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 Replies: 21 / Views: 2,709 |
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New Member
United States
20 Posts |
Greetings and salutations,I'm new here. I have recently inherited my mothers coin collection, and may be picking some brains on value, rareness, collectability, etc. I am not going to let loose of any of them. just need to learn exactly what there standings and value are. Any suggestions as where to start looking please? |
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Valued Member
United States
290 Posts |
Red Book for starters, that's available at most book stores and coin stores. Most libraries have a few coin books in the reference section. You may also go to a coin store, with a couple of coins (just a few to feel the guy out) and pick his brain.
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Pillar of the Community
Canada
1082 Posts |
First of all, take a census and see what's there. It's amazing how many people there are out there that fancy themselves as "coin collectors" who turn out to be just accumulators. Big difference.
One of my aunt's boyfriends went through all the motions, had coin catalogues and all, let everyone know he was a "coin collector" -- when he died, we found that all he had really done was accumulate a bunch of circulated silver over the years and a bunch of junk foreign. Nothing was organized or stored in any way that would have anyone believe that he was a coin collector.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1179 Posts |
Most importantly  You'll find endless amounts of info here and make a few friends to boot! The answers you already received are about the best starting points. Look at getting some books and start organizing what you have. Trust me, you'll feel alot better if things are in order, plus it will make life easier when looking up values etc. Good luck! |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1228 Posts |
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Valued Member
United States
462 Posts |
Once or twice a month, we get a post very similar to this one. One was from me last fall. There is excellent advice given here. The best thing for me was to read the book "Coin Collecting for Dummies". It gives a good OVER VIEW of coin collecting without getting into too many specifics. It can be read in just a couple of hours and helps with understanding the basics. Next, the Red Book is probably the best reference book for US coins. Learning how to sort, how to store and how to organize are the best starts to this great hobby. I find it easier to start with one coin category, ie. cents, nickels, dollars, etc... and NOT try to learn them all, all at once. Learn how to grade one at a time. As you progress, it will be easier to learn each category as you go. You may find that you are drawn to one particular category and want to concentrate on that one. I recommend that you DO NOT buy any coins to add to the collection until you learn what is a good deal and what is not. Most of all, ENJOY the collection. |
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
17884 Posts |
Now that a couple of people have told you to get a RedBook, which is a very good suggestion, I think I should tell you what they are telling you to get. Because if you walk into a library, or bookstore and ask for a RedBook, you will be given a woman's magazine. What you want is "A Guidebook of United States coins" by R S Yeoman. It is commonly called "the RedBook" in the hobby because of its red cover. Most libraries do have a copy of it, sometimes in Reference where it can't be checked out, and sometimes in the circulating collection where you can check it out and use it at your leisure. Then if like it you can buy your own copy. |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3294 Posts |
And don't clean (ruin) them. Special cases excepted, 99.9% of the time, you will just reduce the value.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
5602 Posts |
WELCOME to the forum, You will find that just asking questions and reading some of the subject matter posted you will learn alot and do not be afraid to ask, we have all been there and with out knowledge you will not move ahead with the understanding you will come to have after a while, most of all this learning experience should be a fun and exciting part of collecting coins, be well and good luck, Mike...PS: Can you tell us what you have or describe the coins?
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1267 Posts |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1208 Posts |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1691 Posts |
Edited by atlashealth
01/22/2009 9:05 pm
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1807 Posts |
sparkyjim to the forum. |
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
19930 Posts |
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New Member
 United States
20 Posts |
Gentlemen, thank you very much for the valuable info. that you have all provided. as I am a veritable laimen in this field, any/all info. is great to me. In answer as to what I have: couple dozen circulated late 1800's to early 1900's dollars(morgan,peace,etc.) Mercury dimes, some nickels, many pennies.all circulated but in books. I need to get mentioned books and read to tell you exactly what they are. Also learn how to post pics of them per your requests. I also have over $800 in loose change from her gamblings. all current/not old, that I need to look through. in my searchings, I have seen many are worth more than face values. These I will sell to go to my moms' estate expenses. Question is...where do I sell them without "giving" them away? |
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Valued Member
United States
206 Posts |
sparkyjim.. Welcome! Of this 800 in change from gambling are they half dollars? If so, there are some NIFC (not intended for circulation) Kennedy half dollars that could be worth more than face value (of course it depends greatly on condition) Well.. nobody is giving anything away on Ebay- I think we'll all agree. I have a coin deal near me that I know and trust so I wouldn't hesitate to bring something to him for an evaluation.. HOWEVER, please use extreme caution if you bring these coins to a dealer. The last thing you want to do is sell him all those silver dollars at melt value when you may in fact have coins worth well over that amount. Good first step - make a list of what you have, and post it here. Good luck! |
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Replies: 21 / Views: 2,709 |
Posted 01/22/2009 08:34 am
