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 Replies: 18 / Views: 2,745 |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1913 Posts |
I recently completed my set of silver eagles, so I'm looking to start another series. I completed as set of XF Lincoln wheat cents about twenty years ago. I can afford more now, so I'd think that I'd like to start on Indian cents. I'm thinking MS-63 brown. I'm shying away from the reds because my picky retentiveness would not allow me to have anything but a completely red coin which pretty much might mean that I'd never complete the series. Brown is fine with me so long as the color is even. I don't really care about certifications, but it might be smart just to buy them certified given the significant difference in price between grades that can occur. All that said, what advice do you have regarding the Indian cent series? Generalities, pitfalls, etc. are all appreciated. |
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Valued Member
United States
475 Posts |
Learn to grade Indian Head cents and understand strong strikes vs weak strikes. Also, unless you have a healthy budget, certain key dates can be very pricy in MS63BN (e.g. 1877, 1908-S, 1909-S along with other semi-key dates). I'm working on an Indian Head cent set right now. I have about 9 to go. Grades range in my set from VF35 for the 1877 to MS64RB for the later dates in the set. Enjoy the journey. |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
744 Posts |
A penny was actually worth something back then, so they were heavily used and some of them are tough to find in higher grades unless you are willing to part with a lot of $... I have mine in a Dansco Album. About 80% complete with XF or above. I would have had more, but switched some of them to my Dansco 7070 Type Album, which is another tough album to complete. I personally, don't buy anything off ebay unless it is certified... too many fakes out there. |
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
20753 Posts |
I kind of love those pennies. However, if you put them in an Album, most also have the Flying Eagle cents in them too. Sure wish they didn't do that. Finding the 1856 is rather difficult and when you do, it's way off the wall for a price. And not really a coin, was supposed to be a pattern. I saws one at a coin show last week for only $12,000. If you get yours at a coin show, possibly all from about 1900 to 09 is rather cheap and for MS-60 grades, still cheap except the 08S and the 09S. And still reasonable from 1887 up. However, before that they all get rather tuff to find at any price. If your not trying to make a high graded set, you should be able to have a nice almost complete set in no time. |
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
94367 Posts |
Very collectible series, I've done it several times over a long life. MS-63 is a very affordable grade with only a few gulpers. What's really tough about the early IHCs, though, are the large number of really great varieties and repunched dates, many visible to the eye. Most serious collectors of the series end up adding many of these to their quest, which ups the ante. Still, a lengthy series that will keep you challenged for a long time.
Edited by Coinfrog
08/22/2018 1:47 pm
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Pillar of the Community
United States
5825 Posts |
I completed my FE/IHC set about a year ago.
I included the FE's since there are only 4 if you don't count the overdate.
My set ranges from MS-62 through MS-66 RB.
Not surprisingly the 1900's/1890's are mostly MS-65 RB; reasonably affordable.
Then as the dates get older the grades start dropping to -64 and -63 and the color to Brown (when applicable).
I haven't seriously considered the varieties.
Edited by kanga
08/22/2018 3:10 pm
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3402 Posts |
Nice set to attempt...considering varieties? As with other series you might want to buy a reference book first, to guide you.
KK
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Moderator
 United States
188770 Posts |
Not much I can offer. My IHC set is two coins short of completion. No varieties. Just date and mint, bronze and cupro-nickel. Nothing flash, all well circulated. A large chunk of the common dates came from the dollar bin. With that being said, a high end set will take some work, and some cash, but I think would be well worth the focus it requires.  |
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Pillar of the Community
 United States
1913 Posts |
Lots of great information here. Thanks. My picky retentiveness compels me to have all the coins in a series with the same grade and appearance, though I understand that the cupro-nickel ones will look different than the later ones.
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
94367 Posts |
I'm quite picky as well, but I always found the wonderful range of colors so often found in TPG "BN" slabs too tempting to ignore for the sake of conformity. |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1913 Posts |
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Valued Member
United States
475 Posts |
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Moderator
United States
188770 Posts |
Excellent start!  |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3402 Posts |
Off to a great start for your new collection.
KK
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
20753 Posts |
If you keep buying ones in that grade, your going to need lots of money. Great start.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1913 Posts |
Thanks for the encouragement everyone! It will take time, but I'll get it done. Quote:
If you keep buying ones in that grade, your going to need lots of money. I can swing it. I could spend more on the more common dates, but I want everything to be as uniform as possible. |
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Replies: 18 / Views: 2,745 |
Posted 08/22/2018 11:38 am
