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 Replies: 22 / Views: 2,975 |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2365 Posts |
I agree with hfjacinto! The Red Book is a great place to start! Buy a 10x Loupe, the book and a couple of coins that you like. I prefer series by dates and sometimes by Mint as well. I would stick with a coin or two that you like and start collecting them. We can't say enough here about research, research, research! There's always something new to learn. Don't forget the history of the coins that you like...it's fascinating to know. Most of all - have fun! |
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Bedrock of the Community
 United States
25275 Posts |
Every collector should own a really nice Two Cent Piece. Just because. Inordinately fascinated by bits of metal with strange markings and figures
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2281 Posts |
Find a mentor in person.
You realize when you know how to think, it empowers you far beyond those who know only what to think.
-Neil deGrasse Tyson
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1316 Posts |
A couple patient local coin shops willing to shoot the breeze and chat anything coin was huge for me.
Wandering a show or two without buying anything, but just to get a gauge on what is out there.
Once a few points of interest are found, read and read and read.
It would really help to search ones soul and ask if they are in this for profits or as a hobby / collection building. Rather different ways to view things.
If needing to scratch the itch to buy something near the start (I get it) keep it cheap. No reason for beginners to be spending over $100, especially thousands, to feel like they have a "legit" start and got their feet wet. That can often be accomplished for under $50, to be honest. Don't be making any $10K mistakes out of ignorance.
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Bedrock of the Community
Australia
21788 Posts |
The read and read and read thing is what I did before getting into Roman coins. Same for Greek.
That may be a tough ask for a kid beginner; best to stick with what kids can lay their hands on out of circulation, - they are our numismatic future.
That is how I started more than 60 years ago.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2365 Posts |
Hondo: Quote:Every collector should own a really nice Two Cent Piece. Just because. That's what I did with the US Large Cents and now I'm hooked on them.  Now I'm looking at 3 Cent Coins...gotta have me a "Trime" - Quote:
just because .. I have an addiction!!  |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
6563 Posts |
Quote:
I have an addiction!! We all do. that's why we're here. Coin Collecting Anonymous  |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2365 Posts |
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Pillar of the Community
Canada
5241 Posts |
In addition to the equipment, the new person should handle a lot of coins. As someone suggested, making a date set from circulation coins is both cheap and educational. They should join a local club if there is one nearby. Most of the club oldtimers will be very helpful to a new person, especially someone young. The last thing I would suggest is to take an expensive course. Down the road they may decide if this is a profession they are interested in, but not at the beginning.
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Valued Member
United States
59 Posts |
In addition to the tools mentioned before, I would buy coin albums of pennies, nickels, quarters and half dollars. You can buy Harris albums for $5. Go to your bank and get some rolls or boxes of coins. This is the way I first started years ago. I have since upgraded to Dansco albums and upgraded some of the coins.
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Valued Member
United States
125 Posts |
A scale, loop and a Red Book are basic requirements. You'll also need a good strong magnet and a PM testing kit (acid /touch stoned from ebay). You'll occasionally come across PMs, gemstones, gold jewelry and flatware that you may start collecting also. |
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New Member
United States
5 Posts |
As a new member, I appreciate all the comments related to the original question. I need to buy a Red Book!! Thanks to all!! |
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
20753 Posts |
Buy a Red Book to know about coins and then buy what coins you like. Try to focus on a specific type of collection (like a date set, type set or some other variable), but in the end buy what you like. |
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Bedrock of the Community
 United States
18670 Posts |
from a coin perspective I would tell a new collector to purchase keys and semi-key coins in the highest grade you can afford even if you have to save for them. these are the coins that are going to increase of the years. the other common coins you can acquire any time.
along with this I would highly recommend to them to learn how to determine cleaned/damaged coins before buying raw key coins. if you are not well versed in these then only buy slabbed coins from the top 3. PCGS, NGC, ANACS
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Valued Member
United States
345 Posts |
My love for coins started with education. Sure, I thought coins were cool and had value but the how, the why and the history really got me. After studying grade, rarity, minting etc. ... learning how much I DIDN'T know ... I fell in love with Morgan dollars and 1 oz. bullion rounds. |
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Posted 02/25/2023 2:55 pm
