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Thinking more and more about putting together a type set of US gold
MidLifeCrisis
Posts: 10,613 ✭✭✭✭✭
And I have no idea how realistic that would be or how much it would cost in say XF-AU.
In other words, I would have no idea what I was doing. I think I need therapy!
In other words, I would have no idea what I was doing. I think I need therapy!
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Comments
<< <i>Well ... at least you waited until gold is at its peak
Hmmm...good point.
<< <i>Well ... at least you waited until gold is at its peak
No where near the peak, imho.
<< <i>There are many ways to do it, at various price points and levels of difficulty. I will post some ideas for you later. >>
Thanks. I'll look forward to that.
--- Jack Handy
Positive BST transactions with members - Tander123, Twincam, UtahCoin, ianrussell
Worry is the interest you pay on a debt you may not owe.
"Paper money eventually returns to its intrinsic value---zero."----Voltaire
"Everything you say should be true, but not everything true should be said."----Voltaire
<< <i>In all honesty, I would really like to do this as well ... and, you would still be able to stick to your dealer of choice as they often get nice pieces of original lightly circulated type gold for relatively reasonable prices, ie < $5k. >>
True. And I would stick with them.
Three gold dollars (Type I, II, and III)
Liberty and Indian quarter eagles
$3 gold
No motto and With Motto Liberty $5
Indian $5
No motto and With Motto Liberty $10
Indian $10
Three $20 Libs (Type I, II, and III)
Saint
PCGS' registry set contains:
Issue Weight
Gold Dollar, Type 1 (1849-1854) 4.00
Gold Dollar, Type 2 (1854-1856) 6.00
Gold Dollar, Type 3 (1856-1889) 2.00
Liberty $2-1/2 (1840-1907) 2.00
Indian $2-1/2 (1908-1929) 3.00
Indian Princess $3 (1854-1889) 5.00
Liberty $5 (1839-1908) 3.00
Indian Head $5 (1908-1929) 5.00
Liberty $10 (1866-1907) 3.00
Indian $10 (1907-1933) 3.00
Liberty $20 (1850-1907) 3.00
St. Gaudens $20 (1907-1933) 1.00
There are a lot of ways that you can go with this. One of the problems is that if you have enough cash, you can complete a gold type set (or any smaller permutations or subsets) in about an hour at the FUN show. Therefore, in order for it to be challenging, you have to find ways to make it so.
Here are some ideas:
Acquire the No Motto (pre-1866) coins in PCGS XF-45 in OGHs, the 19th century With Mottos in PCGS AU-55/8 OGH, and the 20th century coins in PCGS MS-62/3 OGH. (make it really hard and require each to have a gold sticker
Buy only coins pedigreed to Eliasberg, Norweb, Bass, and other named collections (this is right up your alley).
Do the 13 coin set, but include coins from all of the branch mints (C, D, O, CC, S, D).
Add some of the earlier gold coins that are not typically included (classic head, bust left, bust right, and capped bust $5's, a Stella if you have an extra $150k lying around, etc.)
Buy proof coins to represent the Type III gold dollar, Liberty quarter eagle, $3, and/or WM $5.
Here is how I have added some pizzaz to my set:
1. I have all three gold dollar types, but each is from a different southern mint.
2. I have added Norweb, Eliasberg, Garrett, and Bass gold coins to the type set.
3. Require the earlier design types (draped bust right, bust left, capped bust, and classic head).
4. One day, get a HR Saint
5. Proof $3 to represent the denomination
MJ
Fellas, leave the tight pants to the ladies. If I can count the coins in your pockets you better use them to call a tailor. Stay thirsty my friends......
<< <i>RYK - What would be the best book(s) to have on your book shelf to make you an "expert" on your suggested collection? >>
I do not think that there is any book on your shelf that would make you an expert, even if you read it. ;0
The most important books for the gold collector are, IMO, the following:
The Redbook
Garrett/Guth Encyclopedia of US Gold Coins
QDB's US Gold Coins: An illustrated History
Eliasberg US Gold Collection Bowers and Ruddy catalog from 1982
If you are going to go deep in early gold (Bass/Dannreuther book), branch mint gold (Winter books for C, D, O, and CC), 20th century gold (Akers), $1's and $20's (Redbook series--QDB), Type I $20's (Winter), etc. for the various specialties.
One of my favorite coins books of all is the QDB/Doug Winter collaboration on $3 gold. There's a lot of numismatic and historical information that applies to other US coin series, gold and otherwise.
More important than the books is looking at a lot of coins and having an expert show you examples of original, dipped, puttied, leather pouch-stored, copper-spotted, and various other gold coin appearances, both obvious and subtle.
<< <i>RYK - thank you for your suggestions. I have saved your post. >>
RYK's list is not complete. If you buy all three types of Liberty double eagles, it makes sense to buy both types of Saints---no motto and with motto. If you can afford it, the high relief Saint would also be a great addition. In the with motto Saints, there are two subtypes---the pre 1912 Saints have 46 stars and the 1912 and later Saints have 48 stars with the addition of New Mexico and Arizona as states. Also, there are no motto and with motto Indian tens so if you get both types of Liberty tens, it makes sense to get both types of Indian tens. Start with the basic 12 piece type set and if you still have the interest and money, expand it as you please.
Worry is the interest you pay on a debt you may not owe.
"Paper money eventually returns to its intrinsic value---zero."----Voltaire
"Everything you say should be true, but not everything true should be said."----Voltaire
<< <i>That's a lot of loot spent on something you'll regret when a nice pedigreed Colonial hit's the market IMHO
I said I'm thinking about it. I didn't say I would actually do it.
I think this post has resulted in some good and useful recommendations though.