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Slicing and dicing coin series: Non-standard sets...how about some examples?

RYKRYK Posts: 35,801 ✭✭✭✭✭
While many people collect the standard series like mercury dimes by date, Frankies by date (MS and/or proof), and Lincoln cents by date, there are many ways to collect series (not type sets) that are perfect for the less patient, less affluent, less committed, and ADD-positive collectors. While reading a Bowers book on an airplane yesterday, I read an article suggesting two that had never occurred to me before: 1917 SLQs (a nifty six coin set) and middle date large cents (1816-1834). I have already sliced-and-diced rare date gold coins for my own purposes collecting:

Civil War $3's (100 % complete)
Dahlonega $5's (73% complete)
New Orleans No Motto $5's (62% complete)
New Orleans No Motto $10's (60% complete)

I would like to learn from forum members the creative ways they have collected their favorite series or suggestions based on their experience.

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    DNADaveDNADave Posts: 7,350 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Sticker dollars
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    CladiatorCladiator Posts: 18,353 ✭✭✭✭✭
    I spent the first two minutes after reading this post trying to figure out what Bowers book was about airplanes. image
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    11-coin War nickel set is fun. These can be had in high-grade and/or with colorful toning.

    You can also add the 43/2-P, 43-P DDO (Doubled Eye) and 45 DDR (similar to the 39 DDR Doubled Monticello)
    as interesting varieties. Could also throw in a 42 Type 2 Proof.

    Ken
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    CladiatorCladiator Posts: 18,353 ✭✭✭✭✭


    << <i>11-coin War nickel set is fun. These can be had in high-grade and/or with colorful toning.

    You can also add the 43/2-P, 43-P DDO (Doubled Eye) and 45 DDR (similar to the 39 DDR Doubled Monticello).

    Ken >>


    I've done this set in MS66 cheaply. Very fun and economic.
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    OKbustchaserOKbustchaser Posts: 5,570 ✭✭✭✭✭
    1827 halves by die variety (why that year? Who knows?)


    image
    Just because I'm old doesn't mean I don't love to look at a pretty bust.
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    coinbufcoinbuf Posts: 12,595 ✭✭✭✭✭
    I collect old holders and started a signature set on the NGC site for this Here
    My Lincoln Registry
    My Collection of Old Holders

    Never a slave to one plastic brand will I ever be.
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    BarndogBarndog Posts: 20,533 ✭✭✭✭✭


    << <i>1827 halves by die variety (why that year? Who knows?) >>



    For that matter, collectors can choose from all kinds of coin types (such as Bust) and attempt to collect all die varieties for that year. A "first year" set, last year set, lowest mintage year set, highest mintage year set, and so on. All kinds of possibilities exist that would help satisfy the thirst to collect and help to limit expenses (unless of course you choose a year with a few R-6 or R-7 coins...or unique holed coins).
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    CladiatorCladiator Posts: 18,353 ✭✭✭✭✭


    << <i>or unique holed coins >>

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    PistareenPistareen Posts: 1,506 ✭✭✭
    I once assembled a die variety set of 1820 large cents that was very satisfying: 15 coins, two commonly available in Unc. from the Randall Hoard, two rare ones, three overdates, and the rest were common below VF and scarce above. It took a few years and was sold to help pay for college.

    Another weird set I once assembled -- French colonial coins by Red Book type, with additions. I got all the ones that cost less than $10,000 a piece. Most cost $30-300 and were a lot of find to seek out and upgrade over a 5-8 year period. The best ones got sold to help pay for a house.

    Funny how I associate the sets I assembled with what real-life benefit was derived from their sale! Set building is a great way to systematically save money and have fun doing it.
    John Kraljevich, Director of Numismatic Americana, Stack's Bowers Galleries
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    Collect a certain die marriage by die state. This is a very interesting set for those with an eye for detail, and can yield significant insight and knowledge. A well known researcher/author assembled a set of over 50 1817 O.105s. Study of this set helped to re-write an Overton sequence and revealed much about rarity and DS progression; one specific nugget was that this DM wasn't nearly as scarce as had been presumed. Rather, this individual had simply been accumulating every example he came across, and had been doing so for years. Several other collectors are doing this same thing with different die marriages.
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    mgoodm3mgoodm3 Posts: 17,497 ✭✭✭
    I like early date lincolns 1909-1916. I love the detail on the early ones.
    coinimaging.com/my photography articles Check out the new macro lens testing section
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    dbldie55dbldie55 Posts: 7,753 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Liberty Nickel by variety. Liberty Nickel by error type.
    Collector and Researcher of Liberty Head Nickels. ANA LM-6053
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    PerryHallPerryHall Posts: 47,791 ✭✭✭✭✭
    US gold with overdates:
    $2 1/2 !862/1
    $5 1881/0 & 1901/0-S
    $10 1853/2
    $20 1853/2 & 1909/8

    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

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    TommyTypeTommyType Posts: 4,586 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Although technically not a method of coin series collecting, I've been doing some "slice and dice" on the type set concept.

    Pick a year. Preferably a year meaning something either to you, or to coin designs, or to history, or whatever. Now do a type set for that year. Half cent through Dollar (add gold if desired).

    I picked my birthyear: 1963, and every 25 year increment before that. (1938, 1913, 1888, 1863, 1838, 1813).

    It's still a work in progress, but when I'm done I hope to have a series of historically interesting sets. Coinage designs as they progress through the years.

    Interesting to me, anyway. image
    Easily distracted Type Collector
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    OKbustchaserOKbustchaser Posts: 5,570 ✭✭✭✭✭
    1816 year set

    Just because I'm old doesn't mean I don't love to look at a pretty bust.

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