Options
Trying to find focus - Series input requested
BigTom
Posts: 305 ✭✭✭
"Trying to find focus" Has anybody seen it? But seriously, permit me to ramble a few thoughts that I'm considering before picking my next collecting pursuit.
My background is I started collecting (as an adult) 5 years ago. I immediately pursued the 80cc-85cc run in 64DMPL (at one time actually had everything but the ’79 & ’89) and learned a lot about grading that particular genre. Since then my collecting interests have wandered and I now recognize I need to focus to get the most satisfaction and knowledge from our hobby (the two are inseparable I think). Hence this post, I’d like to tap into the wealth of knowledge and experience on this board about the particular series I’m thinking of and even for series I have not considered. So, I’ll tell you what I’ve collected and considered since completing the CC set and I’d greatly appreciate the knowledgeable members here giving me their input on those series and others.
First after the CC Set I started pursuing 19th Century Proof Types in 64CAM (or better). I picked up some nice examples with and w/o color and along the way grabbed a couple of nice MS pieces that were too nice to turn down. But in the end this project seemed too massive to complete and I didn’t get the satisfaction of really KNOWING a series, as each type has its own particulars.
Then I got a good start on a 1907 year set, which seemed manageable, but again I didn’t really feel I was learning a series. It was more like I found a coin and moved on.
Now I’m thinking a Shield Nickel set in MS and PR would be nice. It’s small, doable with no real killers and I could develop my eye and knowledge for a particular series. And I like that it’s not overvalued in today’s market. Currently this seems like the best choice.
My next favorite choice would be a classic gold set, $5 or $10 in AU. This seems REALLY cool, but maybe too short. I’m thinking I could do this one simultaneous with the Shield Nickels or some other set. My question with this set……….., are these types already overvalued in the current market for their rarity (or lack thereof)?
I also like the 3cS set. They have a cool history and the set has an appropriate difficulty. Though, like the Shield Nickels, I’d have a real hard time settling between MS and PR and might want to pursue both. One concern is the small size, but conversely, my eyes aren’t getting any better, so no time like the present.
Somewhere in the mix I should mention Barber Qtrs or Hlvs. I like the design and recognize the series as undervalued. However I’m not sure how I’d like having such an unmatched set, as I’d probably have some coins as high as MS66 and would be lucky to get the keys in VF/XF. Also, I’m not crazy about committing to each and every MM. And then there’s that whole MS/PR issue. Noticing a trend?
Quarter or Half Dollar Type set focusing on tougher dates as examples (not necessarily keys). Now I’m starting to ramble……..
Okay, the exercise of typing this was good to collect my thoughts, but I’d still like to hear some feedback. Your thoughts and experience on set difficulties, PR vs MS (attainability, value, whatever), matched sets, etc. would be greatly appreciated.
My background is I started collecting (as an adult) 5 years ago. I immediately pursued the 80cc-85cc run in 64DMPL (at one time actually had everything but the ’79 & ’89) and learned a lot about grading that particular genre. Since then my collecting interests have wandered and I now recognize I need to focus to get the most satisfaction and knowledge from our hobby (the two are inseparable I think). Hence this post, I’d like to tap into the wealth of knowledge and experience on this board about the particular series I’m thinking of and even for series I have not considered. So, I’ll tell you what I’ve collected and considered since completing the CC set and I’d greatly appreciate the knowledgeable members here giving me their input on those series and others.
First after the CC Set I started pursuing 19th Century Proof Types in 64CAM (or better). I picked up some nice examples with and w/o color and along the way grabbed a couple of nice MS pieces that were too nice to turn down. But in the end this project seemed too massive to complete and I didn’t get the satisfaction of really KNOWING a series, as each type has its own particulars.
Then I got a good start on a 1907 year set, which seemed manageable, but again I didn’t really feel I was learning a series. It was more like I found a coin and moved on.
Now I’m thinking a Shield Nickel set in MS and PR would be nice. It’s small, doable with no real killers and I could develop my eye and knowledge for a particular series. And I like that it’s not overvalued in today’s market. Currently this seems like the best choice.
