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 Replies: 14 / Views: 970 |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
880 Posts |
So let me give you an overview of what I'm doing so far. I've completed my Jefferson nickel set and I'm working on getting that entire set MS65 and above. My heard of buffs on the other hand... is more like a stable of buffaloes. I only have about 6, but they are all MS64+. My end goal for buffaloes is to be AU58 or better. Really they need to be problem free and have some luster and a solid strike. Realizing it will take me years upon years to complete that set I think I'm going to move back on to Liberty nickels. So what I want to know here is, what's a good grade to collect them in? I don't care if they're AU or even MS, but I want good problem free coins. It doesn't appear to be too hard of a set to complete, but I haven't dug too deep yet. So what advice can you all get me? I'm going to the book store tonight to pick up the Liberty/Shield nickel collecting book. I forget off the top of my head what it's titled, but I'll have it tonight. |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1081 Posts |
It's very doable but there are 2 key dates IMO, and 1 semi key. The 1885 and 1886 will be very expensive and hard to come by in the grades you are talking about. Even in Good, the 1885 runs from $300-400. The 1912s is also going to be more expensive and harder to get. Besides those though, you shouldn't have any major problems. Good luck with it.
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Pillar of the Community
 United States
880 Posts |
My original thought was just to go for a VF to XF set, but then I started to look at both the Key and common date coins. I can get the common dates in AU for not much more than XF, but the Key Dates... that's another story. So I don't want the keys to be in bum shape while the other commons are in AU, which have a chance to still have luster.
Is that just me? Or do others complete sets where they don't look the same?
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3345 Posts |
Why don't you do VF on everything so that they look nice but don't break the bank?
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Pillar of the Community
United States
880 Posts |
That's what I was thinking, but it seems that a VF common date is 10-20 and an XF common date is 30-40. So I guess it just comes to me being a sucker for higher grade coins. VF does sound more realistic since I don't want to spend a lot of money on this set and VF and VG aren't going to look as strange sitting next to each other than an AU and VG key dates.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3453 Posts |
I actually have two sets going - one in Fair/AG for 1885, 1886 and 1912S (I have the 1885 and need the other two) with the rest of the dates being Fine (have all of those) and then a second one with XF to AU with out the three keys. The Fine collection is in a 1930's type 2 Whitman board, the board is used looking so I feel the those coins look best there. The XF to AU I keep in Intercept Shield 2x2's in an album - I am sure I will not be purchasing the keys in those grades. I am with you, I kind of like the sets to match. I also am looking for the best looking one I can afford (I try to keep a show piece of each series to show what they ideally should look like when I show my son and his friends).
I did manage to get the 1885 for $100 at a coin show from a dealer I do a lot of business with. I think he was ready to get rid of it and he was able to brag to the other guys that he sold it. I will see him later this month at another show - he emailed me about a 1886 he picked up.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1150 Posts |
I'm still trying to complete my set. I just can't seem to find a 1913 anywhere.
Anyone have one for sale?
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1080 Posts |
Mitch - I think there's an ebayer from China selling a roll  |
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Valued Member
United States
438 Posts |
The book you are probably referring to is: A Guide Book of Shield and Liberty Head Nickels. It is part of Whitman's RedBook series, and is written by Q. David Bowers. My copy is dated 2006, but there may be a newer version. |
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Valued Member
United States
100 Posts |
I think a nice matching set of VF to XF would look great. They have a nice bold LIBERTY and most of the hair details remain.  Good Luck |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4416 Posts |
Getting back to the original question, IMHO, matched sets, grade-wise, look great. I'd start with the 1885, finding one that you'll take pride in owning and fits your budget. Thereafter, I'd match that grade with the balance. Years ago, I did that with many sets, including a F-VF Liberty set. That's a challenge, but it gave me a great deal of satisfaction, assembling it.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
880 Posts |
Exo - that's a great idea. Mind as well get the key date I'm glad to own and match up to that. I think that's exactly what I'll do.
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Moderator
 United States
15419 Posts |
I started my Liberty nickel set about a year ago ... decided at that time that I did not want a MS collection ... was looking for a visually matched set of lightly circulated coins. That is the key for me ... a set that is visually balanced ... with no coin(s) well outside the 'norm' for the set. I made a few mistakes with lower graded coins at the beginning ... and have now settled on the goal of a complete 33-coin set in XF45 to AU55. This grade choice criteria has presented a few problems ... the biggest being market availability! You can easily find the entire set in G4 ... or MS64 ... but lightly circulated examples are very much tougher to come by. I'm also being careful with visual balance ... a typical XF45 usually fits in well enough with an AU55 ... but a very lustrous AU55 might stick out. Most of my coins so far have been purchased at local shows where I can evaluate them in hand. IMHO the visual balance of any set is a critical criteria ... and it is much more than just technical grade ... a well matched set of G4 coins could look fabulous ... my choice of XF45 to AU55 is just a matter of personal (and financial) preference ... the key is a set of coins that match and complement each other. Mine are housed in a Dansco 7111 ... currently have 15 of the coins that meet my needs ... this set is not my top priority, but I pick up a nice coin whenever I come across it. You can 'see' two of my latest purchases in these recent forum threads: https://goccf.com/t/91652and ... https://goccf.com/t/92132Meet me next time at the Baltimore show and we can search together! Even better ... there are a number of small local shows in our area ... and I have several of the dealers on the lookout for Liberty nickels that meet my needs. Lets go together next time! David Take a look at my other hobby ... http://www.jk-dk.artEdited by nickelsearcher
07/04/2011 10:06 pm
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Pillar of the Community
United States
880 Posts |
David I'd be glad to. What's the next local coin show you're going to? Send me a PM if you get a chance. I'd be glad to go even if I don't take any money with me.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
880 Posts |
On a side note... This was a late night thought of mine. Does anyone collect proof versions of these? I could fill up the Dansco with proof only issues. Money could be a serious issue, but it would be cool!
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Replies: 14 / Views: 970 |
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Posted 07/04/2011 2:53 pm
