Complete U.S. Type Set - new definition

JoeLewis · November 23, 2006 2:23AM

If this were the definition used, then what would a complete list of circulating U.S. type (no varieties) coins be?

Type - a completely new design of either the obverse or reverse (or both) of a coin.

Variety - a slight change in a coin's design. Additions or deletions (arrows, motto, initials, stars, rays, reededlettered edge, etc.) to a current design are considered varieties. Also, changing a coin's metallic content alone is considered a variety. Also, commemorative series would constitute varieties.

Below is a list we can start from. What additions or deletions would you recommend?

Cladiator · November 23, 2006 2:25AM

<< Type - a completely new design of either the obverse or reverse (or both) of a coin. >>

Then every single state quarter made would be it's own type. A complete type set would require all 50 of them.

JoeLewis · November 23, 2006 2:34AM

Half Cents

Flowing Hair 1793

Liberty Cap 1794-1797

Draped Bust 1800-1808

Classic Head 1809-1835

Coronet Head 1840-1857

Large Cents

Chain 1793

Wreath 1793

Liberty Cap 1794-17966

Draped Bust 1796-1807

Classic head 1808-1814

Coronet Head 1816-1839

Braided Hair 1840-1857

Small Cents

Flying Eagle 1857-1858

Indian 1859-1909

Lincoln (wheat) 1909-1958

Lincoln Memorial 1959-

Two-Cent Pieces 1864-1873

Silver Three Cent Pieces 1851-1873

Nickel Three Cent Pieces 1865-1889

5 Cent Nickels

Shield 1866-1883

Liberty Head 1883-1912

Buffalo 1913-1938

Jefferson 1938-2003

Jefferson (Westward Journey) 2004-2005

Jefferson 2006-

Half Dimes

Flowing Hair 1794-1795

Draped Bust SE 1796-1797

Draped Bust HE 1800-1805

Capped Bust 1829-1837

Liberty Seated 1837-1873

Dimes

Draped bust SE 1796-1797

Draped Bust HE 1798-1807

Capped Bust 1809-1837

Liberty seated 1837-1891

Barber 1892-1916

Mercury 1916-1945

Roosevelt 1946-

Twenty Cent Piece 1875-1878

Quarters

Draped bust SE 1796

Draped Bust HE 1804-1807

Capped Bust 1815-1838

Liberty Seated 1838-1891

Barber 1892-1916

Standing liberty 1916-1930

Washington 1932-1999

Bicentennial 1976

State quarters 1999 –

Half Dollars

Flowing Hair 1794-1795

Draped Bust Small Eagle 1796-1797

Draped Bust Heraldic Eagle 1801-1807

Capped Bust 1807-1839

Liberty seated 1839-1891

Barber 1892-1915

Liberty Walking 1916-1947

Franklin 1948-1963

Kennedy 1964-

Kennedy Bicentennial 1976

Dollars

Flowing Hair 1794-1795

Draped Bust Small Eagle 1795-1798

Draped Bust Heraldic Eagle 1798-1804

Liberty Seated 1836-1873

Trade Dollar 1873-1883

Morgan 1878-1904, 1921

Peace 1921-1935

Eisenhower 1971-1978

Eisenhower Bicentennial 1976

Susan B. Anthony 1979-1999

Sacagawea 2000-

Gold Dollars

Liberty Head 1849-1854

Indian Princess 1854-1889

Quarter Eagles, $2.50 Gold Pieces

Capped Bust Right 1796-1807

Capped Bust Left Large 1808-1834

Classic Head 1834-1839

Liberty Coronet 1840-1907

Indian Head 1908-1929

Three Dollar Gold 1854-1889

Half Eagles, $5.00 Gold Pieces

Capped Bust Small Eagle 1795-1798

Capped Bust Large Eagle 1795-1807

Capped Draped Bust 1807-1812

Capped Head 1813-1834

Classic Head 1834-1838

Liberty Coronet 1839-1908

Indian Head 1908-1929

Eagles, $10.00 Gold Pieces

Capped Bust Small Eagle 1795-1797

Capped Bust Large Eagle 1797-1804

Liberty Coronet 1838-1907

Indian Head 1907-1933

Double Eagles, $20.00 Gold Pieces

Liberty Coronet 1849-1907

Saint Gaudens 1907-1932

JoeLewis · November 23, 2006 2:37AM

<< 

<< Type - a completely new design of either the obverse or reverse (or both) of a coin. >>

Then every single state quarter made would be it's own type. A complete type set would require all 50 of them. >>

Good point. I edited my original definition. I guess, for example, since all the state quarters share the same obverse (which is a design change from the original Washington quarter,) the entire series should just count as one type.

