Purchasing complete sets

coinnut86 · November 24, 2009 4:00PM

I was browsing around in the BST board and noticed a few complete sets for sale. As a collector, I could not foresee myself purchasing a complete set for myself. What would be the point to purchase a complete set. Discuss...

1Mike1 · November 24, 2009 5:10PM

as everyone runs off to see what sets are for sale...

droopyd · November 24, 2009 5:54PM

One of my first major purchases, in 1975 when I was a high school junior, was a complete Lincoln set 1934-1975 in BU. I paid $60, which was a lot for me at the time.

Over the past 20 years or so, I have purchased several compete sets (both 34-58 and 34-to-present) with an eye to making all possible upgrades and then selling off the "culls." This had allowed me to concentrate on the "classic" pre-1933 dates while ensuring that I have a nice looking group of "moderns."

The last time I did this was with a 34-58 set, I think I made 2 upgrades out of the batch. Given the diminishing returns, I don't think I'll go that route again.

Interestingly, more than half of the coins I have from 34-58 were from that original set purchased in 1975. I guess it was as nice a set as advertised!

melvin289 · November 24, 2009 6:05PM

I bought a 32 coin Ike set in an album years ago for $110, I think. I wanted the set but didn't want to mess with collecting it. I know it doesn't make sense but that's why I did it.

Ron

illini420 · November 24, 2009 6:43PM

I agree. Most of the fun is picking the coins individually to make the set your own. The hunt and the buying, selling upgrade is also pretty fun too.

That said, I did buy one complete set before. A Walker short set mostly because they all seemed really good for the grade and the custom display cases were really really cool I thought:

WaterSport · November 24, 2009 10:04PM

If you are careful about what you’re buying, you generally save a lot of money buying a set, than one coin at a time. TI have seen many a disappointed collector here thinking they were going to do very well only to find out the market for whole sets as explained above is low, thus in order to sell, the price needs to come down. There are some folks who make a living buying whole sets and selling the coins one by one on ebay. It’s just the way the market works.

WS

PrivateCoinCollector · November 24, 2009 10:15PM

I believe the lure of buying complete sets is in appreciating the work involved in putting one together. I have sold full BU sets of Jeffersons and Franklins on eBay for some great prices I would not have been able to get if the coins were sold apart. There is still plenty of "fun" in admiring a full set no matter who put it together. I think it is a win for both buyers and sellers on common sets.

partagas · November 24, 2009 10:42PM

If it is the right set, I would buy it in a heartbeat. And if it were the case having all matching coins regarding eye appeal a premium would be involved.

Look at this way, you are still just buying it as a start. Once it is yours you can add to it (proofs), upgrade it, downgrade it and make it yours.

Some people buy complete sets just so they get 1-2 must have coins. Then sell off the rest.

BillJones · November 24, 2009 11:28PM

The only complete sets I have ever purchased are something like a set of Roosevelt dimes in BU. Buying them that way is a lot cheaper than buying single coins. You have to be careful, however, because dealers can put some junky, slider (AU coins) in the set. That can be a major pitfall when buying sets.

Hyperion · November 24, 2009 11:45PM

<< The only complete sets I have ever purchased are something like a set of Roosevelt dimes in BU. Buying them that way is a lot cheaper than buying single coins. You have to be careful, however, because dealers can put some junky, slider (AU coins) in the set. That can be a major pitfall when buying sets. >>

definitely, it's not something that you should do unless
a) you know what you're doing
b) it's so inexpensive you dont care about the result

I bought a set of washies to marge with my existing set and was extremely happy with the result, I was able to create a great looking full set quicker than I could have otherwise, did ok selling the overage.

The downside was, I think that I didn't apprciate the set as much as I would have if I went one at a time, and when I was in need it was the first set to be sold when I could get my price. Of course, the person who absorbed the set probably did well ...

JedPlanchet · November 24, 2009 11:50PM

Not quite the same level, but I bought a circulated set of silver Roosevelt dimes in a blue Whitman Album to go with the clads I was collecting from circulation ...

speety · November 24, 2009 11:52PM

Perhaps the two greatest sets I know of were both made by buying complete sets (Multiple...) combining them and keeping the best coins and selling off the rest. Then upgrading individual coins as they come up. Sometimes the only way to have that special coin is to buy the whole set.

mkman123 · November 25, 2009 12:05AM

buying a complete set might save you money compared to individually buying each coin in that set.

