Starting A New Album Collection

My vote goes to the IH set. Good luck with what ever you choose.
John1

I would do large cents from 1816-1857. There are no key dates (unless you get into varieties) and they are an interesting relic from our nation's past. Depending on the grade, each one will cost you on average $10-30 for an attractive specimen, or around $5-10 each for filler, low grade coins.

http://blog.davidlawrence.com/index...ysis-1894-s/

A comprehensive overview of this "issue" is written here.

I have completed both the nickels and dimes. It only took about 30 years and I am still tweaking the dimes.
And I had two generations of collectors upon which to build.
Both VF or better.
I was never drawn to the cents as the other members are. All three sets can be completed in low grades.
The difficulty arises when Fine to Extra Fine grades are sought. In a nutshell, these coins do not exist
outside of collections of old-time collectors.
For example: 1912-S Nickel
Four examples for sale on the David Lawrence site. Three are good or good-6 and one is mint state. Nothing in between.
The same on ebay and the same at coin shows.

Have you considered collecting by type? Or a year set? To buy an album with the goal off filling all
of the 'holes' is very frustrating.

The Grey Sheet lists the following Bid/Ask prices for the three sets.

Indians (no varieties) $1,800/$1,975
Nickels $975/$1,075
Dimes $1,100/$1,200

Good to Very Good condition. Such sets would and could be put together easily but not really be more than
'any old' examples which technically fit the grade. Eye appeal would be ignored. Such sets occasionally appear on ebay.

I vote the dimes.

Interestingly, the early large cent collection, 1816-57, could be as affordable as these later sets. In time, if expenses permit, an example of previous types could be added, as well as a colonial copper or two! The 1857 will cost the most, maybe a hundred or so for a decent, well-circulated grade. An 1823 in like condition will cost perhaps $75 or so. Maybe, you'd want to spce things up with an 1817 15 star variety and an overdate? As opposed to the sets mentioned, comparatively fewer non-collectors have probably seen the large cents, so these will make a more interesting display item, methinks. Instead of getting an album, I'd consider using an old siverware chest, reworking it to house a date run, with a lift-out tray. Given that the coppers would be lower grade specimens, I'd not put them in flips but instead let them rest atop a felt-clad tray for onlookers to fondle.

I never gave the large cents a thought or look before. I've always thought that they would be pricey because of their age.

So now let's see. My choices are:

1. IHC
2. Barber dimes
3. Liberty nickels
4. Large Cents
5. Bust dimes

However the bust dimes may be loosing their appeal because of the 15 or so coins that are worth more than $400 or so is g4 condition.

So Monday I'm taking a trip down to the lcs an make a decision. However, I think I may be leaning in the direction of the top four list above and filling in on a best coin basis at the time of purchase.

I was very surprised to see that the graysheet prices the IHC set as the priciest followed by the dimes and nickels. Don't know where the large cent collection comes in at. However, by the whole coin set at one time may not be in the cards for me. The thrill is in the chase rather that in swift swooping up of a whole set.

After all the fun in my other hobbies is to have multiple projects in the works at any one time so why not in coin collecting.

Carl the idea of having 100 albums is very intriguing to me. My problem would have to be the ability to securely store the sets at any time as I am not a particularly trusting individuals who has multiple giant dogs in the house that do however provide a relatively large intimidation factor. However I just have to ask, you're not saying that you have 100 completed albums are you. Just the thought of that boggles my mind as to how to keep track of the coins you need for any particular album.

I have 25 albums and they are not all completed and my need list extends 3 or 4 pages depending upon my own needs.

More power to you as I am impressed.

I am working on a type set and have a fairly decent 20th Century set of coins and have been working on the 19th century with a smattering of 18th century coins. This is a work in progress.

I've even put together a collection of halves and dollars as a small portable type set. Working on a similar portable set for cents, nickels, dimes, and quarters. Last time I was up in Illinois the nephews and nieces were amazed at the coins they didn't know existed. Their parents were too. Trying to pass a torch so to speak.

As I said some things take time to accomplish.

Carl:
{quote]Some may well never get filled. Large Cents and Sitting Liberty Dimes are some of my horrors in attempting to fill an Album. With Large Cents there are a zillion types and varieties. Slight exageration but there are way to many of those to ever really acquire all.[/quote]

I find it interesting to see what you write about the large cents. From what I have heard about them it is quite possible to complete an album of these coins unless a person goes in for the variations. If some of these variations range in the hundreds or tens of thousands of dollars then like you I will probably be passing on them, and I know how much I would want to have those coins they are way out of my range and I would have to settle for what is attainable with the hope of upgrading at a later time.

You certainly like the Mercury dimes and Lincoln cents and you have done what I am sort of doing with some of my coins like the current ATB Quarters. I have two sets of proofs and two sets of circulated coins that I'm working on. However with the scarcity of ATB's in circulation where I live these albums are going to take awhile to fill. Current issue quarters are what I enjoy (especially what is found in circulation).

Right now I'm leaning towards the idea of just obtaining some Whiteman folders for the IHC, Liberty nickels, and large cents (however I don't think that I'll be in for the variations). At the same time with the understanding that I'll be upgrading to better albums when I gat further along in the series.

Like I may have said before multiple projects are what I do in my other hobbies so why not here.

Please stay away from Folders. They are OK for kids and poor condition coins but to many problems with them for anything decent.
If you look into it, Whitman makes an Album for Large Cents that is only a date set. By this it means only one coin from each year, no variations so much more possible. For example 1794 has at least 6 different types but only one is needed in that Album.
I hate to start a second Album until the previous one is full. That is why out of all my Albums, I only have one Large Cent and one Sitting Liberty Dime Album. One nice thing about IHC's is it is rather easy to fill an Album. Sure wish they wouldn't put the Flying Eagle cents in the same Album.