Core collection and your TEN most favorite coins

[MikeKing]

Most of us have heard of the idea of having a CORE collection. Coins that you consider so important that you plan to never sell them and coins that you consider the most valuable. Usually, this ranges from ten to twenty coins. beyond that, we've gotten away from the essence of a "core''. Now, many, I'm sure, don't follow this or necessarily believein it, but that's OK. Actually, it doesn' t matter whether or not I think it's ok, what I'm doing is acknowledging that there are differing opinions, all of which I, myself, hold as valid..

 

 

what are you're thought and what do you have as your Core

 

My core was twenty, but has since been reduced to Ten, three of which have one tenth the value of the other coin average. e.g. my 1811 half cent C1, etc...

 

Additionally, I'd be interested in knowing what your ten favorite coins would be for an IMAGINARY or real Core collection.

 

e.gl

 

me:

1811 half

1802 half

1836 half proof

1916 50C proof

1919-D 50 C

1920 D or S 50C

1807 50C

? 1815 50 C

1887 shield nickel with rays in ms 66 or 67

 

 

 

[Dwaine]

I have heard of the box of 20 before but I haven't been able to focus down on that concept yet. I do have some coins that I received from my grandmother when I was 10 that I will never sell.

[physics-fan3.14]

I like the box of twenty (or ten) idea, but I don't really follow it as a definition of the "core" of my collection. For me, the core is my Franklin set, and all of the coins are integral to the set. Currently that is 33 coins, although there are peripheral coins which I consider part of that set, they aren't the core of the set. These are things like duplicate toners, a couple varieties and errors, etc. You could cull through my various sets and find 20 that represent my favorites, yes, but that wouldn't accurately depict the core of my collection, in my opinion.

[TomB]

I like this thread and would be interested to read the "core ten" of other folks. For quite a while I have had a virtual box of 20 (Bo20), but I have never filled out that box since I do not own twenty coins that I think are worthy, as per my criteria, of inclusion in such a box. A core ten however, would be filled in any number of ways and is fun to think about. If I had to do ten coins it would be something like-

 

1890 Seated Liberty Dime

1796 Draped Bust Quarter

1861 Seated Liberty NM Quarter

1897 Barber Quarter

1839-O Reeded Edge Half

1892 Barber Half

1795 Flowing Hair Dollar

1795 Draped Bust Dollar

1836 Gobrecht Dollar

1881-S Morgan Dollar

 

These coins are listed by denomination then date, not be any other factor. They also range from PR10 to MS66. They are simply cool coins.

 

[World Colonial]

My "core" collection is the six series that I collect though there are some coins within them that I like much more than others. Probably my favorite ten within my current collection include:

 

1892 South Africa ZAR NGC MS-64 RB PL, one of three out of almost 700 in the combined NGC and PCGS census.

1923 South Africa NGC PR-65 RB Farthing (all but a handful struck were brown)

1932 South Africa NGC MS-63 2 Shilling

1944 South Africa NGC AU-58 Shilling (the only one in the combined NGC and PCGS census)

1957 South Africa NGC PR-67 RD Penny (DCAM obverse)

1754 Guatemala NGC XF-45 pillar 4R

1755 Peru NGC MS-65 pillar 1/2R

1799 Colombia NGC MS-64 "Lion & Castle" 1/4R

1810 Chile NGC AU-55 "Lion & Castle" 1/4R

1847 Mexico NGC MS-61 "Cap & Ray" 4R

 

As for coins I do not own, I have not made a list of 10, but a couple of them would definitely be a 1931 South Africa circulation strike 2 Shilling and the 1729 Madrid "Crowned M" pattern 8R.

[farthing]

I have nearly 10,000 coins in my collections - I don't understand your concept of a "core" collection!

[michael]

my imaginary core collection would be

 

1 large planchet pine tree shilling on full weight perfectly centered flan; well close

2 small planchet pine tree shilling on full weight perfectly centered flan

3 small eagle bust dollar 1797 with the ultra cool listed mintage of 7,776

 

4 gem proof original case set toned morgan dollar the ultimate proof silver type coin your choice of date

 

5choice to gem ms flyer your choice of date undipped original skin no streaks and the coin has to be 100% fully struck: wonder if this even exists

 

6 better date choice au three dollar gold piece

 

7 1794 flowing hair half dime the rarer orphan of the hugely in demand 1794 half and forget about the 1794 dollar 200k+ for a decent original example with no post mint damage and/or repairs

 

8 1793 ameri. chain any grade ag3+ and up

 

9 1799 cent on average planchet with clear date and die chip on reverse ag3 and up

 

10 a piece of choice brilliant proof gold strongly cameoed from 1900-1907 era with totally original surfaces---good luck

[MBA101]

Sheesh! That is tough. So many to choose from and I never really have given any thought to which ones are the most important.

