what do you collect? and what is your holy grail "piece de resistanse" coin??

[michael]

hi there everyone

 

well let all know on here what series of coins you collect and study

 

maybe early dollars? indian cents? lincoln cents? ike dollars? hard times tokens? roosie dimes? franklins?

 

seated coins?? large cents??

 

well what do you consider the holy grail the ultimate coin to have in your series you collect/specialize in/study??

 

for example if you are into say early dollars i would say the 1804? would be the ultimare early dollar for you? or maybe a high rarity seven ED? or a silver plug?

 

well lets here from all on here as per the above

 

 

michael

[gmarguli]

For US coins, since I collect toned commems, I'd have to pick something that I rarely see, like a colorfully toned Spanish Trail. There is nothing in that series that can't be obtained, like an 1804 $, but this would be one of the harder coins to find.

 

For foreign coins, I'd love to own a gem unc Italian Ducato with the griffin on the reverse. I can find some AUs, but nothing better so far. If anyone knows where to find a gem unc, let me know!

[cladking]

Clad quarters.

 

The 1964 issue, '77 type "d" reverse in unc. A 1969 in superb gem. A '74 in nice PL. '84-P sm motto in gem. There are a lot.

[Oldtrader3]

-Any of the branch mint Saints after 1923. They are all tough to find. Some are nearly impossible!

 

-Any silver, Type III Trimes minted after 1866 in MS64 or better. Most later dates were extremely low mintage and were melted in 1874. This series is very underappreciated.

[Tradedollarnut]

The Liberty Seated series, dollar denomination: Gobrechts, Seated Dollars and Trade Dollars.

 

The Holy Grail would be an 1873-S Seated Liberty Dollar....if one exists.

[Hoot]

Nickels: primarily buffalo nicks and Jeffersons, but also a slowly growing set of Libs (beasts) and shield nicks. Also, a classic commem type set (only a handful) and many other series by type or in albums.

 

Holy grail for me? Very hard to say since I gave up the collection of the branch Mint buffalo nicks between 1914 and 29. I may have to say a superbly struck and nice, originally toned 1918 buffalo nickel, MS66 or 67. Maybe a 1917 Matte proof buff, if they truly exist.

 

Hoot

[jom]

Buffalos: My holy grail would be getting back that 25-S and that 19-D I sold some years ago. ARGH!

 

$5 Indians: Gimme, gimme, gimme an 11-D and an 09-O with luster in choice AU. Puleeeeeeze?

 

$10 Indians: I wanna 20-S. NOW!

 

 

jom

[MikeKing]

An 1811 half cent (C2), glossy chocolate brown clean surfaces, AU would suffice. If anyone around here can find one, let me know.

[BOILER78]

I collect 1877 Morgan half dollar patterns. For me the "Holy Grail" would be the J 1508 which is listed as unconfirmed in the new Judd book. If this coin does exist it would look like this composite made using the obverse of my 1504 and the reverse of my 1510.

[AYA3]

Buffalos - To have back a couple that helped make some needed improvements in the home, 13-S T2 and one of those 37-D with a crippled critter, both in AU. Andy

[Wihlborg]

Right now I am working on two series, early silver commem’s and buffalo nickels.

 

The coin I would most like to add to my early commem set is an eye appealing, accurately graded MS-65 Lafayette dollar. I would want the coin to be either frosty white or light iridescent gold.

 

As for my buffalo nickel set, I think that the coin I would consider the holy grail would have to be a well struck 1926s in MS-65 with beautiful multi colored toning.

 

John

[EVillageProwler]

Nice question, Michael.

 

I don't do much collecting anymore, but I'd like to answer this anyway. I am really into silver Bust and Seated material, predominantly of the dollar denomination. For me, I guess I have two "Holy Grail" candidates:

 

1. Like TDN said, an 1873S SEATED dollar, if one exists. But, I would settle for a truly CHOICE MS 1859S specimen or a verifiable GEM *SPECIMEN* (or, BMP) 1870CC specimen.

 

2. BB-253 (Bol.2), which is an 1803 Sm3 variety with reverse die B and a obverse die (3) that is rumored to exist. But, I would settle for a truly CHOICE MS 1797 9x7 SM LTR (BB-72, Bol.2). The finest cataloged BB-72 specimen is a near ChMS specimen. I've never seen it. The finest I have seen is the Amon Carter coin and has "WOW!!!" eye appeal and luster. It had been entombed in an old NGC slab for a long time, then a couple of years ago surfaced in auction, crossed into PCGS at the same grade (AU55) and placed in a specialist's collection and will likely be off the market for another generation or so.

