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 Replies: 21 / Views: 5,873 |
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New Member
United States
16 Posts |
As a collector I see that Dansco or Whitman Coin Albums sets seem to be of more value as individual coin type verses complete government issued year sets. What I see is the prices charged for say a complete set of Kennedy half dollars placed in an album verses having the same coins in complete mint sold year sets. I have multiples of every US Mint Proof and Mint issued sets for years going back to the 1950's to present. My question to all you nice folks is this, should I purchase Whitman or Dansco albums and break open mint and proof sets to make up albums? Example, a complete 1964 - 2014 Kennedy P-D-S proof Album or a 1959 - 2009 Lincoln Cent set of the same PDS set. The Kennedy being a 50 year set and the Lincoln representing the Memorial years along with the 2009 four coin set? I could make up the same with the other coins For each set and place them in dedicated albums. I already have several coin specific albums and they were made up from individual purchases over the years. I just hate breaking open mint issued sets and reluctantly started to do so when the Presidential Series started. I found purchasing the separate Presidential Sets for filling a Dansco Album directly from the Mint to be less costly than purchasing coins individually from my local dealer. Also since the issue of the State, ATB, and Presidential coin programs started I have purchased multiples of the individual Proof and Mint offerings through the US Mint. I have used this to create several album sets of each series. So I guess the question is, should I take and open up US Mint sets to make individual albums? The only draw backs will be making duplicate albums of the ones I have already started or completed ( albeit with just P-D-S and possibly S (Silver) without any type or special coins included in these new sets. Also I would need to make albums for coins that have much earlier start issue dates like the 1932 - 1999 Washington and 1946 - Present Rosevelt and 1938 to present Jefferson coins that I do not have in my collection's as mint or proof sets or complete. With what I'm reading and seeing a P-D Mint and S Proof Kennedy Set has gone up in price each year and I have purchased many 1964 on Mint and Proof sets at great bargain prices at coin shows only due to the Kennedy half being removed. So maybe there is a benifits in taking one mint and proof set to make up a album. Dont get me wrong I love albums. There convenient to access and easy to to show others your coins. They offer protection and and easy to transport and are easy to store in a safe. Ever since I started to album the ATB and Presidential issues I just cringe at opening these lenses, they are so beautiful in their own right, but as to showing them to others without difficultly in any type of album or means of display forget it, they stay in their US Mint packaging and are stored in purpose built boxes from the mint or other suppliers and are rarely seen. If you were me, what would you do? What brand albums, how would you deal with the coins that you do not have a complete set of....ect. Any idea is a good idea so please just throw anything you can think of my way. I'm new here and really have found so much great information already and I'm planning on spending a lot of time looking at every thread. This is a great forum, Thanks for your time. |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4867 Posts |
I used 2x2 coin flips, album pages, and a binder. This way I don't have to conform to what any printed album says. Plus I am not comfortable with Danscos.
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Valued Member
United States
467 Posts |
You are really struggling with this decision. I understand completely. My first advice would be to do nothing and sit on it a while longer and hope it comes to you with more thought. Personally-- since you asked what would I do if I were you-- I would break open those sets and put them in albums. I don't care for the sets just sitting there. If I want to enjoy my coins or show them to family-- I have found it isn't real fun to hand them a 1982 proof set and go ooooh, and then hand them a 1983 proof set and then hand them a 1984 proof set...kind of monotonous. And I don't go in and just stare at them very often. Maybe you do. But I love to pull out my Dansco albums and look at them, the way the coins vary slightly in look from year to year even though they all came out of mint sets the same way. Plus, if you end up with duplicate sets you can always sell them if you don't want them to buy something else. Plus, it is FUN to break them open and put on the white gloves and fill the mint sets and I have spent many great hours doing stuff like that. Very rewarding to me. I like 2x2 flips too, but I prefer the albums. It depends on your personal preference and what you plan to do in the long run. I have never regretted busting mine open. One piece of caution-- if you don't have the weird stuff, you still have to buy those, so expect a little expense. For example, the 1982 and 1983 uncirculated business strikes, the 1979 and 1981 type 2's, the silver sets...and making an Ike or SBA album isn't as easy as just breaking the sets...you have to get the silver Ike's, etc. But fun all the way! Edited by crazyglue
11/12/2015 08:28 am
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1911 Posts |
I agree with crazyglue and of course to each their own, but the proof sets take up space and are hard to look at in a big picture sort of way. Plus I love Dansco albums they look super nice and fancy on a shelf (or safe, either one). Completely my opinion but I would say break em into sets and don't look back (as one Mod has so elegantly put it before). If you have duplicates you could always sell them proof coins can go, in my experience, for around $.50-.99 depending on what they are and if it helps you get those other coins you would need for your albums then win-win. Good luck in your decision!
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New Member
 United States
16 Posts |
Thanks I already have complete and on going albums. Complete set of Ike's with all the type coins along with SBA's along with a complete P-D-S-S set of State Quarters and the same set up with the ATB Seies. I have on going Saqawagia and Presidential Series sets. I also have many albums filled with 2 x 2 flips for odd ball or extra coins from those Kenndy Missing sets I got years ago. I have bee giving this a lot of thought for a couple of years now and I am starting to lean towards going for it. Like I mentioned I have multiple sets and just taking apart one will not do any damage to my collection. I think it was looking at the prices for complete Kennedy sets and Lincoln 1959 on sets that got me thinking. |
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
11951 Posts |
It can be a tough decision, to break them or not to.
