Was There A Better Year Than 1916?

I think you '21-ers have made a believer out of me! Especially after seeing the way GR58 laid it all out for us!

Edit - Ugh! I made my post before reading what Conder had to say. Now I'm conflicted again!

Don't forget 1873! Not counting the IHC doubled dies and the unknown 1873-S no-arrows Seated half and Seated dollar, there are about 51 different dates, mints, and major varieties to collect.

Indian cent (open 3, closed 3, two major DDO's)
2-Cent piece (final year, proof only, open and closed 3)
3-Cent silver (final year, proof only)
3-Cent nickel
Half Dime (final year, P & S mint)
Shield nickel (open and closed 3)
Dime, no arrows (P mint open and closed 3; unique CC mint)
Dime, with arrows (P, S, and CC mint)
Quarter, no arrows (P mint open and closed 3; rare CC mint)
Quarter, with arrows (P, S, and CC mint)
Half dollar, no arrows (P mint open and closed 3; CC mint; S mint with no known survivors)
Half dollar, with arrows (P, S, and CC mints)
Seated dollar (final year; P, CC, and no-survivor S-mint)
Trade dollar (first year; P, S, and CC mint)
1-Dollar gold (open and closed 3)
Quarter Eagle (open and closed 3)
3-Dollar gold (proof only, open and closed 3)
Half eagle (P mint open and closed 3; S and CC mint)
Eagle (P mint closed 3 only; S and CC mint)
Double Eagle (P mint open and closed 3; S mint open and closed 3; CC mint).

Now THAT's a year set!

2009 seems to be the winner for the 21st century so far, with an amazing 20 distinct cent issues (four designs in proof, plus four designs in two compositions/finishes from two mints), not even counting varieties, and the lowest mintage of nickels since the 1950s.

I would also like to see a 2016 "throwback" set in uncirculated and proof (classic composition of course.) The proofs should be the older style without the artificial cameo effect, and they should use the original high-relief 1916 designs for the dime and half dollar.

Why limit it to a three-piece set? Thrown in a bronze 2016 Wheat cent and a Buffalo nickel. A second set could cover the gold denominations.

AFAIK, all the commemorative coins that get produced are authorized by acts of congress, so that's what it would take. Congress seems to do a nearly adequate job with these sorts of trivialities, naming post offices and whatnot, so it can probably be done. They really only dig in their heels when it comes to things that actually affect the welfare of the country.

90% silver is used in silver proof sets and they seem popular enough for the mint to continue with them. I'm fond of the idea of going with original compositions.

I am not sure about the # of varieties, but 1804 is the magical date for me.

Conder101 is dead-on that 1796 would be the best year to have a complete set from. An 1857 complete set would also have much to offer in numismatic history (last Half-Cent and Large Cent, the Flying Eagle cent, Half Eagles from five different Mints).

The economic downturn of 1921 created a lot of key dates, but 1916 is the year that circulating coinage turned into art.