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 Replies: 55 / Views: 5,507 |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
7273 Posts |
Ok, here goes , I know several collectors that need to finish there set. Others get to 99.9 % and just won't spend the money on the key date. For example no 1877 IHC or 1916 D Mercury dime. In the end neither or bad, but I'm coming to this dilema. I'm down to 2 on the IHC and I'm on the fence as whether they are worth it. I can get 20 silver eagles or an almost complete set of Mercury dimes for the cost of 1 coin, that won't be in anything better than a good condition. So the question is there a point that you say I'm done and go on to another set? Or must you fill in all the holes? |
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Pillar of the Community
Canada
5239 Posts |
You don't "have" to complete a set. You make your own rules. If you are happy enough without the expensive date, consider it as complete as you want and move on.
That being said, if you will never be happy without the last date, get it, and if you started the set and knew that you could not afford the last one, why did you start it?
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Valued Member
United States
213 Posts |
Hello hfjacinto, I feel that it all comes down to your personal desires and objectives. If your happy with it or don't want to spend the money on it, then it's done, at least for a while. It may be a good time to take a break, and look at something else. Who knows a year from now you may decide to go after those two IHC. Either way, good luck. |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1005 Posts |
It's your decision when to stop collecting, but objectively a set is not complete without the key(s)
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Pillar of the Community
 United States
7273 Posts |
I have a friend that has a firm budget of $150 per coin and honestly I can see it, I mean its just a coin, I've only purchased one expensive coin as that was my first set (the 1909 S VDB), but for the IHC, the 1877 is just not that interesting to me. The 1909 S, is more a key item, the 1877 just not that many were made, there isn't a story with it. I'll probably get it, but its just that I can get more Peace dollars or Mercury dimes for that same price. In the end the melt value of the 1877 is just a few cents, the value is in its rarity. |
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
94367 Posts |
I'm old-fashioned. When you've acquired all of the generally accepted dates, MMs and major design varieties in a given series in conditions that are acceptable to you, then the set is complete.
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Pillar of the Community
Canada
3733 Posts |
it will depend on your way of thinking going into a set. and this will change as you go forward and learn from each set.
my own feeling is , if every date is covered it is still a set,
Now when you go after every mint mark, then it would be a complete set.
My own way of thinking, is see what the most expensive coin of the set is, and decide if it is doable, if it is not, then check another set, for myself, I prefer to get the most expensive coin first, within my budget, because I know when it comes to finishing the set it will always be harder to pull the trigger..
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Rest in Peace
United States
17900 Posts |
I'm proud to be a member of a group that has already provided excellent suggestions and support. I've collected many subjects, owned a store, sold at many shows, ebay, and so on. We Numismatists seem to be very open to doing what is fun over any other goal. However, simply because you are asking I'm guessing you haven't given up on the idea of a full set. Many more people drop a series because of the monster keys. From having done so on many of my own collecting goals, there really is no thrill greater than accomplishing your mission. Last month I bought a monster that finished my 5 cent denomination type set. A MS 65 1867 with Rays Shield with the best strike I've ever seen. I've looked at that completed set a dozen times already and NOTHING would replace my satisfaction in knowing I did the very best I could. |
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
94367 Posts |
Brilliant. We would like to see that set - how about it?   |
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Moderator
 United States
34397 Posts |
@hfjacinto, all good thoughts so far. I will say that for those with a touch of OCD, there is something very satisfying about crossing the last date off of the list.
"If you climb a good tree, you get a push."
-----Ghanaian proverb
"The danger we all now face is distinguishing between what is authentic and what is performed."
-----King Adz
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Pillar of the Community
 United States
7935 Posts |
Lots of great wisdom here already. However, if I were still collecting U.S. coins, I do not really see any serious comparison between silver eagles (no matter how many) and a classic rarity like an 1877 IHC. Edited by tdziemia
09/20/2019 7:51 pm
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Pillar of the Community
United States
7273 Posts |
Quote:However, if I were still collecting U.S. coins, I do not really see any serious comparison between silver eagles (no matter how many) and a classic rarity like an 1877 IHC. You misunderstand my post. They are very different in terms of collectible but not in terms of spend. I can choose to get an 1877 or get lots lots of ASE. To me it's a function of spend, I'm a value spender, the value of lots of ASE has a comparable value to an 1877. Which do I want more (we aren't in the need hierarchy, this is what makes the most sense to me) |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
5823 Posts |
@hfjacinto, If and when silver goes up again, you can trade or buy that same 1877 IHC for a lot less, at current level, the chance of silver moving higher are on the positive side. |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
7273 Posts |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
7273 Posts |
 And all, great discussion!!  |
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Valued Member
Canada
402 Posts |
I thought the collection is done ....when you die
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Replies: 55 / Views: 5,507 |
Posted 09/20/2019 6:31 pm
