| Author |
 Replies: 15 / Views: 1,260 |
|
|
Valued Member
United States
153 Posts |
May I please get some pointers. I have collected coins for a while, (nothing in particular) but have never really gotten into them until now. The error coins intrigue me the most. But, I am trying to figure out where to start. I went out and bought 2 books: The CherryPickers' Guide and the Official Red Book US coins 2008. Have learned alot of the meanings of words. I guess I am just getting confused on the steps I should be taking. What should I be doing, besides sorting by coins by coin and year? What procedures do each of you following when you. Guess I am lost!  I know everyone starts somewhere, but I've started and I feel I am missing something. I do know that I have some coins of value. Lots of Silver (NO CC - Morgans). Have listed most of them in a spread sheet, but that is far as I have gotten. Thank you, Beckie |
|
|
|
Moderator
 United States
6563 Posts |
Well what do you Want to collect? I like 90% Foreign and 10% US/Other Some people try to get One From Every Country (OFEC) and others start Type Sets (ex: indian, wheat, steel, Memorial cent) Others like to get every single date/mintmark of one certain denomination of coin. As far as errors it all depends on how in depth you want to go. I only really look for the obvious ones that stick out such as die cracks, DD, laminations and off centers or anything else very blatant. If you want to go the Cherrypicker route I'd suggest going thru Just cents...or Just Nickels. That will help to give you a keen eye and memorize what to look for when seeing hundreds or thousands of the same thing. You could make it a Whole lot easier on yourself if you would just give in and Join The Darkside!  Good luck in your endeavors and always keep us posted on and cool, interesting, or possible unique items. |
|
Valued Member
United States
99 Posts |
Hi, I am also just starting coin collecting. I can't really give you pointers. What I have done is start with U.S. circulating coins, and put them in folders. When I find a nicer coin than the one I already have, I replace it. I was given a 2008 Red Book as a gift, and I learn lots from reading it. My favorite coins are American Silver Eagles. I received one as a gift from dsking, and also have a couple others. However it will be some time before I can afford to buy expensive coins like that. Bye, Tricia     |
|
Valued Member
 United States
153 Posts |
|
|
Valued Member
United States
153 Posts |
Guess I need to rephrase that. Which Darkside are you referring to?
|
|
Moderator
United States
6563 Posts |
Here is a post from Ętheling quote:
The term Darkside originated out of the PCGS owned forum (Collectors Universe), a member of the World coin forum coined the phrase and it stuck. the official rundown is;
Liteside - US coins (regardless of whether you're a US citizen or not) [the official spelling is actually 'lite' not 'light']
Darkside - Non-US coins (excluding Canada)
Greyside - Canadian coins
Farside - Medals and exonumia
The entire thread is here. It was a discussion about darkside coins. https://goccf.com/t/3574#3574 |
|
Moderator
United States
6563 Posts |
So pretty much if someone collects coins from places other then their own country they are considered a Darksider. Stick around...There might be a "Darkside" Contest coming soon.  |
|
Valued Member
United States
153 Posts |
Well I have a package of coins I got at a garage sale with a couple of coins from I think 20 or 25 different places around the world. But, most of my collection is US. Diffantly don't have enough to be consider a Darksider or even a contest.
|
|
New Member
United States
25 Posts |
When first starting out, if you are just dying to buy something to start coin collecting, I would recommend basic bullion coins, such as silver eagles or just 1 oz silver rounds. Most new collectors start trying to buy graded and other numismatic coins and they end up spending well over book value for them. When you just invest in basic bullion, you are investing in the metal market and it's pretty easy to understand. Then as you progress, read books, internet research, numismatic coins
|
|
Moderator
United States
6563 Posts |
just4fun
20-25 foreign coins is an excellent start! You are a Darksider and just don't know it yet.
I agree that Silver Bullion is one good way to start but even the you can find yourself paying way more then necessary if you don't have good resources as well.
I always recommend getting one of those 100 Bu coins from 100 countries auctions that are online.
|
|
Pillar of the Community
United States
2540 Posts |
Just4Fun: Welcome to the hobby! First: get a copy of the Guide Book of US coins (also called the Red Book). Be sure to read it, at least the sections that interest you. second: Get the Red Book on Grading, available from Whitman Publishing (Same as the Guide Book). Third: Ask questions, ask questions, ask questions. Fourth: Re-read the Guide Book and Grading Book. 5th; Don't be afraid to take your grading book to a coin show or a coin shop. 6th Any dealer who is not a creep will be glad to talk the finer points of collecting with you. If you are not comfortable with him/her leave. Never feel pressured to buy. remember: buy in haste, repent at leisure. Then: repeat steps 1,2 & 4. |
|
Valued Member
United States
204 Posts |
Hi just4fun,
You will find a lot of great ideas on this forum. Since you mentioned that you have a spreadsheet, I would suggest you track your coins by country, denomination, grade, and description. I also have categories (such as "ships", "monuments", "cities", etc.) which I use to track my collection.
Great handle by the way - there's no better reason to collect coins than just for fun!
|
|
Pillar of the Community
United States
7123 Posts |
Hiu just4fun
I guess you know that from 100 different collectors you will get 101 different methods of working a collection .
Just keep in mind that there is no wrong way to collect and the method that you use is fine ,, just take the time to collect ,,all of the finer points of how and what work themselves out eventually .
If I was to give one piece of advice it would be to expand your knowledge before your collection .
it is very easy to pay more for a coin than it is worth ,,unless you have some knowledge of grading,spotting cleaned coins,and altered coins,,mistakes in any one of these can be costly .
otherwise just take it easy and enjoy collecting for what it is ,,a hobby that has as many ways of being successful as there are people who participate in it .
Metalman
|
|
Pillar of the Community
United States
3234 Posts |
I recommend going with a series of coins you think are pretty cool and would like to collect. What strikes your fancy? For some people, it's the modern bullion that's coming out. Personally, I steer clear of that stuff, because it's primarily bullion and never meant for circulation. But, heck...I collect 19th century Proof coinage and that was never meant for circulation. I love 19th century type (2-3-20 cent material).
|
|
Valued Member
United States
153 Posts |
I love all of your advise. I have a lot of coins - I am going through, that I have just stashed before. Most of my coins are prior to 1970. Being a single mom for 18 years, I always saved my change. Then each year would cash it in to take my girls on vacation. Then when rolling it one day, I noticed the this nice Wheat penny. So from that point on about 10 years ago. I quit rolling my money and just stashed it. If I went to a garage sale and they had coins for sale I bought it and stashed it. So maybe I am a weird Darksider. Now that the girls are grown, I am going through it. And omg alot to go through. So basically I have the collection (so not looking to buy right now) and now starting with the knowledge. It is hard to say what interest me the most. Because I love it all. So I guess I will have to lay some of it out, and see which one over a week that I keep paying the most attention to. I guess :) Thank you all very much. I really appreciate all of your input. |
|
Valued Member
United States
102 Posts |
If you want to collect the error coins take a look at the Archive section on the Heritage Auction website. It is a useful resource for pictures and recent sales price. Once you have established a few denominations to collect, surf the web to see what is available. I disagree with "coininfo" as the only increase in value will come from the metal value increase. (Although I did pretty well over the past three years on some platinum and gold bullion. Timing is everything.) Buying older gold or silver coins have the numismatic value as well as the bullion value.
|
| |
Replies: 15 / Views: 1,260 |
|
Posted 07/05/2007 11:30 pm
