Early Commemoratives MS-66 Question...

Gold are going to be incredibly rare at that grade. There's only 63 for the whole series in ms 66 with a gold and most don't have a single one.

It's going to be a pricey set to complete in all 66. It would look fantastic but will cost more than 6 figures. The Lafayette alone is about 20k.

Not knowing your financial situation my advice would be to consider lower grades on the keys.

If your budget allows for, I say go for it!

My advice would be to get to know the individual coins of the series in terms of expected strike quality and luster -- these characteristics are not uniform across the various issues. Even at the 66 level, there will be variations in the eye appeal of coins within the same grade. Collect quality coins for the grade and those that appeal to your personal visual aesthetics.

Some collectors prefer fully brilliant, others enjoy nicely toned coins. In this regard, I would suggest collecting coins that "match" -- either brilliant or toned.

I've often read here on CCF and elsewhere that there is no "wrong way" to collect -- collect what makes you happy. For the most part I agree with this but would add one caveat: Collecting without solid knowledge of what you're collecting can lead to expensive mistakes. I would suggest that not learning about your coins before you buy them would constitute a "wrong way" to collect expensive coins.

Good luck on your endeavor! Keep us informed of your progress and let us know if you have any specific questions.

I would welcome and enjoy any MS66 examples of classic silver commemorative that you choose to share with us here at the CCF.

A complete 50 coin type set in MS66/CAC is an expensive goal ... should your wallet support it I say go for it.

Repeating the wise advise already given by commems ...gain knowledge of the series and all the individual coins before embarking on such an adventure.

One of the great joys of this type set adventure is that all the 50 coins are unique relative to design ... and each of them carries their own stories not only relative to design/history but from a numismatic standpoint strike characteristics and surface quality.

Knowledge of the coins ... and of your own goals are critical before you begin to spend significant $ on these coins.

I suggest for you a modified approach ...

Consider that a few of these coins are considered grade rarities in MS66 ... and as such just a handful of examples are very expensive at the grade ... purchase those coins at a lower technical grade but still eye appealing to you.

One example ... the 1926 Sesquicentennial half dollar will cost you north of $20K in MS66 ... but is a 'common' $250 coin in MS64.

Your call of course ... looking forward to whatever coins you can share.

David