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 Replies: 45 / Views: 3,423 |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3233 Posts |
When I refer to Classic U.S. coinage, I mean non-moderns...say pre-1933. Is it... * Too expensive? * Too hard to find? * Too many choices? * Not enough information? For those that collect the older stuff, please chime in with rebuttals as to the above reasons (or other ones) for not collecting the material. For instance, there's plenty of 19th century material that still relatively inexpensive, albeit not free as in you cannot find the stuff typically in circulation. I can understand the lure of modern coinage (excluding NCLT - Non-Circulating Legal Tender) due to its availability. However, (again excluding bullion coinage), aren't our current designs pretty tired and common to look at; after all they're mostly still in all of our pockets? So, I'm really curious as to either the lure of modern U.S. coin collecting vs. the classics. If you want to respond and just call me a pompous  , you could do that too!  Edited by Prethen
02/29/2008 11:02 am
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Pillar of the Community
United States
914 Posts |
Too expensive! Plus, someone keeps bidding against me when bidding on 3CN on ebay! |
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Valued Member
United States
263 Posts |
I lack inspiration Prethen! I either have to go the series begun in the 19th century or face building sets of Kennedys, Ikes and SBA's. I suppose the Kennedy half will be my next venture; the lack of circulation bothers me some. It just isn't a real coin anymore it seems. I still have some upgrading to do in some of my sets. I need 13 upgrades in my Wheaties, and a handful I'd like to improve in my Mercurys and Walkers. Inspire me with some other ideas! Regards, afernbaugh |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4867 Posts |
I am not really into US coins that much anymore. As for the classic coins go, it would be difficult trying to complete a series due to very high costs. Whats the point in collecting a series if its nearly impossible for you to even complete? |
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Moderator
 United States
187446 Posts |
I would say that all of those choices are good reasons.
I also want to add that, for me personally, I want to finish what I have started. The LHC is the only "modern" series I have left to "complete" (down to five dates). Of course, I add to all my modern sets as new dates come out each year.
My goal after the Lincolns is to finish my 7070. I want to spend some time with each type, to get a feel for them. Once that is done, I have no choice but to try my hand at some classic series, probably chosen by which types really get me excited (right now, I'd say EAC).
It is either that, or just live for collecting the moderns one year at a time!
Edited by jbuck
02/29/2008 3:59 pm
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Pillar of the Community
United States
6326 Posts |
Prethen...... good topic ! The only thing "stopping" me from collecting 100% all "Classic" coins, is I "do" see the beauty and lure for new shiny stuff ! I maintain that I collect "both", but I know that the money I spend on "new" or "modern" coinage DOES take away from what could be spent on just the old Classics. I love 20th/21st Century coins for sure ! There is value, there is the "obsession", (which eliminates "tired & common"!) and for me, just as great as going after the old Classics. I crave the older ones more and they are neater......but at the same time .....I WANT IT ALL ! Don't just look at a picture on the internet, but actually HOLD a new Bald Eagle Silver Dollar in your hand.......they're just STUNNING ! Or if it's just regular modern coinage.....it's the historical aspect too then... (moreso with Classics) The fact that they ARE easier to get too, is a biggie ! And just like the War Nickel....historical and different than the others.... The Wheaties.....historical......different.....and "set building fun" ! Ha Ha The Kennedy......historical.....and a neat coin The Ike.....same as above The silver Rosevelt & the regular ...... The Washington quarter.....obviously historical ! and "set worthy" The silver Washington qtr. is a favorite of mine, but I don't have many of them! The good ole Merc....... The "Silver" aspect of these and other coins is a HUGE lure as well.... rightfully so or not ! It's affordable to build "completed sets" is probably going to be a common reason as well I think. I want to have examples and/or sets of EVERYTHING when I'm done (which will be never !) I have more Classic coins than I do Modern or Ultra Modern......but I just luv em' all !  Edited by eaglefoot
02/29/2008 2:28 pm
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Valued Member
United States
130 Posts |
I like your attitude eaglefoot!
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2602 Posts |
For me it is expense and the likely inability to complete a series. For example, it is nearly impossible to complete the Barber quarter series due to three mega keys, nearly impossible to complete the Standing Liberty quarter set due to 1916 key. I don't like starting series I have no hope of completing. It feels empty to me to have a "near complete set" Same thing can almost be said about the somewhat modern Walking Liberty half series, but there it is somewhat doable if you save $$ for awhile. Edited by mycrob
02/29/2008 3:14 pm
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4867 Posts |
I agree mycrob. Some coin series are very easy and some are very difficult. I would most likely consider a series complete even though the set may lack varieties/variations.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1490 Posts |
I beleive the lure of being able to complete a series has alot to do with the lure of collecting modern coinage. This is not a particular desire of mine although I am currently workig on a Wheat cent and Mercury dime set. I personally enjoy the classic coinage better and collect that more aggresively. I also think some collectors would rather own high mint state coins than circulated coinage because it appears to be a better value for them. I can see how spending a couple hundred dollars would be hard to swallow for some on a VG classic coin. That is not a obstacle for me especially when I take into accout the coins rarity. It takes all kinds to make the world go around. Edited by JimR
02/29/2008 12:55 pm
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
20753 Posts |
I have no idea of what your talking about. You mean there are people that don't collect ALL US coins? You mean there are actually people that don't collect coins prior to 1933 or did you mean 1733?  Just kind of being sarcastic. Since when I started collecting coins dated 1933 were as common as a 1998 coin is today. When I started collecting coins a 1933 coin was to new to worry about. I was still trying to find people using large cents in charge. |
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
20753 Posts |
One more thing is I still remember a laundromat in my neighborhood where I knew the guy that emptied the machines. It was always something how so many people tried to get away with using a 20 cent peice on a quarter machine. Then of course there were always those that used 2 and 3 cent peices in machines also. Sure fooled that owner.
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Valued Member
United States
155 Posts |
The cost isn't stopping me, but it does slow me down hehe. I actually don't care much for US moderns at all as far as collecting them to put together complete sets etc. I opt for collecting foreign coins that are inexpensive when I don't have enough money to pick up nice classic US coins. |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2335 Posts |
I'm not big into collecting complete sets, a few nice examples of any one series is enough for me. I am working on my 7070, which has a bunch of pre-1933 coins. The hardest part seems to be finding fairly graded & priced coins. Nothing worse than buying a coin from pictures that ends up being not quite the grade it was billed as, unless it's prices being 25-50% over current greysheet ask.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
709 Posts |
There are people who collect silver dollars. I happen to be one of them. I enjoy the Morgan and Peace dollars. I may never have a complete set of either, but I enjoy collecting them none-the-less. I suppose it all boils down to what a person likes, their budget and how they collect coins in general. |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2797 Posts |
See Avatar ... does not apply I get this indescribable feeling when I acquire one of the non-modern pieces ... It's like all the history experienced by that coin is now a part of me. Does that make me a hopeless romantic?  |
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Replies: 45 / Views: 3,423 |
Posted 02/29/2008 10:27 am
