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 Replies: 23 / Views: 3,194 |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
880 Posts |
So I want to make my Buffalo Dansco be the collection that takes me the lifetime to complete. I will still collect some other stuff while doing this of course, but I got a couple of questions.
1)Fun or Frustrating? Realistically it could take me 10-15+ years to complete in AU/BU condition and I'm okay with that.
2)Should I get the big boys out of the way first? I feel like as time goes on, coin prices only go up and getting the key dates out of the way makes sense.
3)If no to #2, what do you think about me working back to front of the Dansco? As in starting with the 38-D and finishing with the 13.
4)I want this to be a buy the nickel and never look back kind of deal. As such - I have my 38-D in MS63/64 already. So therefore, I wont be looking to ever buy another 38-D. Does anyone think this could be a potential problem? So far I'm very pleased with the two coins I have and don't see a reason to ever revisit that spot, but who knows right?
So I guess I'm looking to see if any of this does or does not make sense. Give me some GUIDANCE!!
Please and thank you :)
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Pillar of the Community
United States
7840 Posts |
I would probably go for the key dates myself...on the other hand you can amass more, sooner, leaving fewer holes if you get the common ones first...on the other hand...oops! can someone lend me a hand?  |
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Pillar of the Community
 United States
880 Posts |
Haha! I feel like three or four of the big boys is almost as impressive as the common dates though. The only problem is those three or four will take me longer than the rest...
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3278 Posts |
I would take them as they come, unless you think availability is not a problem, only cash flow is. In other words if you find a great 21s you might want to grab it even though you thought you were saving for the 14s. And OMG I can't even imagine taking on a project like this, good for you! Keep us updated with pics (and maybe I'll let you see my VG collection as it develops   |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1081 Posts |
I don't think it matters that much and really depends on how you want to collect them. My IHC set is my longtime goal and I started kind of randomly. My first big purchase was an AU 1864L S-4, and then bought a few more in MS condition. However, I've kind of switched modes as my album is pretty bare and have decided to fill in more of the inexpensive ones such as the '80s, 90s and oughts. I will probably do the 80's and 90's in VF and then the '00s in AU to save money for the 60s and 70s. I'm thinking of buying some of the keys, such as the 1872 and early '70s for holidays, my birthday etc, kind of a built in excuse to spend more and celebrate. However, when I come across a good deal I'll jump on it. For example, I got my 1867 PCGS VF-30 for a great price, even though I wasn't planning on buying it at that time. Bascially, I like the idea of filling in what you can, but if a good deal comes up or you see a great coin, go for it. |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
880 Posts |
This will be a project... There's no doubt about it. But I'll move back to Shield and V nickels and not care about condition as much. I like the Buffalo design more than any other nickel out there. So I want them to be beauties ;) At the age of 25, I have my entire life to complete it, God willing. And uh... yea... Just have to figure out the best way to approach it. I think David is right and I'll have to just keep eye's out for the best deals available. I would at least like to have an approach to it. Need to put some business experience into a fun and enjoyable collection here. If that's possible. |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4085 Posts |
With my Lincoln set, I am working from back to front. So - I recently sprang for a 31-S which is one of the (cheaper) keys and am 1 coin away from being uncirculated back to 1930. I've grabbed a couple of the easier 20s dates as they have come up.
I think I would get bored just saving up for all of the keys and never buying anything. So - one approach that might work is to dedicate some portion of the budget towards saving for the keys and then using the rest to fill in more common dates as you come across good deals and/or nice coins. I tend to work in groups - so first I did back to 1940, then back to 1934 (since this is a common "cutoff" for uncirculated sets), then back to 1930 and now I have started to familiarize myself with 1920 and back.
Yours will be an awesome set when complete - love those Buffalos!
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
12437 Posts |
Don't you think an AU/BU Buffalo set is a bit unrealistic? Have you actually looked at the value of them in AU? Almost 30 are over $100 and several are pushing $1000 in only AU50. I would rather do an AU/BU set of any other 20th century issue because of cost and rarity, a high grade Buffalo set is a project only for those with VERY DEEP pockets. I have seen so many collectors start on overly ambitious sets only to realize years later that they will never be able to finish it in the intended grade range which leads to frustration which leads to the liquidation of the set to start on something easier. A VF/EF set, while still very expensive to complete, is doable for most people without an unlimited budget. Even though it is a circulated set, it is high enough that the coins will still have nice overall detail and a solid horn.
Edited by biokemist6
01/06/2011 3:44 pm
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Pillar of the Community
United States
880 Posts |
Bio - I could completely agree with you and I may end up getting some EF's with the intention of one day upgrading. I might also mention that I do not plan on getting the 16/16 or the 18/17 or any other any other DD or error coins that exsist in the set. Not at first at least. I wouldn't typically even bother with the 3 legger, but this is the coin that really sparked me back into collecting.
I have looked at the prices and I wouldn't say I have deep pockets and certainly no unlimited amount of funds. All the sets have there key dates and choke points. I like the merc dimes, but there again, a choke point on that 16-D. I think that by the time I get to the 26-S I might skimp and get that AU50 and I'll probably be okay with that. You can always sell and upgrade.
As far as getting bored saving, totallllly understand that. That's why I keep upgrading the Jeffersons and I'll probably go to a low grade set of Morgans. I don't see myself getting engulfed in collecting the set and not having it finished. I have way to many hobbies to spend my time on.
Lots of distractions at work right now, so hopefully this post came out right.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1510 Posts |
kenkat--where would I get there "test" coins from the mint to fill the impossible "holes" like you have?
Retired USAF 1983-2003
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1080 Posts |
Look at your coin budget and get the best coin you can afford right now... so in good months, you'll take care of a key date (or when you come across something good), and in the lean times you'll fill in the common stuff. Buffalo nickels are a great classic coin, and I think their design is so uniquely American. Great choice. Does the Dansco have a slot for the 3-legger? |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
880 Posts |
The Dansco does have a slot for the 3-legger and the 18/17-D. Those are the only error coin slots.
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Valued Member
Canada
311 Posts |
Just a question for all the collectors out there that use Dansco albums or other albums similar. What do you do when new varieties are discovered? I guess thats why I like using 2X2's. Example I have a double date 1943S Lincoln Cent. I made room for it in my album. Does Dansco have room for 1922 D and weak D? Now for Type collections I love Dansco. |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
880 Posts |
I guess I'm not real familiar with the different terms of collecting... I personally would rather the 18/17-D and the 3-legger not even be in the Dansco. I would rather collect the date and MM of what was supposed to be in the sets. Then if I wanted to collect the error coins I would just get an extra nickel page for the book.
I'll have to let someone else chime in on the Lincoln Dansco. Mine isn't with me right now.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1080 Posts |
I agree -- I don't want an album slot for the 3-legger. If I pick up one of those, I'm most likely getting one that's certified, and I'm not about the break the slab on an expensive coin like that one which is commonly faked.
For my classic nickels, I use a blank Dansco nickel album that I've custom labeled. So there are a few extra slots on each page. That's where I put varieties or errors that I come across.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
880 Posts |
I can't wait to crack a nice one out of the slab :). People can ask me if it's fake all they want because it wont matter :). I aint gonna be selling it.
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Replies: 23 / Views: 3,194 |
Posted 01/06/2011 2:43 pm
