| Author |
 Replies: 42 / Views: 3,590 |
|
|
|
Valued Member
United States
209 Posts |
If you don't care about a set then just collect them all
|
|
Pillar of the Community
United States
1510 Posts |
on a budget
cant go wrong with pennies
Retired USAF 1983-2003
|
|
Pillar of the Community
1028 Posts |
At the end of the day, if what you really want to collect is an XF Morgan set, then you should collect an XF Morgan set, regardless of what your budget is. Those are magnificent coins. However, out of regular classic silver sets (SLQ, Mercs, Morgan, Peace, Walkers, and Barber dimes, quarters, and halves) that is probably the worst possible one to choose. The Morgan set is massive. It has very many dates that are not only out of a college student's price range, but out of most people's price range. It also has quite a few commons, that will indeed go down in value if the price of silver goes down. Morgans don't usually sell for spot (well the 21 does), but the commons will follow the spot price down, especially in XF. Morgans are primarily collected by older professionals and retirees, both of whom have more money and more time. It is also a connoisseur's collection. Many dealers also agree that most Morgans are actually over-rated and over-priced, especially with the silver spot where it is. The one's who collect are less scrutinizing regarding price and over many years, this has further artificially bumped up the price. On a college student's budget you'd be able to afford 1 or maybe 2 coins per month. You'd also never be able to afford about a third of the whole set right now. It may sound silly, but if I were you, I'd buy 1 BU Morgan and just admire it whenever you want. I still think you should collect buffalos or IHCs, but if you're stuck on collecting silver, I suppose, you'd get the most bang for your buck on Mercury dimes. |
|
Pillar of the Community
 United States
520 Posts |
Out of all the reading, I think I completely have to agree with hesgut. Honestly, its the truth..I just cannot really afford that and enjoy a set like that. I am currently working on a lincoln wheats set right now, but it is getting very frustrating and I am not able to find a lot of the coins I want. This set also has quite a few coins that run a high price. I am trying to build a good looking set. 1909-1958 XF-MS state..Most of the ones from 1925+ are in BU condition. What I might do is just start like a Franklin halves collection because coin collecting is the kind that you can only afford to do so much. Sometimes it sucks to not be able to get what you really want. I just want to build a set that is not only fun, but is a good investment of my money. It sucks to think that I am losing money on my hobby, especially at my age when its hard to come by in the first place |
|
Pillar of the Community
United States
917 Posts |
The Franklin half set is the easiest set to complete on a budget. With the exception of the error coins i.e bugs bunny,1956 type one and two. You can find the entire set for melt. The 1955 is the most expensive and still like 3 bucks over the others. |
|
Pillar of the Community
1028 Posts |
Quote:
I just want to build a set that is not only fun, but is a good investment of my money. Franklins are only a good investment if you believe that silver will rise. The set has almost nothing other than commons. The set will go up or down depending on silver's value. I personally never liked linking numismatic value and precious metal value. I want to add that I personally am not a fan of Franklin halves and don't really consider them to be a classic set. I mean they didn't start minting them until after the war. I imagine half the people on this board saw them circulating (as much as halves circulate at least) so it's not classic in my book. The best numismatic gains to be seen IMO are with SLQs. Also, at least for the non-recessed date portion, they have been left alone by the silver price monster. They are also beautiful. If you want to speculate on silver, buy silver in bars and rounds. I think if you intertwine your investments and your coin collecting too much you're bound to get frustrated at some point. |
|
Valued Member
United States
209 Posts |
I say the if you like silver you should do Mercury dimes, I feel that the money you spend will be a better investment, there are alot of key date/ semi key date mercury's out there, the 1921d in Ag is about 60-70 bucks, this coin has less face value and silver then a half dollar and is worth more then Kennedy or Francklin's, there are plenty of Mercury dimes out there but the key dates will always gain value and always will be worth allot more then the silver price. You can find affordable dimes in ms63 64 or 65..the later dates go for about 35 bucks. I like Mercury dimes and I'm not telling you this cause I like them but I was in the same situation as you are and still am, I have Morgans, Franklin and Lincolns but I found that the Mercury dimes are an under dog, people no about them but don't realize that they are gaining value very fast especially the key dates, I'm buying what ever I can now while I can afford so when they become very expensive I don't have to worry about buying them cause ill have them all. but this is only my opinion and I respect everyone else thoughts and opinions good luck |
