Messydesk Prime Number Set (1481-2017)

Description: I can't exactly remember why, but one day I decided that it would be neat to put together a type set of US coins, colonials, and other coins that plausibly circulated in the Americas, where the coins were all dated with prime numbers. I've been assured by a few incredulous dealers that it is an undertaking that has not been done before. Well, at least not intentionally. Anyway, it's turned into a rather interesting set. The original intent was 29 coins from 1723-1951, including the 5 coins that I consider "required" coins for any US collection -- Pillar Dollar, Fugio Cent, Morgan Dollar, $20 Saint, and Buffalo Nickel -- plus a diverse smattering of other types and denominations. There's something for everyone in this set.

I then started expanding the set earlier adding world coins that have prime number dates, starting with a nice 1697 sixpence, and soon thereafter a 1483 Bausche from Jülich-Berg, leaving a lot of dates in between to fill and a few earlier ones, back to 1453 if I didn't want to skip dates having no dated coinage.

I also added some modern US coins. 1997's uncirculated Platinum Eagle is the mint's first attempt at what would become the "Reverse Proof" (I hate that term) finish. Two error coins spice up the moderns. An off-center 1979 SBA dollar, since issuing that type was a mistake, and a 1999 NJ 25c brockage, highlighting the State Quarters while hiding Washington's "Spaghetti Hair."

Currently complete 1499-present. Recent additions include a 1531 Grosch and a 1553 Thaler, leaving only 3 elusive 15th-century slots to fill and it's complete 1481 to present (unless it takes me until 2027 to get those 3).