The poor collector's starter list

My starter list might look like this: (Buy what you like).

a) I like proof nickels.
b) Any Mercury Dime -any date
c) Mercury dimes in BU or better - any date.
d) 1964 and earlier quarters - any year.
e) Error searching in Presidential dollar coin rolls.
f) Errors of any denomination.
g) merchant tokens
h) any coins with S mint - especially proofs
i) any proofs with W mint
j) A Red Book.
k) A safe!

 

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i second V nickels or try obsolete bank notes.

 

I would select a type coin from each of the following-

Mercury Dime
Barber Dime
Barber Quarter
Barber Half
Walking Liberty Half

I would select a more common date to get higher condition coins.

(vnickels-don't get me started on currency, this is a coin thread )

 

I really like that reverse. Very nice. I can see the attraction to this type. It is not one I am working on - I have my hands in too many pots already.

 

I like the idea of going to the bank and getting rolls of half dollars (or state quarters, or any circulating denomination for that matter) and trying to put together as many as possible in a date set. The investment is face value, and the coins can be spent or traded away if the person's interest in coin collecting doesn't progress from there.

As an alternative, I would suggest trying to assemble one coin of each type minted in the 20th century. In lower grades, it might cost a little more than $100 to assemble the complete set. I'm guessing $25 each for the two silver dollars, $40 for the 4 silver half dollars, $15 for the 3 silver quarters, $6 for the 3 silver dimes, maybe $20 for everything else. This would introduce the new collector to all sorts of interesting designs which could kindle an interest in any or all of them.

The new collector should also have some sort of reference book to explain about the coins. The Guidebook to United States Coins (Redbook) would be my suggestion. It certainly helped me to cultivate my interest when I was a beginner.

 

Very good idea. This gives a new collector the chance to see each coin and then make a decision on their next move!

 

Get alot of books too

 

Take the $100.00 to the bank and buy rolled coins (you pick the denomination) and search for whatever. I've found 1972 double dies, proofs, wheat pennies, silver and much more. It's free! and fun!

Oops, I see Collector1966 had the same suggestion.

 

Ahem! Not that I'm biased but a red book, cheap loupe, and several uncirculated Roosevelts can keep a man quite content.

 

This is a great thread!!

 

You wouldn't be biased toward other coins , would you Dimeguy?

J/k of course.....

 

Well, circulated Mercs and circulated Franklin Halves are good options too!