Zoins · December 19, 2006 2:39AM

I think state quarters are technically different types. Changing the definition to make collecting easier seems to be more along the lines of selling albums than being true to numismatics. I asked this question across the street and the responses indicated that the state quarters are each their own type. See Hoot's responses on page 2.

The primary reason I hear for excluding individual state quarters is that people collecting type sets don't want to collect all 50. Is this a good reason for changing a numismatic definition? One can always call type sets without all the types "short type sets."

With your modified definition, how do you define "commemorative"? Is it a subjective or objective definition?

LanLord · December 19, 2006 2:58AM

<< 

<< 

<< Type - a completely new design of either the obverse or reverse (or both) of a coin. >>

Then every single state quarter made would be it's own type. A complete type set would require all 50 of them. >>

Good point. I edited my original definition. I guess, for example, since all the state quarters share the same obverse (which is a design change from the original Washington quarter,) the entire series should just count as one type. >>

And there-in lies the problem. You're 4 posts into this thread and already making allowances for somethings that make it uncomfortable. As long as you ask more than 1 person for an opinion, there's going to be some disagreements.

Baley · December 19, 2006 2:59AM

I can never stick to any one definition. I have my set I'm working on, and I kind of define it as I go.

I've noticed one thing: the list never shrinks, only grows, as I add subtypes and varieties that are "different"

ziggy29 · December 19, 2006 3:05AM

<< Small Cents

Flying Eagle 1857-1858

Indian 1859-1909

Lincoln (wheat) 1909-1958

Lincoln Memorial 1959- >>

If Memorial cents get their own type because of a change in reverse design, wouldn't the 1859 IHC as well?

The Liberty Seated dimes, for example, had both an obverse AND reverse change in 1860. That doesn't create another type?

If these don't create another type, why would the Memorial cents?

JoeLewis · December 19, 2006 3:44AM

You guys are right. I give up. It just seems odd to me that something as basic as a type set cannot be clearly definied. Oh well, I'll stick to my Dansco 7070 album.

Zoins · December 19, 2006 3:51AM

<< You guys are right. I give up. It just seems odd to me that something as basic as a type set cannot be clearly definied. Oh well, I'll stick to my Dansco 7070 album. >>

I think a complete type set can be fairly well defined, however the issue seems to be getting people to accept that definition. It seems that many people collecting type sets would be against such a definition because they want a complete set without getting all the types. Since there is this dichotomy, collecting a short type set like the Dansco 7070 may be more attractive to many collectors than contemplating your original request of a "complete list of circulating U.S. type (no varieties) coins."

Millertime · December 19, 2006 4:03AM

A few series that I consider a single type with different varieties are: State Quarters, Presidential Dollars, First Ladies?, modern Commemorative halves, modern Commemorative dollars and classis half dollar Commemoratives. I would then pick the one variety that I wanted in my album.

I like the list put together in the third post and would like to see an album like that with the ones I mentioned. I've probably missed a few but this is what popped in my head.

Millertime

Zoins · December 19, 2006 4:06AM

<< A few series that I consider a single type with different varieties are: State Quarters, Presidential Dollars, First Ladies?, modern Commemorative halves, modern Commemorative dollars and classis half dollar Commemoratives. I would then pick the one variety that I wanted in my album. >>

I think it's ok for people to subjectively classify state quarters and presidential dollars as single types for their personal definition to suit their collecting interests, however I haven't heard an objective, numismatic definition (not mentioning any specific coins) that would result in this kind of classification. Is there one? According to Hoot:

<< "State Quarter series" and "Westward Journey series" are misnomers. Neither are series in the context of numismatic definition, and one might view these collective types as convenient thematic categorizations. >>

In another thread, cladking writes:

<< The Ike types of 1976 are usually referred to as varieties.

Words that are misused interfere with communication and can interfere with thinking. We have enough trouble with both that there's no need to introduce more through mere carelessness. >>

I think this is just the result of human nature, however often it may be intentional instead of due to carelessness.

Complete U.S. Type Set - new definition

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