| Author |
 Replies: 12 / Views: 947 |
|
|
Valued Member
United States
113 Posts |
I seem to have analysis paralysis in deciding what to start with in US coins. I've been all over the board, Lincoln Cents, SBA's, Ike dollars, Kennedy halves, Franklin halves, Jefferson nickels, Washington quarters to Sacagawea dollars. Then that led me down the road to Proof Sets to get the proofs and then Mint Sets for uncirculated coins. I think a lot of it has to do with the internet, it's a mixed bag in researching what is available and what is a good price. I know eventually I want to get them all but was thinking the SBA's and Ike's are a smaller set so I can feel like I'm getting somewhere since I have a lot of catching up to do. |
|
|
|
Valued Member
 United States
113 Posts |
I want the best I can afford MS65 or better but online usually just lists coins as BU or Choice BU and use a stock photo so I don't know what I'm actually getting. Since they are common coins no one really takes the time to photograph a coin they are going to sell cheap or charge more if they do. Some have suggested getting OBW rolls and pick out the best coin but then what do I do with leftovers since that can get expensive to start out. How do you source them, the ones I saw online was by date and mint mark and were pricy since that's a lot of dates to have to get, unless I'm mistaken on how to go about it.
|
|
Moderator
 United States
162946 Posts |
Quote:... was thinking the SBA's and Ike's are a smaller set so I can feel like I'm getting somewhere since I have a lot of catching up to do. This is the correct choice, at least from my biased point of view.  Quote:
I want the best I can afford MS65 or better but online usually just lists coins as BU or Choice BU and use a stock photo so I don't know what I'm actually getting. It can be challenging. Good thing is that Ikes (and modern coins in general) are not expensive, so you can afford to make some mistakes along the way. Take your time and do not rush to build your set. Enjoy the journey. 
|
|
Valued Member
United States
113 Posts |
Quote:
This is the correct choice, at least from my biased point of view. I thought you might agree 
|
|
Pillar of the Community
United States
2148 Posts |
I think a lot of the problem with moderns is that the price guides are so very wrong. The RedBook and Greysheet list prices that are just stupid low. If you go out to buy most of these coins you'll find they often can't be had at what are supposed to be retail prices. Sure, you can find a lot of MS-60 or MS-63 coins but you can't find something like a nice attractive '82-P quarter at anything like RedBook pricing. I'm told next year all these problems will be fixed and then all the price guides will probably fall in line. In the meantime just pay up for the real market or wait until next year. Even BU coins can be much higher than what is reported. There are cases where wholesale BU is actually higher than the MS-65 retail pricing! But shop around a little and don't overpay. The trick to modern collecting is to look at as many coins as you can. Don't just send away for something. You might get what you pay for but the odds are against you. Time don't fly, it bounds and leaps.
|
|
Pillar of the Community
United States
2148 Posts |
Quote:
I want the best I can afford MS65 or better but online usually just lists coins as BU or Choice BU and use a stock photo so I don't know what I'm actually getting. Such coins will be run of the mill at best usually. They'll just be taken out of a roll but that roll will almost never any real Gems in it. In some cases it will even have sliders and AU-55. Expect MS-63 in most cases. There are dealers who offer Gems but they're at much higher prices. Don't assume all these coins are good deals. Collectors are advised to sell a coin from time to time to learn what coins are really worth. You don't want to assemble a $1000 collection and then find out the market value is far lower. It's far harder to sell moderns for fair value because most dealers only offer face value or bullion value for moderns. You need to sell them to a modern dealer to find what they are worth. Moderns are tough and they get no respect. This might not change even after they fix the RedBook.
Time don't fly, it bounds and leaps.
Edited by cladking
04/01/2025 4:46 pm
|
|
Valued Member
United States
52 Posts |
I didn't start truly enjoying coin collecting until I set some clearly defined, attainable, and actionable goals.
Don't keep moving the goalposts. Make a plan, and stick with it until the very last coin on your list is in your possession.
What a deeply satisfying thrill it was for me to actually complete my United States coin and currency collection as planned, make up a custom album for it, and then proudly show it to my coin-collecting friends and relatives.
The next addition to my collection may be a Canadian type set, but I'm in no rush to do so--I'm quite pleased to stand pat and periodically marvel at what I've already accomplished.
The only active collecting I'm doing nowadays is from circulation. Take it from me...when your "serious" collection has no holes left to fill, it makes it even more fun to build a casual collection of material found at face value.
|
|
Pillar of the Community
United States
1822 Posts |
You can build a complete Ike set BU and Proof (32 coins without the varieties) for about $200 or a little more. You can build a Anthony dollar set BU and Proof (15 coins without the varieties) for under $100. Both sets are easy with starting and ending points. Another area you may want to explore is building a 20th and 21st century type set. A nice variety of cents thru dollars from Indian cent to modern dollar.    Edited by MisterT
04/02/2025 05:46 am
|
|
Valued Member
United States
113 Posts |
Quote:
didn't start truly enjoying coin collecting until I set some clearly defined, attainable, and actionable goals. Yeah I just need to pick one and get started. Funny I actually started collecting coins when I was 12. Back then it was just what you found in change or I'd get some rolls from the bank. Occasionally my Dad would take me to the Coin Shop in the town over from us. My choices then was just what I could afford from saving my allowance.
|
|
Valued Member
United States
113 Posts |
Quote:
Another area you may want to explore is building a 20th and 21st century type set. I've always enjoyed a nice Type coin set. I see your album has a Birth Year Set, hadn't seen that before. I'm lucky mine is '68 so I can just get a proof set dirt cheap
|
|
Valued Member
United States
52 Posts |
Quote:
I've always enjoyed a nice Type coin set. I see your album has a Birth Year Set, hadn't seen that before. I'm lucky mine is '68 so I can just get a proof set dirt cheap A type set of coins is what I ended up going with. Combined with the coinage and currency that I inherited from my grandparents, it makes for an interesting collection with great sentimental value. If you're selective about what you procure and make an artful presentation of the collection once completed, the end result can be very satisfying indeed.
|
|
Pillar of the Community
United States
2015 Posts |
Quote:
I didn't start truly enjoying coin collecting until I set some clearly defined, attainable, and actionable goals. Sounds like you just came from a Tony Robbins seminar!
|
|
Moderator
United States
162946 Posts |
Quote:Sounds like you just came from a Tony Robbins seminar!
|
| |
Replies: 12 / Views: 947 |
|
Posted 04/01/2025 3:09 pm
