Rarest Coins by SERIES
NeophyteNumismatist
Posts: 1,071 ✭✭✭✭✭
Every series has its "key" dates. Some series have keys that are virtually non-collectible while the rest of the series is available (ex. 1913 Liberty Nickel, 1933 St Gaudens Double Eagle, 1964 Peace Dollar, etc.). But, what are the coins that have the most scarcity as a series (this is to say that even the "common dates" are scarce)?
I am a newer collector (started April 2020), and I primarily focus on U.S. Half Cents and Type Coins. Early copper is my favorite.
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Flowing Hair Half Dollars are going to be up there, for sure ... but a lot of early Federal is
“We are only their care-takers,” he posed, “if we take good care of them, then centuries from now they may still be here … ”
Todd - BHNC #242
Mint state large size Capped Bust quarters (1815-1828)
I think it would be good to know (or at least discuss) overall scarcity as a series regardless of grade.
Also, would you include proof-only issues?
Are you only wanting to consider US federal coinage? What about colonial era?
I agree - I would like to look at scarcity over conditional rarity. However, I am not trying to box the conversation in... all thoughts are welcome.
I was not thinking of proof issues, but again... free forum here!
I am a newer collector (started April 2020), and I primarily focus on U.S. Half Cents and Type Coins. Early copper is my favorite.
I agree - if you look at varieties there are several unique or nearly so. But as for dates, it is not too hard to get an example each of 1794 and 1795.
Pacific Northwest Numismatic Association
Draped Bust Small Eagle half dollars are pretty darn scarce as a series.
In honor of the memory of Cpl. Michael E. Thompson
Would one consider the small eagle reverse DB halves a series or a variety?
There's a tough coin for you...
Several colonial era issues are much more rare than most / all US federal series.
I think you know my answer! If not, look at the response above yours...
In honor of the memory of Cpl. Michael E. Thompson
😅 how does that happen?
Wasn't there when I posted, but it posted several minutes earlier...
PCGS price guide has both years of the type at $25,000 in PO1
🤯
Early half dimes and draped bust dimes are tough in all grades.
Dimes 1800, 1801, 1802, 1803, and 1804 are all R-4 very scarce as dates including all varieties.
Same with half dimes 1801, 1802, 1803, 1805 with 1802 being the most rare date in the FH/DB type.
1801 half dime pop 2/28 in VF30, sorry no sticker
$4 Stella is a short series but all 4 are pretty darn scarce....
Gonna have to go with early half dimes (1794-1805). Just try to find one at a show, let alone one with no problems and original surfaces. Of course the number one driver of coin prices isn't rarity, it's demand, and since collectors like big coins these aren't as expensive as their rarity suggests.
"You can't get just one gun." "You can't get just one tattoo." "You can't get just one 1796 Draped Bust Large Cent."
That 64 peace is a real doozy
No star quarter eagle.
A: The year they spend more on their library than their coin collection.
A numismatist is judged more on the content of their library than the content of their cabinet.
I don't think will ever see that 🤔
Excluding patterns, I think that by far it's the no star quarter eagle (as mentioned above) and then the half disme.
Young Numismatist
Half-dismes are pretty scarce, as are small eagle half dollars and small eagle, $10 gold.
I don’t think these 1 (or even 2) year types constitute a series if it continues afterward. For example, I don’t think anyone considers the 21 Peace Dollar a series or 1916/17 SLQs. But Flowing Hair halves/dollars, sure, I suppose that would count even though each is only 2 years. They have their own links on the main CoinFacts page!
I would imagine most of the early federal gold series will be difficult to attain for any date.
Gotta agree with the Stella comment above, if we count proofs.
No star quarter eagles are rare, but it's not a series.
I am a newer collector (started April 2020), and I primarily focus on U.S. Half Cents and Type Coins. Early copper is my favorite.
@NeophyteNumismatist Perhaps a poll or 2 are in order?
US coins series no proofs?
With Proofs?
This may be a mind bender for all involved!
Capped Bust $5 Gold 1807-1834!
Especially the Small Head Small Size (1829-34).
"Look up, old boy, and see what you get." -William Bonney.
The PCGS survival estimate of all Stella dates combined is 289, while the survival estimate of half dismes is 275.
Here are some more that might not be series, but I think are different enough.
The survival estimate of 1808 large cap $2.50, a one-year design, is 132.
The survival estimate of no stars draped bust quarter eagles, another one-year design, is 88.
So, my final answer is half disme, if the last two don't count.
Young Numismatist
Chopmarked Trade Dollars.
18 issues.
Straight graded examples, most populous has 342.
