My Idea Of Collecting

As a new member and long time lurker, I thought I would introduce myself and how I go about my version of collecting coins. It all began as a small child on a tricycle riding around on the farm yard and looking down to see and find an 1899 Indian head. Not the best shape but I still have it locked away in a 2x2 plastic holder. My other interest as far as collecting, and presently is too expensive, is cars. Born in the late 50's and came of age in the early to mid 70's means I grew up when a "hot car" was the big deal for a guy, not a cell phone or computer or other electronic device that all kids seem to focus on today. I have owned for a long time a 1967 RS Camaro & a 1969 RS/SS 396 Camaro. I spent much time, effort, & money on them in what I refer to as BC (Before Children).

With coins being possibly more affordable as a single coin can be anywhere from about nothing to what ever you want & are willing to spend while anything for a Camaro is about worth its weight in gold, I spend the majority of my collecting & entertainment money on coins. It's still a disease and I have to be careful to let it not get out of hand. At least I tell my wife all the "Chinese crap" that gets bought at Walmart and isn't worth anything doesn't stand up to my coin "investments". At least I could sell my stuff and recoup my money if not make a few bucks on a some of them.

I have a set of US Mint Proof, silver Proof, Special Mint Set, & Uncirculated sets for every year available from when I was born to present although I haven't yet bought the 2016's. I have all sets in their OGP and would never consider removing them. That is one difference I see with many of you long time members. I feel the packaging is part of the story or part of the history and do not want to lose that. I also have quite a set of Lincoln wheat & memorial's in PCGS & NGC holders in anything from MS65RD to MS67RD with most of the 30's to 70's, and up to 1983 represented. I am not a fan of clad coins so I won't spend money for very many modern clad coins in a TPG, but will in OGP only. I own an almost complete set of Franklin's in NGC MS65 FBL and the only new coins I would consider purchasing are Nickels as they are the one coin that still is minted in its original composition and so I look for NGC MS66 or 67 FS modern Jefferson's. Same with Kennedys from 1964 to 1970. I also am close to having a complete set of 1965 to 1967 business strike coins in NGC or PCGS MS66 with the Lincoln's being the expensive ones I haven't had the money to buy.

The biggest part of my collection is my sets of ASE & AGE's. Most are in PCGS & NGC with 1 Anacs & 2 IGC 1 oz. AGE's which were about the first ones I bought many years ago when just learning. I also buy the OGP ASE's each year including a 20 coin tube of silver. My AGE's are mostly the less expensive fractional versions and were acquired when gold was much cheaper. The ASE's I am missing are the most expensive such as 1995 W Proof ASE & 1996 20 coin ASE tube.

3rd way I collect is buying NF String uncirculated rolls of newer Jefferson's, rolls of worn Ag Mercuries, Roosevelts, Washingtons, Walkers, Franklins, Kennedy's, and I have a few Morgan & Peace dollars. I do have a few storage books from my early years where I put old Lincoln's, Roosevelt,s Ike's, etc. I do go through our change in the house and keep & put into plastic square rolls all Jefferson's & all 1982 or older Lincoln's (1982's get weighed first). This is where I fill the urge for coins that have traveled and been in many hands through time.

Fourth segment that I started just a few years ago are foreign coins. Everyone can find a Canadian penny every once in a while. Grandpa & Grandma gave me some Mexican coinage after their trip there in the mid 60'S. Recently I have started buying Ag Libertads, Maples, Britannia's, Panda's & Auzzies'. I even own 2-3 French coins as I have always liked their Rooster & Sower design element coins.

Well, I have written a small novel so I'll stop here. Maybe this will help someone go to sleep this evening.

Loren