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 Replies: 19 / Views: 3,544 |
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New Member
United States
34 Posts |
Hello everyone. I'm just looking for advice. I have been dabbling here and there the past several years with collecting coins. I have a small collection, but I'm looking to step my collecting up a notch. Before now, I had no "method behind my madness" when I collected coins. I just grabbed anything that appealed to me. Now, I want to try focusing a little more and narrow my collecting down. I want to try to collect a nice set, I'm leaning towards a date set, but I'm not sure which coin (type) to focus on. I'm thinking maybe the Two Cent coin, or maybe the Liberty nickel (minus the 1913 of course). I would appreciate any advise on other types. Thanks. |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3294 Posts |
Well, there are a lot of factors to consider. One would be budget. If you are on a low end budget, I have heard that Ike dollars, JFK halves, TJ nickels, FDR dimes are all good choices. If you have a higher budget, Liberty nickels are nice, with a couple of higher priced coins, the 1885, 1886 and 1912S, but those are much lower priced coins then say the 1909 SVDB penny, or the 1916 Standing quarter. Personally, I am working on a VF+ typeset (with all but the really early stuff XF or AU) and an AU Peace dollar set. That way, you can collect a wide variety of coins. |
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Moderator
 United States
23731 Posts |
 to the community, You might consider a date set of Morgan silver dollars in BU condition also. With the exception of CC mint and the key dates you can still have a very nice collection at a reasonable price per coin. Edited by echizento
03/05/2010 3:12 pm
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1372 Posts |
The most "unloved" coin series' where the classics are concerned are probably the 3 cent nickel, and to a lesser extent the Half Dimes. There's less competition for them, so deals are to be had occasionally by those who are diligent. I could easily be sucked into specializing in Half Dimes....and am going to have to be careful not to. You might consider a real nice type set. That's a life long proposition, and caters to your eclectic and changing tastes a bit....without having to consider yourself "flaky" or disorganized. Chance |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
952 Posts |
you have 2 main factors to consider:
1) the amount of $$ you have or will have to spend?
2) what coins or coins appeal to you the most?
If you aren't sure on the second q, go to a coin shop and start looking at a lot of diff coins......I would bet something jumps out @ you like it does to most others. Then you look at the cost of that denom/type and go from there.
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Moderator
United States
23522 Posts |
In the end analysis, it all boils down to this: Quote:
I just grabbed anything that appealed to me. You got it right the first time, right there. We can give advice until we're blue in the face, but the smartest thing for you to do remains to buy what appeals to you. If your desires and interest are a little....um....scattershot - not that I'd know  - try a Type Set. |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
709 Posts |
First off, you will need to assess your collecting methodology and what your collecting objectives are. Questions to ask. Are you an accumulator? Are you collecting to please yourself? Are you collecting in the hopes of building a nest egg for your children? Yourself in old age? These objectives help determine what you want to collect and on what budget. As to what to collect? I put together a 28 coin Morgan dollar date set in uncirculated condition. I started the set in my early teens and through all the trials of growing up, going to college, getting married, paying on the mortgage, putting children through college finished it last year. I was slow but I did finish it. You must want something that pleases you and something you can be proud of when you finish. Find that and you will enjoy the pleasure of being a true hobbyist. |
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New Member
 United States
34 Posts |
All great advice! Thank you all. I'm reading a lot of coin books, magazines, and on-line articles. As mentioned, I want to be a little more focused and/or organized with my collection. I haven't decided which direction to go yet, but I update my progress here. I'm going to a coin show in 2 weeks and as MDH157 mentioned, hopefully a type will jump out at me.
