Dave, Coming up on your first anniversary in completion of your awesome quarter set. I wanted to again say congratulations! you are such an inspiration for me when I see your set out on the Registry. I can only hope to come to some partial level of your completion endeavor success! Beautiful coins! - Tim
A Barber Quartet is made up of Nickels, Dimes, Quarters, and Halves.
I've often heard it said to aspiring collectors to buy the keys first. You've obviously done it differently, at least in part.
To be frank, it always seemed like the wrong advice for a beginning collector -- to buy the most expensive coins when they are the least knowledgeable seems like a recipe for disaster to me -- but I do wonder what your perspective is now that you have reached your collecting goal and can look at things from the rear-view mirror?
And on a broader point, what would you do differently (if anything) had you to do it all over again?
Thanks in advance, and, again, congratulations...Mike
Collector of Large Cents, US Type, and modern pocket change.
A lovely set... you can always tell whether a set has been carefully constructed over a long time; this one is awesome. Congratulations on finally finishing it and that 01-S has the perfect look.
Thank you all for the very nice comments. This has been a very fun project, for sure, and much more challenging than I would have expected.
A few specific comments/answers:
@sedulous - Keep at it bud, you can do it. Put together a full XF set, and you'll rock my world. Sorry to hear you were the under-bidder on my 1895-S in XF40. It had a bold strike, to say the least. I was hoping like heck it would come back VF35, so I could have included in my VF set. No such luck!
@topstuf - As goofy as it sounds, it all started when I read an article in COINage about Barbers quarters in VF/XF condition. The article indicated it was fairly easy (ha,ha,ha) to assemble a complete collection of this classic set (with the exception of the three keys, of course), without spending a lot of money. I had always liked the design, so I decided to give it a try. BTW, I didn't find it easy at all, at least with nice original unmolested examples. Oh, and I DID spend a lot of money chasing some nice ones.
@MikeInFL - I agreed with you. I've never liked the idea of 'buying the keys' first. I need to get really comfortable with a series before throwing around big $. I've passed on at least ten certified PCGS/NGC VF 1901-S VF quarters, which I didn't like for one reason or another (most were cleaned, IMO). While I could have paid 9K for an 01-S 25 years ago, I know for a fact I would not have been happy with the piece now. I absolutely love my current 01-S.
@panexpoguy - Honestly, my set is constantly in flux. I'm never really 'done' with it. I'm always on the lookout for upgrades. Not upgrades in grade, per se, more in 'look'. As an example, I just found a nice dirty VF30 1899-S that is a bit nicer than my current example. So in it will go. I do mess with the dimes and halves as well, but my focus remains on improving this set.
Would I do anything differently? Not much, although I would like to have a second chance at some of the semi-keys I've passed on (97-S, 98-O, 09-O, 14-S, etc). I've love to have a roll or two of those stashed away, as they have really risen in price over the years, and they just aren't available.
I also finally bought a decent camera, and I'll be adding pics to my registry set soon. I'll update this thread when I do that. Just need to find some time!
Finally, thank you Mike Hayes for all your help, and for keeping my Barber fire burning bright. Miss you my friend
Take care all -
Dave
Always looking for original, better date VF20-VF35 Barber quarters and halves, and a quality beer.
Comments
Nicely done
Successful transactions with : MICHAELDIXON, Manorcourtman, Bochiman, bolivarshagnasty, AUandAG, onlyroosies, chumley, Weiss, jdimmick, BAJJERFAN, gene1978, TJM965, Smittys, GRANDAM, JTHawaii, mainejoe, softparade, derryb, Ricko
Bad transactions with : nobody to date
Huge congrats, Dave. Ive admired your set for a long time and Im truly happy to see you finish it. Great accomplishment!!
Always looking for tougher PSA 10's of Nolan Arenado, Alex Bregman, Mookie Betts, Francisco Lindor, and Mike Trout.
Well done! I bet that's a handsome set!
My YouTube Channel
Dave, Coming up on your first anniversary in completion of your awesome quarter set. I wanted to again say congratulations! you are such an inspiration for me when I see your set out on the Registry. I can only hope to come to some partial level of your completion endeavor success! Beautiful coins! - Tim
A Barber Quartet is made up of Nickels, Dimes, Quarters, and Halves.
