What to buy what to buy

Hey guys. I am new to coins. All i have so far is a franklin proof,barber half,and walking liberty,two mercury dimes,1 buffalo nickel and 9 wheat pennies. Im looking to spend hundreds yet obviously because im new and i dont wanna invest that kind of money if im not fully commited to it yet. Also because im 15 and have a somewhat small supply of money. Anyway i babysat recently and i have about 60 dollars saved up. I cant decide wether i want to buy like two or three decent coins or one really nice coin. What do you all think i should buy as an ammature collector. Im into us silver coins only. Mainly half dollars but any us coin reccomendations are amazingly appreciated. Thanks guy!!!
-ryan

 

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What makes you happiest in your current collection? Do you prefer historic significance?

 

Hmmm. Im reaally interested in older stuff like my barber half but i really love franklin halves because you can get proofs and uncirculateds for lower prices.

 

I am going to throw out a suggestion that is purely my opinion, but I have collected coins since I was a kid, and I hope you will think about it...

When you get into coins, you will probably find a coin or type that is your favorite, and right now it sounds like you are really zoned in on silver. Not a bad thing, but when you have a limited budget, you can get more for your money if you play it smart and realize you have a long life ahead to get better and better coins.

What I am getting at is that silver right now is at a very high price, so silver coins are much more expensive than when silver is on a low value cycle. There is a cycle where silver goes up and down in value. It takes a few years, but it will go back down sooner or later. Can't say when, if I could, I'd be rich, but it will happen.

Take a look at all US coins, even copper and nickel coins. I bet you fall in love with at least one type, and that'll give you something to collect while silver is high, and allow you to get much more for your money. My opinion is that now is the perfect time to build cent or nickel collections, then resume silver when the price drops.

Take it for what it is worth.

Also, never buy a coin with a problem, even if it is priced as such.
The value will never move much, and you will always notice the 'problem' when you should be enjoying the coin.
Problems are NOT reffering to good, honest wear... but holes, scratches, nicks, cleanings, fingerprints, or anything other than just wear.

 

I really like and understand your ideas. That sounds good. I understand the price of silver will go down eventually but since im not super interested in many coins besides silver i feel like spending any money on something else will only lead to dissapointment. If i stop buying silver i feel like ill buy some cool nickels or pennies and everytime i look at them ill think man i wish i had the money from these back to buy some silver. I know what your saying. That if i buy these now i can buy silver when the price drops and then ill have the best of both worlds but im new to coins and whos to say that ill still be collecting by the time silver drops in price. You know what i mean?

 

Hey, I understand more than you know!
I collected around 1980 (when I was 10), the last time silver was high like this, and no one could talk me out of buying what I wanted at any given moment, and I usually bought silver coins. I don't regret it, but just think a bit differently now.

I am not trying to talk you into anything that would give you regret. Just giving you food for thought!
Oh, and don't worry, once you start this hobby, you won't ever stop. It's addictive.

 

Haha. It is. Ever since i staed my eyes are glued to ebay. Ill definitly think about it. I can see why it would be a good idea i just loooooove silver half dollars lol

 

Started*

 

What year is your Franklin Proof, I have 1959, 1955, and 1961 all proofs.

 

Might I suggest you start collecting a set of Buffalo Nickels. It's a great set to start out with. Most of the coins are very affordable in mid grades. And it's one of the classic US coins. You've already got one, so you're on your way.

If you want to stick with a silver coin, try Mercury dimes. Also a great set to put together for your first set, the only stopper is the 1916 D, which will cost you around $800-900 in G4. All the others are very affordable in mid grades VF-EF. You've got two, so you've already started.

 

Yah im veeerrryyy interested in mercury dimes. I was thinking of buying one of those books with slots for each year snd trying to fill it. One of my mercs i got from my grandfather so im keeping that along with the buffalo nickel aside from my main collection. Im so mad though. When he passed away i found this set of 1936 coins wich included a walking liberty, washington quarter,mercury dime,buffalo nickel, and wheat penny. I was 10 and was clueless when it came to coins so i opened the plastic case and played with them. I lost everything accept the merc and buffalo. But yah the merc that i bought is uncirculated with full split bands

 

If you want to get the most out of your money and you are committed to silver coins. I would suggest you give "roll searching" a try. It can be tedious and dissapointing at times, but you can get silver coins at face value. It can be alot of fun.

Go to the bank and get 50 dollars in dimes and see what you can find. If you don't find any mercs or silver, cash them in and get more rolls.

Learn to pay attention to the condition of the coins and do some research and look for "key dates" and "mint errors"

Good Luck

 

Merc Dimes FTW.

 

Another idea for buying when silver is high: buy coins with a high numismatic value over spot. Some semi-key dates, you know. That way, when silver goes down, the coin itself won't lose as much value as, say, junk silver.

 

I will second Mercury Dimes. They fit your silver fixation, and almost all are extremely affordable. Another great thing about them is you can go out and buy a bunch of cheap lower grading coins and chances are they will still look incredible. I happen to like the way G-AU coins look over uncirculated. The way the lower grade ones tarnish, how they kind of get darkened on the fields and create accents on the design, to me atleast, look amazing.

 

I agree. The nicest coin this country has ever had, imho.

 

Nice, sound advice, Race!
Steve

 

I will never in my lifetime disagree with that statement sir. Instantly fell in love, and my first two were from a "junk" box. That's something to be said about the attractiveness of that coin. When I finish sampling coins, I will probably start a Mercury album.

Standing Liberty Quarters are a close second for me, but nowhere near as easy and all around affordable, for nice examples, as Mercury Dimes, which makes Mercs even better.

 

I might abandon Morgans for a year or so after I pick up an '85-O DMPL... So that I can divert funds towards starting a Merc Dime set... I dunno.

 

I only have five Mercs so far and I've been very tempted to buy more everytime I shop, but I have to stop myself because I'm still sampling to get a wide variety and go from there. There will be many more in my future though.