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 Replies: 54 / Views: 6,799 |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1745 Posts |
nickelsearcher, well put Quote:
1. Knowledge of coins ... reference books are best and CCF as well.
2. Knowledge of self ... what do you want to collect and why.
3. Knowledge of budget ... what can you afford, and how does this affect your choices as a collector.
4. Knowledge of the broader coin community ... local clubs, local shows ... they can all help to guide and gain ... uhhhmmm ... knowledge.
5. Coin collecting stuff ... mentioned above; scales, microscopes, optics, folders, albums, etc.
IMHO #5 (stuff) is misdirected without #1 through #4 ... Knowledge. I hadn't thought about it that way, I would always jump to #5. #5 is the easiest because you can just go buy "stuff", but working on 1-4 takes time and patience. |
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Pillar of the Community
Egypt
3470 Posts |
Quote:
Wishing I knew then what I know now ... my top 5 are:
1. Knowledge of coins ... reference books are best and CCF as well.
2. Knowledge of self ... what do you want to collect and why.
3. Knowledge of budget ... what can you afford, and how does this affect your choices as a collector.
4. Knowledge of the broader coin community ... local clubs, local shows ... they can all help to guide and gain ... uhhhmmm ... knowledge.
5. Coin collecting stuff ... mentioned above; scales, microscopes, optics, folders, albums, etc.
IMHO #5 (stuff) is misdirected without #1 through #4 ... Knowledge.
You have found a great forum for knowledge ... I encourage you to use the forum as a part of your learning ... as I am many others before you did.
David  with David Knowledge, Knowledge, Knowledge, Knowledge, Knowledge |
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Moderator
 United States
188440 Posts |
Knowledge is number one.  The items in positions two through five are completely subjective.  |
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
10635 Posts |
I totally agree on that fact that knowledge is power. And access to good reference materials helps too. I don't use a loupe or standard microscope... this is what I use and find it perfect for coin collecting: http://www.amazon.com/SE-Illuminate...d_sim_misc_2 |
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Valued Member
 United States
232 Posts |
I just bought a digital microscope for coins earlier today, cant wait to get it.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1179 Posts |
Patience
Money
Decicants
Reference Books
Big ol safe :)
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Valued Member
United States
230 Posts |
Quote:
Inventory system - Once your collection starts to grow, you lose track of the coins you have and their values etc. Having a good inventory system is really important for organisating your collection. It took me way to long to start one. When I did a full inventory, I found coins I didnt even realise I owned. Agree with this, I have an Excel spreadsheet detailing all the info on my coins (date, value, condition, mintage number, etc...) |
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Rest in Peace
United States
9104 Posts |
 is a digital microscope? |
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Valued Member
United States
232 Posts |
Is the " Red Book" ( sorry not sure if I am allowed to referance that )The best guide to go bye? Are there websites that are better, free or pay? |
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Valued Member
United States
232 Posts |
Also if Red Book is your best referance how ofton do you update, IE buy a new edition |
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Pillar of the Community
Canada
3692 Posts |
Don't worry yourself over scales and crap like that; you don't need them. All you need is books that deal with your area of interest, good storage method, and possibly a loupe. Everything else is very much unnecessary.
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Valued Member
United States
232 Posts |
Well I Got every thing except for a good reference item, I am using a website (I cant say for some reason) and the this forum for help. I'm not sure if the RedBook is worth it or if there is somthing else thats better. I collect 75% silver coins but have gained an interest in... well all old US coinage. |
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
10635 Posts |
You know, I think I have to disagree about the advice not to purchase a scale for coin collecting use. I didn't have one, thinking I'd probably not use it that much, but I recently purchased a scale from Amazon for about ten dollars, and I find myself using it all of the time! First, I'm a big Lincoln cents roll searcher, and having a scale allows you to zip right through those '82 pennies in no time flat! Plus I have used it a few times now to check weights on suspected counterfeit coins. I think it's one of the best ten bucks I think I have spent on coin collecting! |
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Valued Member
United States
382 Posts |
The Red Book is one of the best ref books there is for general use, it lists all the dates amd mintages of all the US coins, can never go wrong with it and its cheap. Once you settle on what you are going to collect then buy some books on that subject. I agree knowledge is very important also, get your book collection going and read, I for one love the research more than the actual collecting. Tony |
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Rest in Peace
United States
9104 Posts |
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Replies: 54 / Views: 6,799 |
First Page
Posted 11/30/2011 10:42 am
