A 20th Century type set! It doesn't get any better than that in numismatics. Just think, the magic Morgan dollar, the historic Barbers, America's most beautiful coins; the Walking Liberty half and the $20 St. Gaudens, the gorgeous Type One Standing Liberty quarter, a blazing red Indian Head cent, a matte proof Buffalo nickel, and so much more.

Why collect 20th Century Type? Just look at the list! These are the coins everyone collects and everyone wants. Of course, it would be very expensive to put together a complete high grade set of any of major 20th Century series, let alone all of them. However, it is very possible, even for a budget-minded collector, to assemble a type set of magnificent, beautiful, high-grade 20th Century coins, one from each series. Unlike a complete U.S. type set, where the expense of some of the coins is prohibitive even in circulated condition, an uncirculated 20th Century set is well within reach.

A 20th Century type set is also a wonderful set for a new collector. Don't most new collectors struggle with the decision of what to collect first? Which coins are the most beautiful? Which complete date set is affordable? Where are the best values? These questions are difficult to answer for novices starting in numismatics. Well, why not start with a 20th Century type set? Assembling this set is a great way to gain exposure to many series, to learn the basics or collecting at comparative cost, and when it's complete, to have a wonderful set in and of itself.

Type collecting involves buying one coin as an example of each series. The goal of the type collector is to identify one of the more common dates in each series and try to buy the highest graded, most beautiful example he or she can afford. Type collecting, while always popular, has boomed in the last year or two with the advent of the PCGS Set Registry. This is because PCGS recently added several popular 20th Century type set alternatives to their list. Type collectors who focus on high grades find the registry a natural.

There are many ways to build a 20th Century type set. Should the collection contain Mint State pieces, Proof pieces, or a combination of both? Should the collection include just the basic types, or should it also include the important varieties? Should the set include gold coins, or be limited to copper, nickel, and silver pieces? Should the focus be the classics (1900-1964), the moderns (1965-1999), or both? The PCGS Set Registry has eleven distinct 20th Century type set alternatives available to cater to the interests of many different collectors. While each collector needs to choose a focus for him or herself, consider some of the pros and cons.

Type collectors often concentrate on either Mint State or Proof coins. Many agree that Proof coins are beautiful and rare. However, a Proof type set will be more expensive to assemble than a Mint State type set. As the example below will illustrate, it is very possible to construct a gem plus copper/nickel/silver Mint State 20th Century type set including all of the basic varieties for about $12,000. Such a set would currently have a top ten ranking in the PCGS Set Registry. A type set of gem plus 20th Century Proofs would start in the $20,000 to $25,000 range. The main price difference between the Mint State and Proof versions is the added cost of the Proof Morgan dollar, and the Proof Buffalo nickels. A beautiful Proof set, a Mint State set, or a combined set -- the collector makes the call!

Many of the 20th Century series have several varieties which can be included in a type set. Some, like the type one and type two Buffalo nickels are well known by most collectors. Other varieties are less well known. These include, for example, the accented hair Kennedy half, or the far-date Susan B. Anthony dollar. Whether to include all varieties or just the major ones is again a question of preference. A type set including all varieties will cost more, and contain more pieces. It might be the way to go for those who appreciate nuance. Otherwise a type set of just the major varieties is completely fine, especially if budget is a concern. A collector who aspires to participate in the PCGS Set Registry program can select either alternative.

Should the 20th Century type set include gold? It can, but it doesn't have to. PCGS separates gold coins from copper/nickel/silver coins and lists them in separate Registry Sets. One thing for sure, adding gold to a type set greatly increases the cost. Even in MS60, the eight basic gold type pieces will cost at least $2,500. The cost skyrockets if the collector wants better grades, or all the varieties. Of course, adding Proof gold to a Proof type set bumps the price off the charts. Well, one great thing about type collecting is that a collector can set up his or her own structure. If the collector loves gold, he or she should go for it! If not, a great type set can be assembled without gold coins, and still be listed as complete in the PCGS Set Registry.

There is an interesting type set alternative for 20th Century collectors. That alternative is to focus the type set on 1965 and later dates. There is little doubt that 1965 was a watershed year for U.S. numismatics. That was the year silver was dropped as the primary metal for our dimes, quarters, and halves to be replaced by the copper/nickel or clad composition. Many collectors were dismayed. Nevertheless, the price and popularity of these modern issues is exploding. For the type collector who wants the ultimate in quality there is no substitute for modern coins. A beautiful type set of post-1965 Proofs in 68DCAM or better can be had for well under $1,000. Even if type gold and platinum commemorative and bullion coins are added, the set price need not exceed $2,000. That kind of quality is just not available for most pre-1965 coins even if one has an unlimited budget. Similar reasoning applies to a modern Mint State type set. Those collectors who love modern coins might find it worth considering the PCGS modern type set registries.

There are many ways to collect a 20th Century type set. The variety of approaches is part of the reason that 20th Century type collecting is so fun. What is not in doubt is that the 20th Century yielded a wonderful group of beautiful, interesting, and yes, controversial U.S. coins. What a wonderful century of numismatics on which to base a type set. So, what are you waiting for?!

Example

One of the most popular PCGS 20th Century Type Set Registries is the Basic Circulation Strike Registry. This registry set contains 38 circulation strike copper, nickel, and silver coins. Thirty-five sets are registered as current, with six of them complete. The list below shows the coins required to complete the set.

This collection need not be prohibitively expensive to assembly in high grade, and is a wonderful choice for a starter set. As an example consider the set labeled the "Benchmark" set. Each coin is graded at least MS65. Many of the coins are graded higher, a few as high as MS68. The MS65s are the more expensive coins like the Barbers and Standing Liberty quarters. The modern coins are all represented in higher grades, but even types like the Mercury dime, and Buffalo nickel may be purchased in grades as high as MS67 without breaking the bank. The Benchmark set has a weighted grade of 65.96, and would currently rank fifth in the Registry. At current prices, the set could be assembled for about $12,000.

For a collector with more resources and an interest in even better pieces, the "Premium" set might make sense. This version has a weighted grade of 66.39, and would currently rank second. Yet, the expenditure required to assemble this set is still probably less than $22,000. Compared to the Benchmark set, thirteen coins are represented in higher grade. The more expensive suggested upgrades include an Indian Head cent from MS65RD to MS66RD, a Liberty nickel from MS65 to MS66, a Barber quarter from MS65 to MS66, and a silver Eisenhower Bicentennial dollar from MS67 to MS68.

At the other end of the scale is the "Budget" set which probably can be assembled for less than $7,000. This set has a weighted average grade of 65.42 and would currently rank sixth. Even when other current sets are completed, a finished Budget set is likely to remain in the top twenty, and appear of the front page of the Registry. As formulated, nine coins in the Budget set are represented by lower graded pieces than in the Benchmark set. As examples, a Barber half in MS63 instead of MS65 saves about $1,750, a type one Standing Liberty quarter in MS64FH instead of MS65FH saves about $800, and a 1921 High Relief Peace dollar in MS64 instead of MS65 saves about $1,050. If the coins are selected for eye appeal, the Budget set will not only cost less, but can still feature breathtaking beauty and magnificent eye-appeal.

Whatever the budget and interest, there is a 20th Century Type set for any collector. Assemble the Benchmark set, the Premium set, the Budget set, or a customized set, and find a collecting adventure waiting.