Starting A SBA Dollar Collection

Congrats on finishing up your ASE set!

The SBA is a fun set to put together and not a killer on the pocket book. Great choice!

Funny you should say that, because for the two type 2 PR69 coins, I was beginning to have second thoughts about cracking them open.

Well, I need to think about it. I don't have much invested in them, but the type 2 varieties are bound to increase in value over time as more people start collecting this series.

The PR70 SBA coin I already decided to keep in the slab.

The near date will get cracked for sure.

I hope to have the album and most of the coins by the weekend. I'll decide what to do by then.

Oh, here's a pic of the slabbed 1980-S PR70 to compare to my new raw 1999-P proof (shown in previous post).

It's awfully hard to tell the difference between a 69 and a 70 from online images. Even with a loupe in-hand it can be tricky. Heck, even TPG will sometimes grant a 70 after several submissions of the same 69. The only way to find out is to send it in (but even then, it may not be worth it for a relatively low-value coin).

All that said, I love the SBA dollar. It's a shame it wasn't more successful, but the reasons for that are generally well-known and understood.

I had hoped all of my Susie Bees would be delivered by today. But, the 1980 mint set was delayed and should arrive no later than Tuesday (according to tracking). So, I now have 15 of the needed 18 SBAs to complete the Dansco album.

I freed the uncirculated SBAs from their mint sets cellophane wrappers and placed them carefully into their new Dansco home. I'm pleased with the condition all the "raw" coins so far with the possible exception of the 1980-S proof (has a smudge or blemish). But, since I only paid $2.39 for it and I already have a nice slabbed 1980-S PR70 SBA, I'm fine with it as an album hole filler.

I'll post more pics when I get the rest of the coins.

Ok, I learned something new. I never heard of the "full talon" variety. So, I had to look it up. I posted a link to an article. They actually list 5 different styles of talons. Well, maybe saying 5 different styles is not quite accurate, it's more of a gradual transition from full and anatomically correct talons to blobs instead of talons.

http://www.smalldollars.com/dollar/add017.html

Basically, "Full Talon" SBAs show six fully separated talons. I have several in the full rounded talon category (about 20% of all SBAs) and 4 full and anatomically correct (about 5% of all SBAs) and one coin with blobs instead of talons (about 5% of all SBAs).

I killed an hour researching and looking at my Susie Bees and again. It was fun, but I don't think I'll do much about it except hang onto my full talon coins in case the TPGs ever decide to make this an official variety.

The last 3 SBAs arrived today. I now have all the coins I need to complete the set, although the Dansco album has 2 empty holes. I cracked the slab on my 1979-P wide rim MS63, but I have not touched the 1979-S type 2 PR69 or 1981-S type 2 PR69. I'm still debating whether to crack them or not. I did get them really cheap which means I could turn around and sell them for 3X what I paid if I keep them slabbed. It also means I don't have much invested, so cracking them is not a big deal to my wallet.