Bucket List Wins

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The concept of a bucket list is well-known in America. To put it simply, it involves deciding what you want to do in life before you “kick the bucket.”

It doesn’t matter if a person earns $15 an hour, $15 million a year, or somewhere in between—anyone can sit down and think about what would make them happy. A bucket list could include experiences or items that may require some stretching and planning, but that is where the excitement of achieving goals starts. 

If you’re in a collecting rut, aiming higher and reaching for some bucket-list goals could make your endeavors more fulfilling. Raise cash by selling unwanted collectibles from the past. Toss change and $1 bills in a jar, and let it accumulate. Apply some fiscal discipline by avoiding impulse purchases, and the dream of obtaining numismatic treasures can become a reality. Here are some great items to consider.

The Forgotten Silver Dollar

Fewer than 6.5 million Seated Liberty dollars were struck in 1840-73. Many of the survivors are in heavily worn condition or have been worked over by unethical “coin doctors.” Combine the low mintages with heavy mortality, and that means any Seated “cartwheel” in Very Fine (VF) or better is a real prize.

A third-party-graded specimen (a must in this series) in VF starts at $600, but some coins are worth the price. For less of a financial burden, a “slabbed” Seated Liberty half dollar in VF to About Uncirculated (AU) is a worthwhile purchase. 

A Thursday Coin

Maundy Thursday takes place three days before Easter Sunday. Beginning in 1662, the reigning British monarch gave out four-piece sets of small silver coinage (1, 2, 3, and 4 pence) to the elderly and poor.

Complete sets and single pieces abound, and Maundy coinage provides an affordable alternative for collectors who want something from the distant past but can’t afford the steep prices of U.S. issues of the 1790s. To cite a pair of recent eBay transactions, a 1762 Maundy 3 pence certified as Mint State-62 by Numismatic Guaranty Company (NGC) sold for $103.72, while a 1698 Maundy 2 pence graded AU-55 by NGC brought $117.49.

Maundy singles from the 1800s and early 1900s can be found for less than $100. This is numismatic history on the cheap.

Stunning Paper

Two classic U.S. bank notes enjoy much popularity thanks to their eye appeal. The 1896 $1 Silver Certificate ranks among the most artistic paper money issued by any nation. The price of an Educational Series single in Fine or VF could be a stretch for the average collector, but it is somewhat less costly than its $2 and $5 counterparts.

The front of the “Woodchopper” $5 U.S. note features an axe-wielding backwoodsman, along with his wife, baby, and dog. A small portrait of Andrew Jackson, a red seal, and a red Roman numeral V round out the Series 1907 version, by far the most common in this long-running design. The Woodchopper is a good deal more affordable than the $1 Educational. If both are too pricey, check out the vignettes and intricate detail on the Series 1937 Bank of Canada notes, which offer top-notch paper-money artistry for a modest price. 

Variety

Commemorative U.S. half dollars of 1896-1954 incorporate a wide range of themes and topics. As for artistic merit, the Oregon Trail and other commems bear eye-catching designs.

There is a commemorative half dollar for every taste. Are you an Ohio resident? Check out the 1936-dated Cleveland and Cincinnati halves. Californians might consider the 1915-S Panama-Pacific, 1925-S California, or the 1935-S San Diego. A number of dates come with mintages below 10,000. You don’t need all 50 designs to enjoy the series.

The Magic Number

Collecting Mint State (MS)-65 gems is a game that requires deep pockets, but doing it once may be feasible. Morgan- and Peace-dollar specialists will surely enjoy obtaining a high-end specimen from their favorite series. The same can be done for those who prefer Buffalo nickels or Walking Liberty half dollars.

Go big without going broke with an MS-66 Mercury dime or MS-66 Red pre-1959 Lincoln cent. Finances may require you to aim lower than MS-65 on the grading scale for older series (nothing wrong with an MS-62 Braided Hair large cent or MS-63 Standing Liberty quarter), but moving up the ladder will be a satisfying experience.

Road Trip

Have you always wanted to attend the ANA World’s Fair of Money^® or another major show? It could take time to accumulate the funds, but many hobbyists have pulled it off. Allow for some spending cash to bring a few items home. 

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A version of this article appears in the April 2024 issue of The Numismatist (money.org).