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 Replies: 23 / Views: 2,444 |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
580 Posts |
I am curious to see if anyone else has had this dilemma. I can't seem to finish what I've started in the way of collections. First I started out collecting Lincolns. Then I started looking into the Indian Head cents and thought those were cool, so I started a collection of those. I started to get antsy to finish a collection of some kind, so then I jumped into the Franklin Halves, thinking I could slap together a set of those in a timely manner. Then for some reason I started to take notice of Mercury dimes because they were relatively inexpensive in circulated grades. In between all of this I would pick up an odd Barber half or quarter here and there as well as some Walking Liberty halves, etc. Before I knew it I felt like I was collecting everything! So now I have a wide assortment of different types, grades, you name it. I'm about to hit a coin show this weekend and I will probably want to buy one or two of everything! Has anyone else gone through something similar? |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1882 Posts |
Quote:
Has anyone else gone through something similar? Yes.  I am committed to completing a nice set of Lincoln memorials. I am well on my way. Working on a Walker set, but have slowed down that process for cost reasons. |
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Moderator
 United States
23522 Posts |
I'm committed to completing a nice set of....coins. Beyond that, I have no focus whatsoever.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
8904 Posts |
I agree with SuperDave. I have very little focus! I concentrate on one type for a while and then, like an ADD afflicted schoolkid, I'm off to something else! It will all work out! The uncollected coins will be there when you come back! Enjoy the hobby, my Friend! |
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Moderator
United States
16679 Posts |
Welcome to the world of coin collecting where anything is possible :)
swcoin.ecrater.com
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1116 Posts |
 with super dave I have an almost complete set of lincoln wheat pennies, and Roosevelt dimes, I actually completed a Jefferson nickel set. I am only left with the keys in the lincoln set and I keep on saying to myself why spend all that money on the keys right now when I can start a silver Washington quarter set. i all so want to start a Barber halves set there is just so much I go all over the place I really can't just stay with one series for long I have to switch up. oh and I forgot to mention I have a all most completed canadian cent collection 1900- 2008 and I just bought a few Mercury dimes to start that set so yeah I'm like you. |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
812 Posts |
Yes, I had the same dilemma. As a matter of fact, I do not collect full sets of any coin series any more. My suggestion is to buy several of those Whitman plastic "year sets." They make 5-hole Cent-Half and 6-hole Cent-Dollar holders. Then pick a year (1899 for example) and collect the 6 coins you need to fill this "set." I prefer getting coins of similar (ideally identical) grade. Once you have your 6 coins, you have "completed a set" and can begin your next one. Want a challenge? Try 1921 or 1881. You can modify this by making your sets based on presidential administrations. Teddy Roosevelt was president 1901-09. Your 6 coins can be from any of those years. If you have deep pockets, go for higher grades and/or rarer dates. If your pockets are not so deep, lower grades and/or more common dates. I like everything, and also like completing sets, so I can now do both with rather modest investment. By the way, the quarter-hole in these holders is a good fit for Two Cent Pieces and Half Cents, and the dime-hole is great for Three Cent Nickels. |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
608 Posts |
Its like a Jack of all trades and master of none.
Collect everything and complete nothing.
I'm almost there!
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New Member
United States
26 Posts |
I have collected a wide variety of coins as well. I have certain types that I focus on more than others, but I have at least some interest in almost everything.
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Valued Member
United States
178 Posts |
Patrick, you answered your own question when you wrote, "Before I knew it I felt like I was collecting everything!"
If collecting "everything" feels right for you, then do it!
It seems to be what many people are doing.
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Moderator
United States
23522 Posts |
I don't know about you guys, but I rationalize it by calling it a "typeset."  |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1126 Posts |
bill069 "Its like a Jack of all trades and master of none.
Collect everything and complete nothing.
I'm almost there!"
I'm in that camp and having a blast getting nowhere fast!
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2520 Posts |
I buy what looks good to me at the time. No rules, no guidelines. I'll go to a show or shop when I have extra cash and never know what I'm going to walk away with. I rarely have anything in mind when I walk in.
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Valued Member
United States
292 Posts |
I'm in the same boat! As I continue to learn (I never run out of questions) I find myself saying I like that, and that, and this one...I now take a set amount of cash to the coin shows and focus on getting ONE coin on that particular day. If I don't spend my whole budget, I use the rest to buy silver bullion-usually in dimes. They make great trade fodder and easily liquidated to have cash for the next 'must have' coin. The reason I do this is because if I have cash in my pocket it seems to disappear.
Bilbo-great idea!
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Pillar of the Community
 United States
580 Posts |
Great points all. I especially like Bilbo's idea of breaking it down into certain years or timeframes. I'm a bit of a history nut (we probably ALL are in some way) so it would be easy to do that...coins from the Depression era, coins from the Centennial of the US, coins from the American Civil War time (I actually already started that one), etc.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
528 Posts |
I have been there and there are three solutions.
1) Do a type set. That way when there is a coin that you like you get to pick out the nicest looking one for your set.
2) Do short sets. I am collection the mercs in Unc from 41 to the end. Pick a few years and get only those coins.
3) Buy whatever you like. Sometimes a coin just pops out at you. Collect only those.
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Replies: 23 / Views: 2,444 |
Posted 05/20/2009 2:41 pm
