BOX OF 20 COINS

Peace_dollar88

I see others doing a box of 20 cool coins. I have decided to do my own box of 20 coins. This is my first coin to put in the box. 1901-S $10 gold.

1630Boston

Very nice start to a box of twenty
be careful though...my box of 20 is 48 coins now

baddogss

I agree, a very good way to start that box of twenty. Now for the other nineteen coins...?

BryceM

20 boxes of 20 sounds about right to me.

PRECIOUSMENTAL

What is the 'proper way' to do a box of twenty?
Serious question.
Thanks!

ManifestDestiny

I personally love the Box of 20 concept and wish there was more conversation around the concept. I think it's great for a beginner who doesn't want to build a traditional set but wants to build a meaningful collection and needs some guidance and direction.

I think it would be neat if someone would come up with set ideas for Box of 20 collections that would have a list of suggested coins.

Branch Mint Box of 20...list of 20 coins that tell the story.

Western Expansion Box of 20

Handmade Coins Box of 20

Civil War Box of 20

Financial History Box of 20....crime of 1873, etc.

Design Changes Box of 20

1630Boston

It is tough to describe the concept
20 is an arbitrary number [I know it is not since 20 slabs fit in a PCGS box], but some 'box's' that I'm working on have only 4 coins to complete the theme.
It's tough, a lot of thought has to be put into a 'box of 20'

I guess my boxes of 4 could become boxes of 20 if I get the same 4 coins, each in 5 different grades ????

Now look what you have started

USMarine6

The box of 20 concept take a certain amount of discipline. It's easy to get carried away with wanting more. It's hard to let some coins go sometimes but I've been known to sell off 3 or 4 to obtain a nicer coin.
I do like the start you made with the 10 lib.

Catbert

I'm a fan of the concept because I like to concentrate on a few coins versus having many that may dilute the quality of my collection and what I strive to maintain. This suits me since I don't have a regular budget for coins, but it's not for those who need a regular purchase to feed an addiction (or who simply have more cash to spend). Here's a thread where people have posted their 20 favorites:

https://forums.collectors.com/discussion/comment/11727215#Comment_11727215

bolivarshagnasty

See the Set Registry Showcase section for lots of ideas.

lkeigwin

I wonder how many collectors seriously follow the box-of-20 implicit rules. If you buy a 21st coin then one of your 20 has to be disposed of no matter how much you love them all.

I couldn't do it. Shoot...I have 15 boxes-of-20 for bust half dollars alone.
Lance.

Onastone

Where are the rules? This is the first time I've seen this box-o-20 idea, which is really interesting! You can have more than one box? That's a nice coin 1901 gold!!!!

ricko

The original concept - as I recall it - was to put together 20 coins that you, personally, considered to be super attractive.. to you. Coins you treasured for beauty, history, rarity... whatever your focus happens to be. And yes, if you had twenty, and a coin showed up that was a 'eureka' find... it was supposed to replace one already there. I recall a few posts from members doing that. Much like Lance..and a few others, it does not work for me... I just keep accumulating. Cheers, RickO

PhilLynott

Nice coin! There are some beautiful $10 1901-S' out there for great deals. My avatar being one of them, one of the must lustrous coins I've owned, one of my best LCS finds.

Weiss

I think it can be a great tool for new collectors. But don't let it take the joy out of collecting. It's really just a codified way of choosing quality over quantity.

There are no rules to a box of 20. The idea is that you focus on the best 20 pieces you can acquire, based on whatever criteria you decide on. As your finances allow, or as you encounter "better" pieces, you swap out a piece that has become less than box of 20 material because of the latest acquisition.

If you like fancy bound rolls of state quarters and presidential dollars in presentation boxes, then you be you and collect what you like. But I think some people get sunk in that quagmire and think high mintage, low value quantity is better than a smaller, curated collection of quality pieces. If you keep your powder dry for good pieces, your collection will probably have more meaning to you and will probably be worth more money in the long run, if that is of any concern to you.

How I approach it is going after key pieces that are gorgeous, that are rare, that are iconic. Pieces that stop me in my tracks. And pieces that strike me to my core. I can appreciate most coins. But if it doesn't give me that emotional response, it's not going to be part of my collection no matter how amazing it is on paper.

My box of 20, in its current iteration:
http://www.fourbore.com/montage21.jpg

Walkerfan

The box of 20 concept is great, in the beginning, when building your set and upgrading.

It helps motivate you to collect, fill and improve your set with better coins.

But years down the road, when it's filled with quality coin, there's nothing wrong with expanding and starting a new box (or two or three....lol)