| Author |
 Replies: 31 / Views: 3,078 |
|
|
|
Valued Member
United States
369 Posts |
Sorry, I didn't mean to post that twice. Just like I didn't mean to misspell "Jefferson."
|
|
Pillar of the Community
United States
6326 Posts |
I agree with those who say go to a coin show or shop and see what grabs ya....... There's so many to pick from.......you'll need to have a favorite ! (as demonstrated below here!)   .... ..... Quote:
Hey, guys, would you mind if I give him a suggestion for a series with lots of inexpensive dates and up to 140+ years old? No? Okay, I'll be quiet now. Nothing wrong with 3CN's Prethen !  Quote:
He might actually learn to appreciate one of the three most under-appreciated denominations ever And there's nothing wrong with Ike's either Jbuck ! ..... ..... GOOD CHOICES ALL !!Edited by eaglefoot
07/22/2008 08:19 am
|
|
Rest in Peace
United States
1729 Posts |
Start with (1) what's in circulation now - as others have suggested - and (2) what you like. If you are collecting only for investment, you're in the wrong place here. Jefferson nickels are probably the easiest coins to find '30's dates still in circulation, if older found coins are exciting to you. Get a Lincoln Memorial folder; go to your bank or credit union, and buy a dozen or so rolls - and see how many holes you can fill in the folder on a rainy day. I've discovered that I enjoy the bronze/copper coins the most, from old Romans to half-pennies and even to the Lincoln cents. You probably need to explore a bit, too, and then collect your passion. |
|
Pillar of the Community
United States
869 Posts |
Buy a book first so you know what your up aganst when buying and grading. Trying to complete some of these collections can add up. Two key date coins can be costly. And some of the sets can have 4 key dates ouch $$$$$$
|
|
Valued Member
United States
100 Posts |
Well, I'm not so big on lincoln cents as everyone else here is, but I am a fan of the Peace dollar. I think that it is a great design and most of the years are affordable (most are $20-$50 dollars in MS-60 condition) For a beginner however, I would suggest maybe a Buffalo nickel set. These are very easy to find and the design is one of my favorites. The only problem with those is that quite a few of the years are VERY expensive. If you are looking for something inexpensive for a complete set, then you definentely want to start a Mercury dime set. The maximum you ever pay for one of those coins (excluding the 1916-D and any 1921) in V-12 is about $10. Good luck as a coin collector! |
|
Rest in Peace
United States
2668 Posts |
What Texas collector posted is worth repeating.  |
|
Valued Member
United States
369 Posts |
haha, thanks Parklane64. I agree with the others, also, that a Red Book helps a lot. Not only do you get rough values of coins, but pictures of them and tips on grading each kind of coin. |
|
Bedrock of the Community
United States
20753 Posts |
WELCOME TO THE FORUM.However, let me note the following. As you and many others are new to collecting coins you should really think about us old, been around a long time, collectors. With each new collector, there is less coins for me. Purchase a thing called the Red Book. As you look through it you'll notice the amount of coins minted. Many are less than ten million. Some are less than one million. Now think about the now 300,000,000 people in the USA and many are now coin collectors. So as you and others join this hobby, there are less and less and less coins for me.  Naturally all just kidding. Something some of us really old people do since we can't find the coins we need anymore. Again, welcome to this forum.
|
|
Pillar of the Community
United States
580 Posts |
Go with Indian Head cents! The later dates can be had in decent condition for low prices, and I think the design is one of the most interesting. |
|
Valued Member
United States
202 Posts |
I don't know about a lot of you, but I'm just starting and the "Coin Collecting for Dummies" book is very good for general information. It has lot of background and pictures of basically all of the older coins and most modern. Plus there is a lot of what (hopefully) not to do type of stuff.
|
|
Bedrock of the Community
United States
20753 Posts |
Quote:
I don't know about a lot of you, but I'm just starting and the "Coin Collecting for Dummies" book is very good for general information. It has lot of background and pictures of basically all of the older coins and most modern. Plus there is a lot of what (hopefully) not to do type of stuff.
I've always wondered if the nuts that write those books even know or care about coin collecting. Sort of like the people that tell you to buy houses on TV with no money down. They make all their money telling you what to do and don't do any of it themselves. |
|
Valued Member
United States
106 Posts |
I suggest doing what I do. Specialize in a specific coin, get as many books as possible on that subject/coin, and read. Also, buy what you like. I do not collect coins, I accumulate them. I find collecting pointless, for some reason. I just collect what I like, and get enjoyment out of that. Id' rather have a variety of coins than a bunch of the same coins in a collection. And being a young adult with limited income, I cannot afford to buy a collection of gold coins, as they are too expensive. I just like to buy a variety of foreign and US gold.
|
|
Valued Member
United States
106 Posts |
Just carl,
The person who wrote coin collecting for dummies is Ron Guth, president of PCGS.
|
|
Rest in Peace
United States
5375 Posts |
I'd say a type set might be a good idea, just assemble one in fairly low grades, and that would likely give you a good idea of what you like the most. Someone probably said this already. Mercury dimes would probably be my first choice, though. 16-D IS indeed very expensive though. Don't be surprised if you have to shell out 900+ for one in G-4. |
|
Bedrock of the Community
United States
10284 Posts |
I was told to collect what I like. Most collectors get interested by getting an unusual coin in change or by inheriting something from Grandpa. Personally I like the Jefferson nickel and never tire of it. Been at it for well over 30 years and I am not done with my set yet either. It never ends really! Some cost me a nickel, some cost me a lot more but one thing for sure, it is a cheap way to learn how to grade a coin and find many varieties. Collecting some coins can be very tricky in higher grades. That is for the more experienced. Everyone has learned the hard way by buying overgraded coins as a beginner. Learn to grade a coin, learn about strike quality and buy a Red Book. Don't buy from shopping networks on TV! Coin clubs can be fun and helpful but this forum is something that wasn't around way back then. These people are pretty nice on here and ... seldom is heard, a discouraging word. Oh thats for Buffalo nickels isn't it? |
| |
Replies: 31 / Views: 3,078 |
First Page
Posted 07/22/2008 08:12 am