|
Pillar of the Community
United States
520 Posts |
Hmm both are interesting ideas there guys. Hesgut..is there a certain seller that you buy them from or just off ebay in general? |
|
Pillar of the Community
United States
520 Posts |
After figuring it up, it would cost me roughly 6500 to build a Good-Very good set of SLQs..:(
|
|
Valued Member
United States
382 Posts |
I have been collecting on and off for 25 years, still dont have many coins and dont have any complete sets at all. I gave up on sets as there are very few sets that dont have super expensive keys involved and as you said if the set is "XF" to me anyway having a very low grade key defeats the purpose of having a matched set. to me anyway. I know what its like to want to buy coins and just don't have the money to do so. As was mentioned there are short sets you can do, date sets, variety sets etc. I see you like Morgans, well everyone likes Morgans I did too at one time, still a great coin and collection, impressive no doubt but my interests changed, your's just might too. Good to see you are not shooting for hgh grades too, cirulated coins are for the collector, unless you have deep pockets and can invest litrally thousands and thousdands on coins. If you want to complete a set start with something thats attainable in the near future. I know it takes patients to build a complete set and it also might take years and years so start with something thats doable. You menetioned Franklins, great set to do, a short set of Merc's or Walkers is too. I dont think you'll lose money, but I have never looked at coins as investments, if I want to invest there is bullion and stocks etc. for that, collecting is a enjoyable hobby full of history and lore, one should not worry if the value will go up or down, then its a business and not enjoyable anymore.
As for me I buy what I like now, no rhyme or reason and am doing a collection of Large Cents. No frustrations or pressure on myself.
Tony
|
|
Pillar of the Community
1028 Posts |
Because of my varied posts I am going to try to consolidate my recommendations. I recommend buffalos or IHCs for practicality and fun if you must go silver and you want the easiest set to collect, I'd go with Mercury dimes. if you want the silver set that will see the best numismatic gains I'd go with SLQs if you are really optimistic that silver will go up and you disagree with me about keeping collecting and PM speculating separate go with circulated silver Washingtons. Quarters are usually the preferred medium of junk silver and the set is more fun than roosies or franklins. Quote:but I found that the Mercury dimes are an under dog, people no about them but don't realize that they are gaining value very fast especially the key dates Not really. There are only 3 coins of that entire set that have been seeing numismatic gains, the rest has been silver bumps or general coin inflation. The entire series of SLQs has been sky rocketing and will continue to do so IMO. The 16-D is also considered the most overpriced coin there is second to only the 09S-VDB. There's literally 100's of them for sale all the time...and I'm not even including the fake ones. Quote:
After figuring it up, it would cost me roughly 6500 to build a Good-Very good set of SLQs..:( Well, it would be a quite a bit less if you left out the 1916 and your collection wouldn't suffer by missing that 1 coin IMO. You can pick up the later dates for reasonable prices. If you cherrypick ebay, the rest (minus the 23-S and 21) can be had for under $100 and most under $50. Even the 23-S and 21 can be picked up for something in the 100's if you search for a while. Quote:Hesgut..is there a certain seller that you buy them from or just off ebay in general Well, I do a lot of buying and selling on ebay and I have a local guy as well. As far as SLQs, I haven't bought any for my own collection for a while as I already did that set minus the keys and have it put away for now. |
|
Valued Member
United States
382 Posts |
I agree 100% with hesgut. IHC, Buff's. Merc's or SLQ's all great sets and beautiful coins all of them. Everyone who starts out collecting has eyes much bigger than their budget but if you are serious about collecting you'll be satisfied with any collection you build, set or no set. Tony |
|
Pillar of the Community
United States
917 Posts |
Hesgut is right in the aspect of Franklins not being thought of as a classic set just yet but on a budget its worth picking up a set IMO. There are I think 80 different year/mints of Mercs and 40 SLQs in low grades you can pick up most Mercs for 2 bucks and 6 bucks for a SLQ. The Mercury dimes are going to cost you way less to complete the set even with the keys 1916D and 1942/1. The SLQ 1916 is 3 grand alone. Food for thought. |
|
Pillar of the Community
United States
520 Posts |
|
|
Pillar of the Community
United States
1510 Posts |
theres better deals out there than e bay
Retired USAF 1983-2003
|
| |
Replies: 42 / Views: 3,590 |
First Page
Posted 11/17/2011 2:27 pm