 

I guess I would go with:

 

1808/7

1810 O-107

1810 O-109

1811 O-103

1811 O-108a

1812/11

1812 O-103

1827 O-131

1830 O-114 Large Letter

And for good measure:

1897 $20 gold that i have had since I was a kid

 

But these can easily change...

[James_OldeTowne]

I do not have a "core" collection in that manner, or if I do, then the "core" is at least 500 coins or so ! Rather, I think of my collection more as having "cornerstones". They are sets that I would not sell for any reason, short of saving a life! In this regard, I could consider the following sets "cornerstones" of my collection:

 

7070 type set #1 and #2

Liberty nickels.

Buffalo nickels

Jefferson nickels #1 and #2

Roosevelt dimes #1, #2, #3, #4, #5 and #6

Standing Liberty quarters

Washington quarters

Kennedy half-dollars

counterfeits collection

 

... and added to that a growing number of miscellaneous early pieces that I have squirreled away.

[WinstonWare]

1881-S Morgan Dollar

 

Thin Norse American

1807 DDH

1803 DBH

1800 DBD

[zrlevin]

1881-S Morgan Dollar

Tom sure has some nice coins!

 

 

nuff said.

[IGWT]

1887 shield nickel with rays in ms 66 or 67

 

An '87 Shield would make my core collection, too!

[jackson64]

core collection...as a "theme/topic" collector it can't work, I'd have to disclude dozens of coins that I went above and beyond to acquire or coins that have a significant story associated with them and either a person, memory, place, or period of my life that the coins conjure up when I look at them...I could never cut the collection to a core of 10 honestly

[Dwaine]

Ok, I have thought about this topic some and here are mine. Probably will never own any.

 

1) A strong cameo proof Morgan dollar in the PF 64 to 66 range

2) A proof half cent that has never been messed with.

3) A proof large cent that has never been messed with.

4) Walking LIberty Half Dollar Proof with a strong strike and a strong cameo contrast.

5) Proof Capped Bust Half Dollar

6) A strong cameo proof gold $10 or $20

7) 1867 with Rays in MS66 to MS68

8) Proof Seated Liberty Dollar with deep cameo

9) 1909 S VDB in MS 64 to 67

10) AU to BU chain cent

 

[BillJones]

Here’s my list in chronological order, although I can be fickle sometimes and move some coins in and out of it. The Gobrecht Dollar was not included until I replaced a restrike from the 1850s with an original piece in higher grade. The next ten would all be early coins that I own. I like modern pieces, but they can't compare with this material.

 

1792 Half Disme

1793 Chain Cent

1795 Half Dime

1795 Half Eagle

1795 Eagle

1804 Quarter Eagle

1805 Dime

1808 Quarter Eagle

1836 Gobrecht Dollar, original die orientation

1907 High Relief $20 Gold

 

[physics-fan3.14]

I guess if someone forced me to choose my 10 favorite coins, this would probably be my set. Click on the links for pictures.

 

1560 Queen Elizabeth I Shilling

1806 O-114 PCGS VF-35

1829/1827 PCGS EF40

1831 O-119 PCGS EF45 OGH (should be AU-53)

1952 NGC MS65FBL Franklin toner

1954S NGC MS-65FBL Franklin

1958D NGC MS-65 Franklin toner

1958D NGC MS-65FBL Franklin toner

1961D NGC MS-65FBL Franklin

1963D PCGS MS-64 Franklin Toner

[jackson64]

is this thread the 10 core coins of our collection or our 10 dream coins?

[Dwaine]

I thought it was either. Mine are dream coins.

[Mark T]

My keeper real list in no particular order, although the first three are my favorites :

 

1821 Au 55 Bust Half

1913 MS 64 Quarter Eagle

1811 MS 63 Bust Half

1808/7 AU 50 Bust Half

1817 MS 62 Bust Half

1818/7 Au 50 Bust Half

1826 AU 58 Bust Half

1829/7 XF 45 Bust Half

1830 Au 55 Bust Half

1832 Au 58 Bust Half

1834 MS 62 Bust Half

1837 Au 58 Bust Half

1915 MS 63 Half Eagle

1853 MS 66 RB Large Cent

1928-D MS64 Buffalo Nickel

1930 MS66 FH NGC Star SLQ

1810/9 VF 30 Details Large Cent ( had this since I was a kid )

1830 Bust Half Au 53 Details ( had this since I was a kid )

1795 VF 30 Flowing Hair (Most of you have seen this overgraded ICG coin, I think it is a VF 20 maybe only VF 15 but nice none the less )

1917-D MS65 FH SLQ

 

[dean1345]

Show us a picture of your 1810/9 Large Cent!

