What’s a coin you used to overlook but now appreciate, and why?
Goob
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Tastes change over time, a function of the human mind I know many of you already know. What was one coin you overlooked for any reason, that now you really like? It could be a design or denomination! For me, it's probably the trime. The one pictured below is the one that changed my mind. What coin got you hooked on your previously misunderstood type?
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I used to be hardcore Peace Dollars and never saw the pull to Morgans. Then I realized all Peace Dollars look the same and at least with Morgans you have regular, PL, DMPL, Proof, etc.
Im going with the 3 cent pieces. I do prefer the nickel ones but am happy with most everything ( just never paid attention to them )
I used to dismiss 1855/54 overdates after purchasing one with hardly any of the underdate showing. I thought they were a ridiculous minor overstrike. Then I happened to bring my Dansco home and looked at it briefly under a dissecting scope, my 1855 turned out to have a prominent 1855/1854 WB-1 overdate. "So, THIS is what the 1855/54 overdate is all about!"
.
In the next three years, I found a roll of them to generate extra cash for coin purchases. I still check for them when an 1855 comes up for auction. They have been a common and a lucrative cherry pick for me.
A 1855/54 in the 1855 normal date slot.
Led to an overdate blitz.
I don’t collect them but I do appreciate nice Eisenhower dollars now.
Previously never had an interest in any of the classic commemorative series. That all changed when I purchased my first 1918 Lincoln commemorative half, a few years ago. Appreciate these immensely now, because for me they are so fun to collect and the hunt continues.
Zack.
I love Lincolns! Here's three of my four Lincolns.
Standing Liberty Quarters. I only had standing Liberty Quarters that were well circulated and mostly dateless as a kid collector I never found them interesting. As an adult I bought a very nice quarter for my type set and fell in love with all the details on that coin. I am a couple years into a Dansco album complete set AU or better with some nicer XF scattered in. It became my favorite US Coin.
When I first started collecting, my exposure to Barber coinage was low-grade circulated examples. The design doesn't wear well and I thought it particularly unattractive. To some degree, I still kind of think that--even when they're nice, there are coins with much more pleasing designs. But I've softened my stance a bit and have realized that when they're nice, even if the design isn't ideal, they can look really, really nice. And of the three, the quarter is the perfect size where it's big enough to see everything, but not as big as the half, which was a lot of smooth areas to the design. Don't get me wrong, ugly examples are still terrible to my eye, but maybe some are pretty nice.
I got this one over 20 years ago and have always loved it:
Then a few years ago, I randomly picked this up at a show:
I have a few uncirculated dimes, as well, which I really enjoy, and if I saw some more nice examples at a reasonable price, I'd be happy to add some more.
Type 2 gold dollars. Most of my collecting life they seemed like an obscure footnote. As a type collector I took the view that the expanded 7070 doesn't even have one, so why should I? Then at some point I kind of tuned in and thought maybe I should look for one I like ... at a price that didn't seem completely incongruent with the quality and appeal of the coin ... and found it was quite a hunt. I finally bought one eight years ago after -- I don't know, three years of looking?? -- the only one I've ever owned, and probably the only one I ever will.
Early in my collecting, I never really gravitated to Coronet Head Large Cents. The depiction of Ms. Liberty was a bit too matronly and, much like some of the other coins mentioned in this thread, the design didn't wear well. Only when I started looking at higher grade coins did I start to appreciate the intricacies of the design.
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The Dark Side.
Funnily enough, I went the opposite way. I ended up falling in love with peace dollars after getting bored with Morgans. I’ve always been a 20th century history guy though.
I currently only have two Morgans, a 1900-O for my typeset, and a 1921 to show next to a 1921 peace dollar.
I started my 20th century type set mostly to expose myself to other coins, and now that it’s done, I’ve gone back to working on improving my peace dollar set.
Newbie collector of type and circulated Peace dollars, photographer of places and animals, player of instruments and builder of amplifiers, espresso industry professional, and a person distracted by shiny objects. https://mycollect.com/Rule556/sets
I agree, I really enjoy my type examples. The silver clads especially can look amazing.
Newbie collector of type and circulated Peace dollars, photographer of places and animals, player of instruments and builder of amplifiers, espresso industry professional, and a person distracted by shiny objects. https://mycollect.com/Rule556/sets
The 1921-S and D Morgans. I remember when you could buy them by the roll and they were basically bullion. Now, Near gems or Gems are pricey. 💰💵
Sometimes, it’s better to be LUCKY than good. 🍀 🍺👍
My Full Walker Registry Set (1916-1947):
https://www.ngccoin.com/registry/competitive-sets/16292/
The Trump gold coin
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I tried to think of one but can't come up with any. There are coins I like less now versus before.
