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 Replies: 12 / Views: 1,642 |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
516 Posts |
So, I kind of stumbled onto coin collecting a few weeks ago when looking for a new hobby. And I have to admit, I really seem to have taken a liking to it. There's something really special about having a coin that's 150 years old right in front of you and imagining what it's history is. I've really started with quarters.. They just seemed like the ideal place to start to me. So far I have: 1853 Seated Liberty quarter - F/VF 1854 Seated Liberty quarter - VF 1856 Seated Liberty quarter - F 1876cc Seated Liberty quarter - EF/AU 1898 Barber quarter - VF 1904 Barber quarter - G 1908 Barber quarter - G 1913 Barber quarter - G 1915 Barber quarter - F 1927 Standing Liberty quarter - F 1958d Washington quarter1959d Washington quarterAnd I've inherited a few indian head pennies, Mercury dimes, half dollars, and silver dollars from various places over the years. I'm feeling a little overwhelmed though at the present. It seems like I'm trying to collect too many things.. I've just recently seen people doing the 7070 collection, which seems interesting to me. I like to stay in the $5-$40 range per coin, but can go up to several hundred if it's an important coin or to finish a set. Any advice on something for a beginner to take on? Any collections based on what I have an seem to like that I might be overlooking? Also - I've only been buying off of ebay so far. What are some of your other favorite sites to buy from? I'm thrilled to have stumbled onto this forum. There's SO much great information here. Thanks for any responses! |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1055 Posts |
If you are still uncertain on which series you really enjoy the 7070 (Dansco's version of a US type set) may be a good place to learn about a large variety of series and figure out which one you favor the most. However the 7070 is an expensive adventure in VF-AU+++ If you know that you like quarters, there are great series for you there, maybe start out with a type set quarters draped bust, capped bust, seated, barber, liberty, washington... The seated liberties would be a difficult set to complete as it is very long with many rare dates. The barber set would be very impressive in VF-XF. The Standing Liberties are a short series but still got the 1916 kicker. In the end it is really all up to what you like and enjoy to collect. In the end it is your money! (pun intended). Oh and  |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1409 Posts |
I was also going to point out that it seems you have an affinity towards the quarters, so that my be your best starting point.
Many (me 2) think the Barbers are fairly neglected with everyone loving either Seated or Standing Liberty's so much, and that may be a great starting point for you. You can build a really nice XF or better set for far less than you can with the Seated Liberty's or even the Standing Liberty's when you add in the cost of a F or better 1923S and a G4 1916.
Good luck and welcome to the boards!
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Rest in Peace
United States
4849 Posts |
Quote:
Many (me 2) think the Barbers are fairly neglected with everyone loving either Seated or Standing Liberty's so much, and that may be a great starting point for you. You can build a really nice XF or better set for far less than you can with the Seated Liberty's or even the Standing Liberty's when you add in the cost of a F or better 1923S and a G4 1916. I've got to disagree with you here afcop. The Barber quarter series is way tougher than the Standing Liberty quarter series in my opinion due specifically to the three major keys(1896-s, 1901-s, 1913-s). The 1901-s is a major showstopper, and is as valuable as an entire slq set(including the 1916) in many of the circulated grades. The 1901-s is actually way more rare than the 1916 quarter as far as surviving specimens are concerned even though the actual mintage is marginally higher. Then throw in the 1913-s and 1896-s quarters, and the barber series turns into a very challenging set. Anyways, I like the slqs a lot better personally and I avidly collect them. The barbers are relatively easy to find and attractively priced outside of those 3 major keys, and they have an attractive look when circulated. I suppose it would be an easier set to complete as purely a "date" set as opposed to a "date and mintmark" set. I don't know much about Seated Liberty coins, and most people collect them as type instead of as a series; but a complete set of those would be a phenomonal accomplishment as well. My recommendation is to learn basics about each individual series and then collect what you like. As cownas said too, a type set is a great way to start and learn. Welcome and enjoy are AWESOME hobby!  Edited by johnny54321
04/12/2010 4:15 pm
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2661 Posts |
I say collect what you like.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
812 Posts |
I'm very impressed with your collection after only being into it for a few weeks. I think you may be hooked! I recommend that your next purchase be in the $10 range: a RedBook (A Guide Book of United States coins by R. S. Yeoman) ... assuming you don't already have one. They are published every year (2011 just came out) and are an indispensable guide to U.S. coins. As a price guide, it is only mediocre, but as a reference book it is superb. I think that would be a good place to begin your search for what coin series you want to pursue. |
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Valued Member
United States
149 Posts |
