1884,1885,1886 V Nickels, buy the proofs or MS??

TexasNationals · October 31, 2008 12:07PM

Should I buy the proofs, say in 65 or the MS coins in 65 to complete a set. Could be a mixed set, I personally don't care, what are your thoughts. Thinking of building a set and all my grey sheets and books are packed in storage for moving, but I have a decent idea of pricing if my memory serves correctly. What about log term appreciation in value? Any coins truly a killer, I know the 1894 can be tougher.

Your thoughts??

commoncents05 · October 31, 2008 12:08PM

Much tougher in MS.

-Paul

STONE · October 31, 2008 12:10PM

<< <i>Much tougher in MS.

-Paul >>

About 5 - 10 times tougher (tougher meaning more expensive)

Sunnywood · October 31, 2008 12:13PM

Proofs and mint state coins are no longer collected interchangably. I would choose one or the other. However, the MS set is much harder to complete, and more expensive in higher grades. Also, be aware that for some Lib nickels, it can be quite difficult to tell the proofs apart from the uncs. For this reason, I would suggest sticking with PCGS-certified coins ... in the end, you will save yourself a lot of annoyance that way, and you will get the genuine article, properly identified and properly graded.

I had a complete set of MS Lib nickels that I sold off back in 2001 (I think). It was a great set to work on.

Best,
Sunnywood

lasvegasteddy · October 31, 2008 12:15PM

i'm in tha i'd buy the proofs crowd...

proof coinage can be stunning in it's crisp and sharpness

a fraction like 1/5 on the 1885 leaves not much to think about

shoot cam's aren't even that bad and the coins are for your eyes/enjoyment so nothing like cameos to catch that

"something to enjoy"

i'd bet a quarter too that cameos maybe be sleepers that could out shadow high ms

COALPORTER · October 31, 2008 12:18PM

I'd collect MS, but don't get stuck on demanding MS65- you can find lower grades that are close to the 65 look , but much lower priced for these "rarites". No big rush, they pop up at every major show and auction. The 12-s is another key date- maybe harder to find than the '85. The 94 and 96 a hard to locate in ms too. Those are the two dates that I rarely see in any grade. A well struck 88 is hard to find too. The 85 and 86 are over rated in ms, imo- if you want to spend the money , you can get them anyday.

tightbudget · October 31, 2008 12:22PM

MS all the way

dbldie55 · October 31, 2008 12:34PM

The MS coins will cost many times what a proof costs. I do agree that it is tough to tell these sometimes.

The only time I saw a proof in a MS holder, the coins was graded by PCGS.

Madogmark · October 31, 2008 12:40PM

Ms is definately harder and more expensive, the 84 is a cheapie, the 12-s is will be as much if not more than the 85 and 86

drddm · October 31, 2008 1:00PM

MS all the way!

It will be tougher but worth it, especially when it comes time to sell.

I looked long and hard before I found my 1885, 1886 and 1912-S in PCGS MS64.

Good luck and enjoy the hunt!!!

coolest · October 31, 2008 1:28PM

<< <i>MS all the way!

It will be tougher but worth it, especially when it comes time to sell.

I looked long and hard before I found my 1885, 1886 and 1912-S in PCGS MS64.

Good luck and enjoy the hunt!!! >>

You could find all the Proofs in one day, hardly a challenge if you have some money. Go for the MS coins!

speety · October 31, 2008 4:26PM

<< <i>Should I buy the proofs, say in 65 or the MS coins in 65 to complete a set. Could be a mixed set, I personally don't care, what are your thoughts. Thinking of building a set and all my grey sheets and books are packed in storage for moving, but I have a decent idea of pricing if my memory serves correctly. What about log term appreciation in value? Any coins truly a killer, I know the 1894 can be tougher.

Your thoughts?? >>

It's about time the 1894 gets some RESPECT! In our target grade we've bought every one that we've come across and liked and that equates to -- 1 coin in MS-64. In MS-65 it seems to be a little easier to find.

