Planning On Building A Set Of Peace Dollars

You have obviously spent some time considering this collection, which is wonderful. I myself recommend what I call "cliff" buying where I go up to the next big jump in price from one grade to the next.

In other words, a choice eye appeal common date 1922 makes more that a double jump from the MS64 to the MS65 in price, so I'd stick with the 64. It doesn't make much sense to get a 63 because the prices for the 63 and 64 are almost the same.

When you get to the tougher dates, such as the 1934-S that you mention, the same thing holds true, although at a much lower grade. In that case from a nice XF-40 to a AU-55 you are looking at 3 to 4 TIMES the cost. So for me, finding a beautiful eye example in the 40 or 45 range would make more sense.

There are not too many sets where there isn't at least one stopper. When I'm working on those, I'm perfectly happy to get a nice eye appeal coin in a lower grade, rather that spending all my money on a single coin that may only be a little bit better in real terms.

Thank you for replies!
I think I may end up doing the keys in Au55-58, as the price difference between 58 and 62 is significant.
1921 is around 180 in 58 and 360 in 62
1928 is around 400 in 58 and that would be pushing my budget
I will try to get mostly goldish colored coins and try to match the look with the others.

I wouldn't really worry too much about the grade, just make sure that you are buying vey good value for money with each purchase.

I agree that it is good to have a nice balanced set condition wise, but your budget might not allow that in higher grades. Easier to rationalize and get a few top grade coins when they come along, and for the really scarce dates to accept a lower grade.

When it may come to sell them at some time in decades to come, the most common type of buyer will most probably be someone like yourself, looking for individual coins, rather that someone looking for a completed set, where the block purchase price may be way out of reach for most people.

Ahh.. That may be a very good plan for me kanga.
I have subconsciously done that with most of the coins I've purchased and I do agree that a Au 58 or 55 will probably have more eye appeal or be a better coin to buy versus a 60,61, or 62. Thank you very much!

I would do them all in MS63 or above, but, just take your time. You will be more satisfied in the long run and they will be very liquid.

Sa330206, the way I'm thinking about it is a MS60-62 is an unc coin, but has a lot of bag marks, weak strike, impaired luster or something else that held it back from a higher MS grade. Where as an AU58 can be a MS64 or higher coin with nice luster, that just has some minor wear. The term slider also comes to mind where a coin may either be 58 or 64, just depending on what you view as wear on the coin. I think with Au you have more probability of finding a nicer strike or quality vs a MS60-62

Thanks that really helps! I have a 1921 peace graded ms62 that some other members called a "slider", now it makes sense. This coin still has luster and a very strong strike. It's the only "valuable" Peace dollar I have. Putting together a nice set with only ebay as your source is tough!