and start shopping for coins from those years. When I find a stunner (dime quarter or half) that fits the look I'm going for, I'd buy that one, and then complete around it. I'd shoot for PR64-65, nice coins. CAM and DCAM not necessarily excluded, but definitely not necessary. I'd more go for that pretty old proof toning look.
Carson City Morgans in 40-50 This one is more self explanatory. I like the American west, and have fond memories of trips to Carson and Virginia City as a young kid with my Grandpa. I'd shoot for awesome looking circ coins, in that classic, original, steel gray 'circ/cam' look. I'd pay special attention to try and make all the coins look perfectly matched. I think the big challenge here will be finding really nice circulated 81,82,84 CC coins. Kind of a neat twist, the expensive coins won't be hard to find, but the cheap ones should prove a fun challenge.
I THINK the CC set will be easier, and probably a little less money to complete. It would be more satisfying in the sense that I won't have HUGE gaps of time between purchases, and should always be able to find something that fits. It would be cool to see it complete, but on the other hand, it might be unimpressive. I bet there are TONS of people with CC collections.
The proof set will probably be harder, and I'll have much longer spans of time without being able to make a purchase. Completed though, I think it would be a bit more impressive, because it would be the result of 'harder' work. It will also probably be a bit more expensive to complete. I think the CC set would be a bit more liquid if catastrophe struck, but that isn't THAT big of a deal. The fun of the proof set will be that I just never see them.
Anyway, I'm torn. I see pros/cons to both, and I just can't decide which would be the best way for me to go. I'm hoping by posting up, someone might have something to say I hadn't thought of, that can provide a sort of tipping point.....or new perspective.
Thanks for listening.......what do you think?
PS: Doing both isn't an option
Ultimately, I've got to choose for myself, but I'd love to hear other's input on what to expect, what they'd think about the completed set, etc. Even wild guesses on future value are welcome, even though It isn't really a concern, because I don't see the market for either dropping by 80% overnight.
The choices:
Assemble a late 1800s proof set (no gold) I just don't see anything like this that often. I'd try to build a matched looking set of cent through dollar. I'd do the best I could to pick coins that looked like they might have been together since birth. I'd go post 1885, so I can skip buying a trade dollar. The Morgan will be pricey enough. Depending on how much I decide to spend, and what is available, I might go pre 1892 to go with seated coins instead of Barber. My preliminary plan is to pick a year that looks like I could reasonably acquire all the proof issues from that year without hitting a crazy 'stopper.' I'd whittle that down to group of years, and start shopping for coins from those years. When I find a stunner (dime quarter or half) that fits the look I'm going for, I'd buy that one, and then complete around it. I'd shoot for PR64-65, nice coins. CAM and DCAM not necessarily excluded, but definitely not necessary. I'd more go for that pretty old proof toning look.
Carson City Morgans in 40-50 This one is more self explanatory. I like the American west, and have fond memories of trips to Carson and Virginia City as a young kid with my Grandpa. I'd shoot for awesome looking circ coins, in that classic, original, steel gray 'circ/cam' look. I'd pay special attention to try and make all the coins look perfectly matched. I think the big challenge here will be finding really nice circulated 81,82,84 CC coins. Kind of a neat twist, the expensive coins won't be hard to find, but the cheap ones should prove a fun challenge.
I THINK the CC set will be easier, and probably a little less money to complete. It would be more satisfying in the sense that I won't have HUGE gaps of time between purchases, and should always be able to find something that fits. It would be cool to see it complete, but on the other hand, it might be unimpressive. I bet there are TONS of people with CC collections.
The proof set will probably be harder, and I'll have much longer spans of time without being able to make a purchase. Completed though, I think it would be a bit more impressive, because it would be the result of 'harder' work. It will also probably be a bit more expensive to complete. I think the CC set would be a bit more liquid if catastrophe struck, but that isn't THAT big of a deal. The fun of the proof set will be that I just never see them.
Anyway, I'm torn. I see pros/cons to both, and I just can't decide which would be the best way for me to go. I'm hoping by posting up, someone might have something to say I hadn't thought of, that can provide a sort of tipping point.....or new perspective.
Thanks for listening.......what do you think?
PS: Doing both isn't an option
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