A nice type set does not have to be all high grade!

When you first begin it is hard to pick a concentration for collecting. The perfect place to start is a type set. A type set is one example of every coin. The set includes every major issue from half cent to silver dollar and can even include examples of the gold coinage.

With a type set you are forced to learn a little about each coin in the set to make an educated purchase. As you complete the set you will have physical example of all US coinage and can pick what to specialize on. You may have really enjoyed the hunt for a capped bust quarter and decided these are the coins you want to concentrate on. You also may discover coins you did not know were out there like the elusive 20 cent piece.

Type sets also can be a good way to meet dealers in your area. A type set can be done with raw coins using a Dansco Album or with certified coins using a registry like the NGC registry.

When making a type set try not to combine UNCs with Proof coins because this will cause them to stand out too much. A nice proof set is well balanced and try to find a coin with something significant about it. For example: when picking a braided hair large cent for my type set, I picked a 1855 slanting 5's, knob on ear. I picked this coin because it is a good coin to talk about. It is not that rare but it adds significantly to my type set.

Once a type set is complete it can collect a pretty premium if all of the coins fit together well. A nice completed type set can bring thousands at auction.

Good luck with your type set!!

This is one of the stories from my newsletter (RCI News) if you would like to read more email me at John.Apuzzo@gmail.com or send me a message. If you would like to write I am also looking for a few people to write an article that will appear in my quarterly newsletter.