1797 - 1964 US Coin Date Set Complete

Congratulations! That is a way of collecting I never considered. Maybe I'll start something like that once I finish my Type set. Out of curiosity why 1797 when US coins started in 1793? I get why 1793 might be an expensive date, but 1794-1796 seem doable.

If you had asked me what the toughest US date was, I probably would have said 1793. I'm not sure 1815 would have been even in my top ten. I guess there is only a quarter for that date? What happened in 1815 that resulted in this happening? Does anyone know?

When I started the set, I intended to only purchase EF-40 and better coins. But as I progressed, especially on key date and tougher types, it became obvious that mid-level VF issues with no problems were very beautiful coins.

Too, I didn't consider any coins prior to 1797 just because the prices for coins in that original grade range cost well over my probable limit. Now that I'm happy with mid VF's, I will be searching for those 1794 - 1798 dates if I can find them in types other than types I already have for other dates.

As for type collecting I've completed almost all the types for 1800 forward to 1964 as I simply insured that I not only wanted a different date, but I also finished the types I needed as I went along.

As for the 1815, there were only 3 denominations minted, with the quarter being the big fatty with 89,235 minted and it is really the only type you can purchase in decent grade for less than many thousands of dollars. The half dollar, which was the 1815/2, had 47,150 minted, but with the huge numbers of Capped Bust Half collectors the price on even a moderately nice example is many thousands of dollars. The last denomination, the $5 gold, had only 635 minted and I doubt I could find one if I tried to trade my HOUSE for one.

Immediately after the war of 1812, mintage was pretty spotty and the mint itself burned in 1816, if memory serves, with the second half of the two shipments of quarters being delivered in January of 1816.

The quarter was not needed in average commerce because of the availability of the two-bit silver pieces and the mint actually minted what was ordered.

The only reason they minted quarters in that year was because a single bank demanded them.

Another really fun part of putting together a date set is that you learn a LOT more history as you put the set together. Everything above is just from memory, and I might have gotten the mint burning date wrong, but I think it was one of the reasons quarters were not minted again until 1818.

Looks like you have caught all the Pokemon.

I doff my hat to you Sir.Well done.

Great project.

Love the idea of the collection, and the coins. Very cool!

Moxking!! Thank you for sharing your pics with us and super congrats!

Well done sir