My next favorite choice would be a classic gold set, $5 or $10 in AU. This seems REALLY cool, but maybe too short. I’m thinking I could do this one simultaneous with the Shield Nickels or some other set. My question with this set……….., are these types already overvalued in the current market for their rarity (or lack thereof)?
I also like the 3cS set. They have a cool history and the set has an appropriate difficulty. Though, like the Shield Nickels, I’d have a real hard time settling between MS and PR and might want to pursue both. One concern is the small size, but conversely, my eyes aren’t getting any better, so no time like the present.
Somewhere in the mix I should mention Barber Qtrs or Hlvs. I like the design and recognize the series as undervalued. However I’m not sure how I’d like having such an unmatched set, as I’d probably have some coins as high as MS66 and would be lucky to get the keys in VF/XF. Also, I’m not crazy about committing to each and every MM. And then there’s that whole MS/PR issue. Noticing a trend?
Quarter or Half Dollar Type set focusing on tougher dates as examples (not necessarily keys). Now I’m starting to ramble……..
Okay, the exercise of typing this was good to collect my thoughts, but I’d still like to hear some feedback. Your thoughts and experience on set difficulties, PR vs MS (attainability, value, whatever), matched sets, etc. would be greatly appreciated.
0
Comments
Howard
ShieldNickels.Net
http://www.shieldnickels.net
<< <i>If you're interested in varieties at all, shield nickel business strikes are the series for you!
Howard
>>
Except it will drive you nuts trying to get them all, especially because Howard and some others are trying to do the same thing.
An authorized PCGS dealer, and a contributor to the Red Book.
<< <i>Why not generalize and try for a type set? Just go for 1 ea. of the major designs. If you feel you need to dig a bit deeper into a series and get more than one type (like both T1 and T2 Buffalo Nickels) well then go ahead. You might just find your series by NOT trying for a series.
Very good advice! A type set can be a real challenge depending on the average grade level you aspire to--IMO a type set in EF for each coin will be beautiful. Mine runs from VF to MS 63--although I really search for nice EF40s and actually downgrade when I find a nice example in EF--they have great detail and present a very nice appearance in an album. I have kept my silver types down to EF on purpose--just replaced a 64 1924 Peace dollar with a EF 1921 which matches my Seated and and trade dollars. Same story for my Morgan example. Also a mini type of the 3cent silvers in AU58 would be fun--only three coins with the appeal of MS examples. Also hold on to your Morgan CC run of 78 to 85--they make a nice mini set. I've been thinking about a 1859 to 64 CN IHC set--I only lack two. The possibilities are endless as you can determine your own set parameters--bottom line--whatever you enjoy--do it! .
What about an Indian cent set? Oh, no. There's mint state and proofs with these...
1. 7-17-81 Warrenton GC Driver 310 yards 7th Hole (Par 4)
2. 5-22-99 Warrenton GC 6 iron 189 yards 10th Hole
3. 7-23-99 Oak Meadow CC 5 iron 180 yards 17th Hole
4. 9-19-99 Country Lake GC 6 iron 164 yards 15th Hole
5. 8-30-09 Country Lake GC Driver 258 yards 17th Hole (Par 4)
Collector of Barber Halves, Commems, MS64FBL Frankies, Full Step Jeffersons & Mint state Washington Quarters
As an update, 2 nights ago I made the list that really excited me. All are coins that turned my head even as a child. It will keep me busy and take about 2+ years of my budget to complete, but is very short in # of pieces. Will give a sampling of different series. In short, it's just what I needed. But it's not really "a set" in the normal defintion of the word. In XF/AU-ish type grades, I'm going after 1858/7 FE, '09s VDB, 55DDO, 3-Leg Buff, '17 SLQ (64FH), and upgrade my '53 A&R.
Anyway, this is as excited as I've been in the hobby since I started the CC set. I'm looking forward to learning about each and finding "the perfect piece" (for me).
And I should give credit to Cameron here too. His uber-classics were inspiring.