11 have pops <50
of those, 5 have pops <20
of those, the two keys have pops of 8 and 4.
Chopmarked Trade Dollar Registry Set --- US & World Gold Showcase --- World Chopmark Showcase
Susan B. Anthony Dollars.
fka renman95, Sep 2005, 7,000 posts
Gobrecht dollars come to mind. Of course it's a short series.
Capped Bust $5 Gold!> @breakdown said:
So true!
A few already mentioned the series I’m having the most trouble with. I can’t find a problem free draped bust half dime in circulated condition for my 19th century circulated type sets. I actually found a NGC AU58 at the Last Long Beach show, but it was way over my budget. I also remember a lower grade affordable one a few years back online that I hesitated on buying because I thought I could find a nicer example, but I still haven’t found one. By the time I realized they were so hard to find someone else had already bought it. I also just this week saw what I think is the same NGC AU58 that I saw at Long Beach on a different dealers website for 33% higher price than it was at Long Beach.
Mr_Spud
These are moderately tough.
I don’t plan on doing the set.
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$4 gold stellas.
Worry is the interest you pay on a debt you may not owe.
"Paper money eventually returns to its intrinsic value---zero."----Voltaire
"Everything you say should be true, but not everything true should be said."----Voltaire
Seated Dollars.
Some of these series are EXPENSIVE. I'm going to put up Mint State Barber Quarters that are not DARK for everyone's consideration. According to the PCGS price guide a full set would be $230,000 in MS64. Half of that value is in the three keys, 1896-S. 1901-S and 1913-S. The other 71 coins range from $500 to $6,000. They rarely come up for sale. Collectors Corner currently lists 81 Barber Quarters in MS64 or better.
In part it might depend on condition rarity
Experience the World through Numismatics...it's more than you can imagine.
This is one tough series. I think a series should consist of at least 20 years and 30 plus coins. The 70-S showstopper not withstanding this series was heavily exported (and melted), has miniscule mintages, and is very hard to find problem-free. Add in hard core collectors that go all out when a rare issue hits the market. It's a great series.
$1 million (PCGS price guide) for an XF40 1870-S is DEFINITELY a stopper!
In the buffalo nickel series, the 13 type one three and one half legger is near the top
a.k.a "The BUFFINATOR"
One on the market now. Over 1.3 million. No sticker. I'm out!
Large Size Proof Bust Quarters:
1818 Unique
1820 Large O 3 known
1820 Small O Unique
1821 3 known
1822 3 known
1822 50/25 2 known
1823/2 Unique
1824/2 Unique
1825/3 2 known
1827/3 original 9 known
1827/3 restrike silver 11 known
1827/3 restrike copper 5 known
1828 6-7 known
PCGS Pop Report lists 42 total proof Large sized quarters from 1818 to 1828 with 21 from 1827. No grade rarity issue, just flat out extreme rarity. Clearly one of the toughest series IMHO.
No stars $2.50 and Capped Bust $2.50.
Keeper of the VAM Catalog • Professional Coin Imaging • Prime Number Set • World Coins in Early America • British Trade Dollars • Variety Attribution
I've only considered 20th century series and IHC's as reasonable series collecting goals in 64 or better. Probably because that's what I collected as a kid in the 50's (but not 64 or better). I've done Washingtons, IHC's, Lincolns, Mercs, and Buffalos, and then sold them off after a time. I only do type today. I never considered SLQ's or Walkers because of the investment required. As pointed out, condition matters a great deal. Varieties matter a great deal.
The Type II Gold Dollars only have six coins in the set. Type coin demand has pushed up the 1854 and '55 Philadelphia Mint coins. The 1855 Charlotte and especially the Dahlonega coins are tough, and the 1855-O and 1856-S are not that easy. It's doable set, but there are no cheap coins in it unless you are looking at the lower grades.
If you want to get really tough, with the exception of the 1813, the date run of early $5 gold coins from 1814 to 1834 Capped Bust has one bear after another. The 1822 gets all the press, but a couple of others are not far behind.
Liberty Quarter Eagle series 1840-1907 - many issues have less than 100 coins extant
There’s about a hundred known. Several red book varieties of early US half cents are much rarer (1796 no pole, 1797 gripped edge, 1802/0 rev. of 1800).
I understand your pain! I passed on a VG8 74-CC for $1575 from David Finkelstein on eBay (it was on my watch list) only to see the same coin 6 months later at a FUN show for 33% more from a Seated coins dealer. I bought it then because I could see it in hand and liked it. It was tough to swallow then but it sure tastes good now.
Here's the only seller's (DJF) photo I have of the coin (PCGS VG8 CAC).
I never see them.