Liberty Nickel Question....

Hi baldy ... a belated welcome to the CCF!

I'm with Razorear. Stick with the VF set. At 16, time is on your side. I spent 30 years, completing a set of English farthings, from 1860-1956. There were no super keys in that set. I simply took my time. I completed many U.S. series sets over the years, but that farthing set called out to me in 1960, and I still have it! I long ago sold my full Liberty nickel set, and that also took me some years to assemble; and, was challenging to match the grades. Sold it to pay for a family vacation, I did.

When we're young, things don't seem to move fast enough; more so today, in this microwave world with instant-on devices in the palms of our hands. Avoid impulse and look to long-term goals ... like that Liberty nickel set. The type set, is another worthwhile goal. The hunt will be fun. Attend coin clubs and shows. Try to save some earnings so that you can snag the next coin that fits your set. Best of luck!

Baldy - I have collected V nickels - however, I had my Grandfather to thank for saving a bunch that he pulled out of circulation back in the 1930's - 40's.

He had approximately 35% complete set - all AU 53-58
and when I was your age, I would add a coin or two a year to that set.{ I collected many other series which I catered to much more }

Fast forward many years - and I moved to Florida - and one day, while on my lunch hour, I spotted a coin store not far from my business. I was able to locate one of the last dates I needed, the 1886 [ it was in an old Green Holder from PCI in AU 53 - which crossed to PCGS 58 ! Very pleased about that ! ]

I had a long talk with a friend about the manner we collect coins - he and I have come to realize, that we are series collectors and buy missing dates within a series, some times not because its a beautiful coin, but its a decent hole filler - and later on - we regret buying the lower graded coin.

Type collecting is very strong now - and I can see why - you can buy a great coin - in any favorite series - and not worry about having to buy the Key Date - or fill a slot with something that isn't all that great !

I applaud you for collecting as many nice VF's as you have. Some one mentioned that there is little or no future in this series in the lower grades. This is very true. Only the couple of key dates [ 1885, 1886 and the 1912-S ] may slowly increase in value over the years.

I love the series myself - and just had my collection imaged - some have been posted on the "25 Days of Barbers" Thread. I plan on adding more on a daily basis.

Regardless of what you decide to do - have fun !!

I recently finished a Liberty nickel set, and I have to say it was pretty satisfying! I collected them as a child with really no hope of getting them all. Now that I have a job and money, one day I realized that I could probably get them all. And I did. And it is nice.

Don't try to sell the VF ones that you have. You probably won't come close to getting the money you put into them

Lots of good advice here! When I read your later post, I observed some conflicted feelings regarding whether to strive to complete the series or to shift to owning only a few in higher condition. Obviously, only you can determine what makes you happy, but if you go the latter route and buy a few nicer pieces, these can be the foundation for a later pursuit of the series as you gain discretionary income. Meanwhile, you can then shift gears toward your type set. That's my nickel's worth of advice for you!

P.S. Man, I wish these coin forums were available when I was a young coin collector!

The original Racketeer Nickels will have a reeded edge. Also, they'll tend to evidence very little wear and much of the gold plating will remain. The modern ones, plated mostly in the 1960-70's, do make interesting conversation pieces though. Original ones are quite scarce. Either way, one of these will add a little spice to the set.

My humble suggestion for a buying strategy:

Make a list of types you're seeking, lowest to highest value.
Decide on your affordable grade range for each type.
Meanwhile, watch some similar coins on ebay and record what price each realizes.
Save your money and find an area show that's a month or two coming.

More shows tend to appear, following the summer months. You can then comparison shop.

Strategy works for the nickels, too. Just figure which ones you can best afford, so as to narrow the field. I'd focus on the 1800's years. You could make a chart of the years/grades. Record the PR, Prices Realized, from ebay on the ones you seek. I'll bet that the show prices will beat those.