Honestly, I’ve never cared for nickels, but they were fun learning about when collecting types. I get why people become completionists. Especially pre-war to war time dates.
Newbie collector of type and circulated Peace dollars, photographer of places and animals, player of instruments and builder of amplifiers, espresso industry professional, and a person distracted by shiny objects. https://mycollect.com/Rule556/sets
I don't need multiples, but I've found that some modern designs just look great if they're clean enough. The bicentennial quarter is so easily found in 68, but damn near impossible to find in 68 with no chatter. My original reply was going to have a photo of my Ike--memory jogged because of yours--but then I found I don't have a photo of it, so... I guess I won't show it off.
Really nice nickels! I really like the 38-Dz
"Another day, another Collectors Universe forum scrolling session."
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What’s a coin you used to overlook but now appreciate, and why?
St. Gaudens $20's. In the early 1970s the common dates were available under $60, and a set of common dates would have been attractive and eventually very profitable.
Barber, STQ, Mercury Dimes, Even Nice Walker Halves were all coins I once over looked but am now pursuing. Only in nice shape though. Preferably BU. I'll settle for XF+ on tougher dates.
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BU for the 1940s dates. XF-AU for 1930s tougher dates. F-VF,1916-1929. Tougher dates, as you say, are beaucoup bucks in XF+ and even if one has the money to pay, finding them in original, not messed with condition is a major challenge. Nothing wrong with F-VF grade for earlier dates, imo.
Einstein’s view of God was non-traditional and pantheistic, focusing on the harmony, order, and intelligibility of the cosmos rather than a personal deity. His quotes reveal a profound respect for the universe’s mysteries, a belief in rational laws, and a moral philosophy grounded in compassion and understanding, bridging science and spirituality.
“My religion consists of a humble admiration of the illimitable superior spirit who reveals himself in the slight details we are able to perceive with our frail and feeble mind.”
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Those Ikes are really nicely struck! The mint really went all-out on the silver-clad Ikes!
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I agree, I was very pleasantly surprised by how nice both were. I’d only ever handled the cupro nickel coins up until I picked these up.
Newbie collector of type and circulated Peace dollars, photographer of places and animals, player of instruments and builder of amplifiers, espresso industry professional, and a person distracted by shiny objects. https://mycollect.com/Rule556/sets
Barbers.
I’ve came across my Grandmothers “from circulation” Liberty nickel album. They are All from G to Poor condition, the 1887 and 1894 are there, along with a good late date run. I’m considering completing the folder with similar low grade coins.
That’s a really cool album! It’s fun that your grandmother collected V nickels. I inherited my family’s (as the albums were built by more than one person) three albums as well which was a Franklin Half album, as well as a Roosevelt Dime album and a Jefferson Nickel album. None of the three have any particularly rare coins in them, rarest probably being a 1949-S Franklin Half in G-VG condition. It’s cool seeing how much more widespread a hobby this was back then.
"Another day, another Collectors Universe forum scrolling session."
- Someone, probably
I feel like posting another one just for the sake of it because I have nothing better to do, so why not! Anyways, one I misjudged would probably be the Washington Quarter. I wasn’t necessarily fond of this series until around December of 2024 when I received a free ANACS-certified 1962 in MS65 from a coin show. I really liked it and it honestly really sparked an interest in silver Washington Quarters! Honestly now, I’d say it’s safe to say that it’s one of my favorite series now…when the coin looks right!
"Another day, another Collectors Universe forum scrolling session."
- Someone, probably
This series I collected in good to fine condition when I first started collecting as a young boy. Never appreciated the coins as the ones I had were very worn out and missing much detail. When I purchased my first choice uncirculated piece, I started studying the series and became enamored with the shear artistry of the design. This is now one of my most favorite series to collect. Finding well struck pieces can be challenging at times, along with Full Head designation. These are where I am in my current collection. I have a long way to go, but so far a fun and rewarding experience.
Zack.
When I started in coins I had an irrational aversion to Seated coinage. I can't explain why really. I know I felt they were somehow pedestrian and "modern" since I was focused on Capped Bust coinage. I realize now how ludicrous and ridiculous that was. Asinine really.
Fast forward, I've fallen deeply in love with Seated coinage. Specifically Seated Half Dollars. More specifically, SF mint Seated Half Dollars. The history with these coins is deep as deep gets. I won't bore you with the detail of my fascination.
Here are a few from my meager collection...
Territorials. When I was young, they seemed too esoteric. I appreciate the historical relevance much more today.
I recently added a gorgeous Washington Quarter in an OGH for my type set. Still think the design is rather bland as most collectors have thought over the past century. Still collecting is always a matter of
Personal taste
>
Ah shucks!
By the way, those are awesome coins! I particularly like the 60-S and 63-S.
Mexico Silver Libertad.
Attractive, affordable high demand coin.