There really ARE some old, neat, still affordable coins to be had - here are some to consider....

coinguy1 · October 27, 2003 8:53AM

In case anyone is interested, I have done a bit of thinking AND checking and have come up with a list of some older coins / coin types which I think are neat and still "affordable".

Disclaimer - the following is neither a solicitation to buy nor sell, any of the coins listed. Furthermore, I am not offering any investment advice or even suggesting that rare coins be purchased as an investment.

The following is merely a list of coins / coin types which, in my experience and subjective opinion, are (mostly) "older", neat and at least somewhat scarce, yet, still available and affordable (at less than $500 each, in most cases) to many.

Please feel free to share your opinions about and experiences with, these and other such coins:

AU Draped Bust 1/2 cents
MS63BN and 64BN Classic 1/2 cents
MS64BN Braided 1/2 cents

MS63BN and 64BN Coronet cents
MS64BN and MS64RB Braided cents
PR65BN and PR65RB Indian cents

MS65BN and MS65RB 2 cent pieces

MS64 T-1 and T- lll Silver 3c pieces
PR65 Nickel 3c pieces

PR65 Shield nickels
PR65 Liberty nickels

MS63 Capped Bust 1/2 dimes
MS64 Seated Liberty 1/2 dimes

AU Large Size and Small Size Capped Bust dimes
MS64 and PR64 Seated Liberty dimes
PR65 and PR66 Mercury dimes

Fine Draped Bust quarters
MS63 Seated Liberty quarters
AU 1853 Arrows&Rays quarters
MS65 T- ll Standing Liberty quarters

VF Draped Bust half dollars
AU-MS61 Capped Bust half dollars
AU 1853 Arrows&Rays half dollars
MS65 and MS66 Walking Liberty half dollars

AU No Motto and With Motto Seated Liberty dollars
AU-MS61 Trade dollars

MadMarty · October 27, 2003 8:54AM

Any coins you have are OK with me, because your the COINGUY!!!

FC57Coins · October 27, 2003 9:03AM

Mark - you're absolutely right - there are a lot of very collectable classic coins to be had out there without having to go to the poorhouse. You have to be smart and shop carefully, and more than likely you'll run into some of these treasures.

Russ · October 27, 2003 9:07AM

<< <i>MS65BN and MS65RB 2 cent pieces >>

Uh, Mark, can you point me at any Two Cent pieces in MS65RB that are under the $500 you mentioned?

Russ, NCNE

Tonelover · October 27, 2003 9:17AM

Russ, an original and lustrous 1865 PCGS MS-65 Red Brown Two Cent piece like this one can be had for all of $489, and even that's more than many you'll see. It's a nice one however. Not that I know where it is or anything.

barberlover · October 27, 2003 9:18AM

Mark,

If you get any more pcgs M.S. 64 r & b large cents with full luster and more red then brown for 335 dollars don't bother putting them on your site, just put them on hold for me.

Les

Russ · October 27, 2003 9:26AM

Jon,

You're under-charging for that coin.

Russ, NCNE

coinguy1 · October 27, 2003 9:26AM

Russ, the following are prices realized in Heritage sales, this year (most recent to least recent) for MS65RB's:

$488, $432, $437, $425, $862, $546, $529, $333 and $356.

I tried to list coins, which, in most cases, realistically, could be purchased for $500 or less.

Russ · October 27, 2003 9:27AM

Mark,

What years? 1864 and 1865 don't count.

Russ, NCNE

Baley · October 27, 2003 9:57AM

An excellent list of interesting type pieces. Affordable? depends on your budget i guess, I'm only ready to spring for a couple of grade points lower in most cases, and find the value in AU58s and the lower MS grades irresistable, when you're talking about the "semi-old" types like the seated era coins. Of course for bust era coins, especially the small denominations, a problem-free VG is all I can justify. $500 for me is still an expensive coin and not many of my pre-1800 holes are filled

There is a separate thread started inquiring about coins for an even smaller budget, and one could get many of these coins in a lightly circulated grade, that are attractive and show half or 3/4 or more of the detail (say in the Fine-EF range), for a fraction of the prices quoted, in many cases for $50-100.

Of course, if one's budget allowed, they could opt for the same selection in super gem, and start looking into some of the gold issues. Well, we can all aspire to someday be a bear or a tradedollarnut.

Thanks for a good thread Mark, for "old, neat, and affordable" I would also include pretty much any pre-1900 gold coin in AU or better, and anything in pre-civil war gold in problem free VF or better.

Conder101 · October 27, 2003 9:41PM

I've been collecting for over 30 years and I can count the number of $500 and up coins I've purchased on the fingers of one hand. I'm currently comfortable at the $100 range and willing to go to $250 from time to time. Above that takes some serious consideration.

BillJones · October 27, 2003 10:12PM

Great list coin guy! All of those coins are really fun to have.

I can tell you as a dealer that many of them are now in show supply at the bourses. Most of what you see these days has a problem or is overgraded.

Spudmasher · October 28, 2003 12:51AM

I would also like to add the 1873/1874 W/Arrows quarters, and halves in CH AU. Seemingly most have been tampered with. I purchased a raw 1873 W/Arrows quarter for $375.00, and sent it to PCGS werein it came back AU55. Spent a long time looking for a decent one though for my type set.

Clankeye · October 28, 2003 1:51AM

Great list Coinguy. I would like to add commemoratives into the mix.

Not as investments, I believe the supply of most commems to be plentiful. But, if you enjoy commemoratives as a hobbist, many of them are available in eye appealing condition for $500 on down.

There are many ways to collect them. By series, by subject, by toned, by white... whatever way you choose.

Something like a nice Antietam commem in 64 is hard to beat at $500 or under.

Clankeye

Outhaul · October 28, 2003 1:59AM

I agree with Clank! Classic commems for under $500.00 are certainly plentiful and a wonder to behold. Nice designs, interesting history, and low mintages to-boot! In fact, you can even put a nice circulated type set together for a fraction of the cost of a 50-coin type set MS-60 or higher.

Cheers,

Bob

mdwoods · October 28, 2003 2:02AM

MS64BN Braided 1/2 cents

I have one that I purchased from Wayne Herndon. Nice brown lustrous obverse, almost perfect reverse that is a neat bluish color. I also have a very pretty MS63RB 1864 2 Center that was less than 150 dollars. It's a steal at that price I think. I agree with Clankeye about commems too. You can buy quite a few of the commems for under 500
that have excellent eye appeal. Also gorgeous Type 1 & 2 Buffalos in high grade can be had for cheap.

coinguy1 · October 28, 2003 2:17AM

Clank, (I hope it's ok to call you that - I see some of your best friends here, do

),

Thanks for the reminder about the classic silver commemoratives. I have mentioned more than once here, that they are among my favorite coins to collect, due to their affordability, beauty, historical interest and their great diversity in design.

MadMonk · October 28, 2003 2:52AM

Maybe I'll sell all my Franklins and get some of these.

Well, I might keep a few Frankies...

Well, maybe a little more than a few...

Hmmm, maybe I'll just sell my raw Frankies...

On second thought, maybe my raw frankies will come back really high grades from
the worlds premier grading service....

Damn! Well maybe I'll jjust sell my doubles...

Ah screw it!

There really ARE some old, neat, still affordable coins to be had - here are some to consider....

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