[DC Dawg]

Like James, I don't have too many "core coins," but core sets. So I changed the parameters a bit. If I had to sell what I have, what would I not sell...

 

Red Lincoln Cents collection, complete from 1932 and 60-percent complete 1909-1931.

Complete 20th Century (1901-2000) set of MS dollars, well, the 1921 Peace Dollar is more XF!

Almost complete Indian Head Cent collection in a Library of Coins folder I received from my late grandfather in 1970--I added coins he didn't have

Complete set of Roosevelt Dimes (started when I was 10)

Complete set of Jefferson Nickels (also started when I was 10)

Almost complete set of Buffalo Nickels, VF or better, no restored dates, missing 1913-D T2

Almost complete set of Walking Liberty Half Dollars XF or better--missing 1921-PDS

 

Then there are individual coins:

1909-S VDB Lincoln Cent NGC VF-30BN

1955 DDO Lincoln Cent NGC AU-58BN

1937 3-Legged Buffalo Nickel NGC VF-25

1942/1 Mercury Dime, ungraded

1796 Large Cent, PO-1. It's really worn and the date is barely readable, but it's neat to have something that old!

 

Scott

 

[bartlesvilleok]

I like my patterns

 

1864 J-371

1865 3CN J-410

1865 3CN J-413

1867 5C J-566

1868 1C J-605

1868 3CN J-618

1869 1C J-666

1869 3CN J-676

1869 5C J-684

1896 1C J-1769

 

[Mark T]

Here it is .

[michael]

I thought it was either. Mine are dream coins.

 

either yourcoins you own now or dream coins

 

 

your choice

 

see that is the HUGE AMAZING AND IMPORTANT difference between the pcgs and ngc boards

 

with ngc you GOT A choice

[zrlevin]

I will do ten coins that I own. All images are clickable to enlarge.

 

1911 British Sovereign - This coin has great luster for an AU piece, and I love the design

 

1883 CC Morgan Dollar - My first Carson City coin and a present from my dad.

 

1883 Seated Dime - My first seated coin from my first trip to a dealer. Arguably also the first coin in my type set.

 

1912D V Nickel - A scarcer date; I love where they put the mint mark. It took me a long time to find a circulated V nickel I liked.

 

1924 Peace Dollar - A gift from my grandma. One of few coins in my collection that I know are original. I love how the golden toning is embedded in the flowlines of this coin.

 

1922 Grant Half Dollar - I was looking for one of these in nice circulated condition for about a year after I read his memoirs. I almost pissed myself when I found this one at a little local dealer. Though I have another Grant in the mail on the way to me, I will not sell this one. Ever.

 

1926 Oregon Half Dollar - I love the deep rich colors that give this coin real character.

 

1942 Walking Liberty - I bought this coin with a bunch of others for melt. I think that this is what a perfect circulated WLH looks like.

 

1916D Barber Quarter - I have always liked this coin. It wasn't expensive, it is just a good honest coin.

 

1805 Draped Bust Dime - My first Draped Bust, one that I worked a whole summer to pay for.

[Dwaine]

I thought it was either. Mine are dream coins.

 

either yourcoins you own now or dream coins

 

 

your choice

 

see that is the HUGE AMAZING AND IMPORTANT difference between the pcgs and ngc boards

 

with ngc you GOT A choice

 

[dean1345]

Mark.....Very nice 1810/9 Large Cent. Very nice details and there is some corrosion but those coin were notorious for "spoiled planchets".

[Mark T]

Mark.....Very nice 1810/9 Large Cent. Very nice details and there is some corrosion but those coin were notorious for "spoiled planchets".

 

The corrosion is mild - more corrosion on the reverse where there is also a large gash .

[toyonakataro]

1837 half dime. The one whitch made me serious collecting this series.

 

1842 half dime. The first half dime from Mr.Feld

 

1845 half dime TPG say it's AT, but I really love this coin.

 

1853 arrow half dime. Pretty pastel toning on both sides.

 

1857-O half dime. Both sides show PL surface.

 

1862 half dime. PQ for the grade.

 

1865 half dime. Pretty rim toning

 

1867 half dime. Impressive luster.

 

1807 half. I got this coin when I was 14. My old friend.

 

1892 half. Got this one at Long Beach several years ago. Stunning luster.

[Dwaine]

Nice collection of half dimes. I like them all.