Buy Key Dates First?

Good Idea if you can afford it. Most of us can afford a ten to twenty dollar coin every now and then but shelling out over a hundred dollers for say a Trade dollar or bust something isn't very realistic. So I would say if you can afford it its definitely the way to go.

I too have heard this from many people that you should buy all the key dates first. And too I agree that about 99.99% of all coin collectors start at the bottom and so they should. And that is because those 99.99% are the common people, working people, family people, etc that all need money for important things prior to a hobby. Food, gas for your car, insurances, etc are far more inportant to the masses than a rare coin. And too, most collectors acquire their coins from change and I haven't seen to many 1913 Liberty Head Nickels in change lately either.
I always disagree with that get the key dates first thing. I feel this is what someone that has no money problems would say. I've been collecting for well over 60 years and I still like the fun of finding or buying a normal, everyday, nice coin.
If and when I win the lotto I've run around saying everyone should buy only key date coins first.
In the meantime, everyone should remember this is a hobby. It is supposed to be relaxing, fun, time consuming and something to share with friends and family. Maybe a few home invators too at times.
My way of looking at coin collecting is to collect what you like, when you find it for what you want to pay, what and where to put them and of course not to show it to certain relatives that always have something better.

the "buy the key dates first" mentality comes from an investment standpoint, in the fact that they tend to appreciate the most due to collector demand. as stated above, this typically applies to those with deep pockets. If you are truly trying to complete a specific set, then this philosophy does apply because the keys are pretty much guaranteed to increase in value therefore making it that much harder to acquire later.

Coin collecting is not really about how much you spend, but more about how much you enjoy what your collecting and that you stay focused on your goals (this is actually harder than it sounds). maybe it should be stated to " buy semi-keys first" and then when you have decided that this is your passion you will have the will power to save up for the keys.

I completely agree that it's more "fun" to collect the common dates first.

Assume you want to spend $1500 to spend on a Lincoln Cent collection, but end up only affording $750.

What's more "fun", (1) getting the one S-VDB; or (2) all the rest, including the cheap-end die varieties and modern proofs?

I saw a guy's Liberty nickel collection on here a while back. The 1885 was immaculate, and the 190? was junk <= VG-8. That is just weird! But to each his own.