What are must have examples for a US coin collection

rawmorgan

If someone said to you they were thinking of collecting US coins.
Not with investment in mind, but on a budget what would you say.

Here's my two cents, and some notes.

Fugio Cent - Available in a multitude of grades and rarity die strikes.
Matte Proof Lincoln - You just don't see the detail of President Lincoln like you do in the Matte Proofs.
Flying Eagle Cent - Just a great design.
Buffalo Nickle - if possible get the 3 1/2 leg, if not then a 1938D comes inexpensive and hammered.
Capped Bust Half - Iconic design and wonderful examples of hand cut dates. Get something in the early to mid 1820s XF-ish.
Standing Liberty Quarter - Great Classic design; 1917 FH Type 1 if possible.
Walking Liberty Half - Great Classic Design - Full Thumb if possible.
Morgan Carson City dollar - Great Design, Comstock Load Silver; just a good coin to own; If possible in GSA with certificate.
Any of the $2.50 or $5.00 incused Indian gold coins - a great design that was very different than all others before.
Classic Commemorative - I think you have to own at least one of these, just to experience the breath of design these coins offer.

These are just some I would say belong in all US coin collections, not going to list them all.
I would love to hear what you have to say about this, what you would add, an what would you leave out.

Thanks everyone

jtlee321

Nice list. I'd have to add a nice example of an Indian Head Cent, Mercury Dime and a Seated Liberty Half or Dollar.

SkyMan

Top 5 for a basic collector on a budget.

Lincoln cent, preferably Wheatie.
Mercury dime.
Washington quarter dollar.
Walking Liberty half dollar.
Morgan dollar.

keyman64

Depending upon your budget and exact goals, you might enjoy looking through this list.

Baley

I usually suggest starting with a basic 20th century type set of business strike coins (commems and 21st century too numerous and bewildering) and maybe pick a favorite series among those to start learning about.

Intermediate collectors can move to the 19th century types, and/or focus on a mid to late 19th century series.

It will be advanced collector/numismatists that venture into the 18th century types and early 19th century coins, die varieties, high grade (rare) coins [as opposed to high grade (common) coins]

david3142

I don't think there are any - US collecting is too broad with too many areas of possible specialization. I agree that the coins mentioned are great coins and most collectors have at least one representative (certainly of the second and third lists). However, Pogue had only one of the coins in the first list and none in the other two.

lasvegasteddy

<< <i>Matte Proof Lincoln - You just don't see the detail of President Lincoln like you do in the Matte Proofs. >>


myself i have a hard time telling a matte proof from some business strikes of those years
the difference is in square "fat" rims...but inside the rim...some are hard to tell apart

my 2nd reply below best states it versus the list i edited out here

LindeDad

The registry has all types of TYPE sets you know. Go have fun with coins.

lasvegasteddy

best advice would probably be to that person

buy a redbook and spend some time with it
then buy what inspires you

DRUNNER

Well done on the OP . . .

I certainly do like the Flying Eagle . . . basically a 2-year Type coin, the first of our 'small' cents, and so hard to get in higher grade for the 'average' numismatist.

Drunner

jesbroken

As the collector may not have an idea of what they like, I would suggest a type set, such as the Dansco 7070.
This would allow the collector to decide what they like and still be able to grow in whichever direction they felt
drawn to. Just my opinion. Good idea for thought and consideration.
Jim

yosclimber

<< <i>Buffalo Nickle - if possible get the 3 1/2 leg >>


I agree Buffalo Nickel is a classic. But why the 3 1/2 leg? I thought you were talking about type set coins and a budget.

clarkbar04

I like everything - the hard part is figuring out what you like MOST and maintaining focus.

ahopewell55

A nice circulated Flowing Hair dollar.

rawmorgan

<< <i>

<< <i>Buffalo Nickle - if possible get the 3 1/2 leg >>


I agree Buffalo Nickel is a classic. But why the 3 1/2 leg? I thought you were talking about type set coins and a budget. >>



Why the 3 1/2 leg. Mostly for the mystique it had as a kid growing up. It was in my opinion "the" collector coin that serious collectors had. Of course I was 12 at the time, but it still deserves a spot on the list.

david3142

I assume you are referring to the 1937-D 3-legged buffalo, and not any of the 3-1/2 legged varieties of various dates. The former is FAR more famous.

stevepk

I think the OP's list of entry-level coins is on the high side. Many of these examples are typically reserved for the advanced collector. My list of entry-level coins includes:

