| Author |
 Replies: 16 / Views: 2,521 |
|
Pillar of the Community
United States
3540 Posts |
Pondering this over the last month or so. How tough is it to seriously complete a high quality series of US coinage. I did not say high grade, just high quality. Problem free coins (no scratches, dents, rim bumps) or artificial toned/cleaned/etc....I don't know if it can be done. Have been making a VERY serious run at completing a 1909 to current Lincoln set in AU58 to MS65/66 grade. The only coin in my set that does not reach this grade is my 1914 D that I purchased in 1988. Do not know if I could a afford a 14 D in 63 or better. :) Of note, I monitor several auction sites, numismatic dealers, etc, etc, etc. Seems the pattern I see, the ultra high end dealers seem to find the best for the grade and price them way over anything else out there. They must be doing ok, their door is always open. Is this what it takes to complete a set? I do not believe it matters what series you are collecting. If the set you are collecting has silver content, good luck in AU or MS. Peronsally, I cannot stand the black/mottled toning on silver or nickels. Same with the ultra heavy toned coins that are graded high. In my opinion, there is no way the TPG's can look through that toning to give a 65 or higher grade. (the heavy tonight I am referring too makes the coin look like it has plaque on the surfaces). Of note,take a look at a the a couple of the internet auction sites specifically for coins. A large portion of the TPG graded cents have problems. Lots of "genuine" coins out there that have obviously been messed with. Are these coin auction sites the dumping grounds? If so, where is everything else going? ebay? Junk on there as well. In the past two years, I have been in 15-20 different coin shops from Seattle/Montana/North Dakota/Minnesota/Colorado/Wyoming. When you start rolling your eyes, several of these coin shops are very large and have more than your average inventory. Several of these do not display "the good stuff", but is reserved for repeat customers/internet sales/etc. No, I am not on the "preferred list", but wear them down so they will get rid of me. Not writing this out of frustration, but trying to understand if I need to change strategy. Thoughts? I challenge you - complete an Indian Head cent collection in true XF....problem free. How about a Washington quarter set in MS65/6/7? Do we even need to talk about Buffalo nickels? In my opinion, one of THE hardest coins to grade. |
|
|
|
Pillar of the Community
United States
3486 Posts |
Change your strategy? Not necessarily.
Are you familiar with the term: Condition Rarity?
Some coins just simply do not exist in certain grades. Well, not entirely true, as they exist hidden away in old time collections.
But in the market place? No.
The reason why a few us pay prices far in excess of the CDN or any other price guide is that we know just how difficult it is to find a certain grade range for a particular coin.
I favor the Barber series, especially the dimes.
There are tons available in grades good and very good.
But try to find examples in high very fine or XF and I found myself hunting for many years.
UNCS are available for a price, but NOT the high circulated grades.
Taking the 1914-D cent, without doing any reference, I can tell you that this coin in AU is without a doubt much harder to find than a 1909-S VDB for the simple reason that it was not saved.
The Lincons already had five years in circulation. People were still saving the Indians as "they are going to be valuable one day."
Have I made my point yet?
When you DO find a 1914-D that meets your requirements, you will have the satisfaction of knowing that you are among the few that own one.
And that is why I still collect coins.
My set of dimes makes my local coin dealer drool.
Do not fret, acloco. Some of us feel your pain.
Matthew
Edited by matthewvincent
02/25/2012 11:45 pm
|
|
Pillar of the Community
United States
1302 Posts |
A quality series of coins is an accomplishment and should require luck, dedication, and knowledge. I applaud anybody that sets out to complete a series based on knowledge and the commitment to not take shortcuts- in the end, those that know what they are doing- seem to do ok if the time comes to liquidate. I have long term and short term sets I play with. The most expensive set I've put together is based on finding choice examples of coins which are rare in high grades. It's not the label that I look at - but the coin itself... so, yes, I fully understand how you feel with your Lincoln Cent set. my advice is to be patient, stay in good humor, and know that when the time is right, you'll wrap it up. |
|
Valued Member
United States
257 Posts |
2 series- IKEs, SBAs.