 

EVP

[Tootawl]

I tryign to get a type set, SAEs, state quarters, and a dollar boll type set.

The Holy Grail: '95 W SAE

[TomB]

Howdy Michael. This is one of the best topics I have ever seen on these boards! However, I've been sitting wondering how to answer it!

 

I specialize in silver, high grade MS Washington quarters, superbly toned coinage and I dabble in problem-free early type. I don't know that there is a Holy Grail coin for the Washington series given the fact that they are all fairly readily available, in most any certified grade (except for the Registry-only crowd) and at any given time, should you decide to part with the cash. As for superbly toned coinage, that's just an unpredictable market with an unknown supply of coins with varying qualities.

 

To me, the Holy Grail of what I am looking for is a perfect Vermont Landscape with good centering, no gouges, scratches or planchet defects, with smooth, hard surfaces and terrific and even chocolate color, as well as no porosity or verdisgris. It would be nice if such a beast could be in the VF30 range, as well.

[reid1836]

I collect key date coins from all series. I would have to say that my holy grail would be a coiled hair $4 Stella in any grade, certified by NGC of course.

[chinook]

Hi Michael,

 

I'm working on a type set. I have so many holes to fill that I think they are all the "holy grail".

[ER]

1794 Dollar, then I'll be done with my early dollar set.

[BillJones]

1802 half dime. I'd be finished with a set that I have been working on since 1973 or so, at least so far as having one coin for piece that I want in my set. THEN I'd have to upgrade my 1796 half dimes...

[Conder101]

Draped bust large cents, holy grail would be either a 1796 S-96 or 1801 S-217. The S-217 is rarer with only about 11 pieces known, but for some reason the S-96 always seems to be the last or next to the last piece acquired by those few who manage to complete the early large cent variety set.

[jtryka]

Wonderful topic michael! I collect Saints, but I also have a type set (I have too many holes to list a holy grail there, but I am guessing a stella might fit). As for Saints, I agree with Oldtrader, branch mint Saints post 1923 are extremely tough, but I think there are two holy grail pieces with this series: 1927-D and 1933. The 27-D comes in second, and Akers estimates that there are probably 12-15 pieces extant, and it's been a while since one has come up for auction. The 1933 is the King, as there are at least three extant (rumors exist on perhaps others that were released illicitly that never made it back to the treasury for melting), and there is but one piece that can be legally owned, and than one sold in '02 for $7.2 million.

[gmarguli]

The 27-D comes in second, and Akers estimates that there are probably 12-15 pieces extant, and it's been a while since one has come up for auction.

 

Two came up for auction this year. I believe they were NGC MS65 and NGC MS66. I don't think either met the reserve. If I remember correctly, $600,000 was the reserve on one of them.

[jtryka]

You're right greg, I should have said it's been a while since one has sold at auction. Which houses offered them, I thought B&M had one, but was unaware of a second.

[jom]

Two came up for auction this year. I believe they were NGC MS65 and NGC MS66. I don't think either met the reserve. If I remember correctly, $600,000 was the reserve on one of them.

 

oh...like any of us will EVER be able to afford it.

 

jom

[spy88]

Michael, as most of you know, I primarily stick to FS Jeffs but also am into PR SAEs. Agree with Tootawl on the 95W for this series.

 

As for the Jeff series, I could just say a 53-S or 54-S in MS65/66 with 6 razor-sharp steps would do nicely!

 

David;)

[gmarguli]

You're right greg, I should have said it's been a while since one has sold at auction. Which houses offered them, I thought B&M had one, but was unaware of a second.

 

I don't remember the auction houses. I didn't pay too much attention to them since I wasn't planning on bidding on these "low quality" examples.

 

And when I said "this year" I should clear that up. It was within the last 12 months or so - not necessarily in 2004.

[TomB]

So, isn't anyone going to offer me a Vermont Landscape that meets my requirements?

[Bruceswar]

right now I am working on a few sets... A Licoln Set... Indian Set... and a Buffalo set... My Coin right now is a decent 1922 No D...

[EVillageProwler]

Where in the heck do you think one can find a VT in VF???

 

EVP

[gmarguli]

Where in the heck do you think one can find a VT in VF???

 

In an AU slab.

[TomB]

That's exactly right, Greg.