Favorite us coins
Copurnicus
Posts: 29 ✭
Copurnicus
Posts: 29 ✭
Copurnicus
Posts: 29 ✭
Comments
Flying Eagle Cents...........
"When they can't find anything wrong with you, they create it!"
Nice
Don’t think I’ve ever seen so many at once
I always liked bust halfs and early commems, fwiw 🙂
Coin: half disme
Series: IHC
Seated Liberty Halves!
Historical Significance:
The Seated Liberty series (1839-1891) is an important period in U.S. history, covering events like the Civil War, Reconstruction, and the expansion of the country. Coins from this era have historical significance, and owning a piece of U.S. history can be a powerful draw for collectors.
Design and Aesthetic Appeal:
The Seated Liberty design, featuring Lady Liberty seated on a rock with a shield and a branch, is considered one of the more elegant and artistic designs of U.S. coinage. The iconic, detailed depiction makes these coins visually appealing to many collectors who are drawn to the design's classic beauty.
Rarity:
Seated Liberty halves were minted for many years but saw relatively low mintages compared to modern coins. Some years and varieties are particularly scarce, which can make them appealing to collectors looking for rarity or looking to complete a collection. Certain years, like those from the 1850s or the Civil War era, are especially coveted for their rarity.
Challenging to Collect:
The Seated Liberty half dollar series can be challenging to complete, especially in higher grades, making it a rewarding challenge for collectors. Some dates and mint marks are harder to find in good condition, which adds an element of difficulty and excitement for advanced collectors.
Diverse Subsets:
The series offers a wide range of interesting varieties, such as different mint marks (from Philadelphia, New Orleans, San Francisco, and Carson City) and unique features like the "No Drapery" design (used in 1839) and the transition to the "Arrows" and " rays" varieties in the early 1850s. The different types and years give collectors a lot of options for focusing on specific subsets.
Aesthetic and Financial Potential:
For those interested in both the aesthetic beauty of the coins and their potential investment value, Seated Liberty halves offer an interesting mix. While many coins in the series are affordable, rarer, higher-grade examples can command significant prices, making them a potential financial investment.
Appeal to Early U.S. Coin Collecting:
The Seated Liberty half dollars mark a period in U.S. coinage that some collectors find compelling for its place in the development of the nation's coinage system. Some collectors specifically focus on "pre-20th-century" U.S. coins, and the Seated Liberty series fits squarely in this category, offering insight into early American numismatic history.
A More Traditional Series:
Collecting Seated Liberty halves can give collectors a sense of nostalgia or connection to earlier numismatic traditions. Many people find satisfaction in pursuing older coins from the mid-1800s, as they carry a distinct legacy that differentiates them from more modern issues.
Variety in Grades and Conditions:
Seated Liberty halves can be found in a wide range of conditions—from heavily worn "low-grade" coins to high-grade examples. This provides collectors with the flexibility to pursue coins based on their budget, whether they’re aiming for a complete set in low grades or high-end examples for a premium collection.
In Comparison to Other U.S. Coin Series:
While Seated Liberty halves may not be as widely known or collected as more popular series (like Morgan dollars or Silver Eagles), they hold a distinct place in U.S. coinage history. They represent a challenging, rewarding, and aesthetically pleasing area of numismatics that appeals to those with a particular interest in early U.S. coin designs and the history of coin production.
The above courtesy of ChatGPT
"Got a flaming heart, can't get my fill"
I will also sing in praise of Seated Halves. They are the only Seated series that retains the original Christian Sully based image of Liberty. In comparison, Seated Halves look like Julia Roberts while most of the rest look like Aunt Bee.
They also tend to hold their value. It may not be what you think of first but it it nice to be able to get your money back or even profit when you let them go. James
The Seated Series. Half-dime through Seated Dollar.
BST transactions: dbldie55, jayPem, 78saen, UltraHighRelief, nibanny, liefgold, FallGuy, lkeigwin, mbogoman, Sandman70gt, keets, joeykoins, ianrussell (@GC), EagleEye, ThePennyLady, GRANDAM, Ilikecolor, Gluggo, okiedude, Voyageur, LJenkins11, fastfreddie, ms70, pursuitofliberty, ZoidMeister,Coin Finder, GotTheBug, edwardjulio, Coinnmore, Nickpatton, Namvet69,...
Very amusing!
I think @pursuitofliberty needs to have this analogy drilled into his head!
"Got a flaming heart, can't get my fill"
Small Eagle reverse half eagles and eagles.
Since I cannot afford them, I choose my second favorite, Seated coins and particularly half dollars
Why?
1> I like the design. It's not butt ugly like the Buffalo nickel
2> They are relatively rare compared to other series.
3> Their mintages and survival rates across grades reflect events going on in and outside the country at that time and obviously reflect collecting interests as well.
4> They're the coins of westward expansion, and with 122 slots, collecting a full set of them is like walking the Oregon Trail.
5> Because of #3, there are fascinating grade distributions for certain dates (50, 51, 52, 79-90, and others). A Good - Fine 1851 or 1879 is a condition uber-rarity that likely circulated outside the country, whereas an MS63 is common.
6> There are endless die marriages (about 2000) and lots of cool varieties for the variety collector.
7> Because of #5, there are great opportunities to cherry pick rare varieties or even common varieties that carry a nice premium (e.g., 1855/54).
8> Despite excellent research by Bill Bugert, Mike Wiley, and others, there are still a lot of discoveries to be made in the series. It's a series like many others that rewards those who educate themselves.
9> There's even a mule in the series, as well as a reciprocal mule in the CBRE!
10> Nice original examples are still available as raw coins on eBay. At least they were when I started collecting them in 2007. That was not the case with Barber halves. Anybody want a bunch of wiped, hairlined Barber halves?
11> As other have mentioned, they hold their value, while some have appreciated well (e.g., 1839 ND(!), 1864, 1865, 1876-CC).
12> Miss Liberty is hotter and even smells nicer...except for the 1850 WB-4 where she looks like a 3rd degree burn victim and smells like bacon.
Many of these apply to other seated denominations as well.
I like the Classic Head $2.50 and $5.00 gold coins.
I have also been fascinated by the early half dimes 1792 to 1805 for over 60 years.
<----- Check the avatar.
My Collection of Old Holders
Never a slave to one plastic brand will I ever be.
Dimes and if I was rich it would be dollars.
NFL: Buffalo Bills & Green Bay Packers