Coin Key
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 Military Challenge Coin Holder key ring or neck chain $2.95 Time Remaining: 27d 22h 11m Buy It Now for only: $2.95 |
 One Bottle Opener 82nd Airborne Infantry Delta Dawg coin w key chain hole $19.99 Time Remaining: 6d 20h 44m |
 Military CHALLENGE COIN Holder Key Chain CHAMP $2.95 Time Remaining: 26d 15h 36m Buy It Now for only: $2.95 |
 US Army Aviation Ft Rucker AL Key Chain Challenge Coin $6.49 Time Remaining: 2d 5h 26m Buy It Now for only: $6.49 |
 Submarine Challenge Coin Holder Key Chain USN USMC USAF $5.00 Time Remaining: 6d 17h 47m Buy It Now for only: $5.00 |
 9 11 Never Forget Commemorative Coin With Free Eagle Key Chain Knife $13.95 Time Remaining: 22d 20h 42m Buy It Now for only: $13.95 |
 CHALLENGE COIN KEY CHAIN US ARMY MASTER SERGEANT MSG $5.99 Time Remaining: 3d 1h 3m Buy It Now for only: $5.99 |
 NIB Bottle Opener Magnet Key Ring w Steel Army Coin by Challenge Coin Co F S $8.99 Time Remaining: 14d 3h 24m Buy It Now for only: $8.99 |
 CHALLENGE COIN KEY CHAIN DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE DONALD RUMSFELD ROUND $12.99 Time Remaining: 27d 26m Buy It Now for only: $12.99 |
 Air Force KEY FOB Key Chain Challenge Coin Brass 60893 $12.25 Time Remaining: 20d 1h 38m Buy It Now for only: $12.25 |
 CHALLENGE COIN KEY CHAIN US AIR FORCE SENIOR AIRMAN $3.99 Time Remaining: 8d 1h 27m Buy It Now for only: $3.99 |
 USS Key West SSN 722 Submarine Challenge Coin Sub Force $20.00 Time Remaining: 15h 54m Buy It Now for only: $20.00 |
 RARE Titletown ERA Realtors Key Chain Challenge Coin $9.99 Time Remaining: 5d 2h 27m Buy It Now for only: $9.99 |
 CHALLENGE COIN 61ST MAINTENANCE COMPANY THE ROCK CAMP KYLE KOREA KEY CHAIN $9.99 Time Remaining: 24d 10h 54m Buy It Now for only: $9.99 |
 CHALLENGE COIN KEY CHAIN US ARMY FIRST SERGEANT 1SG $5.99 Time Remaining: 2d 20h 46m Buy It Now for only: $5.99 |
 CHALLENGE COIN KEY CHAIN US ARMY SERGEANT FIRST CLASS $5.99 Time Remaining: 2d 20h 57m Buy It Now for only: $5.99 |
 CHALLENGE COIN SPECIAL FORCES SPOUSE USSOCOM KEY CHAIN $12.99 Time Remaining: 23h 36m Buy It Now for only: $12.99 |
 Marine Mother Challenge Coin Key Chain $12.11 Time Remaining: 3d 19h 10m Buy It Now for only: $12.11 |
 Marine Father Challenge Coin Key Chain $12.11 Time Remaining: 3d 19h 10m Buy It Now for only: $12.11 |
 NAS NAVY NAVAL AIR STATION KEY WEST BIG CHALLENGE COIN $14.24 Time Remaining: 22d 14h 4m Buy It Now for only: $14.24 |
 Coast Guard KEY FOB Key Chain Challenge Coin Brass 60886 $12.25 Time Remaining: 20d 1h 25m Buy It Now for only: $12.25 |
 NEW Quartermaster Corps KEY TO LOGISTICS Challenge Coin in sleeve $10.99 Time Remaining: 5d 5h 45m Buy It Now for only: $10.99 |
 MARINE CORPS MOM MOTHER FLAG CHALLENGE COIN KEY CHAIN $14.24 Time Remaining: 15d 11h 56m Buy It Now for only: $14.24 |
 CHALLENGE COIN KEY CHAIN DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE DONALD RUMSFELD $12.99 Time Remaining: 27d 26m Buy It Now for only: $12.99 |
 Vigilant Hose Co 1 FD Shippenburg PA Key Chain Coin $5.19 Time Remaining: 21d 2h 25m Buy It Now for only: $5.19 |
 UNITED STATES COAST GUARD STATION KEY WEST COIN $9.95 Time Remaining: 18d 23h 27m Buy It Now for only: $9.95 |
 CHALLENGE COIN KEY CHAIN US AIR FORCE SENIOR MASTER SGT $5.99 Time Remaining: 2d 16h 13m Buy It Now for only: $5.99 |
 CHALLENGE COIN KEY CHAIN US AIR FORCE AIRMAN USAF $5.99 Time Remaining: 3d 20h 17m Buy It Now for only: $5.99 |
 CHALLENGE COIN KEY CHAIN US AIR FORCE CHIEF MASTER SGT $5.99 Time Remaining: 3d 20h 29m Buy It Now for only: $5.99 |
 USAF Osan Protestant Parish Key Chain Challenge Coin $5.19 Time Remaining: 21d 2h 13m Buy It Now for only: $5.19 |
