Brand new collector not knowing much lol

stonecoldvenom · 01-07-2009, 05:08 PM

Hey all my name is Daniel and I just started collecting coins. I told my dad I wanted to start a new hobby and for christmas he gave me the few coins he had as a christmas present. I have a couple morgan's and some slabbed silver eagles and a few others. I would like some advice on what I should start doing first or any other info I would need. Been reading the forums for about a week and finally decided to join. Thanks for reading and I'm glad to be here and look forward to keep adding to my collection.

**Peter T Davis** · 01-07-2009, 05:16 PM

Welcome to CoinTalk Daniel!

randygeki · 01-07-2009, 05:51 PM

Welcome to ct

Hobo · 01-07-2009, 06:47 PM

Welcome to CT, Daniel.

I recommend that you first buy a Red Book and read it. Next find a coin series that you like (e.g., Morgan Dollars, Indian Head Cents, etc.), buy a book on that series and learn all you can before going out and buying coins. Also you need to learn how to grade coins.

4largecents · 01-07-2009, 08:09 PM

Welcome to CT Daniel, I agree with Hobo, you should, by all means get you a Red Book and read it.

I personally use a Red Book all the time, and it can be purchased at most any book store. Once again, welcome.

covert coins · 01-07-2009, 08:32 PM

I think everyone here started the same way you are. I believe we have also learned that reading about coins and asking questions is what has really expanded our knowledge. Like previous people have said read all you can it will help you the most. Start with something fun and easy like pennies or nickels 1950 or later it is a good place to start. Welcome aboard.

stonecoldvenom · 01-07-2009, 08:32 PM

Thanks for the replies guys. I will definatly buy a red book and hobo or anybody else how would I go about learning to grade? One last question for you guys. I know the better the condition the better the coin but how do the conditions go? What goes in order? Proof, uncirculated, extra fine, fine, I don't know so could sombody clarify that for me that would be great. Like are the uncirculated coins the one's you would send to a grading company to get graded. Thanks for the welcomes everybody.

AdamL · 01-07-2009, 10:36 PM

Welcome! There are several books specifically about grading out there. Any one of them should be helpfull to you for learning to grade. I would suggest the official ANA grading standards book. And to answer your question, this is the order of the grades:

About good or AG, good or G, Very good or VG, fine or F, very fine or VF, extremely fine which is sometimes called EF but also XF, About uncirculated or AU, and uncirculated coins called MS which stands for mint state. Proof coins are different from the regular or business strike coins. Proofs are made differently specially for collectors and not for circulation.

**Mr. Coin Lover** · 01-08-2009, 01:54 AM

Welcome to Coin Talk. I think you gotten some good advice here already. One last thing, have fun doing it.

**De Orc** · 01-08-2009, 04:33 AM

Daniel welcome to CoinTalk and I agree with what the guy's have all said LOL just one thing though if you want to inject a bit more interest into your coin collection then pick up a few world coins LOL yes they exist from outside the US

You will be amazed at the diversity available and from what I can gather reading posts here on the forum forign coins do not cost a fortune in the US