1. Common date Morgan Silver Dollar graded MS62 to MS64
reasons: under $60, easy to acquire, flashy, old, and large

2. 1938-D Buffalo Nickel graded MS62 to MS64
reasons: easy to acquire, flashy, iconic design, under $50

3. Common date Mercury Head Dime graded MS64 to MS66
reasons: under $ 60, flashy, iconic design

4. common date Indian head cent graded XF or higher
reasons: under $30, iconic design, circulated for over 50 years

5. circulated large cent dated 1816-1856
reasons: $20 coin, nearly 200 years old, so different than the modern cent

6. circulated flying eagle cent graded fine or better
reasons: short lived series, appealing design, under $40

7. common date Standing Liberty Quarter, XF or higher
reasons: inexpensive, iconic attractive design

8. common date Walking Liberty half dollar graded MS62 to MS64
reasons: beautiful design, flashy, under $75

9. Uncirculated 1922 or 1923 Peace Dollar
reasons: design, large flashy coin, under $50 raw

All nine coins listed above can be acquired for roughly $300 with a bit of patience. If $300 is too much, lower grades can be acquired to fit any budget.

jcping

To share with non-collector:
A Morgan Dollar
A Buffalo nickel
A silver quarter
A walking liberty half
A large cent

To share with a coin collecting beginner:
A 1909-S VDB
A beautifully toned silver coin
A 3-leg buffalo
A 1917 standing liberty quarter
Any 18 century US coinage

To show off to an advance US coin collector:
Any million dollars woth US coin

MidLifeCrisis

I think I would take a different approach.

Ask the person why they are thinking of collecting US coins.

Since their answer will probably have something to do with history, I'd ask them what time period in our nation's history interests them most.

Then I'd strongly recommend they focus on collecting coins from that time period and use coins to enhance their knowledge.

I think this would keep them interested long enough for the coin bug to take a much deeper bite and they branch out to other areas of interest.

TwoSides2aCoin

Good type coins are the rave.


Flowing hair
Draped bust
Seated liberty
Standing Liberty
Liberty Head
Peace
Winged Liberty
Buffalo Head
Indian Head
Booby Head
Matron Head
Walking Liberty
Chain Cent
Flying Eagle
Fugio Cent
Shield Nickel
3 Cent Silver
3 Cent Nickel
…. let me think and get back to you later with some more ideas for U.S. Coins. This is a start.

The better examples, the more refined the collectors, (typically)

braddick

double post glitch

braddick

When you think about what our nation, and we as its citizens were going through, and the reasons for it, the 1943 steel cent comes to mind as a coin a budding numismatist should consider worthy enough to add it his or her collection.

TomB

Obviously, the OP put considerable time and effort into the list, but I think it a poor one to use to suggest. I would tell folks to read, learn, look at lots of images and/or coins in-hand while buying what they like and find interesting.

rawmorgan

<< <i>Obviously, the OP put considerable time and effort into the list, but I think it a poor one to use to suggest. I would tell folks to read, learn, look at lots of images and/or coins in-hand while buying what they like and find interesting. >>




I t thnk I put at least 15 minutes into the list tops. Lets call this a lost in translation post, on account of painkillers for a partial kidney removal. I'm post op 2 days, and I was thinking what coins would need for a bedrock type set.

Here's another go. Some one says to you I started a US Coin set, what are the top five coins every set should have? Don't think anout research, or finding your own path in this hobby. Top five coins.

Mind you the painkillers are still going strong.

Shamika

I'd recommend a mint state steel cent to any generalist. These coins are cheap yet interesting to collectors and non-collectors alike.

halfhunter

Of course my list would have to include the '08 rev of '07 Silver Eagle ! ! !



HH

TopographicOceans

It really depends on the number of coins you want to limit the collection to.

I include the Fugio Cent in my definition of a type set, even though it doesn't have the status as an official US minted coin.

Seated Liberty coins are the worst for type sets and I think a single variety of each denomination is sufficient because you can wind up with dozens of major varieties.

