My *Holed* US 19th Century Type Set Journey: Updates, Insights, and Historical Musings

Putting together my holed US 19th Century type set has been quite a ride, especially with the pieces I’ve added recently. I know collecting holed coins isn’t everyone’s cup of tea, but for me, it’s become an affordable way to touch history while giving these altered pieces a second life. Let me walk you through where my collection stands, some lessons I’ve learned along the way, and why these coins feel like personal time capsules.

Why Holed Coins Speak to Me

If you’re building a type set on a budget, holed coins open doors that might otherwise stay shut—they often cost a fraction of what you’d pay for flawless examples. Let me be clear: I’d never drill a hole in a coin myself. Not just because it destroys value, but because it feels dishonest to the spirit of collecting. Every hole in my set comes with a century of patina and its own silent story. You’ll typically find these trading at 20-50% of undamaged values, depending on rarity. My tip? Look for clean holes without tool marks around the edges—that usually means nobody’s messed with it recently.

Where My Collection Lives Today

After my latest additions, I’ve settled on displaying everything on a cork board using stick pins. Tried staples early on, but they tend to nick the surfaces—pins hold things securely without damage. It’s not museum-grade, but seeing them all together creates this wonderful conversation starter when friends visit. I’ll confess my photos don’t do them justice (I still haven’t gotten around to shooting each coin individually, and who knows if I ever will!), but in person, the display has this humble charm that really draws people in.

The Elusive Ones: My Missing Pieces

Even after scoring some great finds, my 19th Century set still has a few gaps. Here’s what I’m still chasing:

• Braided Hair half cent: Tough in any shape, but holed examples surface now and then—gotta stay patient.
• Barber half: Heard whispers of original AU specimens with holes, but they disappear fast when they appear.
• Seated dollar with motto: Like finding a needle in a haystack, so I’m haunting my favorite dealers’ lists.
• Trade dollar: Often carry chopmarks from Asian commerce, which is cool, but the holed ones remain scarce.

My latest lesson came when I grabbed a holed 20c piece—paid a bit more than I should’ve when bidding got heated. But then I turned around and found a quarter for peanuts. Moral of the story? Keep your feelers out through auction alerts and collector buddies to avoid those “oops” moments.

History in the Palm of Your Hand

Handling coins from the 1800s always sends my imagination spinning. I once shook hands with a nursing home resident who claimed to be born in 1863—the year of the Emancipation Proclamation. Even if his age wasn’t verified, touching that papery skin felt like bridging epochs. My own great-grandfather was born in 1879, so these coins jingled in pockets during his lifetime. That connection keeps me hooked—every holed coin might’ve hung from the neck of someone who witnessed history unfold. If you start a set like this, listen for those whispers from the past—they transform metal into memories.

So if holed coins have ever piqued your curiosity, why not give it a shot? It’s kind to your wallet, honest to history, and full of surprises. I’ll keep you posted as I track down those last few pieces—send some good hunting vibes my way!