As far as collecting goes, I just haven't been looking for Lincoln Cents. They don't appeal to me from a collecting point of view. That may change if they permanently change the design of the one cent coin.
SAE's, GAE's, modern commemoratives just don't excite me.
The longer I live the more convincing proofs I see of this truth, that God governs in the affairs of men. And if a sparrow cannot fall to the ground without His notice is it possible for an empire to rise without His aid? Benjamin Franklin
My daughter was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at the age of 2 (2003). My son was diagnosed with Type 1 when he was 17 on December 31, 2009. We were stunned that another child of ours had been diagnosed. Please, if you don't have a favorite charity, consider giving to the JDRF (Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation)
I agree, but there are some coins which excite me less than others. I might still collect the unexciting ones but just won't enjoy it as much.
The worst coins for me are those with uninspiring designs on crappy and adulterated metal which exist in huge numbers. This is especially true if there's little or no chance they can be made scarce by continued circulation. Coins which never saw heavy circulation are also less interesting and this is especially true if the reason is that they had extremely low face value. The best coin which exemplifies this is the French 5c struck from 1966 to 2001 when it was replaced by the euro. Hundreds of millions of these cheap aluminum/ bronze coins were made and they mostly sat in coffee cans and sock drawers. They aren't often seen in grades below XF and have such low value that many were never even redeemed at the banks. They'll sit for decades without being tossed out. The design isn't awful but is rather boring and can be found on other coins anyway. There are very few better dates or conditions and if you find one it probably won't be cheap.
All coins have many attributes and if one isn't exciting, usually another will be.
I've completed BU sets of Roosevelt dimes, Washington Quarters, Peace dollars, Ikes......etc., etc., etc.....BORING!
Then I discovered Barber coinage, specifically quarters and halves, and I never looked back. What's not to like about this beautiful, classic looking coin?
Coins that suddenly become interesting due to their "spectacular" toning. Washington quarters, franklin halves and roosevelt dimes seem to need a lot of help from mother oxidation in order to gain attention. Capped bust coinage doesn't do it for me either. On the other hand, the reeded edge capped bust half dollars are really beautiful. Coronet large cents are real snoozers.
LIKE Barbers, liberty seated, indian cents, 20th century gold, Morgans and Peace.
LOVE flowing hairs, draped bust, standing liberty quarters, mercury dimes, buffalo nickels, walking Liberty halves, 1921 Peace and high relief saint gaudens.
The coins that don't do it for me in general are any "white" coins that don't exhibit pretty luster and have likely been dipped. IMHO, they don't have any uniqueness to them and are the types of coins that can be found over and over and over. The white coins with very pretty and sparkling luster are always a "head turner" and of course the coins with attractive toning are by far some of the most unique natural works of nature that seem to be created by nature with purpose rather than happenstance.
While I don't necessarily find all designs great--the Barber comes to mind--I do think there are attractive examples. Those coins just don't look good when unoriginal, but original coins can be great. I love this one of mine:
Three Cent Silvers, the most unimpired design in US coinage -- this coming from someone who spent some time collecting Shield Nickel die varieties in the past. I now focus on Morgan and Peace varieties. It took me a long time to finally hold my nose and dive into Peace Dollars. I still hate the design and particularly find poor strikes truly awful.
Comments
David
SBAs
<< <i>Personally, I've never understood the love for Barber Head coinage. However, I'm glad somebody likes them. >>
Sleep well tonight for the 82nd Airborne Division is on point for the nation.
AIRBORNE!
But my most un-favorite coin is the 1995 Eunice Kennedy Commem. Great organization - terrible coin.
“In matters of style, swim with the current; in matters of principle, stand like a rock." - Thomas Jefferson
My digital cameo album 1950-64 Cameos - take a look!
GTS
Tom
My daughter was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at the age of 2 (2003). My son was diagnosed with Type 1 when he was 17 on December 31, 2009. We were stunned that another child of ours had been diagnosed. Please, if you don't have a favorite charity, consider giving to the JDRF (Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation)
JDRF Donation
To say State Quarters or the very modern stuff is like saying the sun rises in the East--it's just not well designed coinage.
2. SBAs
3. That Shriver commemorative thing
4. anything clad
"Bongo hurtles along the rain soaked highway of life on underinflated bald retread tires."
~Wayne
<< <i>Everyting does it for me. I love all coins.
Tom >>
I agree, but there are some coins which excite me less than others. I might still collect the unexciting ones
but just won't enjoy it as much.
The worst coins for me are those with uninspiring designs on crappy and adulterated metal which exist in
huge numbers. This is especially true if there's little or no chance they can be made scarce by continued
circulation. Coins which never saw heavy circulation are also less interesting and this is especially true if
the reason is that they had extremely low face value. The best coin which exemplifies this is the French 5c
struck from 1966 to 2001 when it was replaced by the euro. Hundreds of millions of these cheap aluminum/
bronze coins were made and they mostly sat in coffee cans and sock drawers. They aren't often seen in
grades below XF and have such low value that many were never even redeemed at the banks. They'll sit
for decades without being tossed out. The design isn't awful but is rather boring and can be found on other
coins anyway. There are very few better dates or conditions and if you find one it probably won't be cheap.
All coins have many attributes and if one isn't exciting, usually another will be.
Then I discovered Barber coinage, specifically quarters and halves, and I never looked back. What's not to like about this beautiful, classic looking coin?
Connor Numismatics Website
<< <i>...some of you may be eating your words one day. >>
Without a doubt!
<< <i>Even a PO1 bust half has more appeal than a "MS70" Agony dollar (or is it a quarter?). >>
Agony dollar... that's a good one.
Capped bust coinage doesn't do it for me either. On the other hand, the reeded edge capped bust half dollars are really beautiful.
Coronet large cents are real snoozers.
LIKE Barbers, liberty seated, indian cents, 20th century gold, Morgans and Peace.
LOVE flowing hairs, draped bust, standing liberty quarters, mercury dimes, buffalo nickels, walking Liberty halves, 1921 Peace and high relief saint gaudens.
<< <i>Susan B. Agony.
GTS >>
I laugh every time I read "Agony"... I need to get out more...
Check out my current listings: https://ebay.com/sch/khunt/m.html?_ipg=200&_sop=12&_rdc=1
While I don't necessarily find all designs great--the Barber comes to mind--I do think there are attractive examples. Those coins just don't look good when unoriginal, but original coins can be great. I love this one of mine:
Death and Taxes" ~~ Ben Franklin
https://www.pcgs.com/setregistry/u-s-coins/mint-sets/1945-mint-set/publishedset/21067
Knutson's 45' Set 2009 Winner
NSDR - Life Member
SSDC - Life Member
ANA - Pay As I Go Member
<< <i> I don't like Walking Liberty quarters, I don't see how that design even made it into circulation. >>
Wow, I'm amazed someone else feels the same as I do. This design is very popular, but personally I think it looks awkward on a coin.