The Naked Collector - A Minor Rant

The term you were looking for is bassackwards. IN the south, that is a civil term to use for everyday language.

Is a good idea an all, but I doubt those people wanting to spend $300 on their first coin on ebay really have any idea what they are doing to begin with and a list like this would NOT help them. Ods are they already bought a coin on ebay that they NEED to check because they think it a fraud and by then it is too late.

I am not one for buying coins, just getting them at face value except for my ASE and Ike's that ebay was my only resource to get them. Most important thing I would say you need to start coin collecting in that kind of price range is the coin itself. You need to be able to look at the coin and touch the coin (gloved hands only) or its container. Never trust a picture on ebay. This isn't to say online retailers for any venue or site are all bad, but jsut a picture cannot represent the coin better than seeing it can.

Resources, there is the "Find my coin" at numismaster (for those who can get it to work) that gives most general info about coins, as well the US mint site, and everyone has internet on their phone now, or at least a camera they can send the image to someone at home to check into the coin with.

PCGS and other slabbed places have a coin lookup so that a barcode number or something can be verified with the coin it wa assigned to right? so that reduces some risk. otherwise someone selling higher dollar coins should have the tools to PROVE the coin is what it is and reference material or even COA.

best thing to have if you are starting out, is someone that knows plenty about coins to help you. a new hobby of any kind can be confusing from baseball cards, to coins, to matchbox car collection; and you are always welcome to get what you like and want, but someone else may be able to tell you if the "deal" you are getting is a deal or not when you are unsure.

2x2 I only recently started using cause those darn proofs were turning up so often in my half collar CRH boxes. but I could imagine someone just droppping some 2x2's into a shoebox and going back later to see what kind of buried treasure they had. Sounds fun actually, might bring as much excitement finding it in the box when digging through as it was to initially find the coin.

now I just need to figure out where to buy a shoebox and try this idea with?

I've seen some amazingly detailed descriptions and pictures of lesser-known coin series here that you might not find in a book.
~jack

While I agree that there are essential items needed to collect coins I do not necessarily agree that everything on your list is needed.

I myself have some things like my stereoscope that most average collectors don't need or is not in their budget.. personally I like looking at the surfaces close up as well as utilizing it for variety and error searching without straining my eyes..Was it a necessity?.. absolutely not! but it made collecting easier for me which is why we all have certain accessories to match our needs. I also have a few loupes with my favorite being my B&L triplet, also I have a scale and numerous reference books. The last few items being calipers, gloves and finger condoms .. While I may be missing a few things I have everything I need.
Which brings me to why I wrote this.. Every collector/dealer is going to have their own needs/wants for their collecting needs so I really don't think their is a checklist of must have's before you start collecting.. I had quite a few coins before I ever even bought a book( back in my younger days) but now as I have grown older and gotten more into the hobby I have adapted more of an understanding for the hobby and my collecting needs/wants has been expanded as well. To each their own and remember why we collect in the first place...Some for money, some for the enjoyment and some for the history but whatever your reason just make sure you are enjoying yourself