Freestyle Gold set

Justacommeman · February 10, 2013 12:14PM

I don't do gold but I have to admit whenever RYK or GK post about their gold coins my antlers get perky lately. What has stopped me in the past from doing a "traditional type set" is the small sized coins. If they were all as big in real life as the pictures depicted on this forum I'd be in. I'm not a registry guy ( I may register some of my silver sets one day but probably as a marketing play) so I can freestyle. 97% of my silver coins are half dollar sized or larger so that is where my sweet spot is. I once mentioned to Dave Wnuck over beers about doing a larger sized gold set and his eyes lit up. We proceeded to a deluxe German beer sampler taste tasting that night and I completely forgot about this idea. So gold guys, what should be in this set? Feel free to throw in some better dates or mint marks or private issues. I have a mental list.

Thanks.

MJ

2ltdjorn · February 10, 2013 12:16PM

i think a copper $20 pattern would set the tone

AnkurJ · February 10, 2013 12:20PM

A nice 1855s Double Eagle from the SS Central America
1907 High Relief Saint
1907 No Motto $10 Indian

lordmarcovan · February 10, 2013 12:23PM

<< So gold guys, what should be in this set? >>

I don't have pockets deep enough to be called a "gold guy", but I'll give you my stock response.

Do U.S. and World gold, if you're really going freestyle. This gives you the opportunity to add some really sweet designs and also to go a lot farther back in time. Heck, as much as 2,000 years or more, if you tried hard enough. Or at least well back into the colonial era.

I'm going to be adding some gold to my "ADAM" (Ancient, Dark Age, and Medieval) "box of twenty" set.

If and when I do a more "modern" box of twenty, as I intend to, you can bet that both US and World gold coins will be represented.

Both categories are already well covered on my Holey Gold Hat.

Justacommeman · February 10, 2013 12:29PM

Ankur, your recent post got my batteries charged especially on the old gold. Your recommendations are on my first pass mental list.

LM, I'm all over your Darkside gold idea.

MJ

renman95 · February 10, 2013 12:41PM

How much gold do you need have to be called a "gold guy"?

Justacommeman · February 10, 2013 12:44PM

<< How much gold do you need have to be called a "gold guy"? >>

One. Outside of bullion I have none. I'm at the bottom of the class curve comrade. MJ

edited- to LM's point below I was hoping for some specialists to chime in. Mostly though I'm looking for some ideas no matter where they come from.

lordmarcovan · February 10, 2013 12:46PM

<< How much gold do you need have to be called a "gold guy"? >>

One coin, I propose. Mostly I would think it's about liking gold, and having at least one piece as a membership card to that very large club.

But the OP no doubt was aiming his question at gold specialists, which I will never be, except perhaps in those wild flights of fancy when my head is in the clouds.

Or down in the dirt- I always imagine a gold coin popping up when I dig certain detector signals.

Hasn't happened yet, but I'm still dreamin'. A local buddy of mine has found two: a 1790s escudo and a nice 1907 $10 Lib, both on the same site.

Being a "gold guy" is mostly an attitude, I think.

AMRC · February 10, 2013 12:48PM

I hate when my antlers get perky.

crypto79 · February 10, 2013 1:07PM

An original skinned PL type 3 twenty
An 46-47 Saudi trade disk
1868-69 Japanese 2 BU
Early British crown
Early eagle type set
(1838, 1839 type of 38, 1839 type of 40, 1840)

My dream list

Justacommeman · February 10, 2013 1:14PM

<< An original skinned PL type 3 twenty
An 46-47 Saudi trade disk
1868-69 Japanese 2 BU
Early British crown
Early eagle type set
(1838, 1839 type of 38, 1839 type of 40, 1840)

My dream list >>

Holy cr@p. I have some googling to do.

MJ

RYK · February 10, 2013 1:20PM

There are some ideas in this recent Box of $20 thread.

There are lots of great ways to mix US and darkside, old and new, dirty and clean, old slab and new slab (and no slab), etc.

Even the PCGS registry has some possibilities that do not require large financial commitments or extensive research or engagement. The $5 Liberty 7 mint set (see my sigline for an example), the Liberty head gold type set (most of the coins are larger, also in my sigline), and the 1900-1907 Liberty $10 set are possibilities.

MrEureka · February 10, 2013 1:23PM

Freestyle? I guess that means I'd choose my coins based on what I found, not on what I hope to find.

