Type set

A type set is a coin collection based on coin design or type. Traditional collections consist of all dates within a series such as state quarters or Lincoln cent.

Type sets are more popular for practicality and therefore are more common among younger or less wealthy coin collectors. Date sets are more common with more experienced and wealthy collectors, who focus on getting every year and mint for a series of coins.

Description and varieties

A Type Set may contain the designs of only one denomination. For example, the dime has had 12 - 14 distinct designs. The definition of what constitutes a design is subjective but collectors generally follow those listed in the authoritative Red Book (A Guide Book of United States Coins). Professional numismatic associations such as PCGS (Professional Coin Grading Service) and NGC (Numismatic Guaranty Corporation) list around 140 entries in a complete set that includes copper, nickel, silver and gold.

A complete Type Set consists of every design of every denomination authorized by Congress that was struck for public usage. This excludes such items as pattern coins or coins struck for particular occasions. It includes denominations that are no longer in existence - half cent, the two-cent piece, three-cent piece, twenty-cent piece and all gold coins. Designs were changed for a variety of reasons - historical, political, cultural, and as a reaction to public opinion. The Standing Liberty Quarter first minted in 1916 was immediately redesigned when it was noted that Liberty's breast was visible. This change created a separate design. The Indian Head nickel (Buffalo) appeared in 1913 but the FIVE CENTS began wearing away. The coin was immediately changed to lower the buffalo mound. In 1837, the dime was minted without stars drawing outrage and the offending stars were immediately returned. The denomination "FIVE CENTS" was initially omitted on the V Nickel (the reverse carried a large V). Before the words could be added, enterprising tricksters gold-plated the coin and declared it a $5.00 gold piece. The Indian head cent has 3 varieties: (1) No shield (1859), (2) Copper and nickel (1860–1863) and (3) Bronze (1864–1909). A list of all members of a Type Set are listed below.

A complete type set of paper currency within a given scope of collecting[nb 1] includes a representative sample of each major design and change, but excludes lesser variations (e.g., signature combinations, Treasury seal, overprints, etc.).

Collectors build variations of the ultimate set. For example, many do not include gold due to the prohibitive cost; other now omit designs before the year 1800. These are the most expensive due to several factors: Poor quality of material, primitive machinery and working conditions, minuscule production numbers and general wear and loss after 200 years. Most designs cover decades but some were minted for only one or two years making these the rarest of the entire set. It is not a coincidence that many of these were also struck prior to 1800 when the Mint altered designs in response to unfavorable public opinion. The most famous of these short-lived designs are the half cent (1793), quarter (1796), Draped Bust, Small Eagle half dollar (1796–1797) and the three large cent designs minted in 1793 - Wreath cent, Chain cent and Liberty Cap Cent. The Haig Koshkarian Type Set , one of the finest ever assembled, was auctioned in 2004.

Examples - copper, nickel, silver, gold

Complete type set

Half Cent
Flowing HairLiberty CapDraped BustClassic HeadCoronet Head
17931794–17971800–18081809–18351840–1857
Large Cent
ChainWreathLiberty CapDraped BustClassic HeadCoronet HeadBraided Hair
179317931793–17961796–18071808–18141816–18391840–1857
Small Cent
Flying EagleIndian HeadIndian HeadIndian HeadLincoln VDBLincoln SteelLincoln MemLincoln Shield
1856 -185818591860–18641864–1909190919431959-20082010-Present
Two Cents
1864-1873
- Three Cents
Silver Type 1Silver Type 2Silver Type 3Nickel
1851–18531854–18581859–18731865–1889
Nickel
Shield RaysShield No RaysV Nickel-NCVNickel-WCBuffalo - IBuffalo - IIJeffersonJefferson-War
1866–18671867–188318831883–191219131913–19381938-Date1942–1945
Half Dime (Silver)
Flowing HairDrpd Bust-SEDrpd Bust-HECap BustSeated-No StarsSeated-No DrapeSeated-StarsSeated-ArrowsSeated-Legend
1794–17951796–17971800–18051829–183718371838–18401838–18591853–18551860–1873
Dime
Drpd Bust-SEDrpd Bust-HECap Bust LgCap Bust SmSeated-No StarsSeated-No DrapeSeated-StarsSeated-ArrowsSeated-Legend
1796–17971798–18071808–18281828–1837183718381838–18601853–18551869–1891
Seated-ArrowsBarberMercuryRoosevelt
1873–18741892–19161916–19451946-Date
Twenty Cents
Twenty Cents
1875–1878
Quarter
Drpd Bust-SEDrpd Bust-HELarge BustSmall BustSeated-No DrapeSeated-No MottoSeated-Rays & ArrowsSeated-ArrowsSeated Motto
17961804–18071815–18281831–18381838–18401838–186518531854–18551860–1891
Seated-ArrowsBarberStand Lib-IStand Lib-IIWashington
1873–18741892–19161916–19171917–19391932-Date
Half Dollar
Flowing HairDrpd Bust-SEDrpd Bust-HECap Bust-Letter EdgeCap Bust-50 CentsCap Bust-Half DolSeated-No DrapeSeated-No MottoSeated-Rays& Arrows
1794–17951796–17971801–18071807–18361836–18371838–183918391839–18531853
Seated ArrowsSeated MottoSeated ArrowsBarberWalking LibertyFranklinKennedy (Silver)Kennedy (Clad)
1854–18551866–18911873–18741892–19151916–19471948–1963 19641965-Date
Dollar (Silver)
Flowing HairDrpd Bust-SEDrpd Bust-HESeated-No MottoSeated MottoTrade Dollar MorganPeaceEisenhower
1794–17951795–17981798–18041840–18661866–18731873–1883 1878–19211921–19351971–1978
AnthonySacagaweaPresidential
1979–19992000-20092007-Date
Dollar (Gold)
LibertyIndian Head-SmIndian Head-Lrg
1848–18541854–18561856–1889
Quarter Eagle ($2.50 - Gold)
Cap Bust-No StarsCap Bust-StarsCap Bust-LrgCap Bust-SmallCap Bust-Reduced Classic HeadCoronetIndian Head
17961796–180718081821–18271829–1834 1834–18391840–19071908–1929
Three Dollar (Gold)
Three Dollar
1854–1889
Four Dollar (Gold)
Four Dollar
1879–1880
Half Eagle ($5.00 - Gold)
Cap Bust-Sm EagleCap Bust-Lg EagleCap Draped BustCap HeadClassic Head Coronet-No MottoCoronet-MottoIndian Head
1795–17981795–18071807–18121813–18341834–1838 1839–18661866–19081908–1929
Eagle ($10.00 - Gold)
Cap Bust-Sm EagleCap Bust-Lg EagleCoronet-No MottoCoronet-MottoIndian Head-No MottoIndian Head - Motto
1795–17971797–18041838–18661866–19071907–19081908–1933
Double Eagle ($20.00 - Gold)
Coronet-No MottoCoronet-Motto - Twenty DCoronet MottoSt-Gaudens- High ReliefSt-Gaudens- No MottoSt-Gaudens- Motto
1849–18661866–18761877–190719071907–19081908–1933


Footnotes

  1. Using United States paper currency as an example, different scopes or categories within which a complete type set may exist could include (but is not limited to) Fractional currency, Confederate currency, Colonial and Continental currency
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