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 Replies: 42 / Views: 5,536 |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
650 Posts |
Hey, thought it would be fun to document building a SBA collection from scratch. I just finished filling the last hole of my Silver Eagle Dansco album, so it's time to start a new project. I've thought of doing a Susan B. Anthony small dollar collection for some time now. Let's rock! Step 1: I searched through my stash of SBA I had pulled out of pocket change over the years (had a couple tubes of coins). They were mostly 1979s and a few 1980s. I picked out 4 decent (AU) SBA coins: 1979-P, 1979-D, 1980-P, and 1980-P. Hey, it's a start, only 14 more coins to go. [EDIT: Scratch step 1, circulated coins will not be used. See step 5 later in the thread.]Step 2: I ordered a Dansco 8180 SBA album (with proofs). Step 3: I ordered a 1981 US mint set (1981 SBAs were never released into circulation), a 1999 SBA US mint set, and a 1999-S proof sealed in the original package. Note: The 1999 Proof Anthony Dollar is the lowest mintage proof coin with only 750,000 produced. This coin was not included in the 1999 Proof Set, but only offered for sale individually to collectors. Step 4: I bid on four certified SBA coins at Great Collections and to my surprise I won all four auctions (two of which I was the only bidder). Three of the four coins purchased were at approximately half the NumisMedia listed value. Looks like an excellent time to buy SBA coins. Edited by batboy
02/06/2017 9:02 pm
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1037 Posts |
Sounds good so far. The type-2's will be your biggest challenge. Post some pictures when you can.
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Pillar of the Community
 United States
650 Posts |
Yep, the 1979-P wide rim (near date), 1979-S type 2 proof, and 1981-S type 2 proof are varieties that can sometimes be tough to find in higher grades. That's why I went after them first. I got lucky and bought the proofs for about 1/2 the listed fair market value. I don't have deep pockets, so for the 1979-P wide rim (near date) I settled for a slightly lower grade (MS63) than I originally had hoped. I paid right at market value for this one.  The next two SBAs are the type 2 proofs. I got lucky and got them both in PR69 for a bargain.  The 1981-S type 2 is probably the most expensive SBA out of the set, especially if you want it in PR70 (PR69 is valued at $120 to $140 which is within range of most collectors).  This 1980-S proof in PR70 condition was a windfall. Nobody had bid on it, so I put in a minimum bid and got it.  Edited by batboy
02/06/2017 10:34 am
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Rest in Peace
United States
17900 Posts |
Marvelous, timely report. I really enjoyed your explanation of how and WHY you were working on this set. Please keep us updated as you proceed.
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Moderator
 United States
187702 Posts |
A fun project. Looking forward to see it progress.  |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
650 Posts |
To crack open the slabs or not, that's a sticky question most of us have struggled with in the past. I have certified coins that I consider rare and/or valuable and will never set them free. But, these 4 SBAs I just got do not fall into that category. The most expensive one was about $60 or so. I'm cracking these babies open and putting them into a Dansco album... except for the 1980-S proof 70. Think I'll keep that one in the slab, mainly because I only have one other PR70 coin ( Kennedy half). I'm planning a road trip to my semi-local (hour drive) coin shop later this week. Hopefully, I can fill some more album holes. |
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Moderator
United States
187702 Posts |
Quote:
I'm cracking these babies open and putting them into a Dansco album... Good call. Quote:...except for the 1980-S proof 70. Think I'll keep that one in the slab, mainly because I only have one other PR70 coin ( Kennedy half). Not a bad idea. I am sure you will find a nice lower grade one for the Dansco. |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3468 Posts |
If you buy a graded MS 1981-S above MS 65, keep that on in the slab as well.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
650 Posts |
Good advice, nfine. In my first post, step 3, it says I ordered a 1981 mint set. That's the 10 coin set that includes 3 SBAs: 1981-P, 1981-D, and 1981-S. It's a gamble, but usually the coins in those sealed mint sets are pretty good. Regardless, I'll have no certified 1981-S to worry about.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3468 Posts |
I love the coins available to build an SBA set. The multi-coin mint sets, souvenir sets, proof sets and the raw coins offer so many options. Please keep us posted as you build your set(s). |
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
12437 Posts |
One point of correction- the 1999 P&D SBAs were indeed issued for circulation. They were minted because dollar coin reserves were running low and the new Sacagawea dollar was not going to be ready until 2000. At the time, the most common application for dollar coins was their usage on mass transit systems. |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
650 Posts |
Thank you, biokemist. I had a senior moment in my first post. I said 1999-P and 1999-D SBAs were never circulated (which as you point out is incorrect). I meant to say 1981 not 1999. (Correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe the 1981 SBAs were only available in mint sets). I edited my first post. Hope that's clear as mud. Summary: SBA 1999 business strikes were circulated, but 1981 were not. |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2023 Posts |
I believe that's correct. WIkipedia: "Due to its persistent unpopularity, production of Anthony dollars for circulation was suspended, and 9,742,000 1981 dollars were struck across all three Mints exclusively for sale to collectors". Well, they might have been available in bags/rolls and not just mint sets (as Kennedy halves and dollar coins are now) but they weren't released directly to circulation as the earlier years were. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Susan...thony_dollar |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
650 Posts |
Step 5: I was looking on the website of the semi-local coin shop and I can get the 1979 and 1980 sealed US mint sets, plus three SBA proofs (1979-S type 1, 1980-S, and 1981-S type 1) for about $20 total. So, I'm thinking road trip in the next day or two. The nice thing about being able to examine mint sets in person is that you can usually snag some nice coins. Anyway, once I get them, that should wrap up the purchasing stage of this project. Oh yeah, I put the four circulated 1979 and 1980 Susie Bees back in their storage tube. Edited by batboy
02/06/2017 9:19 pm
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Moderator
United States
187702 Posts |
Good idea. |
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Rest in Peace
United States
4078 Posts |
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Replies: 42 / Views: 5,536 |
Posted 02/06/2017 10:17 am
