Collecting 3c Nickels without spending more than $500 on any one coin?

Analyst

I think it would be fun and rewarding to collect 3c Nickels with a $500 per coin limit. Do any members of this forum agree? Is a $500 per coin threshold meaningful to many collectors who are interested in 3c Nickels?

I said in a published article, "A PCGS-graded MS-64 1884 is estimated by PCGS to be worth “$10,000.” A PCGS certified Proof-64 1884 probably has a retail value of $400."

There is no doubt in my mind that it makes more sense, in practical and principled terms, to buy a PCGS certified Proof 1884 over a PCGS certified "Mint State" 1884. Even If had $500 million, I would still tend towards the certified Proof. What do the members of this forum think about 1884 3c Nickels?

Classic U.S. Coins for Less than $500 Each: Three Cent Nickels

LanceNewmanOCC

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i'm not your key demo. from the op but with a $500 per coin limit but fwiw, i could have a flippin' ball!
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Bayard1908

You won't be able to get a 1877 and 1878.

keyman64

I will likely own a couple of 3 cent nickels one day, from a type perspective, and I would save up for the better dates and spend more than that on each one. Due to the demand related to the coins I would not build a "collection" of them at any price level. When it comes to tying up cash into something, I would not call that the best denomination to do that in.

dib

I've owned five proof 3cn, and I had a $240 limit for each of them.

Edit to add: Just got some grades back 5 minutes ago... and one I sent in raw to NGC got PF65CAM! Love it.

JustMe2

They last one I received cost me 10 cents as I received it in change and they thought it was a dime.

COALPORTER

"I would not build a "collection" of them at any price level." <<<Sage advise.

I did a near complete set in MS63 -64, and it looked great but was really difficult to sell
off fast. I never went over about 250 a coin and even at that, most dealers don't really
want to load up due to low demand.

yosclimber

I'm pretty sure I spent less than $25 for each of mine.
Not a complete set but didn't tie up much cash, either.

It could be fun to collect them by die variety / state, given the many clashes and die cracks.
However, very few copies of the best reference book were printed, so the info on known varieties is quite difficult to access.
"The Ultimate Guide to U.S. Three Cent Nickels, 1865 to 1889", by Allan Gifford
http://www.alaskacoinexchange.com/Articles/Three%20Cent%20Nickel%20Book.htm

Analyst

Bayard: <<You won't be able to get a 1877 and 1878.>>

Did Bayard read the article? I believe that there are reasons to believe that an 1878 may be obtained for less than $500. I provide evidence in the article.

Classic U.S. Coins for Less than $500 Each: Three Cent Nickels

dib<<I've owned five proof 3cn, and I had a $240 limit for each of them>>

Certainly, I realize that many 3c Nickels, including Proofs, may be purchased for much less than $500 each. I mention lower priced coins and I explain various alternatives in the article. A) I am writing a long series on collecting Classic U.S. coins for less than $500 each. As just suggested, it might be necessary to spend more than $425 for an 1878. C) A $500 per coin limit enables a collector to consider multiple strategies while completing a set, minus an 1877.

Classic U.S. Coins for less than $500 each, Part 10: Walking Liberty Half Dollars

Keyman: << I would not build a "collection" of them at any price level. When it comes to tying up cash into something, I would not call that the best denomination to do that in.>>

Why not, although I have not recently researched the past history of 3c Nickels, it may be true that some of them may be much less expensive now than they were in March 1980 or March 1990!

CoalPorter: <<... most dealers don't really want to load up due to low demand. >>

They can be consigned to live auctions ore Internet auctions. Besides, demands change. There were times when 3c Nickels were extremely popular. Check auction data for 1989 and early 1990.