Sonorandesertrat · February 10, 2013 1:24PM

Throw in some larger pieces of world gold too---there are fabulous designs out there. I have a Dansco album full of them, collected during periods of boredom (i.e., in between finding nice large cents).

Try Peru, Central American Republic, France, Austria, Hungary, Mexico, etc.

RYK · February 10, 2013 1:27PM

<< Throw in some larger pieces of world gold too---there are fabulous designs out there. I have a Dansco album full of them, collected during periods of boredom (i.e., in between finding nice large cents).

Try Peru, Central American Republic, France, Austria, Hungary, Mexico, etc. >>

I agree...

Justacommeman · February 10, 2013 1:35PM

<< Freestyle? I guess that means I'd choose my coins based on what I found, not on what I hope to find. >>

I really have been listening to too much A$AP Mob lately. A hazard to my trade.

MJ

mkman123 · February 10, 2013 3:51PM

Hard to say no to this

AuroraBorealis · February 10, 2013 3:54PM

Good thing when you guys were beer sampling and discussing gold you weren`t signed into an auction that evening...

Go Eagles! Very early dates or late date designs! Either are both gorgeous... Nice size as well for viewing pleasure...

AB

lordmarcovan · February 10, 2013 3:56PM

<< The $5 Liberty 7 mint set (see my sigline for an example) >>

I've always thought this was an interesting set idea but lack the means to pursue it myself. RYK, I'll have a peek at yours and live vicariously through them for a minute or two.

stealer · February 10, 2013 3:56PM

<< 

<< Freestyle? I guess that means I'd choose my coins based on what I found, not on what I hope to find. >>

I really have been listening to too much A$AP Mob lately. A hazard to my trade.

MJ >>

What on earth? MJ listens to A$AP Mob? Did I just enter an ulterior dimension or something?

Justacommeman · February 10, 2013 4:13PM

<< 

<< 

<< Freestyle? I guess that means I'd choose my coins based on what I found, not on what I hope to find. >>

I really have been listening to too much A$AP Mob lately. A hazard to my trade.

MJ >>

What on earth? MJ listens to A$AP Mob? Did I just enter an ulterior dimension or something?

>>

It's what I work out and ski to. It doesn't play well in the yoga studio though.

For sure there will be a 1907 Eagle as well as an early Eagle......................MJ

renman95 · February 10, 2013 9:40PM

<< 

<< Freestyle? I guess that means I'd choose my coins based on what I found, not on what I hope to find. >>

I really have been listening to too much A$AP Mob lately. A hazard to my trade.

MJ >>

Noooooooooo!

BillJones · February 10, 2013 10:40PM

Are dime sized coins too small? If not then everything from the quarter eagle, which is the size of a dime, to the $20 gold piece would be fair game.

Among the quarter eagles, here is one of my favorites, the 1848 "CAL." This coin was made from the first shipment of California gold that was brought to the east coast. Some people also think that it was the first U.S. commemorative coin.

With an estimated population of about 210 to 225 survivors, the coin is scarce and expensive. But if you can swing it, it's a joy to own. You should also check out R.S. Yeoman's (the Red Book guy) classic article on this coin which was published in The Numismatist in the late 1940's

Here is the piece from my collection, which is an AU-55.

And here is what has to be the worst known example of the 1848 "CAL" $2.50. This piece changed hands over twenty years ago for something like $1,200. I passed on it, but did have long enough to get some pictures. The obverse is a love token.

Lakesammman · February 10, 2013 10:55PM

Sounds like a fun project - gold really looks good in OGH's.

Add that to your criteria if you're the patient type or need to stretch out your purchasers.

ricko · February 11, 2013 12:49AM

An Octagonal PanPac $50 piece..... Cheers, RickO

northcoin · February 12, 2013 6:41PM

Some interesting freestyle set ideas have been offered. Using size as a criteria I guess one could start with getting a $20 Liberty and a $20 Saint which would be a great mini-set. While there are territorials and commemoratives that are larger I do not think the U.S. Mint has offered anything bigger for general circulation. You could then work down to the ten dollar Eagles and Indians. If you are going to drop to the fives and go all the way to a 2 1/2 then you would need to pick up a 3 dollar as well. Once there though you might as well get a one. In retrospect, having one gold coin of each size would make for a set in its own right. A twenty, a ten, a five, a 3, a 2 1/2 and a 1. That is 6 coins total since the 4 dollar Stella can be skipped by defining it as a pattern. This also excludes the modern bullion gold coins.

northcoin · February 13, 2013 3:43AM

<< Are dime sized coins too small? If not then everything from the quarter eagle, which is the size of a dime, to the $20 gold piece would be fair game.

