Affordable 1800-S Coins

I also just started collecting and after doing some research decided on collecting Three Cent Silvers. The first thing that made them stand out to me was the artwork. The second was in the fine grades they are relatively affordable. I think the biggest key is finding a series that you really enjoy looking at because you are going to be staring at them quite a bit. I also to a little impatient and rushed out and bought a a few coins. They aren't the greatest quality but I just wanted to start collecting. I don't regret buying them though because I have gotten great constructive info about them on this site and feel as though I have learned a lot already (mainly just how much more there is to learn). Good luck figuring out what you want to collect and I hope you are enjoying getting started in the hobby as much as I am.

Great thread!
As noted, you can own an 1883 V nick in great condition and under your budget.
You can also add many type coins in collectable condition for less than $40, in most cases much less than $40.
Have fun!

Large cents are my newest passion, unfortunately all of the ones I really want are way more than $40 each, I really like the 1794 series, so instead I joined the EAC, bought a bunch of early copper books and auction catalogs, and am studying them that way instead. Of course I continue to save so I can get a few examples down the road, and by then I will know a lot more about them, and better understand exactly what I want out of them. In the mean time, my Two Cent variety collection continues to grow, and I spend under $50 on most purchases of them, many under $25, I picked up about 25 more the past 2 months! My numismatic book collection continues to grow, and that is something I've become quite proud of too. There are a lot of ways to collect coins, with out actually buying coins I've found through books and past auction catalogs.

YOu should get your hands on a Numismatic News paper and look at the coin pricing section. It is organized by coin type. In one easy to read place you will see what you can get for around the $40 target.

A large number of Indian Head cents can be found in high-AU condition for less than $40. When buying these raw try to pay no more than the AU-53 price if you can unless you are sure the coin is an AU-50. There are also a very large number of date/MM combinations in Morgan dollars that would squeeze in at $40 or less. Good luck hunting!