For years I have been breaking sets to put albums
together. Albums look great when they are filled
with nice coins.
My best suggestion would be to do both. You mentioned
you have multiple of sets.
Try doing a album set, and keeping a mint and proof set.
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For me I have all the albums, when I break a set each
year, all the coins will go into a album.
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New Member
United States
16 Posts |
I'm wondering what people think about Dansco vs. Whitman albums.
Also as you mentioned I could sell off the duplication sets to pay for the costs of the albums.
Also has anyone tried or are currently using the self sealing 2x2 holders instead of using staples? I'm wondering if they provide more protection from the elements.
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New Member
United States
16 Posts |
Oh I'm not going to be without wha I already have in the way of complete sets of everythng. I have been collecting since I was a boy many many moons ago and have accumulated a lot over the years.
Ill say one thing the Mint and the BEP have not made it very easy with all the additional products and special releases each year. Plus something has to be done about the constant cost increases each year. I understand the precious metals market part, but the costs over face value for the annual products is just crazy.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
562 Posts |
I'm working on a modern set of US coinage, 1964 to 2010, and break up mint and proof sets to put in Dansco albums. It's a lot of fun having the thrill of filling some spaces each time you get a set. As pointed out, you'll have to buy some coins individually (silver Ikes, SBA varieties, 1982 cent varieties), but that's half the fun. Most mint and proof sets are on the cheaper side and the Danscos, while pricey, are available. In the end, if you do just 1964 to 2010, you'll have four complete sets (Ike, SBA, State, and Territory quarters) plus one set almost complete ( Kennedy halves). Then you can complete the sets as you'd like. And I can attest to the beauty of having all the albums on one shelf filled with gem BU and proof coins. |
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Valued Member
United States
467 Posts |
mangulator, you are right about the cost of the mint sets. That is another reason I don't collect them anymore.
It used to be you get a mint set and a proof set and you were done. Maybe a commemorative or two.
Then it a proof and mint and a silver proof and a commemorative or two.
Now it seems-- and this could also just be my grouchy old guy mentality-- it seems there is a mint, a proof, a silver proof, tons of commemorative, every variation of a quarter or dollar you could think of, plus chronicles, plus this and that.
If I got one of everything the mint was selling, I wouldn't have any money to spend on anything else.
I realize I could just buy what I want and ignore the rest...so that is what I do.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
500 Posts |
 and yes, the mint has made it pricey for those of us that want to keep mint / proof sets up for sure. I also am a fan of Dansco albums and love the way the coins look all together. And to answer your question as to where to get the odd ball coins you may need for the albums, I have bought several from Dave's Collectible Coins. Has a web site and I have always been pleased with my purchases in the past. Good luck! |
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Bedrock of the Community
 United States
12815 Posts |
Quote:
My best suggestion would be to do both. You mentioned you have multiple of sets That's what I do... or at least have intention of doing; I have yet to break a single one.  , mangulator! Edited by CelticKnot
11/12/2015 10:12 am
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1601 Posts |
Quote:
If I got one of everything the mint was selling, I wouldn't have any money to spend on anything else.
But isn't that the reason coin collecting is the best kind of hobby; even when you're broke you still have money to spend!  I agree with do both. Break a copy for albums, then have your other sets safe and cellophaned. I vote Dansco unless you want to go completely crazy and do Air-tites. |
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
11951 Posts |
Quote:
I'm wondering what people think about Dansco vs. Whitman albums. On this question, you will get a couple different answers. Because, people lean toward what they have as being the best. That is not always the case. I think you will get most saying that Dansco are the best albums. Because, in my opinion, they are. You will hear some say they like Whitman because they like the blue color, or Internet shield (IS) because they like the green. If you like a particular color over quality, this might be the way to go. I have a couple of Whitman, Littleton, one IS and some other older albums. But I have around 75 Dansco albums. I feel the quality of Dansco albums is much better than any of the others. For me I like the look and quality, I have no problem with the look, color and feel of Dansco albums. Also I have had some for 20 to 30 years and have not had any problems, as far as damage to coins. As far as selling coins to buy the albums. To me this hobby is better when you take your time, don't be in a hurry. I buy a lot of albums from Wizard coin supply. When you make orders over $50, they give you a break on shipping. I would suggest, once your ready to make a order of $50 to $100, pick out a few albums you want to start with. Then you can try and fill those albums, and start planning for the next group. It is fun to watch your collection grow over the years. And you will learn what you like the most along the slow path.  |
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Valued Member
United States
467 Posts |
Those are beautiful GR-58! I prefer Dansco the most also. Although I have Intercept Shield for my State Quarters. They have this giant sleeve for the 1999-2003 and smaller sleeve for the 2004-2008, so I combined all 10 pages into the one giant sleeve and the proof and silver proofs really do look awesome against that green. But all my others are Danscos |
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Moderator
 United States
187702 Posts |
I have Dansco albums and I had no problem breaking apart my proof sets to fill them. However, most of the business strike coins came from circulation, so very few mint sets have ever been used. Your having duplicates of the mint and proof sets should make the decision easier. Do you want to create new albums with better coins, even if it means having some duplicates (with ongoing sets being built)? I would have no problem doing it, but you must see that as just one opinion. Follow your heart.  |
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Replies: 21 / Views: 5,873 |
Posted 11/12/2015 08:27 am
