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Collecting
Short Sets Avoids Pricey Rarities
By Ginger Rapsus Once upon a
time, there was a new collector who discovered
Morgan silver dollars. She loved the Liberty
head on the obverse and the proud eagle on the
reverse. She liked the fact that these coins
were made of 90 percent silver, were used as
real money, and had a heft and a weight that
impressed her. This lovely old coin was so
different from the modern coins she saw in
change every day.
But then, the new collector learned more about
this series. She found that this coin was made
from 1878 to 1904, and again in 1921. She saw
the many different mintmarked coins and noticed
the prices on a few of these coins, particularly
Carson City issues, were priced out of her
budget. And she wondered how long it would take
to locate one of each date and mintmark in the
condition of her choice.
As you might have guessed, that new collector
was me.
What’s such a new collector to do? She can
collect short sets of her favorite series.
A long and extensive series of coins, such as
the Morgan dollar, can be collected as a short
set in a few different ways. Date sets,
consisting of one dollar from each year of issue
and ignoring mintmarks, can enable a Morgan
dollar lover to build a beautiful and meaningful
collection, while avoiding the high-priced
rarities.
The 1879-P and 1879-O Morgan dollars are common.
The 1879-CC is a better date. A short set
collector who saved one dollar of each year can
choose a “P” or “O” mint coin of the year 1879,
and find the coin in Mint State for a reasonable
cost. The 1895-P is the stopper in the Morgan
dollar set, with only a few hundred proof
specimens made. The appearance of this dollar at
auction causes much excitement, and a fancy bid
is required to obtain it. The date set collector
can buy a 1895-O or 1895-S for her set. Neither
of these coins is common, but they are much less
expensive, and a lot easier to find, than the
1895-P.
There are other variations on this theme.
Collectors who enjoy history and the Old West
may want a set of all the Carson City Morgan
dollars. Such a set is historical and always a
favorite with numismatists. A custom holder,
shaped as the state of Nevada, can house this
set.
Other large and challenging sets can be broken
down as short sets. The Washington quarter set,
minted since 1932, has no real stoppers, but is
a long series that can be broken down in many
different short sets.
Washington quarters can be collected as a date
set, one of each date since 1932. None were
minted with the dates 1933 or 1975. Collectors
can save one of each date, one of each 90
percent silver date, one of each clad date, or
any combination. All San Francisco issues can be
saved, all Denver Mint, or all Philadelphia
Mint.
Proof sets of Washington quarters can be quite
attractive. Even this set can be broken down
into short sets. The Philadelphia proofs, the
San Francisco proofs, the 90 percent silver
proofs (which include the modern 1992 to date
“S” proof coins from the silver set), any or all
of the above make nice sets.
And don’t forget the most popular short set of
them all: the state and territorial quarters of
1999-2009. This set can be broken down further,
too. All Denver coins, all Philadelphia coins,
all proof coins, the 90 percent silver quarters
... so many possibilities.
Collecting a short set of a favorite series can
lead to specializing in that series. A short set
can always be expanded to include the coins that
were not in your original short set. A collector
who thinks he may like Washington quarters may
find that this modern series offers its own
challenges, and decide to collect a complete
run.
Large cent collectors have had their favorite
set broken down, too, as early years, middle
years and late years. The late years present a
good beginning to the specialized collection of
large cents by date or by variety. When such a
set is finished, the large cent fan can move on
to the middle years, and finally, to the
challenge of the early years. Much can be
learned along the way.
Mercury dimes have always been popular and
considered to be one of the more attractive
designs in the history of U.S. coinage.
Collectors who cannot afford a 1916-D for a full
set can own a short set of Mercury dimes from
1941-1945. Holders are available for this set.
The coins look beautiful in Mint State, too.
Some of these coins, notably the 1945-P, are
difficult to find with full strikes.
The above set of dimes spans the World War II
years. What more appropriate set can accompany
these coins than a set of 11 war nickels with
the large mintmarks on the reverse above
Monticello? Holders are available for this set,
too, with perhaps an engraving of a World War II
scene. The war nickels contain silver, as nickel
was needed for the war effort. This
set-within-a-set has a lot to offer to Jefferson
nickel fans, World War II buffs, silver lovers,
or anyone who wants a nice set of modern and
historical coins.
What better way to remember the valor of your
father or grandfather in World War II than to
put a set together of coins that were used on
the home front.
Buffalo nickels also can be collected as a short
set, from the years 1934-1938. The All-American
coin can present a lifetime challenge as a
complete set, but a short set is within reach of
almost any collector. The design is a favorite
and looks lovely in Mint State. I have seen a
number of these sets in a favorite dealer’s
window, so obviously, many collectors are
interested in owning short sets of Buffalo
nickels.
Lincoln cents have become very popular in the
last few years, with the changes in the reverse
design, and the series’ 100-year history. Short
sets of Lincoln cents can be collected in a
number of ways.
Besides a date set, holders are available for
sets from 1941 to date, 1934 to date, the
Lincoln Memorial series from 1959-2008, and
proof coins. Many dates of Lincoln cents were
struck in proof. There were proofs struck at
Philadelphia and San Francisco. And for those
who really enjoy a challenge, there are the
matte proofs of 1909-1916. I once knew a
collector who pursued this set of only nine
coins, fell in love with it, and began building
another set.
Any large series of coins can be collected as a
short set, in many different ways. Some ways are
popular and are done by many hobbyists. Others
are not necessarily so. Build whatever set suits
you, your interests, and your pocketbook. You
may find that a number of lovely short sets can
be collected, and offer the satisfaction that
comes with completing a set, but without the big
cash outlay. With all of us once again
rediscovering the value of a dollar (even one
threatened by inflation) collecting but not
spending budget-busting amounts of money makes a
lot of sense.
The relaxation of the hobby is its own reward
and the knowledge you gain can be put to good
use when you tackle the next collecting
challenge. |