To succeed in collecting a set, make sure your target is financially feasible
By Jeff Garrett for Numismatic Guaranty Corporation (NGC) ……
When I began collecting decades ago, my first goal was to complete a set of 1941-to-date Lincoln cents. I lived in Florida at the time and locating the early San Francisco Mint issues in circulation was very difficult. After several months of searching in vain, I made my first numismatic purchase.
For just 25 cents or so each, Littleton Coin Co. helped me complete my first numismatic coin album set. I knew that, with my limited resources, completing the 1909-1940 set of Lincoln cents would be nearly impossible. The 1909-S VDB and 1914-D would be my “stoppers”. Given my compulsive nature, an attribute of many collectors, I decided to pursue a series that could be completed with my resources. I think Jefferson nickels were my next passion.
This scenario is one that nearly every collector faces when deciding what to collect.
Some collectors are happy to start a set that they know can never be finished. But for most this is unacceptable. Starting a set of Liberty Half Eagles 1839-1907 would be a good example.
Considering ‘Stoppers’
For somewhat reasonable money, a collector can purchase dozens of circulated examples from many dates and mint marks. But, unfortunately, there are quite a few “stoppers” for even the most affluent collectors. Only a few 1854-S half eagles are known in any grades and the last one that crossed the auction block sold for over $2 million USD. Several others would cost six figures for a nice example, including the 1875 and 1887 issues.
For this reason, many collectors choose to collect subsets of series. Using the Liberty half eagles as an example, assembling a circulated set of Dahlonega half eagles from 1839-1861 is an expensive but doable task for some collectors. The 1861-D is the most expensive of these coins, costing around $25,000 for a Very Fine example. Many collectors also collect the same series from the Charlotte and New Orleans Mints. Collecting southern gold coins has become very popular in recent years. If these sets contained a single issue that cost $1 million or more, many would be discouraged from even starting the task.
There are several series of classic United States coinage that can be completed without a “stopper” issue. Remember that stoppers are relative to one’s budget. Many years ago, the 1909-S VDB Cent was a stopper for me. But for the average adult collector completing a nice set of Lincoln Cents is completely possible. This series is one of the most popular with collectors. Indian cents 1859-1909 are very popular as well.
The Flying Eagle set 1856-1858 is an example of one that would give many collectors pause. The key date of the short series, the 1856, starts at $10,000 or more. An average collector can purchase many of the dates in the Large Cent series but many never make the attempt because of the 1793, 1799, and 1804 issues. Nice examples of these cost many thousands.
Some of the classic series that can be collected in circulated condition without brutal “stoppers” include:
Circulation Strike Sets
- Two Cent Pieces 1864-1873
- Three Cent Nickels 1865-1889
- Three Cent Silvers 1851-1873
- Shield Nickels 1866-1883
- Liberty Nickels 1883-1912
- Buffalo Nickels 1913-1938
- Jefferson Nickels 1938-date
- Barber Dimes 1892-1915
- Roosevelt Dimes 1946-date
- Mercury Dimes 1916-1945
- Washington Quarters 1932-date
- Barber Quarters 1892-1915
- Franklin Half Dollars 1948-1963
- Barber Half Dollars 1892-1915
- Walking Half Dollars 1916-1947
- Kennedy Half Dollars 1964-date
Morgan silver dollars 1878-1921 are one of the most collected series in United States coinage even though the set has many expensive dates and mint marks. Most collectors try to choose a grade that they would consider affordable and then purchase as many as possible over a long time. I have bought dozens of Mint State Morgan silver dollars sets over the years that were missing examples of the 1892-S, 1893-S, 1895 Proof, and 1895-O. Considering that these coins all range from $15,000 to $100,000-plus in mint condition, it’s not surprising they would be absent from most sets. The interesting thing is that so many collectors start the set knowing they will never finish.
Considering Compromise
One important decision for many collectors who take on a tough series is whether they would be happy with lower-grade coins for the “key” dates. Someone assembling a choice set of Morgan silver dollars may opt to buy an Extremely Fine 1893-S. For many collectors without unlimited funds, the quest for completeness requires this compromise.
For these reasons, many collectors have turned to Modern Coins as an alternative. A complete set of NGC MS 69 Silver Eagles, 1986 to date, can be purchased for less than $2,000. Many other modern-issue sets can be started and completed for a fraction of the cost of the classic early issues. The State quarter series that began in 1999 is a great example. Millions of individuals started coin collecting trying to assemble a complete set of these as they were issued.
Many other Modern-issue collectors also are drawn to the competition of completing set-registry collections. These collectors desire completeness and quality. These two characteristics, combined with the competitive aspect, have been a boon to the hobby. Thousands of collectors are trying to assemble complete sets of dozens of series. I urge collectors to find out more about the NGC Registry program of building online sets at www.ngccoin.com/registry.
Attainable Gold
United States gold coins 1795-1933 are one of my specialties as a numismatic professional. Nearly every series has what would be considered a “stopper” for the average or even above-average collector. Gold dollars 1849-1889 have many affordable issues, but the 1849-C Open Wreath is hundreds of thousands of dollars in any condition. The same can be said for nearly every series.
One gold series that is quite popular and affordable is the Indian quarter eagles 1908-1929. The 1911-D is the most expensive but can be purchased for less than $7,500 in mint condition. The other 14 coins in the series are under $500 in mint condition.
Another set of gold coins that many collectors could complete are the classic gold commemoratives struck from 1903-1926. These are currently selling at multi-decade lows and should be considered a value by any collector.
Every new collector is faced with the dilemma of what to collect. For most, it is very important to be able to complete the set in the grades chosen. Whether your stopper is the 1909-S VDB Cent or the 1933 double eagle, try to avoid numismatic failure by choosing your series wisely.
The thrill of victory once your set is complete will be a great reward!
I have started with the Indian Head and Lincoln pennies.then the nickles and dimes.have liberty’s,Kennedy’s,and other half dollars.just started 3years ago.
Save your money, buy less often, investigate, get only higher quality and rarer coins.
Some suggestions for beginning collectors to ponder. Buy the key first. If you would like a Mercury dime collection, save up your coin buying money and then buy an NGC or PCGS certified and graded coin. Then complete your collection at that grade or higher
Consider a type collection rather than a set collection. That would be individual coins in the highest (certified) grades you can afford like 1909 or 1909 VDB Lincolns, 1932 Washington Quarters, 1917 Standing Liberty Quarters, etc. Very high grades tend to hold their values, and are much more liquid if a time comes that you would like to sell Just a single coin for each type A much more interesting, beautiful, and affordable collection.
Finally, the guys who are in numimatics for the big bucks focus only on rare, high grade coins. Collecting on any level is just fun, as we all know. But do not deceive yourself that building yourself a collection of VF/better Mercury dimes will make you significant money. You might enjoy doing that, and that’s great! “Collectorism”, I am convinced, is something built into our genes. We build a collection and display it with pride, because it demonstrates our accomplishment.
But if you want to make money, save up your weekly or monthly coin purchase cash, and then buy single, certified rarities. No one in the know would tell you anything different.
There are many collectors especially of Morgans who dont care to collect every year/mint combination. Not only because it would be prohibitively expensive, but also because there is a huge variety of Morgans even within the same year and mint. Why have a nervous breakdown over a missing 1895-S when you are also missing 50 VAMs of 1884-O? The realization of this I think makes Morgan collectors more sensible.