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 Replies: 20 / Views: 3,614 |
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Valued Member
United States
371 Posts |
I'm starting a collection for a Dansco Album Book which only requires 1851-1862, including the Branch Mint 1851-O, and 1862 2 over 1. Does anyone have any advice for collecting these? I have only 1853 at this moment, so there isn't much yet.
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Rest in Peace
United States
4849 Posts |
Great idea! Just do a lot of research. Look into the online heritage archives to get a good idea of value, and how the TPGs grade these coins. Examine certified ones in hand. Purchase a really high magnification loupe (20-30x); to take a better look at these coins since they are so tiny. Also don't sneeze if your examining one in hand. The coin may go flying and disappear forever...;-) What grade range are you considering for your collection? I have a VF that I will probably be selling soon on ebay, as I wish to upgrade to an AU example for my type set. Here are some pics. Anyways, they are neat little coins....with many rare dates in the series. Welcome to the forums! And here is my little tre:   |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
6381 Posts |
They are fascinating coins and basically reasonable in cost, as long as you are focusing on circulated grades. Watch out for cleaned and/or damaged pieces since they are very often seen. The Type II dates (1854 - 1858) are likely going to be the toughest ones for you to find in nice condition. Good luck! Regarding cleaning: I purchased an 1858 coin as the Type II example for my type set. I knew it had been cleaned but since I liked it, the price was OK, and it was an informed purchase I went for it. I sent it to ANACS for certification and they fairly graded it as uncirculated detail, net AU-55. As with many trimes, this example was struck from clashed dies. The cleaning resulted in fine hairline scratches which you can see most clearly in the obverse fields. Enjoy the hunt, and welcome to the forum!    |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3233 Posts |
I love this series almost as much as 3CN! I don't agree with the previous poster stating you need a high-power magnifier to enjoy this coin (or really any coin for that matter). High power magnification should usually be used for looking at various die diagnostics, error details, etc. You might want a 5-7X magnifier to better see some details and for grading if your eyes aren't able to do it without assistance. I've never been able to purchase a post 1862 business strike. They are very rare and very expensive. Plus, you will need to gain some expertise in being able to tell a business strike from a Proof if buying one raw (which I probably would avoid doing). I do own a handful of Proofs. These are beautiful coins with a lot of history.   Edited by Prethen
08/10/2009 09:23 am
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Valued Member
 United States
371 Posts |
Probably the most common damage with 3 cent silver pieces is the fact they can bend. I saw a bent 1854 trime at my local dealer the last time I went, and it was for only 10 dollars. If it weren't bent, it would be 30-40 Dollars.
I will get a picture of my 1853 3 cent piece on here soon.
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Valued Member
United States
371 Posts |
Finally got some pictures; Take a look:   Sorry that the pictures are a tad bit blurry. |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2602 Posts |
I love this series, but only have a couple of fillers at the moment. Maybe someday...
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1055 Posts |
I love the design on this little coin! I do not have one yet but have been eyeing one for my type set for a while now. I would love to get one in AU-MS but a proof would certainly be cool!  |
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Valued Member
United States
371 Posts |
The Reverse seems to have a stronger strike than the obverse of the coin I posted up above.
A proof trime would be an excellent addition to a collection.
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Valued Member
United States
178 Posts |
I like these teeny little coins. Here's an 1852.   |
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Valued Member
United States
371 Posts |
I've always had a thing for Trimes (Since I began Coin Collecting that is), because they are so small, the 2nd smallest coin, just being beaten by 1mm by the Type 1 Gold Dollar. I'm sure back then people lost these a lot because of how thin and small they are, between crack in floors, and other areas.
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Moderator
 United States
16677 Posts |
I have one. Not a huge fan of these but they are cool pieces. Because they are so thin, it's common to find some of the lower grades bent or damaged unfortunately.
swcoin.ecrater.com
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Valued Member
United States
371 Posts |
Yeah, mostly bent ones unfortunately. I'm getting my Dansco Album for them sometime tomorrow, Thursday, or Friday.
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Valued Member
United States
442 Posts |
I've been toying with this series for a few years. Here's a 62/1 with nice die clashes. I'll have to dig it out and get the scope out one of these days to show the overdate.   The series often has die clashes evident so no real added value but cool. I use a 10x loupe fot them. Higher power is better for looking for things like the overdate. I have a 16x for that. At this point I almost have the complete run from 51-62. The 51-O is tougher (mine's a VG-F) as is the 1855. You'll find the 55 to be surprisingly tough to find. I recently picked up my second one. Not high grade but I rarely see them. Maybe a VG coin but I jumped on it. My other is VF but definitely cleaned. I knew this when I bought it. Good luck with the set. |
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Valued Member
United States
371 Posts |
The 51-O and the 55 are pretty much the 2 key dates of this part of the series. After 1863, pretty much everything is a key date. I am collecting F - VF at the moment.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4085 Posts |
Quote:
You might want a 5-7X magnifier to better see some details and for grading if your eyes aren't able to do it without assistance.
Ah, the days of having good eyesight. I miss those days! I can't even see the date on Lincoln's without my reading glasses and good light. I need my 10x loupe to see my single 3c silver in my 7070. It's a neatly toned metal detector find. They're cool though - "fish scales" I believe they were called. Ken |
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Replies: 20 / Views: 3,614 |
Posted 08/10/2009 01:41 am
