I recommend buying a couple books first: The 2011 or 2012 (f it is out)Red Book, also get Striking it rich with your pocket change, the next edition of this comes out sometime in April, if you want to wait that long. Then depending on your budget I would get box of of each type of coin and see what you like best, get just a few rolls if you can't afford a box. (boxes come in 25 for pennies, 100 for nickels, 250 for dimes, 500 for quarters and halves, and I am not sure about dollars because I have yet to get one) Lastly, if you have the time go to a coin auction or show. You don't even have to buy anything, just see what is going on and ask questions. If you are shy I recommend an auction cause you get to look at the coins and they give you a list of what is available, and you see what kinda price they go for. If you aren't shy the show is better cause the dealers can and usually will give you more info. Oh yea welcome to the addiction!