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 Replies: 28 / Views: 3,265 |
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Valued Member
United States
114 Posts |
Hello all! I am new to not only this forum, but to numismatics as a whole. I started by buying some Littleton Coin Folders ( Roosevelt dimes 1965-2003, Two Commemorative State Quarter books, Jefferson nickels 1962-1996, Pennies 1930-1958 and 1959-1998, and Washington quarters 1965-1997) I got these mainly because I thought that these would be the easiest to collect. I started buying rolls of coins (my first hunt was $125 of coins, then now $175). I want to get serious in this, but I don't have an unlimited budget. Do I just go to garage sales and shows and auctions until I amass enough of these elusive coins to call myself a collector? or do I go through Kennedy halves until I get a lot of silver? I don't really know exactly how to go. I am going to my first ANA show this August 7th-11th. Also, I think it is important to note that I am a minor, so I have to rely on my parents to drive me places. Thank you! Paul |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2295 Posts |
Hello Paul and  No need to rush into it. Take your time and enjoy it. Collect whatever you like and roll searching by going to banks to get rolls of coins is a great way to fill those albums. As you learn, you might go into different areas too. Like collecting varieties and errors, proof coins, commemorative coins, etc. Collecting is not about massing a large collection, but it can be small and specific too. |
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Moderator
 United States
187914 Posts |
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
20753 Posts |
Being a minor you should start now getting your parents prepared for spending a lot of money on your hobby. Start with things like it's better than all those computer games. |
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Valued Member
 United States
114 Posts |
Yeah I've already convinced them, don't worry  my younger brother has had a whirlwind of hobbies costing my parents and brother thousands of dollars while I have not chosen a hobby. Now is my time to shine, literally haha. Yeah he's been through: expensive headphones, collector shoes, reptiles, and skateboards. This is my first real hobby. I have also convinced them that no matter how much I spend on coin rolls I can always return them to the bank. Also, I'll definitely start reading the ANA post :). My dad already said he would take me for a day or two. I just don't know where to start in terms of buying things, the right price for things, and how to get my hands on some rare stuff without spending a fortune. |
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Bedrock of the Community
 United States
12815 Posts |
, Paul! Good luck and have fun. And you don't have to spend a ton of money to collect the coins you're referring to above. You can knock out a great deal of the cents and nickels by asking your folks to spend $125 and get a box of cents and a box of nickels from the bank. Go through all the rolls, pick out the nicest examples for your collection and dump the rest back at a bank (preferably a different bank than you got it from). You should be able to dump $100 back so it would only be a $25 (or probably less) net spend to get a big leg up on your cent and nickel folders. |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2602 Posts |
I would do roll searching- face value to build collection, plus get occasional older pieces, plus silver once in awhile if you search halves. Whatever excess sivler you get, sell it to fund your hobby. Very inexpensive way to build collection-- from circulation.
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Valued Member
United States
114 Posts |
@ CelticKnot, Thank you very much for the helpful advice! I have already looked into ordering a box of each. The problem isn't really money; it's just that I'm definitely looking to expand to bigger and better things than these books because I know I don't hold the holy grail of collections . So far (other than my aforementioned books) between coin roll hunting and just asking around I've found: 1945 P War Nickel2 1959 P Dimes 1 1963 D Dime D + P District of Columbia Quarters A few Pre-1960 Nickels (I've been told they should be held onto) Westward Expansion Commemorative Nickels Susan b. Anthony Dollar- I know it's nothing special Sacagawea dollars (P + D)- I know they aren't anything special Bunch of Wheat Pennies, Oldest =1910 Some Territories Quarters (Nothern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, etc.) Some America the Beautiful QuartersTwo Commemorative Pennies (One with lincoln and Capitol building on the reverse, one with the construction of a building on the reverse) One Georgia Quarter with The E missing in We, the T,S,T missing in Trust, the mint mark is missing, and the R is missing in Dollar. Thinking it's Filled Die error. I have completed Fifty State Commemorative "P" Quarters. Just looking to expand I guess. |
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
12815 Posts |
Sounds like you're on the right track, coinkid. Keep it up!
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Moderator
United States
16677 Posts |
Welcome! Looking good so far ;-)
swcoin.ecrater.com
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Rest in Peace
United States
7075 Posts |
If you have it in your budget, get a good loupe to examine the coins with. While you're at the show, find the coin supply sales area and take a look at the Cherry Pickers books. They aren't cheap but I have had hours of fun with them. Also, look at 'Strike it Rich with Pocket Change'. Looking for error coins is addicting - so consider yourself warned. If you've never been to a big convention-type show, I should warn you that a bottle of water could cost $7 and they won't let you carry your own inside so bring some cash. You are going to LOVE it. I went to the World's Fair of Money and I never saw so many gorgeous coins in my life. |
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Valued Member
United States
234 Posts |
but be warned once you start this path odds are you cant stop. Now with that said I hope you enjoy your new hobby like the rest of us.  |
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Pillar of the Community
Canada
1411 Posts |
to CCF from another young numismatist! |
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Bedrock of the Community
13014 Posts |
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Valued Member
United States
223 Posts |
Starting with albums / folders are a good idea. Over time you can decide on a series you like and focus on that. And buying rolls are good too, the remaining coins can be returned to certain banks free of charge. |
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Pillar of the Community
Canada
3692 Posts |
Look at things in a material way here. You're looking to save the best possible examples of "money", our twisted form of "power", to put into your collection. Who is your collection for: is it for you, or for others? Meaning, who's going to be looking at your collection and what do you want to reflect?
The way you describe things it seems your family is taken aswish into lots of fads. There are hobbies (pastimes) and there money-holes. TIME is the most important commodity, so spend it wisely.
Edited by Libertad
07/02/2012 9:52 pm
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Replies: 28 / Views: 3,265 |
Posted 07/02/2012 4:27 pm