My definition of a type set is 186 coins, but I think a Top 50 would be:

Demon. Year Year Description
0.005 1840 1857 Braided Hair
0.010 1816 1835 Liberty Head - Matron Head
0.010 1856 1858 Flying Eagle
0.010 1864 1909 Indian Head - Bronze
0.010 1909 1942 Lincoln; Wheat Ears Reverse
0.010 1943 1943 Lincoln; Wheat Ears Reverse - Zinc-Coated Steel
0.010 1959 1982 Lincoln; Memorial Reverse - Copper
0.020 1864 1873 Two Cent
0.030 1865 1889 Nickel Three-Cent Pieces
0.050 1829 1837 Capped Bust
0.050 1860 1873 Liberty Seated - Legend on Obverse
0.050 1867 1883 Shield - Without Rays
0.050 1913 1938 Indian Head or Buffalo - FIVE CENTS in Recess
0.050 1942 1945 Jefferson - Wartime Silver Alloy
0.050 1946 1967 Jefferson - Prewar Composition; Mintmark Style Resumed
0.100 1828 1837 Capped Bust; Modified Design
0.100 1875 1891 Liberty Seated - Variety 4 Resumed; With Weight Standard of Variety 5
0.100 1892 1916 Barber or Liberty
0.100 1916 1945 Winged Liberty Head or Mercury
0.100 1946 1964 Roosevelt - Silver
0.200 1875 1878 Liberty Seated
0.250 1831 1838 Capped Bust - Reduced Diameter; Motto Removed
0.250 1875 1891 Liberty Seated - Variety 4 Resumed; With Weight Standard of Variety 5
0.250 1892 1916 Barber or Liberty Head
0.250 1925 1930 Standing Liberty - Stars Below Eagle; Recessed Date
0.250 1932 1964 Washington - Silver
0.250 1965 1975 Washington - Clad
0.250 1976 1976 Washington - Bicentennial
0.250 1999 2008 State Quarters
0.250 2009 2009 State Quarters - District of Columbia and U.S. Terrirtories
0.250 2010 2021 America the Beautiful
0.500 1838 1839 Capped Bust; Reeded Edge Reverse HALF DOL.
0.500 1875 1891 Liberty Seated; Variety 4 Resumed; With Weight Standard of Variety 5
0.500 1892 1915 Barber or Liberty Head
0.500 1916 1947 Liberty Walking
0.500 1948 1963 Franklin
0.500 1964 1964 Kennedy - Silver
0.500 1976 1976 Kennedy - Bicentennial
0.500 1977 9999 Kennedy - Clad; Eagle Reverse Resumed
1.000 1866 1873 Liberty Seated; With Motto IN GOD WE TRUST
1.000 1873 1885 Trade
1.000 1878 1921 Morgan
1.000 1921 1935 Peace
1.000 1971 1974 Eisenhower; Eagle Reverse
1.000 1976 1976 Eisenhower; Bicentennial
1.000 1979 1999 Susan B. Anthony
1.000 2000 2008 Sacagawea
1.000 2007 2016 Presidential
1.000 2009 9999 Native American
0.500 1918 1954 Silver Commemorative