 USS Francis Scott Key SSBN 657 Submarine Challenge Coin $20.00 Time Remaining: 1d 19h 48m Buy It Now for only: $20.00 |
 CHALLENGE COIN KEY CHAIN US ARMY COMMAND SERGEANT MAJOR $5.99 Time Remaining: 2d 16h 16m Buy It Now for only: $5.99 |
 Navy KEY FOB Key Chain Challenge Coin Brass 60885 $12.25 Time Remaining: 20d 1h 18m Buy It Now for only: $12.25 |
 Army KEY FOB Key Chain Challenge Coin Brass 60894 $12.25 Time Remaining: 20d 1h 43m Buy It Now for only: $12.25 |
 CHALLENGE COIN 18TH AIRBORNE CORPS FT BRAGG NORTH CAROLINA ARMY STRONG KEY CHAIN $17.99 Time Remaining: 18d 2h 5m Buy It Now for only: $17.99 |
 CHALLENGE COIN US COAST GUARD SECTOR KEY WEST PARADISE $11.99 Time Remaining: 5d 1h 46m Buy It Now for only: $11.99 |
 214th Field Artillery Brigade Re Enlistment Challenge Coin Key Chain $15.00 Time Remaining: 15d 30m Buy It Now for only: $15.00 |
 Fear No Evil KEY FOB Key Chain Challenge Coin Brass 60911 $12.95 Time Remaining: 20d 1h 55m Buy It Now for only: $12.95 |
 US Navy USS Key West Challenge Coin USN $21.95 Time Remaining: 20d 5h 37m Buy It Now for only: $21.95 |
 Lone Sailor NAS Key West Oath Navy Challenge Coin $19.95 Time Remaining: 24d 17h 36m Buy It Now for only: $19.95 |
 ARMY WIFE SPOUSE CHALLENGE COIN KEY CHAIN $14.24 Time Remaining: 17d 1h 14m Buy It Now for only: $14.24 |
 AIR FORCE WIFE SPOUSE USAF CHALLENGE COIN KEY CHAIN $14.24 Time Remaining: 17d 1h 10m Buy It Now for only: $14.24 |
 Key West Sector Commander Coast Guard Challenge Coin $42.00 Time Remaining: 5d 17h 23m Buy It Now for only: $42.00 |
 CHALLENGE COIN OPERATION RED DAWN SADDAM WE GOT HIM TIKRIT IRAQ DOG TAG KEY CHAI $5.99 Time Remaining: 8d 17h 32m Buy It Now for only: $5.99 |
 DOT US Special Agent ATF Miami Field Division Key Challenge Coin $28.99 Time Remaining: 19d 3h 58m Buy It Now for only: $28.99 |
 ST FLORIAN FIRE CHALLENGE COIN FOB KEY CHAIN KEYCHAIN $14.24 Time Remaining: 22d 11h 36m Buy It Now for only: $14.24 |
 WARRANT OFFICER CAREER CENTER KEEPER of the KEYS CHALLENGE COIN $12.00 Time Remaining: 4d 4h 41m Buy It Now for only: $12.00 |
 NAS NAVY NAVAL AIR STATION KEY WEST CHALLENGE COIN $14.24 Time Remaining: 22d 12h 50m Buy It Now for only: $14.24 |
 MARINE CORPS DAD FATHER FLAG CHALLENGE COIN KEY CHAIN $14.24 Time Remaining: 15d 12h 5m Buy It Now for only: $14.24 |
 USMC MARINE CORPS WIFE SPOUSE CHALLENGE COIN KEY CHAIN $14.24 Time Remaining: 15d 12h 29m Buy It Now for only: $14.24 |
 Secretary Army Civilian Aide Walter Keys Challenge Coin $45.00 Time Remaining: 12d 2h 18m Buy It Now for only: $45.00 |
 KOREA NAVY SPECIAL FORCE UDT SEAL KEY CHAIN CHALLENGE COIN $20.00 Time Remaining: 13d 5h 31m Buy It Now for only: $20.00 |
 USCG STATION KEY WEST US COAST GUARD COIN MEDAL NEW $16.95 Time Remaining: 8d 2h 15m Buy It Now for only: $16.95 |
 COAST GUARD STATION KEY WEST FLORIDA CHALLENGE COIN $14.24 Time Remaining: 7d 3m Buy It Now for only: $14.24 |
 NAS Key West FL OATH OF ENLISTMENT Navy Challenge Coin $28.99 Time Remaining: 7d 1h 6m Buy It Now for only: $28.99 |
 NAVY CORPSMAN CHALLENGE COIN KEY CHAIN $14.24 Time Remaining: 17d 1h 6m Buy It Now for only: $14.24 |
 NAVY USS FRANCIS SCOTT KEY SSBN 657 SUBMARINE DETERRENT PATROL CHALLENGE COIN $28.49 Time Remaining: 25d 57m Buy It Now for only: $28.49 |
 NAVY SUBMARINE USS KEY WEST SSN 722 SUBMARINE FORCE MILITARY CHALLENGE COIN $28.49 Time Remaining: 1d 14h 34m Buy It Now for only: $28.49 |
 CIVIL AIR PATROL CHALLENGE COIN ENGRAVABLE BRONZE KEY CHAIN $7.25 Time Remaining: 13d 12h 35m Buy It Now for only: $7.25 |
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What Is "Key", When Collecting Coins?
