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Replies: 16 / Views: 3,274 |
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New Member
United States
0 Posts |
Hi everyone, I'm a retired soldier and retired .gov employee. 42 years. I know nothing about collecting coins but I'd like to learn enough to have fun. So far I have two silver dollars both recently purchased from the mint. I know I know, a long way to go and not enough time to get there.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1476 Posts |
 to CCF! You have found the right place!  Glad to have you with us.  There are Many, many people here who are more then willing to help you in what ever your interests might be. Warning, This is a VERY addictive hobby!  Once your bit, there's No Going Back!  Again, Welcome and great to have you here! See you in the forums!
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3486 Posts |
Welcome mormonsniper! The amount of fun you have is up to you. The members will answers your questions (NO QUESTIONS are stupid so ask away!) but tell us a bit why you now have an interest. There is no end to learning so do not fret about that. You'll learn a lot here. I DO! (And I have been at it a long time.)
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New Member
 United States
0 Posts |
I'm not sure why I've acquired an interest in coins. Heck, I've never seen or held a gold coin. I wonder how many Americans are in that same boat? I can remenber my grandfather having silver dollars. They'd even give us kids one on occasion. I thought they were great looking, but I always spent them. To say I'm bewildered is an understatement. A friend gave me a coin book; Warman's "Coin and Currency", 2nd ed. I've even looked on ebay and Amazon at them, the slabs, PF70s, "signed" slabs, and so on. It seems I'd better like coins because I'm not going to make much money at it. Perhaps the grandkids will benefit. Feels like golf. Expensive and I keep trying to buy a game. 
Edited by mormonsniper 03/12/2015 3:04 pm
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Moderator
 United States
187702 Posts |
 to the Community!
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Rest in Peace
United States
4078 Posts |
Mormonsniper,  Your best buy would be, "The Red Book" to learn about U.S. coins. This is the mother of all books and can be found in any good book stores. Start from there and keep following CCF with any questions.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1192 Posts |
Also if you can look for a coin dealer near you that you can visit. It's easier to see what you like in person and choose a direction you would like to try.
Albums of series are really fun. You put the coins in the holes and try to fill them up with specific years and mint marks.
Some people collect old coins in general usually choosing to have binders and coins in flips, and collect types of coinage and care less about having specific dates.
Other people are stackers and are mainly interested in accumulating precious metals.
I'm assuming you bought an American Silver Eagle which could lead you in any of those directions.
Also there are people who just choose to invest in coins and they usually buy expensive keys to try to gain the most value over time. These buyers almost always choose slabbed coins for safety.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3486 Posts |
Arrgggh! My (Great) Uncle Charlie would give me and my sister a silver dollar from time to time. We would trade them with our dad for a 'regular' dollar. Then we would have a trip spend them. As kids would do back then (late 50s early 1960s.) I have many of them to this day.
And memories of the past cloud my comments: But...
Many CCF members have shared stories about relatives and coins. There is often a tie to one's desire to 'get into' coins and a prior memory. These memories are often worth more than the coins.
I cannot speak for other members, but I would rather re-connect you to those early memories. Then, collect whatever pleases you!
Honor the past but collect in the present.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1795 Posts |
I agree the Red Book would be a start. Also going to a coin dealer and looking at different coins would be helpful as well as to say a Book store and checking out some coin magazines with articles on coins may give you some inspiration.
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New Member
 United States
0 Posts |
Red Book is on the way. Thank you everyone!
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4809 Posts |
  Have fun!!
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Valued Member
United States
330 Posts |
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Valued Member
United States
190 Posts |
 to the forum... First of, thank you for your service sir (RESPECT). Second  with DAR   "Warning, This is a VERY addictive hobby!" This is so true! But nevertheless,the Coin Community will definitely help you achieve this goal... "I know nothing about collecting coins but I'd like to learn enough to have fun." (excellent choice)  looking forward to your posts. Have fun 
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Valued Member
United States
190 Posts |
Piece of advise though..  get very familiar with the "Free Image Optimizer" as a newbie my self, I came to find out that images are very important and probably the #1 priority (in my opinion) for your post followed by a very well description of what you want us to see, so the viewer knows what to look for, specially in the error coin forum. Hope you find this helpful... the response from other users are super awesome, most been into coins for a super long time (they know coins!), and responses to your questions are incredible (in my opinion). Good luck Mormonsniper  
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Pillar of the Community
United States
5198 Posts |
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
11951 Posts |
 I hope you stay around ... and have lot's of fun
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Replies: 16 / Views: 3,274 |