Encased Coins Can Also Be Collected

As someone who rents tables at many of Wisconsin’s small Sunday coin shows, I’ve learned just what it is that many collectors search for when adding to their collections. Type sets of early coins, popular Twentieth Century sets, along with some Nineteenth Century collections of United States coins remain very popular with collectors all across the state. And, of course, affordable higher grades are always preferred where possible. It can be fun and a real challenge to find just the right coin at the right price to add to a collection that’s carefully being built over a period of time. Throughout the years I’ve bought and sold many such coins to enthusiastic and grateful collectors.

A collector who completes a particular set can be rightly proud of what has been accomplished. There’s a great deal of satisfaction in completing a long sought set of coins from whatever series strikes the collector’s fancy. The social benefits and learning opportunities of collecting only add to the satisfaction. For many, the good feelings this creates, along with investing for the future, may be the major reason they collect.

Yet when I look at someone's proudly assembled collection of Mercury dimes, Walking halves, Lincoln cents or whatever, I can’t help but think that I’ve seen hundreds of such collections in the past - some very tastefully put together, others much more haphazardly. Whatever it’s grade or quality I know that I’ve seen it’s duplicate at some time or another and will do so again. Honestly, many of the coins of the last century, even the so-called key dates are not truly rare. Expensive yes, but not rare in the sense that they cannot be bought if the will and the money is available.

On the other hand I’ve seen only a few collections, actually more like disorganized accumulations, of encased coins. Most of what I have seen represented single pieces or hoards of whatever came into the owner’s hand with no attempt to collect in any sort of focused way. Show me an actual collection of encased coins with a clear goal set by the collector and I will be impressed. I guarantee it! Why? Because I’d be looking at something truly rare. Precious few collectors have ever made the attempt to search for and build a meaningful collection of encased coins.

What’s additionally compelling about collecting encased coins is that the cost is very low compared to the cost of the many keys that are necessary to complete most typical sets of U.S. coins. Who doesn’t like to buy at low cost? In today’s market it’s still possible to find many encased coins in the five to twenty-five dollar range, many of which are genuinely rare. Building a collection of encased coins will take patience and persistence but the rewards will be great and inexpensive!

Here then, are some suggestions on how to collect encased coins and make a real impression on any viewer who will know instantly that your collection and your efforts are truly special.

THE SMALL TOWN COLLECTION

The advantages and disadvantages of collecting encased coins by small town (your town?) are obvious. Small towns likely mean a small, tidy, well focused collection. Many collectors will add non-encased pieces to fill things out a bit. The disadvantage of course is rarity. Though not costly, finding pieces may be a very slow process and very frustrating. You may not even know exactly what exists unless you invest in a specialized book or two to help you out. Keep your eyes open at coins shows and auctions. You never know what will turn up.

THE LARGE CITY COLLECTION

Just like the small town but a whole lot easier and much less frustrating. Encased pieces from large cities tend to be more available probably due to higher mintages. It’s possible to form a collection consisting of dozens of pieces from Milwaukee businesses. Other larger cities and towns, such as Green Bay or Madison, offer similar collecting opportunities. Did you know that the smaller city of Kewaunee also offers dozens of encased coins to collect?

THE STATE COLLECTION

Try finding a single piece from as many cities and towns within a state as possible. The collection may grow quite large over time, but no matter its size, it will be an impressive display nonetheless, even if you never find them all. Such a collection would make a great exhibit at any club show or event.

Or, how about one piece from each state? With a little patience this fifty piece collection is very possible to put together. Every state will have multiple examples to choose from. Experience will teach you what states are easier to find and which ones offer a greater challenge. Yet all are obtainable with a bit of patience.

THE THEME COLLECTION

Such a collection may consist of pieces distributed as souvenirs at world’s fairs or at various tourist attractions around the state or the country. Some will contain the word “Souvenir Of ” on the encasement. It may also be a collection of pieces representing a particular type of business such as a tavern, grocery, etc. Here again, investing in information will let you know what’s available. You may be able to collect pieces that represent your particular business or profession.

THE SHAPE COLLECTION

Most pieces, certainly mostWisconsin pieces, are round in shape just like most every coin out there. Second most common, and nearly as ubiquitous is the horseshoe shape obviously meant to imply good luck to its owner. But there are many other shapes out there too.Ashort list of possibilities and I do mean short, include oval, square, rectangle, wish bone, bread knife, letter opener, chamber pot, bell, and teddy bear. A shape collection makes a visually stunning display, but will take time and effort to put together.

THE DATE COLLECTION

I once bought a collection of encased coins consisting of sixty-four pieces, one of each date, 1901 through 1964. The collection was formed irrespective of location, business, theme, or any other consideration. Only the date on the cent was important. It must have taken years to complete. Some pieces such as the 1944, while extremely common as an individual cent, are almost impossible to find in an encasement. This one will be tough, but likely very inexpensive. Few coin sellers will care about an encased piece with a 1944 penny. Are you up for the challenge?

YOUR COLLECTION

You can certainly form a collection according to your own tastes and ideas. Perhaps you’ll take the opportunity to break from the crowd of collectors forming and reforming sets of silver dollars and other common coins and enter into the arena of encased coins so that your collection is truly different, unique and impressive!

NOW member James “Jim” Skwarek is a Wisconsin based collector/dealer and the author of “The Encased Coins of Wisconsin”.

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