| Author |
 Replies: 16 / Views: 3,450 |
|
Valued Member
United States
127 Posts |
Just wondering what everyone's collecting strategy is. Do you try and get as many dates as you can cheaply, filling the majority of the books holes as quickly as possible. Or do you take your time and look for the match the the rest of your coins in the book. Maybe you don't collect full series but something other like type sets or variety/errors? The differences are many, so how do you collect?
|
|
|
|
Valued Member
United States
266 Posts |
I collect only peace,eisenhower and SBA dollars,franklin and Kennedy half dollars and nickels. I try to get only uncirculated and proof versions. Not slabbed. I have a few varieties but I usually get those slabbed. For the Jefferson nickels, I for sure only want uncirculated. For the older nickels (buffalo, liberty, shield) I try to get the best grade I can afford. The half dollars I have in CAPS albums. The nickels I have in cardboard flips, except the valuable ones I heat sealed in Saflip flips. I mainly collect silver bullion and a very small amount of gold. I indulge myself in a lot of the semi-numismatic silver bullion in addition to the regular bullion. So that is my story. I like shiny things. So to answer your question, I collect all the dates, mints and proofs, except in some of the older nickels, it is not financially possible. Edited by HappyHippo
07/28/2021 07:28 am
|
|
Pillar of the Community
United States
5825 Posts |
My suggested strategy: Select a time period. Select a country. -- a particular face value OR-- a type set Select a minimum grade (I suggest) -- AU or MS for 20th & 21st century coins -- F or VF for older coins For US coins the Red Book is VERY helpful for planning your goals. |
|
Pillar of the Community
United States
2869 Posts |
I find what I can crh then will get what I don't have.
|
|
Pillar of the Community
United States
3848 Posts |
At the beginning of each year, I make a list of the top ten coins I would like to buy. This year I am focusing on completing and upgrading my type set, plus a couple key dates.
I also keep lists on 3x5 cards of the dates I need to complete books. I keep those cards in my wallet so I can look at them anytime I need them. I buy a lot more than 10 coins a year though, when I find good deals and hole fillers here and there for great prices.
The main goal for my top ten list is to get quality coins, and to not compromise for cheaper coins.
Suffering from bust half fever. Want to learn how to attribute early half dollars by die variety? Click Here: http://goccf.com/t/434955Shoot me a PM if you are looking to sell bust halves. |
|
New Member
United States
31 Posts |
When I was young and still a dreamer I would collect everything I could get my hands upon hoping that when I grew old that they would be worth a lot of money. We all know how that turned out. Now that I am getting old, at 62 some would say I already made it to old, I get roll coins in the best condition I can afford. Rolls of uncirculated, au, as well as mint and proof sets are what I like now.
I occasionally like to give away a few of these to friends and acquaintances because we don't live forever, and I like to spread a little cheer before I go. People will have nice memories of me and that is what I truly want after I go. Nice thoughts of me. We have a limited time available, most of us have no idea how much time that is, and we should make the best use of it. For me, coin collecting is a big part of that.
Now that I have turned a simple question into a life lesson, my apologies for being sentimental.
|
|
Bedrock of the Community
United States
20753 Posts |
Check out the security systems of all the coin stores in your area. Then go there when closed and help yourself.  Just kidding. Please don't do that. |
|
Pillar of the Community
United States
1613 Posts |
 I began collecting back in the mid-seventies filling a blue Whitman board with Lincoln's and another with Buffalo nickels to get the Boy Scout badge. Over the years, the hoard as I call it now, was done one series at a time. Since I'm primarily a raw kind of collector, most in Air-tite holders and several albums. So I have quite a few complete series going back into the late 1800's. The best advice I could have is to keep it simple and keep at it. ANA member - PAN Member - BCCS Member There are no problems only solutions - the late, great John Lennon
Edited by Ballyhoo
07/28/2021 9:30 pm
|
|
Valued Member
United States
216 Posts |
|
|
New Member
United States
4 Posts |
I have learned over the years is to be opportunistic. If you are working on a single collection and are being selective (which you should be), you may not make a purchase at a show at all. If working multiple collections then you can switch gears and may find something suitable for that collection. This weekend I went to the VNA show in Fredericksburg Va looking for Buffalo nickels but came home with 3 nice Civil war tokens. |
|
Pillar of the Community
United States
1316 Posts |
Dabble around without spending much money and discover what appeals to your soul. That is different for so many of us. Some like to fill albums, some are working on a goal for which there is no album. Some want to compete for highest grade, others just grab what catches their eye. Some have county themes, other have denominational themes, others have date themes. So what tickles your fancy?
After that, educate yourself on what are quality pieces and which are damaged. Learn the keys and understand the commons. Then pick up what you can as your budget and opportunity allows. I think that for those who have been around a while in the hobby (there are some on this board doing this for over 50 years) that it's been leaned the hobby isn't often sprint. A general rule of thumb is the get the best quality that can be afforded rather than low grade for quantity. The longer I've been doing this, the more I've understood this principle and been patient; few coins are truly rare.
Edited by Collects82
09/25/2021 10:00 pm
|
|
Pillar of the Community
United States
3342 Posts |
Collect what interests you. While you're doing that, you'll see other interesting things. Then collect those.
For me this has repeated too many times to count. I have never completed a series of anything. If I had focused on that I wouldn't have a daric, or California fractionals, or Spanish colonial cobs, or etc etc etc..... They're all still interesting, too.
"Two minutes ago I would have sold my chances for a tired dime." Fred Astaire
|
|
Pillar of the Community
 United States
5177 Posts |
I just finished my 20th Century US Type set and my historical Netherlands Gulden set (1815-2001). The coins in those sets are typically proof or AU, respectively. I searched for coins with good eye appeal. In both cases it took me about a year to completion. Currently, I am working on filling a Statehood Quarter album with silver proofs. My goal is to buy the silver proof sets for close to melt as possible. If that takes a lot of time that's ok with me. I'm not in a rush. |
|
Pillar of the Community
United States
1694 Posts |
I collect what interests me. I have a nice mix of Morgans . Many BU and AU , A few harder vams and tougher years in VF I collect AU Peace dollars Also AU Conder Token. And also have a few examples of many different coins . |
|
New Member
United States
6 Posts |
Great question. I have a few suggestions. Start with one type of coin and learn as much about that series as you can. Knowledge is important when you buy, very important when you sell, and take times to gain. Rather than attempting to complete an entire set, I would suggest focusing on the key dates in the best condition and grade you can afford. The common dates will always be available but the key dates are the challenge and hold value. Last, find a dealer or two that you can trust and will help you. Good luck.
|
|
Pillar of the Community
United States
9792 Posts |
JRock23 And excellent advice! Hits the nail on the head on all points. "Buy the Book Before You Buy the Coin" - Aaron R. Feldman - "And read it" - Me 2013! ANA Life Member #3288 in good standing since 1981, ANS, Early American Coppers Member (EAC), Colonial Coin Collectors Club member (C4), Conder Token Collector Club member (CTCC), Civil War Token Society (CWTS) member, Liberty Seated Collectors Club (LSCC) & Numismatic Bibliomania Society member (NBS), USMex, Member in good standing, 2¢ variety collector. See my want page: http://goccf.com/t/140440 |
| |
Replies: 16 / Views: 3,450 |
Posted 07/28/2021 09:43 am
