The biggest mistake I think most novices make, including myself when I started to search coins is looking at each coin for an error or variety rather than looking up if there is a variety or error for that coin and then only trying to match it if possible (again as a novice). Personally I found using a book like strike it rich with pocket change 5th edition due to its lower cost to be the most helpful for my friends/family who want to try it to avoid also trying to look up every single variety that exist, many of which have low value or are difficult for a novice to spot. Obviously someone who gets some experience is welcome to also go to the websites that list additional varieties, post on forums about findings that arent in those resources, and perhaps get some other books that may not be as cheap.
As to innovation dollars which I do buy, my opinion I've shared is that the uncirculated coins released direct from the mint have vast differences in quality control in recent years. Therefore there is indeed an opportunity to spot the best examples in them and put them away as its going to be a long series and perhaps some of the early high grade ones will increase in value if popularity improves over time. Sell the others that dont make the cut that are decent but flawed, and spend the ones that someone might be upset if they bought due to poor condition. You also might find that bags have poor quality at times and may be better left to rolls in those times.
Edited by datadragon
01/26/2023 8:14 pm