What Coins Should A Begginer Be Looking For/ Purchasing?

Imho, avoid silver like the plague. There's just no deals available, prices always start at spot.

Im finding lots of room in proof sets, but mainly I just like the way proof coins look. Never buy them from the mint. In about 5 years, they find their true market value. Any sets from 2007 until now still carry the mint's minimum price tag. My advice: pick something to collect you like. Even if you make a mistake, the aesthetic value will help.

Imho, the absolute best way to get prices is ebay. I've seen various price guides but e bay's values have always been true. To give yourself a quick and dirty education in prices, I would recommend searching ebay's sold listings.

If you make a mistake, always make mistakes under market value. If you are tempted to buy something over market, have the discipline to just say no. I just bout a bunch of 80s proof sets at 4.50 apiece. If I see a deal tomorrow at $3 per, I'm fine because I can sell them at $5. It would be a huge difference if I bought them at 5.50.

Always be ready to walk away. No matter what coin you want, remember that there are probably a million similar coins.

You have an advantage being in the US. You might find it helpful to get a book that discusses grading coins (because price is largely down to condition/ how little wear a coin has had) and just pick some coins out of change and compare them!

You'll be surprised how few modern coins like cents are perfect, without scratches, dings (knock marks) or evidence of poor manufacture like Cud marks (extra blobs of metal at various spots).

And you may find some older coins to ID on the way.

Then if you do decide to actually buy some coins you'll have a better idea of what to look out for.

A general book on World coins might be fun too. Don't pay much or get it from the library. Just to show you the variety that exists.

Most of all, have fun. (And do ask questions too, as Carl says!)

When I started a couple years ago, I started with Walking Liberty halves.....you can find the later year coins in MS+ grade for a fraction above spot. They are a beautiful coin and you'll feel accomplished when you're holding a very heavy book of silver coins!

Good luck!

I have a few books but I really don't use them that much and I find a lot of knowledge in those books can be found on the web or actively discussed on this site.

I would just focus on gaining more information by reading what's available on this site and I really don't think you should purchase coins at the start but try to learn how to preserve what you already have.

Yep, I would focus on preserving/properly storing what you have now before adding.

In order to enhance the collection, you need to make a list of every coin he left you.
Describe them as accurately as possible. Take photographs of each and every one. Seal them in proper holders and mark the holders. You cannot know today which one will mean the most to your heirs a hundred years from now.
Today, you may think the silver dollar is the most prized coin in the collection, but two generations from now, when Great Aunt Sadie's letter of a marriage proposal surfaces from a distant cousin, and mentions the Hobo nickel, or a penny shot with a .22 rifle,
you'll be glad you recorded it.
And the foreign coin? Was that the last coin his father was able to keep from the old country, when he came to America?
Adding to his collection is important as a family venture, but secondary to recording the foundation he established.
I'm a senior citizen and though single and childless still work with one of my brothers (also single and childless,) to establish a data bank of the coins we got from Grampa 50 years ago. Still not sure who will get the coins, but they will come with documentation, letters, dated envelopes and recollections put down on paper.
You have been entrusted to preserve your family history.
Preserve, and then you will know how to expand.
Good fortune be with you.

Chute72 has eloquently covered the most important points.
I would only add that no matter how much one educates one's self mistakes will be made.
So, go to a show and make a mistake! Limit your loss by setting a limit. Say ten dollars.
Then hunt the bargain boxes for half price and "three fors" and pick out a few inexpensive coins that catch your eye. This will immediately make an addition to your grandfather's collection.

Oops! There is a second piece of advice: just see what coins 'catch your eye.' Was it bright and shiny or pleasantly darkened by wear. THEN go home and do your research on those coins which 'grabbed' you. The sooner that you train your eyes as well as acquire knowledge the better collector you will become.

Good luck, CC123.

You mentioned your disposable cash is limited; join the club. :)

When I first started collecting professionally (meaning when I first started paying for coins) a friend told me that the hobby can be very expensive. He was correct. I'm not sure how much or little you have to spend, but try to get the most for the least. This means you might have to pass up 'graded'(slabbed) coins, or accept FINE coins instead of AU's.

Don't despair though. If you're interested in modern coins, especially those that are currently circulating, you can assemble a nice collection quickly and more easily. The most enjoyable moments of the hobby are when you find something in your change that you've been looking for; you don't get that happy feeling when you 'buy' a coin.

Whatever path you choose I hope you enjoy it for a long time. As mentioned, getting educated is essential, either from books or online articles. Good luck!!