Key Coin: A coin that is among the toughest and Most Expensive to obtain within a series. In the Lincoln Cent series, for example, the 1909-S VDB would be considered the key, as would the 1914-D and often the 1922-Plain.
A coin somewhat lesser in stature but still among the tougher in a series to collect is called a semi-key; the 1909-S and 1931-S fulfill this role within the Lincoln Cent series for many collectors. Both key coins and semi-key coins are in great demand due primarily to the limited supply of coins available. Since this increases the demand for such coins, the results are higher prices for all such coins. Coins with higher grades are even more difficult to acquire.
The grade of a coin is everything in coin collecting. This entices the rogues and cheats to misrepresent a coin's grade or quality. But this only works with raw coins. A certified and graded coin - by PCGS, NGC, ICG or ANACS - stifles the would be cheat and insures authenticity. In fact, these companies guarantee the coin's Authenticity, Identity, and Grade. I have seen company representatives, at trade shows, pay immediate cash reimbursements where a coin was mis-graded, or had a questionable identity or grade. The extra protection offered by a sealed slab, helps to maintain a coins condition and grade, which in turn keeps the value at a higher level than raw coins. Many people have had their entire collections sent in for certification and grading for the protection and value alone. It certainly increases a coins marketability, and eliminates any doubts about what is being bought or sold.
Other "Key" Dates include the following:
Lincoln Cents: 1909 S, 1909 S VDB, 1914 D, 1922 no mint, 1931 S
Jefferson Nickel: 1938-D, 1938-S, 1939-D, 1939-S and 1950-D
Roosevelt Dimes: 1949, 1949 S, 1950 S, and the 1951 S
Washington Quarters: 1932 D, 1932 S, 1934 - with Double Die Obverse (DDO), 1935 D, 1936 D, 1937 - with Double Die Obverse (DDO), 1937 S, 1938 S, 1939 S, 1940 D, 1942 D - with Double Die Obverse (DDO), 1942 D - with Double Die Reverse (DDR),1943 - with Double Die ?, 1943 S - with Double Die Obverse (DDO), 1950 D/S Over mintmark ( coin is a '50-D, with underlying S mintmark ), 1950 S/D Over mintmark ( coin is a '50-S, with underlying D mintmark ), and the 1955 D
The Concept of "Key" may also apply to the Type or Purpose of the coin collection, rather than the individual coin. For example, if a collector is putting together a collection of Walking Liberty Half Dollars, without regard to the Condition of the coins, then the "keys" are the 1921, 1921-D, and 1916-S.
But, if the Collector is putting together the same set, in Gem BU Condition, the 1919-D and the 1921-S would be considered the "keys" and the 1916-S likely would not, because the 1916-S either not available at all, or is plentiful. Also Key Date may be a replaceable term.
Another example, using Lincoln Cents: The "key dates" for the Lincoln Pennies, from 1909 -1958 (wheat cents) are: 1909s, 1909s VDB, 1914 D, 1922, and the 1931 S.
The "semi-key" dates are: 1910 S, 1911 D, 1911 S, 1912 S, 1913 D, 1913 S, 1914 S, 1915, 1921 S, 1922 D, 1923 S, 1924 D, 1926 S, 1931 D, and 1933 D.
Certain Sellers use the term "Key Date" to generate interest in a coin, whose date may be "Key", however, the Condition of the coin is usually less than desirable. Pay Attention!
Have fun collecting your Perfect Coins!
Robert L Taylor, JD
Copyright © 2006-7
About the Author
Robert Taylor is a retired Lawyer with a passion for collecting US coins. To share his Passion, he created
http://www.ThePerfect-Coin.Com
which features US Coins (from 1960) and
http://www.PerfectDollarCoins.Com
featuring US Dollars, all certified by NGC, PCGS, ICG and ANACS.
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