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 Replies: 26 / Views: 2,815 |
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Valued Member
United States
83 Posts |
The past year or so I have been working on a set of Liberty nickels. I have a pretty low budget so I have only spent a few hundred dollars on 12 coins, mostly in the VF range. I realize with my budget, getting the 3 keys in any grade is not going to happen for a long time. Given that, would it be better to have a partial set in low grade, or sell what I have now and use the money to buy one of either type? With the money I think I could get, I would be able to purchase an 1883 no cents in MS63 maybe 64, and a common 'with cents' in 63. What would you do and why? |
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Pillar of the Community
 United States
3098 Posts |
That's a matter of personal preference. When it comes to U.S. coins I collect by type and try to purchase the nicest single example of a coin than I can afford. I like to get the highest grade my pocketbook will allow. But, that's just me. You could certain afford a BU example of the 1883 No Cents and a BU common date for not a great deal of money. Check out ebay and dealers to see what's out there. Don't rush into anything. I like to take my time and enjoy the "hunt". It's part of the fun this hobby provides. Good luck and have fun! Paul Bulgerin
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Pillar of the Community
United States
937 Posts |
 with Paul. Almost 40 years ago an old collector told a child just starting a collection, "Buy what you like, but always buy the best you can afford because good will always be good and junk will always be junk." I have aslways tried to remember and follow that advice. But what do I Know? |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
613 Posts |
Sounds like you started a nice VF collection, personally I would continue on the VF route and save up for vf (or so) keys as time goes along.
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Valued Member
United States
301 Posts |
Buy whatever makes you happy! .....I personally try to complete sets that are achievable for me, and buy higher end examples for others. So, I could never afford to complete a set of Capped Bust quarters.....so I have one in AU. Onbiously I choose an exspensive example but you get the point. |
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Valued Member
 United States
83 Posts |
How much do you guys think I could get for these? I'm not the best at grading but I used the PCGS photograde and they match pretty well.I know you guys want pics, but I dont have a camera right now
1883 no cents AU58 good luster light gold toning
1883 with cents F12
1884 G4
1897 VF20
1899 VF20
1901 VF30
1902 VF30
1904 VF20
1908 VF20
1910 VF25
1911 VF35 close to XF
1912-D VF25
If I got my grading right it looks like they're worth around $200-250. Does that seem accurate?
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3486 Posts |
The 1883 was saved - SAVED, and is common and available. STAY AWAY!
Stick with full liberty VFs and do not fret about missing the 'big three.'
(It took me YEARS to track the three in VF.)
If ... IF -- you were to sell off what you have ---
then buy one or more high grade NON 1883 examples - an 1888 comes first to mind.
I have an AU and I love it.
Look, there are difficult years besides the 'BIG THREE." Especially in high grade circulated - EF and AU
are not to be found.
Only a Barber Specialist will tell you this. Let me know if I should tell you more.
Sorry to offend....
Matthew
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Valued Member
United States
83 Posts |
Matthew- no offense taken! I am 16 and need all the advice I can get. if I continue with the VF set, would you recommend getting the semi-keys first and common ones later or vice versa?
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3486 Posts |
baldy, at 16, your budget may be sparse. Look, if you CAN buy VF examples you CAN DO NO WRONG! Just between you and me, VF coins do not exist in large numbers. So, if you find them for sale, consider buying them. XF examples: THEY DO NOT EXIST! [Well, they do, but not many.] As I continue my Barber dime set in VF - XF - AU condition I will tell you this: I bought the keys/semi-keys before the common dates. Now, I seek the common dates in XF or AU. Not as easy as I thought! But I am making progress. Bottom Line: Do you want to collect a complete set of circulating coins --- or Do you wish to have six or so REALLY NICE examples of a given denomination? baldy, that is something to think about! At age 63, I STILL am working on this decision. At your service, Matthew |
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
20753 Posts |
The Liberty Head Nickel coin is really not a great coin for any future great increases. By that I mean I suggest not wasting money on trying to acquire a high grade set. Using the Red Book as a guide, and not a good one for values, you would see that with this Nickel there is so little differences in prices from G-4 all the way to MS-63. This is why if I were you I'd be just happy to get as much of a completed set in any grade. There are so few coins in this series of any great value. Get what you can and what you like for now. In the future, if your still interested in them, you can always upgrade. |
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Valued Member
United States
83 Posts |
you are right on in saying that my budget is sparse. That is why I am hesitant to pursue a full set: there are other coins I would like to be able to afford as well for my type set. I think a good balance between the two options would be to get a nice example of a better date, but one that won't cost a fortune (to me at least). would you agree?
