Do you have a "main" and "side" collection/set? 1 1

[The Neophyte Numismatist]

I have been working on Half Cents and a Type Set, and would categorize them as my "main" collections.  Those sets are tough, and have some tricky dates to get in the condition I want.  I love copper, but it can be very challenging.  I wanted something easier than old copper, and I wanted it to feel "different".

So, I decided my side project would be a set of Proof Mercury Dimes.  Proof Mercs are fun to collect. They come almost perfect, and are a relative bargain when one considers the mintages (esp 1936-38).  This short set of 7 coins is very attainable, and even the 1936 can be had with a little saving.  I am almost complete, with only the 36 and 42 outstanding.  This fun set provides a very beautiful, approachable entry point into the series.  I am no where close to the top of any registry - I just wanted a set of pretty dimes that had a little scarcity to study.

What is your main collection?  Do you have a "side" collection? What is it? 

[Lem E]

I guess it depends on what you consider a “side set”. Like you, I have my nickel set and my type set as mains. Then is trails off into about 30 other very incomplete sets that will most likely never be completed. 2 coins here. Three coins there. Mercs, Walkers, Barber quarters, large cents. I have a little bit of a lot of stuff. Once I get away from the nickel collection, I mainly buy coins by eye appeal. Doesn't really matter what it is. Maybe one of these days I will try to concentrate my efforts to another series. Until then, I just collect coins.

[Fenntucky Mike]

I think you'd be hard pressed to find a collector who doesn't have multiple "side" collections/sets. I won't bore everyone with the many, MANY side projects I have, but in general I like to go back and forth between coins and banknotes. I have "main" collecting interests, in both that keep me extremely occupied but on the rare occasion I find myself in a lull I'll just pick up something "shiny", usually a token, bond, stock certificate or some other exonumia that has ties to my area/region of the country.

[JT2]

I am thinking like most.  i have most of the whitman folers for each denomination full back to the mid 1800's.  Most would call these collector coins complet sets that most will never want.  but i ahve collected them over time.  I think my main focus theze days are on Indian Cents and Buffanlo's.  then just about any early Proof i can cme across that i can afford......

[Mr.Bill347]

In my mains are Eagles , Kennedy’s,  British, Canadian, lately been working on a set of Franklins MS64 D FBL, now through 1959. Commemoratives are my alternate category. Working on getting a 30 year old Whitehouse proof  cameo.

[The Neophyte Numismatist]

On 6/8/2022 at 6:35 AM, JT2 said:

I am thinking like most.  i have most of the whitman folers for each denomination full back to the mid 1800's....

That's the thing.  I don't, because I am new at this.  It's frustrating, because I always feel like I am trailing behind the other collectors (I understand this is not a race).  This is also freeing, because I do not duplicate coins. (note:  I have completed some very modern "beginner" sets - State and Park Quarters, etc. from change).

On 6/8/2022 at 6:26 AM, Fenntucky Mike said:

I won't bore everyone with the many, MANY side projects... 

 Not boring at all.  I am always interested in what other collect.  It gives me ideas and more things to study.

On 6/7/2022 at 10:59 PM, Lem E said:

I guess it depends on what you consider a “side set”.

I consider short sets, and even fairly comprehensive date runs to be "side sets".  Once I have 4-5 coins in a series, I start looking for dates and mints I need to make a "run", and then a short set. Short sets feel much less intimidating to me, so I am likely more lenient on the word "set" than most purist collectors.

[RWB]

1. Pre-1834 US gold by variety.

2. Parking lot cents by tire tread.

Edited June 8, 2022 by RWB

[VKurtB]

On 6/8/2022 at 12:22 PM, RWB said:

1. Pre-1834 US gold by variety.

2. Parking lot cents by tire tread.

One of those two has a winning record of exhibiting at an ANA show, and it’s not the one you’d think. 

