I'm not sure what to start with? "newbie"

I am new to coin collecting, so new that I haven't even started yet. Tonight I am going to be picking up the Red Book so that I will have a guide of some sort. I wrote a post the other day and somebody suggested I start with nickels. I want to start collecting, but I want the chance of finding a rare coin. I'm not looking to get rich, but the thought of me finding a rare coin is cool. My real question for you guys is what should I start collecting ? Penny's, nickels, or quarters.

 

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I fancy the old coppers, they have a history all themselves and can be afforable enough for a novice. They are large beautiful coins...and you can find some really neat die breaks and double dies on them...each one is unique!

I am also into error coins...I love looking through my loup and find those double dies.

Right now though, I am slowly getting into hoarding away Flying Eagles...they are my second favorite coin (first being the Liberty Cap Cents :whistle

Best bet is to do your homework and look at the coins in person...if you like it, collect it!

 

.welcome, chetrog! i don't know what kind of luck you'll have finding something rare but you could make it an interesting hunt by checking rolls from the bank and this list:

http://www.collectorscorner.org/pocket.html#Pennies

 

I can't wait till tonight so I can check the prices using the red book. I want to have fun collecting, and hope I can find a rare one someday.

 

Are you wanting to collect older or more modern coins? If you choose modern, your best bet to find valuable coins would be to look for errors.

Most modern coins won't be worth much more than face value, but there are those few errors that can raise the value quite a bit. For instance, the state quarters have several unique errors, plus the errors on all types of error coins. You just have to learn what these errors are, and how to recognize them. Once you do that, you just have to wait for one to come to you, and when it does, you'll have found that rare coin.

A few weeks ago, I found a Wisconsin state quarter extra leaf error, see thread. http://www.cointalk.org/showthread.php?t=44028
I had never really expected to find one, but I was just casually looking over some change I had gotten, and what do you know!

As for what to collect, I would do whatever you like the most! I like them all, so for moderns I just collect em' all!

 

Modern for sure. My plan is to buy rolls from the bank and look for coins that way.

 

That's really cool, I hope you have fun. Of course, Im biased to say that you should start by searching Cents. there are plenty of DDO's and wide AM's to keep you busy for errors and varietys. And theres enough that you could fill quite a few holes with roll searching. and once you finish (if you finish) the memorial cents, you could hop on down to the wheat cents. It's a whole new world off OMM's, RPM's, DDO's, and varietys. guaranteed to keep you busy for a while!

 

"Rare" is in the eye of the beholder.

I personally collect Jefferson nickels. They're inexpensive, and you can easily start a set out of circulated coins.

If you're looking for treasure, buy rolls of half dollars from the bank and search them for silver coins.

 

I would say get some of each. There are varieties of Lincoln cents that are worth money, and other coins as well. But I don't really know much about varities or errors myself. When I roll search, I like to get nickels. I think you find the most old coins that way, because the design has been the same for so long. I like to work on completing sets of nickels from roll searching and filling up holes in the blue Whitman folders.
While searching nickels I have found alot of old Buffalo nickels, but all of them had the date worn off. And I have also found alot of WW2 era nickels which are partially silver.
Also, some people have luck searching half dollar rolls and finding old siver ones.
Whatever you decide to do, good luck, and keep us posted.

 

That sounds like a good place to start. That's how I did it. There are a lot of varieties and such to find. But, it is also fun to build sets out of circulation. When I first started, I focuses on just putting together the common sets. Lincoln Memorial Cents, Jefferson Nickels, Clad Roosevelt Dimes and so forth. It can be done for face value, it's fun, and you can see if you enjoy the hobby for minimal expense. A set like that will never be worth anything, but I still have mine...and it's what got me interested in coin collecting. I remember when I found my first 1943 Lincoln Cent in a roll, I was hooked at that point.

 

Welcome Chetrog! Collect whatever excites you. My favorite is bust coinage - lots of varieties and finding a good r7 or r8 (rarity rating)coin would be great. And toad here found a NC (non-collectible) large cent. I also have Harris albums for my pocket change - check some of the pocket change threads. As mentioned there are tons of different things to look for. I also recommend getting the Cherry Pickers guide - it shows some of the key coins to look for. My claim to fame (if it is as such) was finding about the 7th or 8th know example of the 1882 Snow 6. Number 4 on the link - it is cool when you get that kind of find.

 

I went to Barnes and Noble tonight and they didn't have the book. I am mad now, I was going to look through my money jar tonight. I will just have to order it online I guess.

 

I just picked up the red book from Barnes an Noble tonight. Check the collectibles and hobby's section every B&N has one, often near the magazines.

Ruben

 

I asked one of the people there and they even looked it up on the computer. I didn't think to ask if they were just out or what. I have ordered it online already now.

 

Welcome, chetrog. I'm a bit of a noob myself. So far, my favorites are Morgan Dollars, Peace Dollars and Steel and copper wheatback Pennies. I don't know why on the steel pennies, they're not worth much but I think they are cool as heck. I found a good dealer who is fair and treats me well, Especially since I'm on a fixed income. so I don't buy too many rolls from banks and stuff. Still a good way to go, though.

Best of luck man,

Jeff

 

Whatever strikes you. Something will grab you, and off you go.

Might want to hit a coin show and just walk around and ask questions. Window shopping is fun.

Hit www.coinshows.com and point / click your state. I don't know what part of Oregon you live in. Browse.

 

I got my Red Book today. I can't wait till tomorrow so I can buy some rolls. I still don't know what to buy. I think because the nickels are bigger and would be easier to read that I should start with them. Although I would get 5 times the amount if I did penny's. What to do.lol

 

I think we should edit your post to say most steel pennies are not worth much but they are cool as heck. You are simply not going to believe this, but I got outbid by over $3,500 on a steel penny in the Houston Heritage Auction. I know the coin has an incredible pedigree, but over 6X wholesale. All I can say is WOW. Here is the link, just ridiculous.

http://coins.ha.com/common/view_item.php?Sale_No=1118&Lot_No=239

Good Luck to both of you in your collecting endeavors.

 

When you buy a roll of nickels at the bank Is there any way that they put them in the rolls. For example will there be a chance to get an older coin or do they do it by years etc. Thanks for any info.

 

Its usually completely random. I have gotten one from 2008 and the 1930's in the same roll before, several times.