Progress.
keets
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A little before the end of last year I decided it was time to undertake a new Set, something simple and a coin Type I have always liked --- Two-Cent Pieces. The Set is short, 10 coins total with one Variety(1864 Small Motto) and one tough date(1872). I reasoned that it would be best if the grades were matched and the coins were encapsulated, PCGS/NGC/ANACS would be my choices. Considering that two of the coins are more expensive, I settled on a manageable grade that I know a lot of members like --- AU58.
Since I'm doing this more for fun than anything else I thought I would restrict and force myself to buy coins with no distracting carbon spots, no heavy verdigris and nothing that I might believe to be active corrosion. These were parameters I didn't think would be a problem. I assumed that the coins would be readily available. I was wrong on all counts.
First, here are the PCGS pop numbers in AU58 for each date.
1864 LM --- 253. *
1864 SM --- 48.
1865 --- 144.
1866 --- 42.
1867 --- 48.
1868 --- 43. *
1869 --- 38.
1870 --- 27.
1871 --- 64. *
1872 --- 25.
As you can see, aside from the two dates the numbers are pretty small. Given the restrictions I'm trying to hold to it is sort of hard to find nice coins in the grade. So far I have three, 1864 LM, 1871 and 1868, all in PCGS capsules. Without painting myself as a Koolaide drinker I will simply say that there seem to be more coins in PCGS holders and the coins seem to have less problems. I am somewhat surprised at the number of coins with very distracting carbon spots or what I interpret to be corrosion in EVERYONE'S holder.
The 1864 LM and the 1868 were bought on eBay, the 1871 came from forum member oih82w8(thanks!). I wanted to post pictures but can only show the 1868 seller's pictures. I will try to take my own and post them in order as I buy coins. I also welcome any comments or feedback.
Enjoy.
Al H.
Comments
A Very Pretty Coin.
Looks a Lot Better than a 58.
I have put a similar set together excepting the small motto. I have a proof 1872 in place of a business strike. I've been pretty picky as to quality, too.
Good luck with your set. I would think that regardless of whether or not this was just for fun, you'd want to restrict yourself to high quality coins. I have an 1871 in 58 in my Prime set. It has a small verdigris spot on the shield -- not terribly offensive, though.
Keeper of the VAM Catalog • Professional Coin Imaging • Prime Number Set • World Coins in Early America • British Trade Dollars • Variety Attribution
That's a very nice AU58. It took me a couple of years to assemble my set. It's in the same album as my Braided hair half cents-they look nice together-two odd denominations in one place.
Good luck on your set, it looks like an interesting set to complete.
That is the proverbial road less traveled, for sure.....I too am surprised how low the pops are apart from the '72.
I think forum member Raybo collects two cent pieces, hopefully he will chime in on this thread.
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going for the + next?
Cool series and you've got a good start.
Very nice endeavor
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Sounds like a good time. An evenly matched set in AU50- AU58 would be an attractive endevour too.
That is a nice idea for a set Al.... I like that... I have not pursued a set in a long time, and that piques my interest... I have a couple of two cent pieces... not slabbed... AAARRGGGHHH..... darn, I have been so happy just floating around buying what I liked... (Try to resist.... must resist).....
Cheers, RickO
Very pretty coin!
You are off to a nice start to this interesting set.