[zadok]

On 6/8/2022 at 10:24 AM, The Neophyte Numismatist said:

That's the thing.  I don't, because I am new at this.  It's frustrating, because I always feel like I am trailing behind the other collectors (I understand this is not a race).  This is also freeing, because I do not duplicate coins. (note:  I have completed some very modern "beginner" sets - State and Park Quarters, etc. from change).

 Not boring at all.  I am always interested in what other collect.  It gives me ideas and more things to study.

I consider short sets, and even fairly comprehensive date runs to be "side sets".  Once I have 4-5 coins in a series, I start looking for dates and mints I need to make a "run", and then a short set. Short sets feel much less intimidating to me, so I am likely more lenient on the word "set" than most purist collectors.

...it is a race, but not against other collectors, its against time....also coin collecting is not a sprint its a marathon...

[zadok]

...i think that most of us have a "little on the side" , Hoghead u best be careful n not use that phrase, ur ol' lady be putting knots on ur head n we be calling u Knothead...but i digress, collecting just one "set" is diff for any collector, often there is a lull inbetween coins n u start something else because ur bored...n then all our lives n personal interests, fancies, experiences r so varied, the tangents r limitless...my personal "mains" fall into gold sets n silver sets with many "sides" from where ive lived, my historical preferences, n just plain challenges...some registry worthy some just for the heck of it, e.g. my set with "holes"....foreign sets offer vastly diff designs to US sets as well...n then there r tokens, commemoratives n medals....it never ends....thats why coin collecting makes each of us unique n at the same time a community....

[zadok]

...i forgot to include...i do have a set that belonged to my grandfather, who started me in coins, that i have continued n finally completed n since passed on to my son...id have to say its my "true main" for personal n sentimental values not because of anything else....

[The Neophyte Numismatist]

On 6/8/2022 at 2:56 PM, zadok said:

...it is a race, but not against other collectors, its against time....also coin collecting is not a sprint its a marathon...

I missed most of the race against time, and I am not wealthy enough to sprint.  So, I will just jog around the block a few times and see what I can find.  The beauty of being new is that I can buy almost whatever I want without duplication (nothing to duplicate).  Also, collecting later in life means that I have had more resources to collect than when I was younger.  But, time is the most precious resource and I think of what could have been had I started earlier.

It's super cool that your Dad started you in coins.  It adds that sentimental layer to your collection.  I have a coin my grandpa gave me when I was a kid - a worn peace dollar that has toned black.  It's my most prized coin.  Congrats on finishing the family set, that is a very nice thing to have for your son and generations to come.

 

Edited June 8, 2022 by The Neophyte Numismatist

[Coinbuf]

I would bet that at one time or another most long term collectors have several to many side set projects and one or two main sets.   I have 74 registry sets 13 of which revolve around my main collecting focus of Lincolns, the 61 other sets are random coins that I picked up over time.    Most of those other sets are shorter sets including some type sets and year sets like the sets that are in my sig line.

In addition to my registry sets I have many raw sets, Morgans, Lincolns, IHC, Buffalo, Merc, Franklins, gold lots of stuff that I bought because I liked it and then grew.    The only area I stay away from is the modern stuff like ASE's and newer mint products, don't care much for that and have no desire to collect anything other than a few bits here and there from circulation.

[Hoghead515]

I have what I consider 2 main sets. Of course my silver quarters and just started on Franklins. It was meant to be a side quest but my son got very interested in wanting to help me. So it became a main also. Were trying for ones that fit our budget so we going from MS63 and up if we can afford it. I prefer FBL but I got a couple very appealing coins that wasnt full lines. And were happy with those. Definately wont be able to go full lines on the old dreaded S mint mark Franks. Im well over half way done on my quarters. Got some dreaded key dates gonna be tough later on. 

