Key Coin

Key Coin

Type Sets: A Popular Alternative for Coin Collectors

A day spent walking the floor at a coin show, scanning all the dealers' cases looking for a key date Mercury dime or Walking Liberty half dollar that will complete a set ten years in the making is never a day wasted. For new numismatists or young collectors on a budget, however, putting together large date and mint mark sets can be a very expensive proposition. Some sets, such as Lincoln cents, are comprised of hundreds of issues, and every set has a few rare coins that can be financially out of reach. A sensible alternative is to consider assembling a high quality type set.

A type set is simply a collection of coins assembled by theme rather than date and mint mark. For example, a collector might choose to put a set together a type set that contains one example of each U.S. coin issued in the 20th Century. Completing such a set can be a thrilling accomplishment, and it certainly looks beautiful as a collection. From the majesty of a Walking Liberty half or a mint state Standing Liberty quarter to the amazing reverses in the State Quarters series, a type set of modern U.S. issues is a feast for the eyes. For new or younger collectors, the advantage to type collecting is that such sets can accommodate almost any budget since key dates and ultra rarities are no longer an issue.

Of course, for more experienced collectors with deep pockets, type collecting can offer its own rewards. Instead of assembling a set representing just any example of each issue from the U.S. Mint, a serious collector could assemble a set of key dates and rare coins. Such a set would require a serious investment and could represent the crowning achievement of any numismatist. Anyone following this route to collecting bliss would be wise to choose the highest grade examples he can afford. When dealing with high dollar coins, slabbed coins are always preferable to raw examples. There is nothing more beautiful to a collector than a 1921 Walking Liberty half or a 1916-D Mercury dime in a certified holder labeled MS-70.

A type set, lovingly assembled with special attention paid to matching condition and luster throughout, can be a notable collection. Unlike date and mint mark collecting, type collecting is financially feasible for new collectors and it can present a different and exciting challenge for even the most seasoned numismatists.

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How to open my Goebel bank metal stopper, if I do not have the key?

I have a coin bank by Goebel that has a metal stopper. It is filled with coins and I want to get them but the bank has a metal stopper and I do not have the key. I do not want to break the bank. I've tried paperclips, screwdrives and no luck.

given that those piggy banks can be collectible I wouldn't break it. You could check with the company whether they have any ideas: http://www.goebel.com/Contact.14.0.html?&L=1

Or you could bring the piggy bank to a locksmith. I am sure a locksmith wouldn't have much trouble opening it. If you bring it they might not charge you much. If in doubt call ahead.

New KEY DATE Half Dollar & Coin Shop Purchases. (small update)