Collecting Bullion

wow alot of responses to my question and I appreciate each and every one of them. I should have went into greater detail on my goals. I would like to collect each date starting in 1986 to the present, I also would like to collect various other gold coins ($3 princess, buffalo, etc). This is something to strictly collect, not an ivestment, I like to buy what appeals to me. I would seek graded coins like the $3 princess gold piece in graded condition. As for my 1/10th ounce collection, I am torn between the proof coin that the mint puts out (like the silver eagle) with its special packaging or a graded version. Between both which would you choose? Oh and the decision to select the 1/10 was because I could in fact acquire more coins and possibly expand on that collection to include pandas and australian kangaroos :-) Again many thanks for all the replies as they all had merit :-)

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As for your choice, if the aesthetics are the same to you I myself would always go for the cheaper one.

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I couldn't agree more.

As far as the proof 1/10 oz coins go you have to balance several considerations. The slabbed versions have the advantage of uniformity of presentation and that they require less storage space. On the other hand they look very impressive in their government issued holders. Then you have to factor in the fact that you will probably have to pay a higher cost for the slabbed coins, especially if you chase the very top graded coins.

On the $3 gold pieces . . . Listen up folks, this is something I almost never say...I would only buy them slabbed by one of the top six firms. There are just too many fake $3 gold pieces out there. When ANACS was formed 90% of all of the $3 gold and Type II gold dollars submitted to them were fake. And many other have been cleaned and/or used for jewelery purposes.