Type Set
Encyclopedia
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
. 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.
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 http://www.anrcoins.com/auctionlots.aspx?lsid=AN00000536, one of the finest ever assembled, was auctioned in 2004.
Lincoln cent
Below are the mintage figures for the Lincoln penny-Mintage figures:Lincoln wheat cent, 1909-1958 Lincoln Memorial cent, 1959-1982 ...
. A Type Set may contain the designs of only one denomination. For example, the dime
Dime (United States coin)
The dime is a coin 10 cents, one tenth of a United States dollar, labeled formally as "one dime". The denomination was first authorized by the Coinage Act of 1792. The dime is the smallest in diameter and is the thinnest of all U.S...
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
A Guide Book of United States Coins , by Richard Yeoman, ISBN 0-7948-2039-5, is a pricing guide for United States coin collectors, and is considered one of the most authoritative coin price sources. The book is the longest running coin price guide; the first edition, dated 1947, went on sale...
(A Guide Book of United States Coins). Professional numismatic associations such as PCGS (Professional Coin Grading Service
Professional Coin Grading Service
PCGS is the acronym for Professional Coin Grading Service a third party grading service for grading rare coins. Founded in 1986, and located in Newport Beach, CA., it is a subsidiary of Collector's Universe, Inc. , a company that also buys and sells rare coins and operates a rare comic book...
) and NGC (Numismatic Guaranty Corporation
Numismatic Guaranty Corporation
The Numismatic Guaranty Corporation is a provider of third-party coin grading services to numismatists. The company was founded in 1987 and is headquartered in Sarasota, Florida...
) list around 140 entries in a complete set that includes copper
Copper
Copper is a chemical element with the symbol Cu and atomic number 29. It is a ductile metal with very high thermal and electrical conductivity. Pure copper is soft and malleable; an exposed surface has a reddish-orange tarnish...
, nickel
Nickel
Nickel is a chemical element with the chemical symbol Ni and atomic number 28. It is a silvery-white lustrous metal with a slight golden tinge. Nickel belongs to the transition metals and is hard and ductile...
, silver
Silver
Silver is a metallic chemical element with the chemical symbol Ag and atomic number 47. A soft, white, lustrous transition metal, it has the highest electrical conductivity of any element and the highest thermal conductivity of any metal...
and gold
Gold
Gold is a chemical element with the symbol Au and an atomic number of 79. Gold is a dense, soft, shiny, malleable and ductile metal. Pure gold has a bright yellow color and luster traditionally considered attractive, which it maintains without oxidizing in air or water. Chemically, gold is a...
.
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
Standing Liberty Quarter
The Standing Liberty quarter was a 25-cent coin struck by the United States Mint from 1916 to 1930. It succeeded the Barber quarter, which had been minted since 1892. Featuring the goddess of Liberty on one side and an eagle in flight on the other, the coin was designed by sculptor Hermon Atkins...
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
Indian Head nickel
The Buffalo nickel or Indian Head nickel was a copper-nickel five-cent piece struck by the United States Mint from 1913 to 1938. It was designed by sculptor James Earle Fraser....
(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
Nickel (United States coin)
The nickel is a five-cent coin, representing a unit of currency equaling five hundredths of one United States dollar. A later-produced Canadian nickel five-cent coin was also called by the same name....
(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
Indian Head cent
The Indian Head one-cent coin, also known as an Indian Penny , was produced by the United States Mint from 1859 to 1909 at the Philadelphia Mint and in 1908 and 1909 at the San Francisco Mint...
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.
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
Half dollar (United States coin)
Half dollar coins have been produced nearly every year since the inception of the United States Mint in 1794. Sometimes referred to as the fifty-cent piece, the only U.S. coin that has been minted more consistently is the cent.-Circulation:...
(1796–1797) and the three large cent
Large cent (United States coin)
The United States large cent was a coin with a face value of 1/100 of a United States dollar. Its diameter varied between 27mm and 29mm. The first official mintage of the large cent was in 1793, and its production continued until 1857, when it was officially replaced by the modern-size one-cent...
designs minted in 1793 - Wreath cent
Wreath cent
The Wreath cent was an American large cent. It was the second design type, following the Chain cent in 1793. It was produced only during that year.- Obverse design :...
, Chain cent
Chain cent
The Chain cent was America's first large cent and the first circulating coin officially produced by the United States Mint. It was struck only during 1793.-Obverse design:...
and Liberty Cap Cent
Large cent (United States coin)
The United States large cent was a coin with a face value of 1/100 of a United States dollar. Its diameter varied between 27mm and 29mm. The first official mintage of the large cent was in 1793, and its production continued until 1857, when it was officially replaced by the modern-size one-cent...
. The Haig Koshkarian Type Set http://www.anrcoins.com/auctionlots.aspx?lsid=AN00000536, one of the finest ever assembled, was auctioned in 2004.
