Realistically, how many series should a collector concentrate on at once?

dan1ecu · April 6, 2005 10:59AM

Is it best to pick one series and give it your all, or do you think it's more fulfilling to spend time on multiple series?

Dan

mirabela · April 6, 2005 11:09AM

I really got bored doing one series at a time. I completed a set of mercuries, but now I have something like 89 coins that all look, with changes in the particulars, the same.

I started doing a set of classic commemoratives, which don't have that problem, but I think only about half the designs are appealing and besides I can't afford to finish it in anything except butt-ugly grade, so I've more or less dropped it.

I'm around 85% of the way along on a type set. Maybe half of those are coins I can settle down with, and the other half will need eventual upgrade -- they were things I had already from my early random-accumulator days, and aren't especially great. I really like this approach, though. I'm having a ton more fun with it than with one series at a time.

messydesk · April 6, 2005 11:12AM

Assuming you're collecting for fun and not looking for top spots in registry sets, you will figure out on your own what is fulfilling. Step up to the buffet, sample a little of everything, and something will pique your curiosity and attention more than something else. I specialize in Morgan dollar varieties, but have lots of other stuff in my collection "just because." I think the only complete U.S. set of anything I have is an 1816 year set.

John

carl · April 6, 2005 11:26AM

That's really something you've got to try to figure out yourself. Myself, I collect all varieties of the more modern coins. Things I can find easily in shows or at dealers and sometimes in bags from the bank. Also, I hit the garage, yard sales, flea markets and asking friends. I don't concentrate on any one type of coin so that way when I find a source for something I can go for it. My list, I always carry of what I want or need, contains all denominations.
Unfortunately that means I've got multiples of each set but trying to complete each one and then improve on each one is what is fun for me. My set #1 of Lincolns is almost complete except for that elusive 55 double die. I've put the poor man's in there for now but someday.......... In the meantime I'm on set #11.

Shamika · April 6, 2005 11:27AM

If your goal is to complete a set, you probably should focus on one series. It gets kind of slow once you get close to completion, but at least you're more likely to have the necessary funds when that "big" opportunity presents itself.

If a complete set isn't really important to you, go ahead and collect a little bit of everything. This is where Type Set collectors have a great advantage!

DUIGUY · April 6, 2005 11:30AM

Shamika.

ziggy29 · April 6, 2005 11:34AM

Depends on your determination to finish one series, the time you have to devote to your collection and (of course) your financial resources.

If you're "gung ho" on finishing one particular set much more than anything else, then just focus on that one set.

If not, and several different collecting endeavors capture you...if you're not obsessed with finishing any of them in particular, then maybe you should work on multiple projects.

I'm working on three things right now: upgrading my Indian and early Lincoln set (and filling what few holes remain), building my AU-58 type set and starting a Seated dime set. What's good about this is that I can often find things I need at "budget" prices (say, under $50-$100). If you're working on one set, it can be frustrating if you don't find what you want for weeks and months at a time. If you're working on several sets, unless they're all almost complete, you can almost always find something of nice quality for the grade/price that will add to one of your projects.

dlimb2 · April 6, 2005 11:50AM

I have about 10 going and love evey one!

mr3holesinone · April 6, 2005 1:45PM

I have about eight series I'm working on currently. The emphasis changes depending on what's hot. Something gets too hot I switch to another series and try not to chase whatever is hot (thus hoping to avoid overpaying).

michael · April 6, 2005 1:49PM

it depends

for type it is a really cool way to work on one set yet work on many different coins at once

or for say working on a 52 piece type srt of early commems this isa fantastic way again to work on one set and concentrate on seeking coins with great eye appeal and with a nice original skin and some color at little to no extra cost over blast white dipped material and not the huge prices of the monster toned commems and

it needs to be concentraTED IN AND SPECIALIZED in as you got many different coins from many different decades and it is a set yet it is all different too so you got the best of both worlds

lots of history and all different coins to boot

sounds good to be with the added bonus of value and opportunity with little to no downside

morganbarber · April 6, 2005 2:07PM

No offense intended, but this is the kind of question I hate. Do what is right for you. I admit, that a little focus could have done wonders for my collection, and I have made mistakes by not concentrating, but don't ever let anyone tell you how many series or which series, or what condition, or what level of toning you should collect. This is about having fun and listening to your heart. Not listening to the mob on this site. The folks on tios site are wonderful and knowledgable, but they are not you. Do whatever you find pleasing.

Realistically, how many series should a collector concentrate on at once?

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