Justacommeman · November 25, 2009 12:35AM

I would love to buy some well put together sets if offered at the right price.

It would allow me to focus on my main pursuits while adding to my overall collection.

MJ

scotty1418 · November 25, 2009 12:48AM

I tried to do this in the hopes of getting some nicer dates for my peace set, but found that most all the sets I came across were pretty junky - as was said earlier, with the significant sets, it takes a good eye to really go for it.

I'd think for the lincoln cents, dimes, and nickels this would be a very appealing option.

ricko · November 25, 2009 1:01AM

Some people collect sets, some collect individual coins... it is a personal preference for a variety of reasons. Do what YOU want to do and stop worrying about others. Cheers, RickO

shorecoll · November 25, 2009 1:29AM

I buy sets if I want them for completeness but don't "care" about them. I wanted a set of SBAs (no I don't know why) so I bought a set of BUs in a Capital holder.

fc · November 25, 2009 1:37AM

ask me you would be better off taking the total sum you are thinking of paying
and just get the key date of the series in better condition then what is in the set.

sets are so over rated in newer coin series because every other coin around it is
so common excluding condition rarities if that is your thing.

everyone looks for the key date and the rest is just "filler" in many cases.

mrearlygold · November 25, 2009 1:56AM

I've got complete or complete missing 1 or 2 , washington quarters, walkers, franklins, that came in . Good to Fine. Pretty neat. I had a near complete BU set of morgan dollars about a year ago that I now see advertised in coin world for a whole lot more than what I sold it for.

The circ sets are in old whitman folders. I started transferring all the walkers into a new dansco album noticing all the marks, prices etc in the old whitmans. I thought this is really neat. All that effort and time to assemble these sets that clearly came out of circulation with a few of the coins being bought, some being trade coins. I decided to keep the whitmans with the coins afterall.

rhedden · November 25, 2009 2:36AM

Usually, one can negotiate a better price when buying a whole set. Some people don't want to be cherry picked when they sell a set, and others simply don't want to break up the set they worked so hard to complete.

Another reason to buy whole sets is to get all of the key and semi-key dates in one deal. For certain series, you can save yourself years of searching.

JMW · November 25, 2009 3:03AM

I purchased a complete Barber Half set that a dealer had put together at VG-VF. He did a nice job and since his focus was another series he wasn't interested in breaking up the set. It worked out well for both of us.

coinnut86 · November 25, 2009 3:42AM

When I first started collecting I did it purly by searching through pocket change and searching through rolls, as I'm sure many of you once did. My goal was/is to complete as many series as possible for as little as possible. I didn't concern myself with the grade of a coin, as I was satisfied in just knowing that I was one step closer to completing a full set. It's the joy in finding that specific mint mark and year, that one coin that fills a void in an old familiar blue folder. As I got further into my collecting experience, I realized that some coins were just too hard to come by, as common as they may be, in everyday circuation. I starting purchasing coins from members here and other online venues, even purchasing partial sets only to pull out a few need for my collection. Having stayed as focused as I have with my collection, I feel as though my collecting days as I know them would be over if I started purchasing someone elses blood, sweat and tears.

Hyperion · November 25, 2009 3:46AM

<< When I first started collecting I did it purly by searching through pocket change and searching through rolls, as I'm sure many of you once did. My goal was/is to complete as many series as possible for as little as possible. I didn't concern myself with the grade of a coin, as I was satisfied in just knowing that I was one step closer to completing a full set. It's the joy in finding that specific mint mark and year, that one coin that fills a void in an old familiar blue folder. As I got further into my collecting experience, I realized that some coins were just too hard to come by, as common as they may be, in everyday circuation. I starting purchasing coins from members here and other online venues, even purchasing partial sets only to pull out a few need for my collection. Having stayed as focused as I have with my collection, I feel as though my collecting days as I know them would be over if I started purchasing someone elses blood, sweat and tears. >>

what's the difference, one and a time or bulk, of buying something that someone else has obviously previously collected? are you saying your collection is diminished because someone didn't pull thier examples outta circ?

coinnut86 · November 25, 2009 3:48AM

No, it's just, this is MY set, my blood, my sweat, my tears.....