Complete type set
| Half Cent | ||||||||
| Flowing Hair | Liberty Cap | Draped Bust | Classic Head | Coronet Head | ||||
| 1793 | 1794–1797 | 1800–1808 | 1809–1835 | 1840–1857 | ||||
| Large Cent | ||||||||
| Chain | Wreath | Liberty Cap | Draped Bust | Classic Head | Coronet Head | Braided Hair | ||
| 1793 | 1793 | 1793–1796 | 1796–1807 | 1808–1814 | 1816–1839 | 1840–1857 | ||
| Small Cent | ||||||||
| Flying Eagle | Indian Head | Indian Head | Indian Head | Lincoln VDB | Lincoln Steel | Lincoln Mem | ||
| 1856 | 1859 | 1860–1864 | 1864–1909 | 1909 | 1943 | 1959-Date | ||
| Two Cents | ||||||||
| Two Cents | ||||||||
| - | Three Cents | |||||||
| Silver Type 1 | Silver Type 2 | Silver Type 3 | Nickel | |||||
| 1851–1853 | 1854–1858 | 1859–1873 | 1865–1889 | |||||
| Nickel | ||||||||
| Shield Rays | Shield No Rays | V Nickel-NC | VNickel-WC | Buffalo - I | Buffalo - II | Jefferson | Jefferson-War | |
| 1866–1867 | 1867–1883 | 1883 | 1883–1912 | 1913 | 1913–1938 | 1938-Date | 1942–1945 | |
| Half Dime (Silver) | ||||||||
| Flowing Hair | Drpd Bust-SE | Drpd Bust-HE | Cap Bust | Seated-No Stars | Seated-No Drape | Seated-Stars | Seated-Arrows | Seated-Legend |
| 1794–1795 | 1796–1797 | 1800–1805 | 1829–1837 | 1837 | 1838–1840 | 1838–1859 | 1853–1855 | 1860–1873 |
| Dime | ||||||||
| Drpd Bust-SE | Drpd Bust-HE | Cap Bust Lg | Cap Bust Sm | Seated-No Stars | Seated-No Drape | Seated-Stars | Seated-Arrows | Seated-Legend |
| 1796–1797 | 1798–1807 | 1808–1828 | 1828–1837 | 1837 | 1838 | 1838–1860 | 1853–1855 | 1869–1891 |
| Seated-Arrows | Barber | Mercury | Roosevelt | |||||
| 1873–1874 | 1892–1916 | 1916–1945 | 1946-Date | |||||
| Twenty Cents | ||||||||
| Twenty Cents | ||||||||
| 1875–1878 | ||||||||
| Quarter | ||||||||
| Drpd Bust-SE | Drpd Bust-HE | Large Bust | Small Bust | Seated-No Drape | Seated-No Motto | Seated-Rays & Arrows | Seated-Arrows | Seated Motto |
| 1796 | 1804–1807 | 1815–1828 | 1831–1838 | 1838–1840 | 1838–1865 | 1853 | 1854–1855 | 1860–1891 |
| Seated-Arrows | Barber | Stand Lib-I | Stand Lib-II | Washington | ||||
| 1873–1874 | 1892–1916 | 1916–1917 | 1917–1939 | 1932-Date | ||||
| Half Dollar | ||||||||
| Flowing Hair | Drpd Bust-SE | Drpd Bust-HE | Cap Bust-Letter Edge | Cap Bust-50 Cents | Cap Bust-Half Dol | Seated-No Drape | Seated-No Motto | Seated-Rays& Arrows |
| 1794–1795 | 1796–1797 | 1801–1807 | 1807–1836 | 1836–1837 | 1838–1839 | 1839 | 1839–1853 | 1853 |
| Seated Arrows | Seated Motto | Seated Arrows | Barber | Walking Liberty | Franklin | Kennedy (Silver) | Kennedy (Clad) | |
| 1854–1855 | 1866–1891 | 1873–1874 | 1892–1915 | 1916–1947 | 1948–1963 |
1964 | 1965-Date | |
| Dollar (Silver) | ||||||||
| Flowing Hair | Drpd Bust-SE | Drpd Bust-HE | Seated-No Motto | Seated Motto | Trade Dollar | Morgan | Peace | Eisenhower |
| 1794–1795 | 1795–1798 | 1798–1804 | 1840–1866 | 1866–1873 | 1873–1883 | 1878–1921 | 1921–1935 | 1971–1978 |
| Anthony | Sacagawea | Presidential | ||||||
| 1979–1999 | 2000-2009 | 2007-Date | ||||||
| Dollar (Gold) | ||||||||
| Liberty | Indian Head-Sm | Indian Head-Lrg | ||||||
| 1848–1854 | 1854–1856 | 1856–1889 | ||||||
| Quarter Eagle ($2.50 - Gold) | ||||||||
| Cap Bust-No Stars | Cap Bust-Stars | Cap Bust-Lrg | Cap Bust-Small | Cap Bust-Reduced | Classic Head | Coronet | Indian Head | |
| 1796 | 1796–1807 | 1808 | 1821–1827 | 1829–1834 | 1834–1839 | 1840–1907 | 1908–1929 | |
| Three Dollar (Gold) | ||||||||
| Three Dollar | ||||||||
| 1854–1889 | ||||||||
| Four Dollar (Gold) | ||||||||
| Four Dollar | ||||||||
| 1879–1880 | ||||||||
| Half Eagle ($5.00 - Gold) | ||||||||
| Cap Bust-Sm Eagle | Cap Bust-Lg Eagle | Cap Draped Bust | Cap Head | Classic Head | Coronet-No Motto | Coronet-Motto | Indian Head | |
| 1795–1798 | 1795–1807 | 1807–1812 | 1813–1834 | 1834–1838 | 1839–1866 | 1866–1908 | 1908–1929 | |
| Eagle ($10.00 - Gold) | ||||||||
| Cap Bust-Sm Eagle | Cap Bust-Lg Eagle | Coronet-No Motto | Coronet-Motto | Indian Head-No Motto | Indian Head - Motto | |||
| 1795–1797 | 1797–1804 | 1838–1856 | 1866–1907 | 1907–1908 | 1908–1933 | |||
| Double Eagle ($20.00 - Gold) | ||||||||
| Coronet-No Motto | Coronet-Motto - Twenty D | Coronet Motto | St-Gaudens- High Relief | St-Gaudens- No Motto | St-Gaudens- Motto | |||
| 1849–1866 | 1866–1876 | 1877–1907 | 1907 | 1907–1908 | 1908–1933 | |||