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
20753 Posts |
TO THE FORUMMMMMMMMM As to advise on what to do about collecting coins. 1. Don't listen to others, just do what you feel like doing 2. Collect what you can afford. 3. Put then in Albums, 2x2's, plastic rolls or again, what ever YOU prefer. 4. If uncertain, just package up what you already have and send to me. Your presently doing what I started out doing over 60 years ago. I too was always trying to figure out what to collect next. I'm still trying to figure out what to collet next. I'm sure that if I asked that question like you just did, I'd get a real lot of answers but then just go back to collecting what I want, when I want, how I want anyway. You should probably purchase a Red Book or go to a coin show and just look, look, look around. My problem with even this is what I like today, may well bore me tomorrow. Now have well over 100 Whitman Albums and most filled. Possibly should start on the next 100 Albums. Unlike Beanie Babies, Hot Wheel Cars, sporting cards, there is a massvie amount and variety of coins out there. |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
531 Posts |
Vince, thought I'd throw my Two Cents in, about collecting Two Cent Pieces. I'v closing in on my third set, in proof. The Two Cent Piece is a short series yes, but be sure to look at pricing in the grade you are targeting. Some of these can get pricy. A very interesting period in US history if that is an interest for you. I agree with the suggested type set option. This would expose you to a wide variety of coins, you could, for example, go with either a 19th or 20th Century set to start with. You would be able to shop a whole series of coins to find the one you like to represent that series, lots more choices on availability and cost. What ever you decide, have fun, and only, as you said "Buy What You Like" |
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New Member
United States
25 Posts |
I'm new to collecting but I agree to buy what you like, I have started a few different collections I'm working on but I seem to be always going back to lincoln wheats so that is my primary focus. Good luck and just remember to do what you enjoy and it will last a lifetime.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
709 Posts |
Since you are seeking advise, focus on what you like. You. after all, are the final arbiter of what you like and what pleases you.
Collecting is not a race to see who can get there first.
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
20753 Posts |
Quote:
Since you are seeking advise, focus on what you like. You. after all, are the final arbiter of what you like and what pleases you.
Collecting is not a race to see who can get there first.
Maybe not getting there first but when you get to my age, it is sort of a race but with mother time you know.   |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2757 Posts |
I didn't read every response in detail, but I recommend Indian cents. They are plentiful, the majority are inexpensive, and they're fun to collect. Try getting a set from 1880 to 1909 in F to XF (minus the 1909-S and maybe even the 1908-S). There are lots of lower grade Indians out there, many that have been cleaned - just be a little picky and get ones with at least a partial LIBERTY and no damage, and you'll be happy with them. I'm not telling you what to do, just telling you what I like to do. |
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Valued Member
United States
312 Posts |
When I was a young lad, many many many years ago, my grandmother used to give us a silver dollar( Ike dollars) when we passed a grade in school. I put them away and held on to them, all 8. I started seriously collecting when I was 14. Began studying, and learning about coin grades, older coins, such as Morgans, Peace, SLQ's, War Nickels, etc. I bought my first Morgan in a local auction(surprising how many small town auctioneers lack serious knowledge on coin values). My advice for you, since you're just starting out, is start out small, like I did. Some older coins, Cents, Half Dimes, can be a bit pricey. Set a budget for yourself. Get a copy of R. S. Yeoman's The Official Red Book: A Guide Book of United States coins 2010, Barnes & Nobles carries copies for around $14.95, and a lot of numismatists consider it to be bible on coin pricing. Very easy to understand, and the format is great, color coded sections for each type of coin, along with mentions of known errors, grading, etc. It's a must have tool for any collector, IMHO. And being a member of a coin group, such as this site, is a great source of information. I have yet to be steered wrong by anyone's opinion or advice here. I've learned a lot in the few short weeks I've been here. Good luck to you in your new, and very addicting (LOL) hobby. |
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New Member
United States
34 Posts |
Well, I've conducted lots and lots of research and looked at what seems like a million coins! And, as mdh157 mentioned, a coin jumped right out at me and I'm very excited over it. I'm going with the large cent, focusing mostly on Matron Heads and Braided Hair. I love the design(s), colors, tones and history behind them. They really did jump out at me :) The Matron Head VF-20's (later date EF-40's) are in my price range as well at the Braided EF-40's.
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Replies: 19 / Views: 3,544 |
Posted 03/05/2010 2:23 pm
