What Are Your Numismatic Goals For 2020?

Not me, or at least not me yet.

My goals did kind of imply participation in How Far Back Can We Go 6th edition, but I lost steam there back in January anyway, and I'd still need all of that for the 7th edition when that happens (circa late 2021).

Aside from that, however, not much had changed. Even as it was, I quite often spent as much as several months without significant coin purchases; and I'm already looking forward to the day when I could walk to a coin shop - if probably in a mask and gloves - and buy some coins again (I estimate sometime around August).


Admittedly, it certainly didn't help that the old smartphone that served as my main camera developed such extreme battery problems that it could no longer work as a camera; fortunately, I figured out some backup ways to make half-decent photos with existing phones.

So far I haven't had to revise my goals, and I've been very blessed to continue actively collecting given the circumstances. My focus lately has been on my modern US sets, mostly because they're less expensive and readily available compared to my classic sets. I've also used ebay to find coins, which I had only done once before. However, I'm hesitant to make any expensive purchases (over $50) given the uncertainty, and I'm always mindful of my budget.

And since we've reached the halfway point of the year, I think it's a good time to check in on my goals:


1. I'm not sure if my inventory will ever truly be "complete," but I have made good progress on updating it and taking photos. At the very least, I have a good list of things I need to do with both my inventory and photos.

2. Technically I've stuck to this goal so far, although I decided to expand one of my existing sets.

3. I haven't found any Barber dimes or Washington quarters that I like for the grades I'm looking for. I am very selective with these sets and prefer to examine these coins in person. Given the pandemic, I don't see any opportunities for me to do that this year, so I might not complete this goal.

4. I've purchased 3 ATB proof sets, one mint set, and several individual coins I needed for my set, so this goal is complete!

5. Not yet.

6. Not yet, although I am planning to do so later this year.

I posted a while back that I wanted to finish my Dansco 7070 Type Album and I did it this week, then I saw an upgrade to one of my coins that I couldn't pass on (a BU Barber quarter), so when it arrives I will post pics...

Back in December I'd said I just wanted hole fillers for my type set. Since then I changed my tune and dumped around $10,000 into the set. On the plus side, it's super high quality, on the down side it's still a long way from completion.

I just want to clean up all my stuff laying around. Its hard to fully enjoy it when it is scattered and unorganized. So, probably just getting more albums to put stuff in.

Post from April 30th - progress report

"My goals were to expand my halfcrown collection to have one coin from every reign back to Henry VIII eventually and knew it would be hard before Charles II.

Also to complete the Halfcrowns from 1887 onwards and buy several rare dates. - I now have most dates from 1887 onwards and have just added 1903 and 1904 - only 1905 and 1965! eludes me between 1899 and 1970

There was also the ongoing upgrades of NZ Florins and Halfcrowns to at least VF for silver (1933 - 1946) and EF for Cupronickel (1947 - 1965).The silver halfcrowns are all VF at least now, but the Florin plan is on ice for a bit

Also to buy silver coins of Ireland from 1928 to 1945.Good progress - added silver halfcrowns from 1928, 33, 39 and 40

So far the Half crowns are doing better than expected. I have all but 2 dates of the 1908 - 1951 period and now have all the rulers from George II forwards. I have also added Anne, Charles II and even Charles I and today the Commonwealth (Incredibly hard). James II, William III and him with Mary II along with George I elude me. A big thrust to get modern dates has meant I have only removed William III to this list- but its still only June

I won't even bother with Henry VIII (Gold one type only), Edward VI, Mary, Elizabeth and James I until I win Lotto, all 3 of my 17th century coins have cost an arm and a leg.

NZ goes well, with all but 2 dates of the silver halfcrowns upgraded and now 3 early Cupronickel ones replaced with AU coins. The Florins have started well with 4 silver dates now with VF - EF lustre pieces.Bought 2 errors, a one diamond 3d of 1942 and a strapless bust 1957 6d

Ireland I have added a EF 1928 Florin and just bought 4 early halfcrowns in the same condition along with a stunning Choice UNC 1966 10 shilling piece.

Fiji goes well with 8 silver coins and the rare 1940 Halfpenny - for a Pandemic year I need to be thankful and congratulatory and also blessed."Pretty much left it for time being

Another big achievement was adding two very nice Southern Rhodesian Halfcrowns, a gorgeous 1927 South African one and a decent second Boer one

Also started collecting Egyptian and Turkish silver coins of the Ottoman Empire

My global change collection has also improved

1. Finished these albums early in the year.
2. Bought some on ebay earlier this year, but it hasn't been a focus for the past few months.
3. The seller I was buying from online is no longer selling. I continue to opportunistically look online, but I'm not in a rush.
4. I added a handful of notes from online sellers and a couple from a coin show early in the year. This has been where the bulk of my numismatic budget has gone this year. Not really looking for anything else right now.
5. I got her a German 2019 "Temperate Climate Zone" 5 euro coin for her birthday next week. She wanted a "ring coin" and didn't care which colour. We went to one coin show early in the year, but unfortunately no shows to attend for the time being.

Other areas:
6. I'm still in need of 2020 Canadian and US coins. Given that I haven't used cash much at all in the past few months or done any CRH, I'm not looking too hard at this point.
7. I bought a 1914 D Lincoln Cent online. Still waiting for it to arrive. That just leaves the '09 S VDB.

Seven months in...


That did indeed happen.


Yay!
...Though less than I expected. CoViD-19 seriously cut into my coin shopping.
1850, 1845, 1839, 1829. The other seven are still missing.
I actually had a chance to fill 1823, but didn't remember it was a gap!
Haha nope. Though I did fill up a bunch of 18th century gaps as well.
Haha nope. Though it would be an interesting project.


Not that I could recall, alas. None of the places where I shopped had much of that.
This was never expected to happen in the first place.
One or two 14th century dates, IIRC. Don't recall offhand.


362. Long way to go.
237. Even longer way to go.


Not that I could recall.
Haha no.


Not that I could recall.
Ditto, though I did add some Icelandic types.


Never got around it, though by sheer luck I did get the 1921 ruble (actually 1922).


Yes to the latter, no to the former (I did find an old list, but I don't have access to it at the moment).
It looks like most of what I'm still missing is rare, though.