What Should Expect In A Complete Cent Set?

UNC means just that. The coins will range from MS60-67 or so, the majority being MS63 and lower.

It could be either a date and mint mark run or it could include major varieties as well like the large and small dates of 1960 and all seven different 1982 cents- I would find out which it is. For that price, the only major coin that would definitely be missing is the 1970-S small date which is a $50 coin by itself in BU.

First, thanks so much for the feedback. I sure am glad you all are so willing to share your knowledge. However, I do have additional questions.

Wif99 and Rainman, thanks for the look up! I'd like to buy local, but that's too much of a discount to ignore.

BadThad - is it likely that someone sells sets of all one grade? i.e. all 63 or all 66? I'm still struggling with grade. Would a set of all 66 be twice as expensive as all 65? Or is the price versus grade not that clear?

Biokemist6 - I'm not even aware of all the varieties. Where can I find a list?

Lastly to everyone, does San Fransisco produce S cents for general distribution or only proof?

Again, thanks so much!

Hawkeye

No, probably not ANYWHERE because nobody perceives the series as valuable enough to spend the time searching (except me and a few others like Metalman). Also, finding examples greater than MS-63 for many of the years is nearly impossible. My personal goal is a complete set of Memorials in MS-65 up...and let me tell you....it's a VERY lofty goal. I've almost given up hope!

I have hours upon hours invested in searching Memorials, FAR more time than I've spent with my Wheats. Based on the time and quality of the coins I have, the duplicates, errors and varieties, I wouldn't sell my Memorial set for even $10,000! The vast majority of my coins are at least MS-64, EDS (Early Die State) and spot-free. I don't care what books, dealers or people say! Someday I will be vindicated, the Memorial series is VERY tough to obtain in any decent quality.

Price vs quality is usually not an issue. Because the series is basically perceived as garbage, even dealers with inventory will nearly give them away. I think the highest I've paid for a regular Memorial is around $1.50. I have found a couple dealers at shows that have inventory and I've picked though every dang coin they have...it's absolutely grueling! Everytime I manage walk away with a huge stack of coins for $10. They don't look at them very closely, it's easy to cherry-pick but you can't trust how they grade them. I've seen MANY labeled MS65, but they are only MS62-63. Being a good grader of Memorials will pay-off....make sure you learn.

Some of us aren't as committed as Badthad. For me, if it's shiny it's a good coin. :D

Actually, I used to be a fair grader but after 20 years away from serious collecting I'm not so good anymore. Now it's hard to tell the difference between MS62 and MS63 and do I really care that much.

Fatcat

In fact, for me, if I can read the date it's a good coin. Sometimes it's neat to have a few battle-scarred veterans in the set.

Ken

I don't mind worn coins, but definately not "battle scared" with damage. Those are worthless to any serious collector. I have many multiples in my collection, I have 2 or 3 for most of my Memorial coins for various reasons: mint set duplicate in original packaging, nice toning, different color planchet, variety, error, etc. For 1972P I think I have like 6 coins! LOL