Quarters are a favorite of mine. Speaking of the 01-S Quarter, there are arguably 20-40 Seated quarters that are tougher than the 01-S Quarter but the price remains low because not many people will go after a complete set. I recently spoke with someone that completed a large cent set, all the barber sets (minus the obvious 94-s dime), Seated half dollar set, attempted the Seated quarters for about 2 months and stopped because there are some real rarities in the set. I do not believe the Barber quarters are neglected by any means. It is a challenging set to put together. And don't get me wrong, I am trying to take nothing away from the 01-S Quarter as it is tough, but it is fully priced versus a lot of the underpriced seateds. People like to fill the holes in their books, so sets with only one of two stoppers is much more collected than those with some major rarities. But enough on that... Tim is right on. Collect what you like. I personally like quarters. A lot of people like One Cents, some nickels, some dollars... It might be best to start with a type set and get some attractive examples, and go from there (so you can have one of everything and figure out what you would like to collect from there) My advice, buy problem free coins(not cleaned, not damaged). They are getting harder and harder to find all the time with a lot of people trying to mess with XFs and AUs to try to turn them in to UNCs. It can be very tricky to tell the cleaned from the uncleaned... but the ones that are unnatural, stay away! So if you are going to get in to this addicting hobby, educate yourself, buy quality because good stuff will always be good stuff, junk will always be junk. At least that's how I feel... |
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Pillar of the Community
 United States
516 Posts |
What are some of the best resources to educate myself on finding which coins are cleaned, polished, dipped, counterfeit? This board? :) I already have the 2011 red and blue books on the way to me. I already have some web pages I use online for estimates, but it's really tough to find out exactly what I want and also the grading standards for each type of coin. Are there any great starter books for nuministics? Or any great resources for topics like I mentioned above (cleaned, polished,etc)? Thanks again! I'm starting to think Barber quarters and a few type sets might be the way I want to start. The 7070 typeset really intrigues me, but I'm afraid that might be biting off quite a bit for a beginner. |
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Rest in Peace
United States
4849 Posts |
Another great online resource is the Heritage auction archives. You can find huge pictures of certified examples of almost any coin in any grade! Also go to coin shows and shops and look at many coins in hand. I recommend looking at a lot of certified coins to help learn what TPGs deem as grading criteria and problem free, and this is one of the best ways to learn imo.
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Valued Member
United States
149 Posts |
The 7070 is a good way to go, because the most expensive coins to fill the type will be the Seated and Trade dollars (as to which there are A LOT of fakes out there)... but you can get in to some Seated dollars in the $200 range. Cleaning... is a very iffy topic. Often times, coins will be polished and give off an unnatural shine. Natural would be the cartwheel luster you see when you turn the coin in the light. If the whole coin glares back at you and is not a proof, it has probably been improperly cleaned... that is when it's easy to tell. Now coins that have been dipped can be nearly impossible to tell... which is why I have no problem buying a dipped coin (depending on how it is done). Dipping is when it has just been put in some cleaning solution, rinsed, and that is it. I may get flamed for saying this but that does not bother me at all. People are all about trying to get dirt off with acetone... same thing IMO. But when a coin has been abrasively cleaned is a whole 'nother issue. As for grading, you can check out http://oimcoins.com. It is not complete but should be within another week or two. You can also find the counterfeit section on that site. Hope this helps! |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
812 Posts |
There are two books on grading that I recommend: American Numismatic Association Grading Standards for United States coins (Kenneth Bressett) and Making the Grade (Beth Deisher). The former covers every series and is generally considered the "industry standard." The latter covers the 50 most collected series and has better pictures. |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1409 Posts |
Hey guys - thanks for correcting me on the Barber quarters vs. Standing Libs. Guess where I am the people I talk to seem to all be doing either of the SLQ sets rather than the Barbers and I didn't factor that 01S either. I also recommend picking up the new RedBook. Not so much for pricing, but for guidance, pictures, and grading info. |
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Valued Member
Philippines
386 Posts |
Hi Maprince'
When I started our hobby a couple of decades ago, I bought a book about the currency I planned to deal into and had lots and lots of reading. We are all lucky now that we have this forum to lean into.
My opinion for starters, get some coin magazines and book first to study the coin you want to buy, its rarities on year type. Then look for the best possible nicer grade coin of that type you can afford to buy. That way all your coins in your album soon will have a special place in your heart - all of them as your favorites. Goodluck
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Replies: 12 / Views: 1,642 |
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Posted 04/12/2010 3:27 pm
