My New Philosophy,,,,,,,,,

Carl how many of those 1916Ds do you still own?

Interesting that some want the very very highest grade coins they can afford, others are more interested in circulated coins, more bang for the buck. I can see both sides of it - as mostly a bullion guy now (I collected when I was a kid), I still have the urge to pick up a cool 2c or 3c or Half Cent or whatever from time to time. When I do, I go for circulated, but nice eye appeal coins that I can get for cheap. I have zero interest in junk that's worn flat or is holed or corroded. I don't know (or care) enough to pay hundreds of dollars for a high-grade coin (altho they are pretty), but I like a nice example with good eye appeal, even in the F or VF or EF range for $5 or $10 or $20. One of these days I will probably put together a type set.

My earlier post mentioned my "system." I would like to add that I like yours. I hate getting ripped off, and keeping purchases under $25 reduces that likelihood. You can be a first rate coin collector with this system, but, as some have mentioned, these purchases may not be great "investments."

However, if you play your cards right, and do a bit of research, you may get lucky. I was purchasing coins in 2001 with limited funds. There are a couple coins I bought back then, at full retail price, that turned out pretty good. Each cost less than $35 at the time, and each was in VG-8: a 1931-S Lincoln Cent and a 1915 Barber half. The low mintages made them especially attractive, from my perspective. I am still very pleased with those purchases.

I've gone from:

- High grade common dates, to
- Better date coins without an emphasis on grade, but rather eye-appeal for the grade, to
- Completing sets.

I'm working on Lincolns. Next going to Peace dollars, since those aren't such a massive project.