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 Replies: 25 / Views: 1,343 |
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Valued Member
 United States
61 Posts |
I actually tend to agree with smat. Especially if I am planning on taking multiple years to complete the set, it might be worth getting key dates first.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2200 Posts |
My opinion is that if you have the money to do it, buy the rarest dates first. The others will be a cakewalk.
If you don't have that kind of money, buy all the easy date first. There's great satisfaction in filling as many holes as possible.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
7010 Posts |
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Key dates never get cheaper...never! I wish someone would have told me this years ago. I have one hole remaining in my Lincoln Cent album ( you know...S VDB) and several in the classic 50 cent commemorative series, what I'm planning to spend on the Old Spanish Trail coin could now buy me 6 or 7 of the lesser $$ ones. And then there's my 7070 album....  Quote:
The others will be a cakewalk. Oh how true that is and the excitement of rapidly filling holes to complete your set would be so fulfilling.....good luck no matter what route you go. |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2281 Posts |
Key dates.
You realize when you know how to think, it empowers you far beyond those who know only what to think.
-Neil deGrasse Tyson
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Moderator
 United States
188001 Posts |
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Key dates never get cheaper...never! They do if it means avoiding an expensive mistake due to lack of education.  |
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Moderator
United States
188001 Posts |
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My opinion is that if you have the money to do it, buy the rarest dates first. And there it is. If you have the money.  I could not afford the key dates when they were cheaper.  Fortunately, my income and savings have increased more than their cost.  |
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Valued Member
United States
461 Posts |
I would be opportunistic. The keys may be hard to find in the grade you are looking for. If you come across a key or semi key with great eye appeal at a price you are willing to pay, snap it up. It might be the best chance you get. While looking for the right key, I would look for great eye appeal among the more common dates while building my set. I am a sucker for toners, and to me a beautiful toned common date coin adds more to my collection than an unattractive key date. I collect Seated dimes, and I bought a straight graded PCGS VF 35 1859 S, a series key I practically mortgaged the farm for. It is double ugly and I get no more joy from owning it than I would from a low grade hole filler. |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3113 Posts |
I'm in the commons first camp. It'll make completing it so much more satisfying.
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Moderator
United States
188001 Posts |
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I would be opportunistic... Not a bad thing to consider. I missed out on some good deals by not considering this.  Quote:
I'm in the commons first camp. It'll make completing it so much more satisfying. |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
521 Posts |
I like to collect common dates first so that I can better familiarize myself with grading and the market. However, I recommend keeping an eye on keys so you understand them better, too. I used this approach for complete collections of Buffalo nickels, Barber halves, and early Jefferson nickels. Currently, I need the 16 D Mercury and 3 of the Lincoln Wheat keys to complete those sets. Keeping the same grade, I believe, depends on budget and preference. I was able to do the early Jefferson series in UNC. I targeted VG +/-for the Barbers. My Buffaloes are all over the place, though. I always tried to get the best deal, some G, some UNC. There's often a big jump somewhere in the grades, either between G and VF or whatever. I try to target the highest, lowest price if that makes sense. In other words, buy at the grade before the big jump. Of course, that's all relative, too. |
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Replies: 25 / Views: 1,343 |
First Page
Posted 01/24/2026 11:01 am