Congratulations.
I've often heard it said to aspiring collectors to buy the keys first. You've obviously done it differently, at least in part.
To be frank, it always seemed like the wrong advice for a beginning collector -- to buy the most expensive coins when they are the least knowledgeable seems like a recipe for disaster to me -- but I do wonder what your perspective is now that you have reached your collecting goal and can look at things from the rear-view mirror?
And on a broader point, what would you do differently (if anything) had you to do it all over again?
Thanks in advance, and, again, congratulations...Mike
awesome accomplishment
Very nice set in a pleasing grade. A set anyone would be proud to have assembled!
That is huge!
Amazing effort and dedication.
Would you share what started you on this quest?
Congratulations on the coin and completion Of your set.
Best place to buy !
Bronze Associate member
Congratulations! Must feel good. Do you have plans to upgrade this set or refocus on other collections?
A lovely set... you can always tell whether a set has been carefully constructed over a long time; this one is awesome. Congratulations on finally finishing it and that 01-S has the perfect look.
Nice!
Now do XFs.
Then AUs.
Then......
One year old thread, but the coin still looks nice!
Thank you all for the very nice comments. This has been a very fun project, for sure, and much more challenging than I would have expected.
A few specific comments/answers:
@sedulous - Keep at it bud, you can do it. Put together a full XF set, and you'll rock my world. Sorry to hear you were the under-bidder on my 1895-S in XF40. It had a bold strike, to say the least. I was hoping like heck it would come back VF35, so I could have included in my VF set. No such luck!
@topstuf - As goofy as it sounds, it all started when I read an article in COINage about Barbers quarters in VF/XF condition. The article indicated it was fairly easy (ha,ha,ha) to assemble a complete collection of this classic set (with the exception of the three keys, of course), without spending a lot of money. I had always liked the design, so I decided to give it a try. BTW, I didn't find it easy at all, at least with nice original unmolested examples. Oh, and I DID spend a lot of money chasing some nice ones.
@MikeInFL - I agreed with you. I've never liked the idea of 'buying the keys' first. I need to get really comfortable with a series before throwing around big $. I've passed on at least ten certified PCGS/NGC VF 1901-S VF quarters, which I didn't like for one reason or another (most were cleaned, IMO). While I could have paid 9K for an 01-S 25 years ago, I know for a fact I would not have been happy with the piece now. I absolutely love my current 01-S.
@panexpoguy - Honestly, my set is constantly in flux. I'm never really 'done' with it. I'm always on the lookout for upgrades. Not upgrades in grade, per se, more in 'look'. As an example, I just found a nice dirty VF30 1899-S that is a bit nicer than my current example. So in it will go. I do mess with the dimes and halves as well, but my focus remains on improving this set.
Would I do anything differently? Not much, although I would like to have a second chance at some of the semi-keys I've passed on (97-S, 98-O, 09-O, 14-S, etc). I've love to have a roll or two of those stashed away, as they have really risen in price over the years, and they just aren't available.
I also finally bought a decent camera, and I'll be adding pics to my registry set soon. I'll update this thread when I do that. Just need to find some time!
Finally, thank you Mike Hayes for all your help, and for keeping my Barber fire burning bright. Miss you my friend
Take care all -
Dave
I think all of us in the Barber Circle have these feelings. FUN is not going to be the same this year without Mike being a part of it. :'(
Your reasoning (and analysis) don't strike me at ALL as "goofy."
You took good info and have parlayed it into a remarkable achievement.
Good on ya!
I completely agree!! Miss you Mike my dear friend. I'm glad I got to celebrate his 70th Birthday with him last year during the FUN show.
Sweet! Congratulations!
President, Racine Numismatic Society 2013-2014; Variety Resource Dimes; See 6/8/12 CDN for my article on Winged Liberty Dimes; Ebay
Amazing set although I am semi turned off by the humble brag of posting the HA invoice
11.5$ Southern Dollars, The little “Big Easy” set