Getting the hang of world coins.

I was buying us coins here for a while now, but then even with a job, I just don't feel like I get much for my money. None of the modern US coins have any interest to me, save for just a couple commens.

But now that I have started collecting world coins, I love it! I like going to shows, sorting through a huge tub of world coins, and pulling out coins with interesting designs, or from the 20s, 30s, 40s, for 4 to 6 for one dollar.

But now I have been doing something a little different.

With each paycheck, I buy about 5-10lbs of world coins in bulk.

Last batch, I averaged 8 cents a coin.

I search them, pull out the ones I like, and resell them for 25 cents each. The ones that don't sell for a while, I put in bags of 6 for a buck. I sell them all at flea markets.

So no matter what I do, I make money selling them.

Not only am I making money, I essentially got any coins I picked out for free.

 

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This sounds like a great way to build a nice coin collection.......I'm going to try that to see what I can get.

 

Umm... that's a horrible business model. The goal should NEVER be to break even. You have to pay for a booth AND your labor costs. If you say you have no labor costs, you get what you pay for... and apparently, you're willing to work for pennies.

 

Thats what I have been doing for a while now. It really is fun to go thru a pile of coins like that. It opened my eyes to another whole avenue of collecting. There are so many great designs out there to collect. Post some photos of your finds! I'd really like to see what your coming up with.

 

Coins are not everything of what I sell, just a small part.

 

I am, 1909S VDB, 1909S, 1914D.....

 

Tim, like the idea. Also it helps you save some money for other stuff you want to do!!! BTW how's the job?

 

So far, so good.

 

Yeah, and it will only take you thousands of hours to find a not quite decent looking one...

 

I like that you are into world coins. I think you might be happier saving up for some really great world coins. buying by the pound is such a crap shoot. look for the ones that include some silver you'll be much happier.

 

Very cool.

It will be interesting to see how you store & display the coins as your collection expands. Here are a couple previous threads.

http://www.cointalk.com/t43465/

http://www.cointalk.com/t225023/

 

Nothing more pleasurable in my mind than getting your hands dirty pouring through piles and piles of coins. Yes, appreciating a fine coin is good too, but just something about piles and piles that puts a smile on your face.

Make sure you get the KM books Detecto. Its critical to know what coins you have, and their KM number.

 

In addition to noting the KM number and ASW, I often enjoy reading the description that Krause provides at the beginning of each country listing.

 

Many dealers have world coin "junk boxes" where coins are $0.25 or 5/$1.00

 

World collectors seem to be a much happier crowd too.

 

They can get hundreds of coins for very little money.

It's like that old Mystic Stamp Company ad that ran in Boys' Life so many years ago-- 220 world stamps for only 10 cents. I just loved getting that thick packet of stamps from all sorts of exotic places, including Japan (which isn't so exotic anymore). It's the same with getting a bag of world coins. Half the fun is identifying the countries represented in the bag.

 

And world collectors can choose numerous themes
or invent their own if they wish.

 

true that. I am much more focused on themes than I was 10 years ago. world coins are great in variety. I still love merc dimes, and buffalos, and U.S. gold. that will not change.

 

I have been into world coins for a while now, but still trying to get the hang of it. I mostly concentrate on German and Canadian silver, but find myself all over the place sometimes. As far as it being inexpensive, I would have to disagree. Glad to see you interested Detecto!

 

John that's the beauty of a MISC. section lol coins can get expensive. or can be a cheap as you want. as you get collecting for a while you will want better grades on coins which usually means more money. coin goals is the key. sometimes you see a coin you want/have to have that will change it up. that happens to me a lot. I got some sad news today. a co-workers son commited suicide yesturday. I knew him briefly. so sad. so I am in a sad mood. I will be ok but the thought of such a young person 24 years old thinking that's their only option out is commiting suicide really sucks. my thoughts and prayers go out to his mother of whom I work side by side...her dept. is next to mine at walmart.