---

186 Coin Type Set
Demon. Year Year Description
0.005 1793 1793 Liberty Cap; Head Facing Left
0.005 1794 1794 Liberty Cap; Head Facing Right; Large Head
0.005 1795 1797 Liberty Cap; Head Facing Right; Small Head
0.005 1800 1808 Draped Bust
0.005 1809 1836 Classic Head
0.005 1840 1857 Braided Hair
0.010 1787 1787 Fugio Cent
0.010 1793 1793 Flowing Hair (Chain or Wreath Rev)
0.010 1793 1796 Liberty Cap
0.010 1796 1807 Draped Bust
0.010 1808 1814 Classic Head
0.010 1816 1835 Liberty Head - Matron Head
0.010 1835 1839 Liberty Head - Matron Head Modified: The Young Head
0.010 1839 1857 Liberty Head - Braided Hair
0.010 1856 1858 Flying Eagle
0.010 1859 1859 Indian Head - Copper-Nickel; Laurel Wreath Reverse
0.010 1860 1864 Indian Head - Copper-Nickel; Oak Weath With Shield
0.010 1864 1909 Indian Head - Bronze
0.010 1909 1942 Lincoln; Wheat Ears Reverse
0.010 1943 1943 Lincoln; Wheat Ears Reverse - Zinc-Coated Steel
0.010 1944 1958 Lincoln; Wheat Ears Reverse - Variety 1 (Bronze) Resumed
0.010 1959 1982 Lincoln; Memorial Reverse - Copper
0.010 1983 2008 Lincoln; Memorial Reverse - Copper Plated Zinc
0.010 2009 2009 Lincoln; Bicentennial
0.010 2009 9999 Lincoln; Shield Reverse
0.020 1864 1873 Two Cent
0.030 1851 1873 Silver Three-Cent Pieces (Trimes)
0.030 1865 1889 Nickel Three-Cent Pieces
0.050 1794 1795 Flowing Hair
0.050 1796 1797 Drapped Bust - Small Eagle Reverse
0.050 1800 1805 Drapped Bust - Heraldic Eagle Reverse
0.050 1829 1837 Capped Bust
0.050 1837 1838 Liberty Seated - No Stars on Obverse
0.050 1838 1853 Liberty Seated - Stars on Obverse
0.050 1853 1855 Liberty Seated - Arrows at Date
0.050 1856 1859 Liberty Seated - Variety 2 Resumed; with Weight Standard of Variety 3
0.050 1860 1873 Liberty Seated - Legend on Obverse
0.050 1866 1867 Shield - With Rays Between Stars
0.050 1867 1883 Shield - Without Rays
0.050 1883 1913 Liberty Head
0.050 1913 1913 Indian Head or Buffalo - FIVE CENTS on Raised Ground
0.050 1913 1938 Indian Head or Buffalo - FIVE CENTS in Recess
0.050 1938 1942 Jefferson
0.050 1942 1945 Jefferson - Wartime Silver Alloy
0.050 1946 1967 Jefferson - Prewar Composition; Mintmark Style Resumed
0.050 1966 2003 Jefferson - With F.S.
0.050 2004 2005 Westward Journey Nickels
0.050 2006 9999 Monticello Reverse; Resumed
0.100 1796 1797 Draped Bust; Small Eagle Reverse
0.100 1798 1807 Draped Bust; Heraldic Eagle Reverse
0.100 1809 1828 Capped Bust; Wide Border
0.100 1828 1837 Capped Bust; Modified Design
0.100 1837 1838 Liberty Seated - No Stars on Obverse
0.100 1838 1853 Liberty Seated - Stars on Obverse
0.100 1853 1855 Liberty Seated - Arrows at Date
0.100 1856 1860 Liberty Seated - Variety 2 Resumed; With Weight Standard of Variety 3
0.100 1860 1873 Liberty Seated - Legend on Obverse
0.100 1873 1874 Liberty Seated - Arrows at Date
0.100 1875 1891 Liberty Seated - Variety 4 Resumed; With Weight Standard of Variety 5
0.100 1892 1916 Barber or Liberty
0.100 1916 1945 Winged Liberty Head or Mercury
0.100 1946 1964 Roosevelt - Silver
0.100 1965 9999 Roosevelt - Clad
0.200 1875 1878 Liberty Seated
0.250 1796 1796 Draped Bust - Small Eagle Reverse
0.250 1804 1807 Draped Bust - Heraldic Eagle Reverse
0.250 1815 1828 Capped Bust - Large Diameter
0.250 1831 1838 Capped Bust - Reduced Diameter; Motto Removed
0.250 1838 1840 Liberty Seated - No Drapery
0.250 1840 1853 Liberty Seated - No Motto
0.250 1853 1853 Liberty Seated - Arrows and Rays
0.250 1854 1855 Liberty Seated - No Motto; Arrows at Date
0.250 1856 1865 Liberty Seated - No Motto; Arrows at Date
0.250 1856 1865 Liberty Seated - No Motto
0.250 1866 1873 Liberty Seated - Motto Above Eagle
0.250 1873 1874 Liberty Seated - Arrows at Date
0.250 1875 1891 Liberty Seated - Variety 4 Resumed; With Weight Standard of Variety 5
0.250 1892 1916 Barber or Liberty Head
0.250 1917 1917 Standing Liberty - No Stars Below Eagle
0.250 1917 1924 Standing Liberty - Stars Below Eagle; Pedestal Date
0.250 1925 1930 Standing Liberty - Stars Below Eagle; Recessed Date
0.250 1932 1964 Washington - Silver
0.250 1965 1975 Washington - Clad
0.250 1976 1976 Washington - Bicentennial
0.250 1977 1998 Washington - Eagle Reverse; Lower Relief
0.250 1999 2008 State Quarters
0.250 2009 2009 State Quarters - District of Columbia and U.S. Terrirtories
0.250 2010 2021 America the Beautiful
0.500 1794 1795 Flowing Hair
0.500 1796 1797 Draped Bust; Small Eagle Reverse
0.500 1801 1807 Draped Bust; Heraldic Eagle Reverse
0.500 1807 1808 Capped Bust; Lettered Edge; First Style
