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 Replies: 22 / Views: 3,463 |
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Valued Member
United States
272 Posts |
So this year I finished my 20th and 21st century type set so I figured hey why not do something else so I decided that id do liberty head nickels. Also known as the V nickels. I bought the really hard/expensive dates, and all of them are in very good condition. I'm not sure of the grades because I had to remove the coins from the slabs, but I was wondering what grades should I be looking for in order to get a nice good looking set? |
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Valued Member
United States
368 Posts |
I would shoot for F12 or so.
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Pillar of the Community
Sweden
729 Posts |
Quote:
I'm not sure of the grades because I had to remove the coins from the slabs How did you manage to ignore the grade when you removed them? Anyways, I would at least keep the 85, 86 and 12-s slabbed. On the prowl for a decent 12-s, and then my set is complete for the common dates, I would try to get at lest VF grades to get enough detail to really enjoy the look of a V nickel |
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Valued Member
 United States
272 Posts |
i mean I know the grades its just I dont have them right in front of me I know what about 4 of coins grades are
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Valued Member
Germany
138 Posts |
Congrats on completing the type sets! I'm sure you know this, but the grades to collect are going to vary considerably from person to person. The general rule is to get the highest grade you can afford. I am working on a set of V nickels as well, though I've been side tracked for a few months. For my set, I am picking up XF grades minimum. I have a lot of common dates in AU or better, but the rarer ones are all XF so far. I personally feel that in XF, most classic US coins have enough detail that you can see the intended design. But I'm sure others disagree  |
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Moderator
 United States
15395 Posts |
Quote:
I was wondering what grades should I be looking for in order to get a nice good looking set? This is a fair question that many of us ask ourselves as we start on a new collecting endeavor ... From my perspective ... in general 'nice looking sets' are visually matched ... that is the overall technical grade and surface appearance is visually uniform amongst the coins in the set. IMHO ... the 'wrong' set contains coins at VG mixed with coins at MS63 mixed with coins with severe toning mixed with coins with cleaned surfaces ... you get the picture.  It's possible to select any grade range that meets your budget and ... with patience ... acquire a nice visually matched set. To your aspiring set of Liberty nickels ... I politely suggest that you choose a grade range that fits your budget ... whatever that may be ... and aspire to purchase coins that enjoy each other visually. Regardless of grade ... such a set is always a beauty to behold.  David |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
5825 Posts |
My main criterion is buy the grade that allows a non-collector to get a good idea of the Mint's intention when they designed the coin.
For me that turns out to be XF or better.
Naturally there are some coins that I can't afford in that grade.
So then my decision is whether to:
-- leave it as an empty hole, or
-- accept a lesser grade.
So far option #2 (accept a lesser grade) is the way I've been going.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
8137 Posts |
For my V nickel set I am looking for VG to F coins. |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1959 Posts |
I agree with nickelsearcher. In my V-nickel set, the grades are not all the same but I make sure the surfaces are uniform as far as color goes. Grade range in my set is F-VF. There may be a VG-10 and an EF in the mix though. All problem free. I still lack the 85. Waiting for the right one to come along. This has been one of my favorite sets to do.
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Valued Member
United States
272 Posts |
i have a couple of au V nickels but most of the harder dates are vf but sometimes the vf's dont have alot of definition and as for tone. I like em with a little tone but not way to much. Cause then it looks fake (thats in my opinion) |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
586 Posts |
I love the Liberty nickel series and find it to be one of the easier series to complete. Found this guy the other day ( actually I've been hunting him for two years lol) It appears to be a matte die on a Shield nickel planchet. I have my theory on the coin but I won't crowd your forum.   |
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
20753 Posts |
When it comes to the Liberty Head Nickel, I suggest look for them in at least AU. All MS grades would be the best thing to look for. With only a few in that series, most have very little value increases in the higher grades. Most price guides show very little high costs for most of them in the highest grades. AND at coin shows I see them all the time in high grades for very little. Don't know why except just not a popular coin.
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Valued Member
United States
272 Posts |
i noticed the same thing but I was a little weary of paying 50 to 60 bucks per coin.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3486 Posts |
My completed set hovers at VF. I call then the Barber Nickels. If you have not seen this: https://goccf.com/t/130312you are in for a treat. Matched for condition or any other criteria, the aesthetic appeal is riveting. Most collectors have only seen well-worn examples, so that might the reason for a lack of popularity. Bottom line, a full LIBERTY, including the "I," is important, so minimum condition is FINE. Also, decent strikes are a big plus. |
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Valued Member
United States
272 Posts |
that was my main criteria. I had to be able to read Liberty on the "crown" (i dont know the technical term forgive me)
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3486 Posts |
I just checked. 'Crown' is exactly what it looks like.
Or perhaps a tiara.
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Replies: 22 / Views: 3,463 |
Posted 01/21/2014 12:36 pm
