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 Replies: 12 / Views: 1,250 |
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Valued Member
United States
254 Posts |
I am thinking about upgrading my Lincoln collection that I started when I was a kid. I have most of them except the keys and semi-keys (of course) and they are in various grades from G4 to AU50. I know the common advice is to first buy the keys and semi-keys but I think I would like to start by upgrading what I currently have.
My goal is to have a nice album filled with shiny red Lincolns. So if I start with the 40's and 50's, how much should I expect to pay for nice red examples in say AU55 - MS62. In other words, for purposes of this album I would prefer to have a shiny red AU55 rather than a brown MS65. Is $2 reasonable for these years on average or should I expect to pay more. Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated. Thanks. Edited by rkp
01/20/2009 9:12 pm
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Valued Member
United States
193 Posts |
I was able to get a set of Lincoln Memorials (1959-2007), no proofs, no 1960 small and no 1970-s small for $9.95 + $5.95 to ship. A nice quick sweet upgrade. I have to add the proofs 1 at a time but with 3 left they are about $3-$4 each. The 1970-S small I found in a mint set. https://goccf.com/t/40869My next task is to upgrade the wheats, backwards. I've read where since 1934 collectors put away mint rolls so there should be a good supply of 1934-1958 BU wheats for reasonable prices. I'll start with the 50's. Keep an eye out and it's not that expensive, and it looks darn good! |
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
10982 Posts |
Quote:
...Is $2 reasonable for these years on average or should I expect to pay more...
I applaud your idea of starting with the 40s & 50s because that's what I did and it worked well! Anyway $2/each should get you BU coins going all the way back to the early 40s. At that point you'll probably pay a bit more but should be able to stay under $5/each back through 1935. Good Luck and  |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1179 Posts |
It all depends on how picky with the BU's you are. If you want really nice red bu with no spots or issues, definitely expect to spend more then $2 per coin. I'd say most the 50's you can get by with $2-3 each, Gem BU's in the 40's will run you around $5ish. Getting into the 30's will be $8-15 each for nice examples.
If you simply want red, uncirculated, you could get by cheap, but nice strikes, spot/issue free will obviously cost you. All mine from 30's up are spot free, good strikes and I wouldnt want it any other way :)
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Valued Member
 United States
254 Posts |
Thank you for your replies.
Jewellge: That sounds like a good deal on the Memorials. Where did you find that deal?
Ceaton: Your pricing is spot on. I found a local dealer that is selling 40's and 50's for $1 - $5 depending on condition. I think I want to go for red examples and I'll tolerate a few spots as long as they don't distract from the overall full luster eye appeal. I would love to see some pics of your Lincolns.
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
19942 Posts |
The price is going to vary slightly by year and mint. If I was you, I'd be very picky and not just buy the first shinny, red coin you see to fill a hole. If you ever start to get half-way serious about collecting Lincolns, you'll just end up replacing coins with spots and lots of hits. They cheap enough and abundant enough that you can be selective and only pick the best examples. Jewellge got one heck of a deal at $9.95. Last I looked on ebay a BU set of Memorials was going for about $30-35 shipped. Prices are rising! Also be aware that most of those coins will only be MS60-63. |
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Valued Member
United States
270 Posts |
Good deal on the Memorials! Where did you find them?
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1179 Posts |
I'm working on mastering pictures before I post too many :0 I was watching some 30's wheaties last night on ebay go through the roof. Set of 35 PDS, 36 PDS both went for over $100 each. Very nice coins, but to me it looked like someone was in a bid war. Best bet is to get a greysheet which shows you up to MS65 the prices of BU lincolns from 34P to 49S. Stick to this and you will not overpay too much most of the time. You could manage to find some really nice MS64-65 coins in your range if you are patient. I'd stick toward this range, at least I do. I have spent almost $200 on my 35-58 BU set for example. Might be a little high, but the coin are heavily cherry picked :) I want to buy 1 coin for each hole and prevent upgrading in the future. |
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
20753 Posts |
If you have any coin shows in your area you may want to try them. At one around me there is one dealer that sells sets of Lincoln Cents all the time. Usually from 41 to present, or 59 to present. Usually all in MS grades and usually cheap. Mostly in albums so the prices are for the coins and the albums.
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Valued Member
United States
254 Posts |
Thanks for the advice. I guess it makes sense to pay a little more now rather than go through the hassle of upgrading later. I think there are a few coin shows coming up in the Chicago area. I've never been to a show but I think I might just stop by one of them.
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New Member
United States
16 Posts |
I began updating my linclons about two or three years ago and I too started in the 40's and 50's. I think I have really nice looking coins from the 40's on and am working on improving the earlier years. It's been slow for me, but fun to do.
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Valued Member
United States
254 Posts |
cnickle: If you have pictures, please post them. I'm trying to get an idea of what caliber of coins I should be going for. Thanks.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1121 Posts |
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Replies: 12 / Views: 1,250 |
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Posted 01/20/2009 9:32 pm