Now on side projects is my W quarters. I put together 2 sets of 2019. One MS65 and one MS66. I need one more 2020 to finish a set of MS65. Also working on a full set of innovation dollars in OGP as they come out. So far got them all in proof and reverse proof except the new one just released. Not really putting together sets in the rest Im collecting but Im interested in all sorts of other coin types. Morgans, eagles, tax tokens, Walkers, buffalos, lincoln cents, ancients, and several others. I really would love to build sets of older coins but theres no way I could ever complete them unless I could find some buried gold or something.  But Id really like to collect German Marks and half marks. I own one half mark and I think its a stunning coin. I would really enjoy collecting more. Other than that its mostly American money. Im a lover of almost all coins. I certainally have lots of respect for the engravers of all of them. To sum it up other than my 2 mains I collect bout everything I find appealing. If I ever finish those two, as my good frind zadok says, if the race aginst time gives me enough years ill do my very best to start on other sets and maybe my kids will be able to finish what I dont. My main goal is to have fun and enjoy what Im doing and hope to have a collection ill be proud to pass on to my children. Ive never had much in life and Id like to have something to pass on to my kids that is of some value. May not be much but the more I can add the better. I just wish Id found this hobby back when I was young. I could of had an impressive collection by now. Im very happy to see my children get into it at a young age. 

[USAuPzlBxBob]

My main set is Puzzle Box Gold; an 1834 - 1933 US Gold Type Set, of which there is essentially only room in the puzzle box for 14 slabbed coins.  So, no variance coins for any of the coins beyond gold dollars.

To highlight the puzzle-box/strongbox aspect of the collection, I did create separate Registry subsets for each of the Mints involved so that I could include frontispiece photos for each of those sets, to portray the opening sequence of the strongbox.  That's the only reason I created those gold-coin Registry Sets.  Allows for eight frontispiece photos, in total.

I did find a way to include two other NGC slabbed coins in the puzzle box; they're adjacent to the two stacks of seven coins each:  one is the 2019 50th Anniversary Moon Landing gold coin, which adds the West Point modern day mintmark, and there is one other very early gold coin — an 1806 $5 pointed 6 gold coin of F15 CAC grade, which is just old and I've always liked it, never wanted to sell it.  (those two coins are stored in their own separate Coin Armor ziplock, resting on their sides, together)

There is absolutely no more room in the puzzle box for slabbed coins… no question about it.

Nice to be done with collecting, and now it is just perfecting presentation via Owner Comments for each of the Registry Sets.

My whole reason for collecting gold coins was to compliment my puzzle box collection, by being able to place something in the various puzzle boxes so that when someone finally solves a puzzle box there is a reward to be found within.  (I've given puzzle boxes containing a gold coin as wedding gifts twice; but they contain modern day gold coins, not rare gold coins.)

[The Neophyte Numismatist]

@USAuPzlBxBob what is a puzzle box?  Is this a box that is a puzzle to open that you keep coins in?  Or is this some numismatic term (I am still learning, so apologize if this is a stupid question)?  

[USAuPzlBxBob]

It is a box that is a puzzle to open, that I keep coins in.

Mine is a 6 Sun created by Mr. Yamanaka, and what attracted me to it was the simplicity and symmetry of its lid appearance, which then — many years later — led me in the direction of the strongbox creation. Never did I think that I would have a US gold coin collection… and yet things have come to fruition.

Even I am amazed at the evolution process.

For example, a friend came by one day because he knew I had a casual interest in lock picking, and he had an old box of locks — junk really — but two of them were worthy of my attention. So, I purchased the old bicycle lock (Hoffman-Packard-Carter) and the brass heart lock from him for $5 each. Working them into the scheme of things kept me busy a whole winter, trying one idea after another.

Much more fun than just having a coin collection and a puzzle collection.

[J P M]

Most of you know I am working on my Jefferson Nickel collection and my MS + VAM Morgan one of every year set. I will buy anything that catches my eye... Proofs, Commemoratives, Gold. I'm kinda like a old crow that will pick up shinny things and take them to his nest.