Taking A Hard Look At Coins

I'm a hole-filler, just like I was when I was a kid. I like to collect coins from circulation and rolls, with only occasional inexpensive purchases.

I like to upgrade when I find something in better condition--it's fun to get an old coin in circulation that looks like it's been sitting in a drawer for 50 years--but a heavily worn or even damaged coin is fine with me if I can read the date and mint mark. I like to think about how they got that way.

I have a special fondness for dateless buffaloes--I soak them in vinegar to see if the date will pop out, which it usually does.

Varieties do nothing for me, and I can't imagine ever buying a coin in a slab.

Toned coins I love them. How can you not like this?

Or this?

or this.

Or even this.


I also appreciate high grade mint state coins too. There is nothing like holding a coin that should have been used for commerce for 30 to 200 years still in the same condition it was when it left the mint.


Once they get to the 175 year range I'll even take nice AU examples


Errors are cool too. Typically they are very unique and usually the supply is way more limited than demand.






I guess when it comes down to it, if it's a coin that catches my eye, I'm buying it.

I love those Ikes!

They can be yours Jbuck. I'll even work out a 12 month easy payment plan just like the shop on TV channels.

I'm a real sucker for toned coins. I don't have many, but when I look at my collection, the ones I'm most happy with are unique in some way (I just love my Charles I halfpenny, and I have a few nice Rainbow Morgans and Buffalo nickels).

I generally can't afford key dates in decent condition at this stage, so I reckon right now I'll buy coins I like and try to select decent but lower-value coins, and have fun learning. Later, I can sell or exchange the accumulated lower-value coins for more valuable coins.

For now, I'm trying to learn how to make sure I don't fall for cleaned or AT coins, memorize key dates, and get a basic clue as to grading and values. I'll make mistakes and probably get shellacked now and then along the way, but so long as I don't go nuts, no money is wasted. If I lose on a coin, the money lost is an investment in education.

BTW, I LOVE that first Ike!

I like worn coins, shiny coins, silver coins, gold coins, proof coins and nicely toned coins.
The only coins that has not interested me much is varieties and errors.
Never got into those but the rest of them.....
Love them all!

harder and harder to find anything interesting thing in older coins in your change

I have to agree.