Among the quarter eagles, here is one of my favorites, the 1848 "CAL." This coin was made from the first shipment of California gold that was brought to the east coast. Some people also think that it was the first U.S. commemorative coin.

With an estimated population of about 210 to 225 survivors, the coin is scarce and expensive. But if you can swing it, it's a joy to own. You should also check out R.S. Yeoman's (the Red Book guy) classic article on this coin which was published in The Numismatist in the late 1940's

Here is the piece from my collection, which is an AU-55.

And here is what has to be the worst known example of the 1848 "CAL" $2.50. This piece changed hands over twenty years ago for something like $1,200. I passed on it, but did have long enough to get some pictures. The obverse is a love token.

>>

Love that 1848 CAL that you own. The fact that it is one of approximately 200 survivors is neat. Now there is a gold type set ideas - Gold Coins of which there are more than 100, but less than 500 survivors. I do have a 1861S Paquet Double Eagle that would qualify. Any thoughts on others that would fit the bill?

RYK · February 13, 2013 3:52AM

The fact that it is one of approximately 200 survivors is neat. Now there is a gold type set ideas - Gold Coins of which there are more than 100, but less than 500 survivors. I do have a 1861S Paquet Double Eagle that would qualify. Any thoughts on others that would fit the bill?

There are hundreds, if not thousands. Most C and D gold fits this category. Most No Motto era NO gold would also. CC $5's and $10's from the 1870's. Philly quarter eagles from the late 1800's, many (if not most) $3 gold coins. Many Liberty $10's and nearly as many Liberty $20's. Many of these are not considered to be scarce or special as there is not enough demand for them.

I would refine the target, but I do like the idea. I have always used PCGS total pop under 100 as a decent indicator of scarcity to compare between various gold coin issues (though certainly not as an absolute number of survivors).

jimbux61 · February 13, 2013 4:02AM

I like PL 19th century gold.

They are a lot less expensive then their proof counterparts, and arguably rarer.

Hussulo · February 13, 2013 5:09AM

I love gold coins. Unfortunately I had to sell most of my collection a couple of years ago but kept a couple and since then bought a couple. I am trying to focus on (hand) hammered gold coins. These are the ones I currently have:

northcoin · February 13, 2013 7:09AM

<< The fact that it is one of approximately 200 survivors is neat. Now there is a gold type set ideas - Gold Coins of which there are more than 100, but less than 500 survivors. I do have a 1861S Paquet Double Eagle that would qualify. Any thoughts on others that would fit the bill?

There are hundreds, if not thousands. Most C and D gold fits this category. Most No Motto era NO gold would also. CC $5's and $10's from the 1870's. Philly quarter eagles from the late 1800's, many (if not most) $3 gold coins. Many Liberty $10's and nearly as many Liberty $20's. Many of these are not considered to be scarce or special as there is not enough demand for them.

I would refine the target, but I do like the idea. I have always used PCGS total pop under 100 as a decent indicator of scarcity to compare between various gold coin issues (though certainly not as an absolute number of survivors). >>

That is most instructive. I guess we have the fact that so many gold coins have been melted over the years to account for the small survival rates.

nibanny · February 13, 2013 8:04AM

<< edited- to LM's point below I was hoping for some specialists to chime in. Mostly though I'm looking for some ideas no matter where they come from. >>

I am not a specialist but you can maybe find some ideas here. I know most of the coins (not all of them though), if you have any question, please ask.
Pictures are not great, sorry.

Your Darkside is my Lightside

LindeDad · February 13, 2013 8:15AM

Since you travel quit a bit. What about big coins from the counties you go to or have been to. Not necessarily bought in those counties as customs and gold do not go together very well.

JazzmanJAB · February 13, 2013 8:21AM

I think a nice set would be one of each of $20.00 gold.
Type 1 & 2 & 3, Liberty Head; Saint-Gaudens, No Motto & Motto and 2009 High Relief.

northcoin · February 13, 2013 8:31AM

<< I think a nice set would be one of each of $20.00 gold.
Type 1 & 2 & 3, Liberty Head; Saint-Gaudens, No Motto & Motto and 2009 High Relief. >>

Looking at it that way I guess I have put together a "set" by default. Adding in my San Francisco Paquet would cover all of the different $20 types?

Freestyle Gold set

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