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Pillar of the Community
United States
4085 Posts |
You need to decide what you want to focus on. As others have said, you have the beginning of a type set. I personally like albums although sometimes they can restrict you. This can be good (gives you focus) and bad (makes you want to buy expensive key dates to complete the album).  Regardless, I think you need to come up with some way to organize your collection - binders or something. I would also set a budget for yourself - I find it helps to keep some focus - otherwise you want to buy everything you see. As to where to buy coins, I'd say everywhere. I've bought coins on ebay, dealers, coin shows, here on the forum, etc. They all have their plusses and minuses. I personally like ebay but I probably look at hundreds of coins for every one I buy. Dealers let you see coins in hand and will work with you on a more 1 on 1 basis. Coin shows are great places to see lots of coins and the deals can be good. And finally, the forum features great deals and knowledgeable collectors. Mainly, take your time - it's a marathon, not a sprint! |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1534 Posts |
Quote:I'd say everywhere. I've bought coins on ebay, dealers, coin shows, here on the forum, etc. They all have their plusses and minuses. I personally like ebay  , the same goes for me. ebay is a great place to buy if you know how to interpret different photos and judge how a coin looks in hand compared to how it looks in the photo, and a little bit of knowledge in grading and authenticating really helps eliminate a lot of ebay's potential problems. My advice would be to slow down and aim for certain (possibly higher end) coins that you really like. As biokemist mentioned a Dansco 7070 type album also might be a good future purchase. Remember to keep reading this forum and amass as much knowledge about collecting along the way. |
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Pillar of the Community
 United States
520 Posts |
Thanks so much for all the help guys, I Just recently purchased a Lincoln Cent album and a harris Kennedy half dollar album. I kinda want to start with sets that aren't to expensive while working to get the more expensive sets a bit more gradually. I have about a 70$ a month budget right now. Although I have spent over 200$ so far on this. Most of my money has been invested in things to manage, grade, and inspect coins with more precisely. I have purchased a couple albums as mentioned, some white cotton gloves, some coin protect-ant, metal tongs, a loupe, and I need some sort of good light source. |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
7629 Posts |
Okay, throw out the "protect-ant" and the metal tongs. No reason for them. Doing anything to a coin to improve its appearance without knowing full well what you are doing is very wrong and is a recipe for disaster. You will CERTAINLY ruin any coin you touch with that stuff unless you really know what you're doing.
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Pillar of the Community
Canada
3692 Posts |
It doesn't sound random at all. It seems all organized to me.
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Valued Member
United States
137 Posts |
This is a great thread. We have all been where you are.
I have way too much stuff, and need to simplify, but I'm not sorry that I am where I am - it was fun all along the way.
I suggest
a) Buy a 20th Century type set book from Whitman, and perhaps a 19th Century type set book or books
b) Pick one or two additional series to focus on - quarters, halves, Canadian, whatever. Buy a Whitman book to organize it.
c) Get a supply of 2x2 flips or envelopes for the stuff that doesn't fit into one of those categories.
d) I'd limit myself a bit on what I buy, and focus on trading or pricking from circulation. Then you won't feel compelled to limit yourself. Go where your interest leads you. What's the downside, if you are picking from change?
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1510 Posts |
Metal tongs? we use those for stamps, and "protect-ant" what is that?
Retired USAF 1983-2003
Edited by Coinstar
01/02/2011 4:12 pm
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Moderator
 United States
16679 Posts |
I started collecting when I was 13. I'm now 40, and still have no real direction :o I did complete a Merc set and a Buffalo nickel set, but other than that, I generally buy type coins and keys. One thing I do need to do is become a little more organized. I'm telling you, it pays to start early. I really would like to start a 7070. swcoin.ecrater.com
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1510 Posts |
I looked at one of those 7070's --and they are awesome--out of my price range though-
Retired USAF 1983-2003
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Moderator
United States
16679 Posts |
Some of the coins are out of the range of some collectors, you can always do a low ball or problem 7070.
BTW, nice 7070 kenkat!
swcoin.ecrater.com
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Pillar of the Community
United States
7629 Posts |
Some of the old time collectors (back in the day when ruining a coin with chemicals was considered normal) used metal tongs to keep from getting the costic chemicals on their hands. Tongs used to be considered a "normal" part of collector supplies. We have since evolved from that, thank goodness.
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
20753 Posts |
My suggestion is to not listen to any of the replies so far. I too started out like you and that was a long, long, long time ago. I still collect any and every thing. SO WHAT? It's a hobby and you make whatever you want out of it. Trying to do what others tell you to do in my opinion is not the way to make a hobby fun. Doing what you want with what you have or want to buy or collect is a way of learning and having fun doing it. For me it's one day trying to improve penny Albums and them the next day Two Cent peices. I've tried to catalog everything but that too takes time and at my age I don't want to waste time making lists of what I have. I do make lists of coins I want or think I need. Then go to coin shows and usually forget those lists since I buy what I want, like, etc. anyway. I presently collect almost every type of coin made in the USA. Also, massive amounts of foreign coins all put away since I have no idea of what most are. My only suggestion is to buy a book on coins such as the Red Book by Whitman Publishing, look through it and see what you like. As to your mess, that is part of the fun. Do what you want with what you have. |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
6326 Posts |
JustCarl has once again said it perfectly, really..... I too feel so unorganized, (and jealous of those who are so sharp with that, i.e. "coin organization software", etc.) I jump from one kind of coin to the next every couple of months or so, it seems. I make awesome headway towards completing one Dansco....then I ignore it for several months while I pursue a different one. I've organized my "mess" the best I can......and I often just look up from my "pile" and smile in ignorant bliss CAUSE I'm JUST HAVIN' FUN !
Edited by eaglefoot
01/02/2011 10:34 pm
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Pillar of the Community
United States
520 Posts |
I just always feel like if I want a pretty good coin, its going to cost me a fortune lol..its like hmm a bunch of ok coins for 100$ or one great coin for that much. Ya know what I'm saying?
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Pillar of the Community
United States
6326 Posts |
I absolutely know what you're talking about with THAT issue ! And that's a toughie ! ......  You can always upgrade later on in life.....but I TRY to buy the best I can afford at the time, and that's all you can do. Edited by eaglefoot
01/02/2011 10:37 pm
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Posted 12/31/2010 11:14 am
