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 Replies: 9 / Views: 1,615 |
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Valued Member
United States
250 Posts |
I've got a few complete or almost complete sets of some of the classic US coin series but lately I'm leaning towards date sets only, especially as I'm staring at a lot of cost for relatively little return (my sets are mostly G/VG). If I continue to plug along with date/MM sets I don't think I'll ever compete my 7070 or be able to venture into other areas of numismatics that pop up that I find interest in. What are thoughts in general on date only sets vs date/MM sets at the end of the day? A nice compete set of circulated Walking halves might look great but eats up a lot of budget. I know it's ultimately what I want to do but thought I'd use this forum for what it's here for and get some other thoughts. Thanks! |
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Pillar of the Community
Canada
4911 Posts |
if you want to do a complete run of a coin including all mints perhaps divide it into 3 sections to work on 1 at a time for example work on Phillies till they're done, then san frans till they're done etc...
Feel free to call me Will.
Edited by thedollarman
01/13/2015 7:53 pm
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4211 Posts |
 There is no "to be completed by" date on any of the sets I work on. I just bought the last 2 coins to finish my LWC 1909 to present last week at the FUN show in Orlando and seems like I started that set well over 10 years ago. I have at least 5 open sets now. It's suppose to stay a fun hobby so I just plug along at my own pace  Never in a rush.... |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1314 Posts |
I like to work on something easy with immediate gratification and low expense, while I make a serious attempt at a die study for a given date and mint. For the die study, I've been at it day and night for about 3 years, and have over 90% of the known examples. It will never be finished, as I am always upgrading. The MS67's are still out of my budget, but I'll spring for 65's, and my goal is to have all 64 or above.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1192 Posts |
I end up getting philidalphia coins first in sets and I usually have all the dates far before all the mint marks. It's all about what is good for you. If mint marks don't mean much to you don't collect them. I tend to view the separate cities and their development in my head from a historical standpoint so it's meaningful for for me.
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Moderator
 United States
23522 Posts |
Your set is whatever you feel like calling it. Your thinking is popular enough that PCGS has Registry categories for both options you're contemplating, so you're not the first to face this decision.  |
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
20753 Posts |
Many ways to do a set or so called set. For me I do several different things. For example I know a so called complete set of Large Cents would cost me possibly Billions of dollars, maybe only several thousand, however I just do a year Album instead. With some other coins I do several types. A year only, a year and Mint, No proofs, with proofs, etc.
It is a hobby and you should do what you like, can afford, can find, etc. It's all just in fun.
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Valued Member
 United States
250 Posts |
Thanks for the feedback. I was starting to assemble complete sets of Barber and Liberty halves in G+ and just wondering at the end of the day, regardless of how nice it would look, is it really a practical decision in terms of $. I would certainly enjoy them for a few years but there wouldn't be much return on the investment. Plus it would allow me to continue to pursue better grade stuff for my 7070 instead of spending all of my meager budget on basically what would just resell for junk silver. But I'm looking at this through a business lens and not a hobby/enjoyment lens I guess...
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
20753 Posts |
Quote:
But I'm looking at this through a business lens and not a hobby/enjoyment lens I guess... AND that is probably the worst thing to do. So many try using coins as an investment. So many things wrong with that. For example just trying to get rid of them if you need cash fast. IF you take all your coins to a coin store, you'll probably get about half of what you thought. Same if you take them to a coin show only maybe a bit better. On the internet, ebay for example, may not sell at all or take a long time. Also, while your saving up to sell, the prices of your coins may drop. Of course that could happen to stocks too. Just collect coins as a hobby and let them be what they are. |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
7375 Posts |
kevro22, My thinking is a lot like yours. Our collecting goals are similar. I like low grade circulated sets including dates and mm. Yes, they might not sell for much more than junk someday, but I have seen a premium paid on complete sets. I also think about the business end, and 'carefully' buy/cherrypick a few other nicer coins at a good price, that might resell for a profit someday. Yes, having to sell coins in a hurry would be a problem, but as long as ebay sticks around, and it most likely will, a careful buyer and seller should be ok. |
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Replies: 9 / Views: 1,615 |
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Posted 01/13/2015 10:32 pm