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Pillar of the Community
United States
898 Posts |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4418 Posts |
Hi baldy ... a belated welcome to the CCF! I'm with Razorear. Stick with the VF set. At 16, time is on your side. I spent 30 years, completing a set of English farthings, from 1860-1956. There were no super keys in that set. I simply took my time. I completed many U.S. series sets over the years, but that farthing set called out to me in 1960, and I still have it! I long ago sold my full Liberty nickel set, and that also took me some years to assemble; and, was challenging to match the grades. Sold it to pay for a family vacation, I did. When we're young, things don't seem to move fast enough; more so today, in this microwave world with instant-on devices in the palms of our hands. Avoid impulse and look to long-term goals ... like that Liberty nickel set. The type set, is another worthwhile goal. The hunt will be fun. Attend coin clubs and shows. Try to save some earnings so that you can snag the next coin that fits your set. Best of luck! |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3486 Posts |
I am coming in on ExoGuy's advice with the following addition: At 16, today's VF examples are STILL affordable. But what about when baldy is 26 or 36? (baldy, this would take some work but I could give you some dates to look for) An 18? in VF (NOT the 1883) should be bought if possible. An 1883 WITH CENTS is the one to buy, if possible. The 1912-D is, I believe, often overlooked in higher circulated grades. baldy, let me quote: "I am hesitant to pursue a full set: there are other coins I would like to be able to afford as well for my type set" So, do not commit to any given set just yet! See what continues to hold your interest. I recently broke up a set of Barber quarters because I was at a stand-still: could not afford the last two keys and the grades were all over the place from Fair to MS-63. Sooooooooooooooo: sell what I can after holding a few as types. Put emphasis into dimes. Note to duncanbishop24: Gee, thanks for the ego boost! Sure, it's ONLY a circulated set. But try to find XF and AU examples and the frustration level increases. (But my guilty pleasure is in having an AU-58 example of the 95-O.) Enough of my babble for now. In short, if you can see all seven letters of "LIBERTY" buy it! |
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Rest in Peace
United States
699 Posts |
Baldy - I have collected V nickels - however, I had my Grandfather to thank for saving a bunch that he pulled out of circulation back in the 1930's - 40's. He had approximately 35% complete set - all AU 53-58 and when I was your age, I would add a coin or two a year to that set.{ I collected many other series which I catered to much more } Fast forward many years - and I moved to Florida - and one day, while on my lunch hour, I spotted a coin store not far from my business. I was able to locate one of the last dates I needed, the 1886 [ it was in an old Green Holder from PCI in AU 53 - which crossed to PCGS 58 ! Very pleased about that ! ] I had a long talk with a friend about the manner we collect coins - he and I have come to realize, that we are series collectors and buy missing dates within a series, some times not because its a beautiful coin, but its a decent hole filler - and later on - we regret buying the lower graded coin. Type collecting is very strong now - and I can see why - you can buy a great coin - in any favorite series - and not worry about having to buy the Key Date - or fill a slot with something that isn't all that great ! I applaud you for collecting as many nice VF's as you have. Some one mentioned that there is little or no future in this series in the lower grades. This is very true. Only the couple of key dates [ 1885, 1886 and the 1912-S ] may slowly increase in value over the years. I love the series myself - and just had my collection imaged - some have been posted on the "25 Days of Barbers" Thread. I plan on adding more on a daily basis. Regardless of what you decide to do - have fun !! |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1158 Posts |
Since you are 16, I will give you the same advice I keep trying to tell myself here at twice your age. This is no reason to sprint in this hobby. If you want a full collection of nice Liberty nickels, even if you buy one or two high grade coin per year, you will get there in time. What's the advantage of finishing it quickly? Half (or more) of the fun comes in the building, not looking at an album on the shelf. |
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Replies: 26 / Views: 2,815 |
Posted 07/28/2014 2:04 pm
