Minor accomplishment: 1913 Type Set
TommyType
Posts: 4,586 ✭✭✭✭✭
Call me crazy, but I really like collecting by type.
I understand the logic of having only a FEW coins of high quality and value. But to me, you miss the “story” of US coinage that way. The “box of 20”, by necessity, misses capturing the complete coins of an era, and the transition of designs.
Anyway, as part of my (greatly expanded) type set, I set aside certain years where I would seek out a complete coin type set for the year. Not a complete mint set...that’s too many coins, even for me! Mintmarks be damned. (And due to budget constraints, gold be damned....for now).
In a fit of narcissism, those years are defined by my birth year (1963), and increments of 25 years before and after. 1988, 1963, 1938, 1913, 1888, 1863, 1838, and 1813.
Looking at that, I guess I need to add 2013, now, don’t I? With age comes new goals.
My most recent addition of a nice original PCGS AU-55 1913D Barber half allowed me to finish the 1913 set. 1913 was a fortuitous “choice”, being the transition year for the Buffalo nickel, and of course, I required both a Type 1, and Type 2. But before you mention it....no, I am not in pursuit of a 1913 Liberty Nickel. For my purposes, that’s a fantasy...both as a coin, and as a pursuit! 
Here is the 1913 set, in all of its “Quality to fit my budget” glory:
Comments
Cool idea @TommyType and congrats on 1913!
Insert witicism here. [ xxx ]
Nice accomplishment. I did a type set for 100 years prior to my birth.
Congratulations on a job well done.
That 1913 set in your picture is very nice!
Very nice set and a unique collecting concept. I tend to pick up birth year and 100 years prior to birth year coins. Cheers, RickO
I really like this idea and hope you eventually get to add the gold. And maybe an S-mint just for fun.
Pacific Northwest Numismatic Association
You're thinking like me.
"Add an S mint...."
"Get a Red and Red-Brown to go with the Brown Lincoln"
"Get a Denver dime to go with the quarter and half"
"Upgrade the half to MS to go with the dime and quarter"
"Get the gold"
"Get an Apollo 13 coin"
In short, I can think of all kinds of reasons to buy coins.
Added: Um....there are no 1913D dimes. Just wanted to clear that up before I get called on it. LOL
There is nothing minor about this accomplishment. It is a nice set. You could add an AU quarter eagle for around $300 or so.
As it has been of late. . .
Agreed, except the fact that they are all "minor" coins, i.e. less than a dollar
Pacific Northwest Numismatic Association
Throwing out the 1938 set, which was finished quite some time ago....
(Not exactly the best way to photograph coins....)
I like the idea of year sets, and currently working on a few of my own. It adds a bit of focus to collecting, which can be difficult to come by. You seem to have it figured out.
Congrats on another one finished!
Very nice 1938 set...that Walker looks fabulous.... Cheers, RickO
Very nice set of coins...and a very neat way to collect. 1916 would be a great year to do this with all the overlaps and none would be pricey.
I like the 25 yr increment set your doing
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I put a 1913 Proof set together a few years ago. Collectors have long been drawn to the 1942, six piece Proof set, and some have dreamed of assembling a seven piece 1909 Proof set although the 1909-VDB Matte Proof Cent is a dead stopper for most of us. The 1913 Proof Barber coins are much harder to find than most of the earlier dates for whatever reasons.
This is a brilliant idea!!! Going to tackle my birth year to start.