Circulated Or Mint State?
Many new collectors wonder which one is better to collect. Circulated or Mint State. I know I experienced this problem. While I can't personally tell you what to collect, I will say to just collect what you are happy with. Collect within your budget as well. And simply be patient (especially when collecting Mint State coins) Study the coins before you buy. Know what to look for in a coin.
I'm interested to hear what you guys prefer to collect and why. Thanks for taking the time to read my blog! I appreciate it a million!
While it is nice to acquire Mint State coins, generally I couldn't find an appeal to collect all Mint State coin sets.
I found my enjoyment in coin collecting by collecting circulated coins in F-XF condition. Not only did I find this way much less expensive, I enjoyed the fact i could search a box of coins and find coins to fill my albums. I personally feel it's worth it to buy key dates in the best possible grade I can afford, while completing a very respectable decent graded set to accommodate the key dates. One of the biggest factors that made me fall in love with collecting circulated coins is the story and they tell as they circulated in commerce throughout all those years.
I do have a BU set of Roosevelt dimes, which I am very proud of completing, but my other albums are nice circulated sets with a mix of F-XF coins in each set. I have almost completed the entire Jefferson Nickel series. My next project will be a lengthy one indeed. I am gonna work on completing a two sided rainbow toned set of Kennedy Half-Dollars (Which i wil shoot to be an XF set) Which I am excited to invest my time and money into.
Comments
Conan Barbarian
Level 5
toned coins are great and it is a rough category (XF-MS) but if all the detail is present then it should be MS (consult grading company guidlines)
World_Coin_Nut
Level 5
With what I collect mint state coins are hard to come by. I like XF to AU in most cases, It really all depends on personal preference.
user_55599
Level 4
Thanks for your comment! So do I
Longstrider
Level 6
That's a cool idea.. Doesn't sound like an easy quick set either. Hard to get toning on both sides. Especially with so little to no silver. It will be beautiful. Be VERY careful of fake toning. I personally, at a coin course, saw seen a "Coin Doctor" tone a coin inside a slab.. Good luck. Please show us how it goes. Great start!!!
user_55599
Level 4
I was also considering buying each coin inside of a slab. Not only to eliminate most artificial toned coins, but also to preserve the coin from further toning
user_55599
Level 4
Really? While it was inside the slab? How did he pull that off?
user_55599
Level 4
Since I do not know much about toned coins, I will be studying a lot before I begin to purchase anything. Also i will spend hours researching sellers to find out who is reputable and honest and who isn't.
Kepi
Level 6
I say collect what you like! For me I really like the toned examples... Be careful about fake toning though! I have a collection of Mercury Dimes...toned and slabbed that I'm working on in all grades.
user_55599
Level 4
Yes I am very aware of fake toned coins. I plan on spend plenty of time researching sellers to find one who is trustworthy
"SUN"
Level 6
Take your time and collect what you want. That is my way of collecting. Beautiful Half Dollar, Kepi would like it.
user_55599
Level 4
Right, as it should be for everyone.!
Kepi
Level 6
Your'e right SUN, It's beautiful...great toning!
Mike
Level 7
I like collecting all. I have a complete MS set of Kennedy's yet I have a half MS and half circulated nickel set. The set I'm working on has nineteen tokens. All two hundred and twenty two years old. So far I have 16 all MS. So the last three have to be MS also. It wouldn't make sense to have 18 and one A/U. But like I said I also have a sets that are half and half. I look very hard. Especially if it's an investment coin I want that in MS. I enjoy all coins and tokens MS or circulated. Thanks or the blog.
user_55599
Level 4
That's true! If you are gonna start a set in BU, you have to finish it in BU. No question about it. Thanks for the comment!
CoinLady
Level 6
Coins do not have to be super mint state to be beautiful. That Kennedy half dollar set sounds like it will be great.
user_55599
Level 4
I think the Kennedy Half dollar set in full rainbow tone (I was thinking to do the proofs in gold rainbow to really set them apart from the regular strikes) will be a solid set to have. also I totally agree, I honestly don't mind too much if the coins in my sets have some problems, it just adds to their journey in my opinion (obviously nothing too problematic though). I'm just starting to think about getting into toned coins, so I'm gonna be patient and learn before I buy. Thanks for your comment!