Easy and not too expensive.
|
|
Rest in Peace
United States
9104 Posts |
Quote:I challenge you - complete an Indian Head cent collection in true XF....problem free. Odd, I said the same thing--40 years ago. |
|
Rest in Peace
United States
9104 Posts |
Quote:
2 series- IKEs, SBAs.
Easy and not too expensive. Got any ms66 1972 type I or II? |
|
Bedrock of the Community
United States
20753 Posts |
It is rather easy if you can find and go to a lot of coin shows. And if you go often enough, you get to know dealers that travel all over and then you can make requests. Then they too go looking for certain coins for you and eventually you can obtain almost any set in high to all MS grades. This is a clip from my almost all MS graded set #1 of 10 completed sets.  All in Whitman Albums and include the 22 plain, 55 and 72 and 95 doubled dies, all 20 of the 2009's and lots others and all look like this. |
|
Moderator
 United States
23522 Posts |
The ease with which you can do it is directly proportional to the amount of time and money you're willing to throw at it. It doesn't matter *what* you want, somebody out there has it at the right price. It's up to you to decide how easy you want it. And yeah, the really "good for the grade" stuff, as always, goes well above market.
|
|
Bedrock of the Community
United States
20753 Posts |
Quote:
The ease with which you can do it is directly proportional to the amount of time and money you're willing to throw at it. It doesn't matter *what* you want, somebody out there has it at the right price. It's up to you to decide how easy you want it. And yeah, the really "good for the grade" stuff, as always, goes well above market.  Wish I would have said that. |
|
Pillar of the Community
 United States
3540 Posts |
JustCarl - the adoption papers are in the mail. :) My set is a tick under yours...but very close. Well, at least trying to be. :)
Agree with SuperDave.
I am curious where all the coins have gone.
|
|
Valued Member
United States
284 Posts |
I am three coins shy of completing my Ike set I started a couple weeks ago. All mint state and proof coins. I didn't spend much on it either. On the other side of things my Standing Liberty quarter collection is proceeding rather slow, but I am ok with that. I only want the best I can afford for that. |
|
Moderator
United States
188213 Posts |
I try to avoid getting to obsessed about "quality" and concentrate on overall eye appeal. For me, some of the problems you mention (scratches, dents, rim bumps) are just added character, as long as they do not take away from the overall look (that is, they are not overly distracting). I like to collect circulated coins, which means coins will often have some visible "mileage" beyond typical wear.
|
|
Bedrock of the Community
United States
20753 Posts |
Quote:
I am curious where all the coins have gone.
Oddly enough it is really amazing at how many fantastic coins can be seen at coin shows. I've seen dealers with several tables of slabbed coins and all in MS grades. At one show a dealer had several tables full of high graded Large Cents. One dealer I've seen at most shows always has 3 to 5 tables full of those glass covered cases full of high graded coins. One dealer that specializes in Buffalo nickels told me he has his Nickels alone insured for well over a million dollars. If you go to enough coin shows you start to wonder if it wouldn't pay to be a crook and steal them all, win the lottery and buy them all or just give up coin collecting.  |
|
Pillar of the Community
United States
1256 Posts |
Frustrating and very enjoyable at the same time. A weird emotion.
I started out thinking I wanted XF early Lincolns but bought some of the Phillys in AU/MS and now I'm hooked. How can I go back to XF? Surely diagnosable!
I went to a dealer and told them I wanted to upgrade to XF and they all laughed. I went through 5 long boxes... they had nothing!
|
|
Bedrock of the Community
United States
20753 Posts |
Quote:
I like to collect circulated coins, which means coins will often have some visible "mileage" beyond typical wear.
And a great advantage to that system is it is much easier to acquire a completed set that all look basically the same. More eye apeal when you open an Album and all coins sort of look similar. Also, less worrying about the coins tarnishing, fading, corroding, toning and on and on with all the things people worry about with supter MS graded coins. Since already once in circulation, less to worry about. If all MS graded coins in an Album, people worry about even moving the slides to often. Many too are stuck with all their coins in those things called plastic (slabs) so to see them you have to see a massive pile of plastic. |
|
Moderator
United States
188213 Posts |
A good summary, Just Carl. Now everyone knows the secret to my happiness and why I have no second thoughts about using albums.  |
| |
Replies: 16 / Views: 2,521 |
Posted 02/26/2012 01:28 am