0.500 1809 1833 Capped Bust; Lettered Edge; Remodeled Portrait and Eagle
0.500 1834 1836 Capped Bust; Lettered Edge; Slighty Modified Portrait
0.500 1836 1837 Capped Bust; Reeded Edge
0.500 1838 1839 Capped Bust; Reeded Edge Reverse HALF DOL.
0.500 1839 1841 Liberty Seated; No Motto Above Eagle
0.500 1842 1853 Liberty Seated; Modified Reverse With Large Letters in Legend
0.500 1853 1853 Liberty Seated; Arrows at Date; Rays Around Eagle
0.500 1854 1855 Liberty Seated; Arrows at Date; No Rays
0.500 1856 1866 Liberty Seated; Variety 1 Resumed; With Weight Standard of Variety 2
0.500 1866 1873 Liberty Seated; Motto Above Eagle
0.500 1873 1874 Liberty Seated; Arrows At Date
0.500 1875 1891 Liberty Seated; Variety 4 Resumed; With Weight Standard of Variety 5
0.500 1892 1915 Barber or Liberty Head
0.500 1916 1947 Liberty Walking
0.500 1948 1963 Franklin
0.500 1964 1964 Kennedy - Silver
0.500 1965 1970 Kennedy - Silver Clad
0.500 1971 1975 Kennedy - Clad
0.500 1976 1976 Kennedy - Bicentennial
0.500 1977 9999 Kennedy - Clad; Eagle Reverse Resumed
1.000 1794 1795 Flowing Hair
1.000 1795 1798 Drapped Bust; Small Eagle Reverse
1.000 1798 1804 Drapped Bust; Heraldic Eagle Reverse
1.000 1840 1865 Liberty Seated; No Motto
1.000 1849 1854 Liberty Head Gold
1.000 1854 1856 Indian Princess Head; Small Head
1.000 1856 1889 Indian Princess Head; Large Head
1.000 1866 1873 Liberty Seated; With Motto IN GOD WE TRUST
1.000 1873 1885 Trade
1.000 1878 1921 Morgan
1.000 1921 1935 Peace
1.000 1971 1974 Eisenhower; Eagle Reverse
1.000 1976 1976 Eisenhower; Bicentennial
1.000 1977 1978 Eisenhower; Eagle Reverse Resumed
1.000 1979 1999 Susan B. Anthony
1.000 2000 2008 Sacagawea
1.000 2007 2016 Presidential
1.000 2009 9999 Native American
2.500 1796 1807 Capped Bust to Right
2.500 1808 1808 Capped Bust to Left; Large Size
2.500 1821 1827 Capped Head to Left; Large Diameter
2.500 1829 1834 Capped Head to Left; Reduced Diameter
2.500 1834 1839 Classic Head; No Motto on Reverse
2.500 1840 1907 Liberty Head
2.500 1908 1929 Indian Head
3.000 1854 1889 Indian Princess Head
4.000 1879 1880 Stella
5.000 1795 1798 Capped Bust to Right; Small Eagle Reverse
5.000 1795 1807 Capped Bust to Right; Hearldic Eagle Reverse
5.000 1807 1812 Capped Bust to Left
5.000 1813 1829 Capped Head to Left; Large Diameter
5.000 1829 1834 Capped Head to Left; Reduced Diameter
5.000 1834 1838 Classic Head; No Motto
5.000 1839 1866 Liberty Head; No Motto Above Eagle
5.000 1866 1908 Liberty Head; Motto Above Eagle
5.000 1908 1929 Indian Head
10.000 1795 1797 Capped Bust To Right; Small Eagle
10.000 1797 1804 Capped Bust To Right; Heraldic Eagle
10.000 1838 1866 Liberty Head; No Motto Above Eagle
10.000 1866 1907 Liberty Head; Motto Above Eagle
10.000 1907 1908 Indian Head; No Motto On Reverse
10.000 1907 1933 Indian Head; Motto On Reverse
20.000 1849 1866 Liberty Head; Without Motto On Reverse
20.000 1866 1876 Liberty Head; Motton Above Eagle; Value TWENTY D.
20.000 1877 1907 Liberty Head; Motton Above Eagle; TWENTY DOLLARS
20.000 1907 1907 Saint-Gaudens; Without Motto IN GOD WE TRUST; High Relief
20.000 1907 1908 Saint-Gaudens; Arabic Numerals; No Motto
20.000 1908 1933 Saint-Gaudens; With Motto IN GOD WE TRUST
0.250 1893 1893 World's Columbian Exposition; Isabella Quarter
0.500 1918 1954 Silver Commemorative
1.000 1903 1922 Gold $1
2.500 1915 1926 Gold $2.50
50.000 1915 1915 Pan-Pacific Gold $50
0.500 1982 9999 Half Dollar
1.000 1983 9999 Dollar
5.000 1986 9999 Gold $5
10.000 1984 9999 Gold $10
10.000 2001 2001 Bi-Metallic Gold/Platinum $10
0.250 2010 2021 America The Beautiful Silver Bullion Coins 5.0 oz.
1.000 1986 9999 American Eagles Silver Bullion Coins; $1
5.000 1986 9999 American Eagle Gold Bullion Coins; 1/10 oz. Gold
10.000 1986 9999 American Eagle Gold Bullion Coins; 1/4 oz. Gold
25.000 1986 9999 American Eagle Gold Bullion Coins; 1/2 oz. Gold
50.000 1986 9999 American Eagle Gold Bullion Coins; 1 oz. Gold
5.000 2008 9999 American Buffalo Gold Bullion Coins; 1/10 oz. Gold
10.000 2008 9999 American Buffalo Gold Bullion Coins; 1/4 oz. Gold
25.000 2008 9999 American Buffalo Gold Bullion Coins; 1/2 oz. Gold
50.000 2006 9999 American Buffalo Gold Bullion Coins; 1 oz. Gold
10.000 2007 2016 First Spouse Gold Bullion Coins; 1/2 oz. Gold
20.000 2009 2009 MMIX Ultra High Relief Gold Coin; 1 oz. Gold
10.000 1997 9999 Tenth-Ounce Platinum
25.000 1997 9999 Quarter-Ounce Platinum
50.000 1997 9999 Half-Ounce Platinum
100.000 1997 9999 One-Ounce Platinum

