Just Starting Out, Feeling A Bit Overwhelmed.

I know what your feeling and going through but trust me this hobby is way way too vast to dive into everything. You will quickly become a hoarder and then youll be even more overwhelmed then you are now. Pick a couple of coins or series you like the most and focus on building a couple of sets or albums at first it will be way more rewarding when you complete each one. In between coin roll hunt the coin that interests you the most and when that one gets boring take a break or move onto another.

I've been collecting for almost a year so far and I can tell you that I've felt the same way you have. I'd get so hooked on getting more and more I was just buying whatever seemed to be a good deal. Just know that building sets don't have to be completed asap, the simplest sets can take years to complete. It's perfectly fine to wait. But overall the most Important thing I've learned about this hobby is to be true to yourself and build the collection you want to have.

I don't like proof sets though. They only go down in value, unless they are the older ones with silver or 2009.

All good advice so far . If I may add one thing : enjoy the hobby, don't let the hobby take over you .

Consider acquiring those U.S. proof sets you don't already have. That gives a goal (high quality coins, set completion, scratch the "itch," etc.) now when the cost for grabbing those sets is so low. Yeppers, they are mostly out of favor now, but that can be a good time to buy them (from financial and availability perspectives). Buy low/sell high. Or just keep, as many of us do {grin}.

Also, consider putting together a set of 50 cent pieces and dollar coins from Zimbabwe. Part of the joy is in the hunt!

The point being (in agreement with above advice), pick something a little more focused and decide what area of collecting interests you most. And that interest area will change with time. When I returned to the hobby after an extended absence, I discovered a new interest in OFEC (one from every/each country) collecting. So I do have a coin from Zimbabwe, but the Zimbabwe set doesn't (yet) interest me.

Dfab86.

As others have wisely stated, don't get overwhelmed. Find an area of interest and focus on it. It could be Mint sets, a particular series of coins (Buffalo nickels, ATB Quarters, silver coinage, you get the picture), whatever interests you. It might be a good idea to set a budget limit on how much you want to spend each month on your hobby. This might help you narrow your focus and keep you from over spending. Most of all, enjoy he ride!

Huh!

One of these days this advise will turn around and bite me but as a rule it's best not to pay a premium for a coins less than three years old. Usually you can get it cheaper if you're patient. The S-mint quarters will be the first exception some day.

I like simple collecting for relaxation. Just putting together a set of the nicest coins I can find in circulation is relaxing and satisfying. I also like to research coins to see which are hard to find then setting them aside for the future.

You can always put together sets of proofs or a set of proof sets. Picking and choosing nicer sets might be fun and it is inexpensive.

It takes time to get an impressive collection and one of the means to achieve it to actually sell some coins from time to time to see what their true value is. Once you get a feel for the markets then you'll spot bargains and be able to trade up to nicer coins.

Have fun. The hobby should last you many years. Good luck.

It certainly does sound like you jumped in wholeheartedly!




That's a good start and unless you're truly interested, there's a lot to learn and it might not be worth the effort.

The best advice I ever read about error coins -- and I read it here, but cannot remember who posted it (sorry) -- was to learn what the coin should look like so that it's easy to spot one with an error.

You don't have to learn the error -- but if you spot something different or odd, post a pic and somebody will help you with that.


I kind of feel like you're trying to play catch-up with your collecting and it is possible, but give yourself some time because collecting never ends. You might complete an album -- but the collecting just goes on and on.