BillJones · November 25, 2009 4:51AM

<< ask me you would be better off taking the total sum you are thinking of paying
and just get the key date of the series in better condition then what is in the set.

sets are so over rated in newer coin series because every other coin around it is
so common excluding condition rarities if that is your thing.

everyone looks for the key date and the rest is just "filler" in many cases. >>

As an old time collector, I've really gotten tired of this attitude that any piece that is not a key date coin is not worth collecting. If anything that attitude has resulted in excessive prices for key date coins. Just go shopping for a low grade (Good or less) 1877 Indian cent, which is not a rare coin by any means, and you will see what I mean. As collector who really enjoys history I can get just as much pleasure thinking about happened during the year that a common date coin was minted as a rare date.

fc · November 25, 2009 5:16AM

<< 

<< ask me you would be better off taking the total sum you are thinking of paying
and just get the key date of the series in better condition then what is in the set.

sets are so over rated in newer coin series because every other coin around it is
so common excluding condition rarities if that is your thing.

everyone looks for the key date and the rest is just "filler" in many cases. >>

As an old time collector, I've really gotten tired of this attitude that any piece that is not a key date coin is not worth collecting. If anything that attitude has resulted in excessive prices for key date coins. Just go shopping for a low grade (Good or less) 1877 Indian cent, which is not a rare coin by any means, and you will see what I mean. As collector who really enjoys history I can get just as much pleasure thinking about happened during the year that a common date coin was minted as a rare date. >>

i used to think like that but have learned if you cannot beat them, join them.

in every hobby i have participated in this is the case. the rest of the
stuff is easily replaceable at a moment's notice while the key takes
more resources to acquire.

i may not like it. you may not like it. that is the way it is.

countless people on this board speaks of the one special coin that
anchors their set and naturally it is a key or condition rarity making
it "key like".

and heck man.. most coins are not rare. the marketing and hype by
the community is pure BS in most cases when it comes to using the
word "rare".

tbarreca · November 25, 2009 12:30PM

I've acquired 5 or 6 nearly complete sets of raw Lincoln cents, and cherrypicked to put together the best possible collection, further augmenting the collection with the subsequent purchase of individual coins. For example, my 14-D was acquired separately, even though I had 2 of them from the sets.

Given what I paid for them, if I sell what's left on EBay, given the current market for Lincolns, I expect to turn a decent profit. For example, I have a good handful of 31-S cents in EF to AU, with an average price per, I figure, of less than $50.

BillJones · November 26, 2009 12:06AM

<< i used to think like that but have learned if you cannot beat them, join them. >>

Why do I have beat or join them? I'm in this hobby not to make money, but to have fun. If the price of common coins falls because collectors are drawn to the rare dates, that's to my advantage.

BillJones · November 26, 2009 12:14AM

The first case of a complete set of Roosevelt dimes that I purchased some years ago. This set is in a very old holder (circa 1960s), and for a set purchase this is about is good as it gets.

Oldgrump · November 26, 2009 12:24AM

I once bought a complete set of dimes from "onlyroosies" about 5 years ago. It is probably one of the most beautiful toned sets I have ever layed eyes on. It is without a doubt the best investment I have made in 45 yrs of collecting. Thank you Nick!!
Steve

Shamika · November 26, 2009 1:01AM

Purchasing a complete set is fun for all of 20 minutes. After that...

tradedollarnut · November 26, 2009 1:23AM

<< I was browsing around in the BST board and noticed a few complete sets for sale. As a collector, I could not foresee myself purchasing a complete set for myself. What would be the point to purchase a complete set. Discuss... >>

Several reasons:

Purchasing an entire set with intention to upgrade it is often a way to enter into a collecting area

Some coins are only available if you purchase the entire set. For instance, I had to buy the $5M Share Collection to get the gem 72CC and 73CC seated dollars it contained.

Some people are doing a HUGE collection and buying an individual set to them is like you buying an individual coin.

joecopper · November 26, 2009 2:41AM

The only complete set I ever puchaed was post 1960 Lincolns - just did not want to mess with it. Too much time (and money) investing in the 1793-1960 coins. It depends on what you are trying to do. On most sets the monetary outlay precludes a direct purchase and most sets have a few coins needing replacement as well.

DorkGirl · November 26, 2009 2:46AM

I like purchasing a complete set, then upgrading and replacing the coins I don't like. That keeps me from having to spend a bunch of time on the common dates and makes the set cheaper.

TwoSides2aCoin · November 26, 2009 3:15AM

One advantage to purchasing single coins is having the control over the set being built. One disadvantage of buying a complete set is having to pay the premiums for that set without the joy of having picked out the individual coins that built it, but that doesn't matter, really, so long as the person who owns it appreciates it.

Purchasing complete sets

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