Boosibri

Buy what excites you, there is no such thing as a universal must have for a collection. I would guess that we each individually have our own definition of what is must have for us.

messydesk

Pillar 8 reales
Fugio cent
CC Morgan dollar
$20 Saint
Buffalo nickel

Zoins

<< <i>Matte Proof Lincoln - You just don't see the detail of President Lincoln like you do in the Matte Proofs. >>

As nice as MPLs are, I'd say a St. Gaudens DE would be more must have than a MPL.

ricko

For most people, coin collecting is a personal interest. As such, different coins/series appeal to people in different ways. Because of this, I would say there are no 'must haves' generally. Perhaps when a collector settles on a preference, then there are some that she/he would consider necessary. Setting out 'requirements' begins to regiment the hobby and, in my opinion, detracts from the pleasure. Cheers, RickO

ricko

ricko

ricko

ricko

sumnom

<< <i>best advice would probably be to that person

buy a redbook and spend some time with it
then buy what inspires you >>



I agree. As a collector not interested in investment, why buy what other people think is important? People should collect what they find interesting.

Walkerfan

There are many...

1787 Fugio cent
1877 IHC
1909-S VDB Lincoln
1914-D Lincoln
3 cent silver
3 cent nickel
1913 Buffalo t 1 & t 2
3 legged buffalo
Liberty seated 10c no stars obv.
1916-D Mercury
Any 20 cent piece
1916 SLQ
1917 t 1 & t2 slq
1923-S slq
1927-S slq
1932 p/d/s Washington
pre 1820 CBH
Any or all pre-1934 WLHS
1949-S Franklin
Any Flowing hair dollar
Any draped bust dollar
Any Seated Liberty dollar in higher grade
1878, 1879, 1880, 1881 & 1885 CC Morgan
1934-S Peace dollar
Better date Liberty head $20
Better date Saint Gaudens $20

That would garner some attention.

AMRC

I would go with one from every denomination, and then branch out from there and add the various types or varieties (of interest) per denomination.

BillJones

The Matte Proof Lincoln would not be on my list. I have one, only because I thought at one point that I would collect all of the 20th century type coins in Proof that were generally available. I have since learned that that the 1909-VDB Matte Proof Lincoln is pretty much impossible to so that ended that collection.

Matte Proof Lincolns were way over priced when they were selling for $1,000 + apiece. The coin is just not very exciting, and not much different from a well struck, well preserved business strike. That's one of the reasons why Proof coins were not offered to collectors for about 20 years from 1916 to 1936.

DeepCoin

Many of these lists contain coins that are far beyond the average collector. A Fugio cent might be worth more than many have in their entire collection. I think the type set is a great way to collect, the only caveat regarding coins included is the total budget for the type collection suggested. For example, how far can you go with eye appealing coins, keeping the total under $1,000?

I think with judicious selection, you could go quite a ways with terrific coins.