hey guys. I am new to this forum and found it very interesting and knowledgable. I am a beginning collector, well I used to be more into it, but got out of it for some other reasons, time mostly. I am now interested in getting back into it. I am in search of some advice on what I should be looking for as far as collecting again. I am big into commemoratives, and any american eagles. Any advice on what to go after would be helpful. Thanks for any help.
With this question and the description of yourself and experience in coin collecting, I'm going to surprise you and say 'buy a good referance book on coins' and then sit down and start reading and looking at pictures. See any you like and discover those that have come out during your absence to collecting. Then and only then start actually accumulating coins of any type or description. You will be able to answer your own question after doing this, and should be satisfied with the decision. Happy reading!:thumb:
You will be the only one who can tell you what to collect. My best advice is to go to a coin show and just browse -- see which coins strike your fancy and collect them. For your first series, try and collect something that is inexpensive -- for you will certainly make mistakes and that way they are not overly expensive. Hope this helps...Mike
A good book for beginners is The Experts Guide To Collecting And Investing In Rare Coins by Q. David Bowers. Charlie
Check to see if there are any coin shows in your area. Go there and just walk around and look. At some coin shows around here there are always people seelling books on coins. Get a copy of the Red Book but at a coin show just keep on looking at all the miscellaneous varieties and start with what ever you like.
One more thing to attempt to help you decide on what to collect would be availability of certain types of coinage. For example if you don't want to get heavily involved monitarily at present you may want to just consider modern day types of coins such as Lincoln Cents, Jefferson Nickels, etc. For those types of coins you could even just go to a bank and buy large quantities, look through them and return what you don't want. If there are garage/yard sales, estate sales and flea markets in your area, you may want to start checking them out for coins. The common modern day coins can actually be rewarding and fun to try to collect. One great book I bought on pennies is Looking Through Lincoln Cents. You could go nuts just trying to find all the different types of errors listed in that book. Another thing you may want to check out is the availability of Albums to put you coins into if that is your goal. Just like any hobby, coins can run into money with accessories such as magnifiers, coin albums, 2x2 holders, coin books, plastic rolls, etc., etc. so figure out what you want and good luck. Glad to have you here.
Welcome to the forum Cmphen. Another thing that the modesty of these folks may have prohibited them from mentioning, CoinTalk is itself a goldmine on all aspects of coin collecting. I don't post as often as most folks, but I do enjoy reading the comments of our knowledgeable members. Go check out the archives and read the posts. You will be introduced to coin collecting concepts you may never have heard of. And if you do develop any questions rest assured that the folks here will promptly return you sound and friendly advice. Welcome again. -Illya2
Short answer: Read, read, read, then collect what you like at the best grade that fits your budget. Not so short answer: If your looking to collect, don't get caught up in worrying about investing. Buy what interests you. If you consistantly buy the best grade you can get within your budget you'll be happier with your collection, and in the long run your collection will be worth more. If your looking to invest, same advice goes, read, read, read, and then buy. Just like the stock market, prices (buying and selling0 go up and down depending on the trends, the spot price of precious metals, supply and demand, and so on. Collecting and investing don't have to be entirely seperated, but keeping them distinct in your mind will help you to get the most for your money, and the most enjoyment out of the hobby. Welcome back and enjoy