As for the keys, if you truly don't mind getting proofs for them, go that route. In MS-65, nice for the grade 1885 and 1886 nickels will cost you a huge premium over pf-65. Even in Cameo they are much cheaper and look pretty darn nice! Here's a coin we picked up for our proof set, it's a 65-cameo, and was less than half the price of our MS-64 example of the date! However, I do agree with Sunnywood that a completely MS set will look much nicer and match much better than a set that has a few proofs mixed in. Also, like Sunnywood mentioned, it is not common to interchange proofs and MS coins like in past times.

(Scratches on slab)

robkool · October 31, 2008 5:36PM

I'd perfer collecting them in MS63/MS64 for the common date...
Proof 63CAMs for the keys...

LincolnCentMan · October 31, 2008 10:36PM

Get the MS. They are much more desirable and way easier to liquidate.

-David

coinnuttius · October 31, 2008 10:44PM

Mixed collecting reeks of "not taking the time and care required".

doh · November 1, 2008 12:02AM

MS all day long and twice on Sunday. Much tougher and certainly more expensive, but definitely worth the time and effort IMHO.

ziggy29 · November 1, 2008 12:08AM

Not much to add, other than that any time MS business strikes are much scarcer than proofs, be careful that a coin in an MS holder really is MS and not proof. On the flip side, for coins like these, TPGs tend to err on the side of safety and call coins "proof" when they aren't completely sure, so if you can detect some diagnostic that guarantees a coin is really a business strike, it can work to your advantage. This is one case where a series specialist can have an advantage over a generalist.

abitofthisabitofthat · November 1, 2008 12:33AM

Please collet the MS. That way I will have one less person competing for my proofs.

veryfine · November 1, 2008 1:32AM

A few thoughts about this series:

In most mint state grades, the 1885 is significantly more rare than the 1912-S. In the highest mint state grades, the 1886 beats the 1885, so it is more of a mint state CONDITION RARITY. Big deal. The 86 is scarcer in the highest grades because of strike issues and poor luster. The 12-S is a lackluster striking disaster, so again, the highest grades are scarce. However, I'll take an MS-63 or MS-64 1885 any day over an 86 or 12-S in the same grades. Just my humble opinion.
I've always thought the 1885 was underrated for years, but now is finally where it should be.

In terms of mint state vs. proof, I'd go with a mint state 63 or 64 set. A complete proof set with the MS 12-D and 12-S is much easier, but very attractive as well. If proofs are your thing, I'd shoot for the Pr-65 or PR-66 grades. Personally, I believe the mint state set has greater investment potential, if that's what you're after.

coinkat · November 1, 2008 2:20AM

Not my series... if it were, it would be MS

MFH · November 1, 2008 2:28AM

I only have a few MS and PR "V" Nickels - and I can tell you the MS material is far more expensive than the PR.

If you want a superb strike go with the PR - not all the MS coins are perfectly struck.

Analyst · June 14, 2012 10:24AM

TexasNationals: <<1885,1886 V Nickels, buy the proofs or MS?? … Could be a mixed set, I personally don't care, what are your thoughts.>>

I address this very issue in an article that was published yesterday:

Liberty Nickels, Part 2, Uncirculated Coins

Moreover, I discuss the general concept of mixing business strikes and Proofs in the same sets in other articles. The traditional approach is to prefer Proofs to business strikes and to include both in sets of each type. Starting in the 1970s, a significant number of collectors began to view Proofs and business strikes as different species that cannot co-exist in the same sets. The new approach is to segregate them. I am partial to the traditional approach. I mention the Eliasberg and Norweb collections in my relevant discussions:

The Controversy over 1841 Quarter Eagles, Part 1

All-Time Greatest Collection of Barber Half Dollars, Part 2

insightful10 gmail

erwindoc · June 14, 2012 11:51AM

Id do both!!

ad4400 · August 22, 2013 6:31AM

What I've always found facinating is the price/mintage ratio between MS and Proof. Those proof mintages look super low relative to the business strikes, but often the proofs less expensive. I assume not all of this can be attributed to 'surviving population', but is rather a reflection of collector demand for the MS vs proof strikes.

1884,1885,1886 V Nickels, buy the proofs or MS??

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