Albums Vs Certified, And Where To Look

Sounds like you're headed toward buying certified coins, which is a good idea if you don't totally trust your own eye and won't buy raw off the internet. The typically higher cost of certified coins is usually offset by your comfort level, and as long as you have return privileges, buying certified coins on, say, ebay would then be a viable alternative for you. The only drawback is the sheer bulk of a certified collection housed in specialty albums - it mounts quickly. Cracking makes no economic sense for scarcer issues, so consider all factors up front, including the cost of the albums, which is not cheap.

Hi rc57, I've been collecting for close to 40 years myself. Many of my coins were acquired at shows and trusted coin shops before certification was popular so I have a good mixture of both raw and certified. My solution was to create two sets, an album for my raw coins and a certified set, Since I've been doing this awhile, I'm not afraid to acquire a raw coin from a trusted source to fill a hole in my album. There are a few online dealers like Rare Coins of New Hampshire, Gerry Fortin, and Brian Greer that still have some raw coins that I would have no problem purchasing. Some of these are nice original coins like the ones you want. There are other dealers out there as well but these are ones that come to mind. I've also cracked out coins from their certified holder to place in my album. Most times I've ended up regretting that decision as something better always comes along or I get tired of it. I've never purchased a coin off ebay and instead would rather establish a relationship and work with someone I trust. Good luck!

I collect by date, rather than series, and for me the combination of raw in 12 or 20 pocket pages and certified in 9 pocket in the same album, dispersed in order rather than segregated, is ideal.

I have a previous bank vault so space is no problem. The obvious choice is to have fewer better coins.

I very much enjoy pulling an album out, sitting by the light, and appreciated the history and beauty of those coins temporarily in my care.

My income is low enough, and the coins I collect are scarce enough that I don't care if the coins have been cleaned or not. I'm just happy to have one. I can't afford to be picky.

I may be misreading what you're saying, but if you're thinking of doing a raw key/semi-key date type set I would definitely recommend against that approach

Mainly talking about instead of trying to complete certified or album set of several series , maybe just choose certain key dates/mint of those series. As far as a type set I think I'd go with certified.