I really have read countless books and can easily grade most non gold coins swithout ease. Grading took me the longest without using a book to keep on researching on every coin, but I do get tricked, and quarter eagles are impossible for me to grade, but i can estimate. Your advice has been repeated many many times to me, and my collection is rather small. I really am feeling more like I dont know what to read in coin books anymore. Is there anything new? And yes I do know about Numismaster.
But do you NEED to spend the money? Is someone going to put you in jail for saving your money? Your asking US what to spend YOUR money on. If this is in fact that case as I see it, Save it! Or, go find a series you want to collect long term
Have you read the definitive book for each coin series? Do you know what date/mm comes like typically from the mint? Do you of any overdates for every coin date? This is the benefit of KNOWLEDGE, not a cursory reading of a book. I am not picking on you, trying to teach you the difference. Someone who knows a coin series knows if a 54s dime usually comes mushy, so a well struck specimen is a great find. S/he knows lots of very specific, detailed information on what s/he collects. There is TONS to learn above and beyond beginner books, red books, etc. Those only scratch the surface. You are only beginning to learn something about coins. That is not meant to be condescending to a child, but is what I tell anyone who has only been collecting a few years. I have been reading about coins for 35+ years, and started about your age, and learn new things every day.
Generically for US coins I would say Breen. But I would concentrate on coins specific to the series you are collecting, so Overton if you like CBH, WB if you like SL halves, Valentine for half dimes, etc etc. Trust me, a Redbook is fine for someone who knows nothing about US coin, but its not a true book of knowledge for most coins. Its a beginners books, nothing more or less. I had the same thoughts as you, when I was younger I read a lot and thought I had learned "everything" there is to know about US coins. You say you can grade "easily". Heck, it took me all of these years to get as good at grading as I am today, and even then I am off a little. Are you saying you could take a bag of nickels, (5000), and grade every single one of them the same as a dealer? You wouldn't miss any damage, cleaned coins, etc? I know its hard, its easy to become self convinced of yoru own knowledge. Whenever I feel that way I collect something else for a while, and come back to it and know how little I really knew. Short of buying a book, I would suggest picking a coin series and REALLY reading about them. Know every date/mm, how they were struck, what are condition rarities in the series, etc. You mentioned "semi-key" mercury dimes. How scarce is that date in that grade? Did you know in mint state the 16s is actually rarer than the 16d? If you wish to be intelligent in mercury dimes, you better darn well know that, as well as a lot of other facts. Does this help you predict the future? No, but it helps more than it hurts. Just friendly advice, hope you take it that way. Chris
Some of that information is offensive, but I get your point. Ill look forward to reading this so called Breen book, although I never heard of it. Thank you for your information, and I never ever said I even think I know everything!
Let me predicate my answer by writing that I don't believe you know what you want and don't believe you understand as much as you think you understand. Neither of those statements is meant in any way as a slam, but reading your posts illustrates to me large gaps in knowledge and/or experience. Now, please allow me to get to my answer. Education is great; heck, I even have a PhD so you know I value education, but real world ownership and experience can trump lots of reading and studying. There is a time for research and there can be a time for spending. These two times need not be mutually exclusive. My opinion, based upon this thread, is that you don't have a good feel for what you want or for what direction you may be pulled. This is fine. Spend your funds. Buy some coins you find interesting. After a while you will likely not feel as interested in those coins, but that happens to most everyone. The experience of finding a coin, buying it, studying it and then either putting it aside, returning to it again and again or selling it (likely at a loss) will teach you tons. Therefore, while knowledge might be King, there is something to be said for experience, too.
No offense, but you seem to have a questionable attitude for such a young fellow. In post #23, Chris said that he has been reading for over 35 years and is still learning, and the same goes for many of us. Don't worry about trying to look at if you know more than the next guy. You said you've been collecting for three years and there is only so much one can accomplish in so little time. As I've said many times before; there is no shame in being a newbie, so wear the badge with honor. If you are serious, it may be best if you tell us which books you have read, and the areas that interest you the most. I am sure many here would be happy to make recommendations. While I commend you if you really have read/studied as much as you claim, my advice has been oft repeated for good reason; it is solid and worthwhile advice.
I would not buy Breen's book. It is dry, it is dated and it has errors within the text. Besides, finding a copy might blow through $125 or so of your budget.
Oh come on, the Breen book looks awesome but it costs 250 bucks.I heardlots of articles, about having the breen book complete and free online, is that trustable, and does it work? I followed all the steps, and it sends me to a blank page when I click Index of Contents..
The Breen book is protected by copyright laws and it was online without authorization. Therefore, it was removed. If someone puts it online again then it will also likely be done without gaining permission first.
I would not like to do that, and I want to put a great start. Is it that everybody collects one specific coin, or everybody collects one type of coin and some extras? Or should I choose a coin that I really want to become like an expert with? If so, this sounds exciting!
Never meant to offend, simply going off of: "I really have read countless books and can easily grade most non gold coins swithout ease." Read more: http://www.cointalk.com/t223422-2/#ixzz2M2qZXgln TomB is right about Breen, but I simply do not know of another all inclusive US book better. Of course, individual references are preferred. There IS a reason Breen is still desired and worth $125 a copy.
I think I have to choose between Morgan dollars, wheat pennies, or mercury dimes. (lol) The coolest thing ever and a really nice addition would be like a semi rare attractively toned mercury. Dang it I cant decided which coins the best. Im such a stupid kid. Sorry I mean which coin I PREFER the best. Sorry for the misunderstanding. Uggh.
Lol, if having a limited budget but unlimited coin wants is "stupid", I would imagine all of us here are idiots!
When I collect US coins, I was into SL and CB half dollars, half cents, and similar. Now I collect mainly ancients, specializing in Sassania, parthia, Kushan, hepthalite, sogdia, etc. I understand references are more important for my collecting habits than yours, but I still believe the US collectors who do the best are those with the specialty books and read them thoroughly.
