How to find coins cheap?

I'm new to coin collecting and I'm trying to get one of each type of coin. (Excluding 1850 and back). Being between the ages of 10 and 12, I don't have that much money. Is there anyway I could get coins at low costs? I don't care about grades. Also how do you guys find wheat pennies in rolls? I bought 4 rolls and havent found any!
Thanks.

P.S. I'll take anybody's undated buffalo nickels that they dont want! :whistle:

 

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try ordering a big box of pennies ($25) or a box of nickels ($100). ask grandparetns if they have anything

 

When you say 1 of each type of coin, do you mean 1 type of each design per denomination? For example 1 Wheat cent, 1 Memorial cent, 1 of each of the four 2009 cents, 1 Union Shield cent, etc?

If so, and grade isn't a concern, outside of the silver halves and dollars, you should be able to get most of your coins from circulation and obtain a very neat collection with very little money. Because most design changes are modern changes (i.e. 2009 cents, State Quarter program, Westward Journey nickels, Sacajawea dollar, Presidential dollar, etc).

I have a similar type set that I've been working on for awhile, and it's my favorite of all my collections. Have fun!

-LTB

 

While I highly doubt he would be able to achieve this with wanting designs going back to 1850, it is an excellent idea, especially if the OP were to start out with (for example) 1950 and newer dates. It would give a good start while learning the basics and not cost anything but face value and his time.

 

Welcome aboard.

The easy way to start is by going for the low hanging fruit. Do more of what you have already done. Buy rolls of coins, search through them and take them back to a bank. If it's at all possible, try not to get your coins from the same bank you're cashing in at, because you could end up searching through the same coins.

Asking parents or grandparents to see their coins is also a good way to let them know you're interested in coins. I wouldn't recommend just asking them for their old coins. Let them decide to do that on their own.

 

Go to a coin store and ask for cull coins. I picked up a 1858 Flying Eagle cent that has good details but has a nick on the rim. Also, I think it was cleaned. I got it for $3. Since I also don't have much money that I can spend, I am making a type set cheaply. For coins like the 1909 VDB cent, I will buy one in MS 60 because its only about $20 more than the G-4 price. For rarer types, I am simply buying cheaper cull coins that have detail, but have defects.

 

Yeah agreed, I was more referring to most design changes. Like one cents for example, you have the Flying Eagle, IHC that he would have to purchase, but he could get the Wheat, Memorial, and the five post 2008 designs in circulation. Or for the 5 cent nickel, he would have to purchase Shield, Liberty Head, and Buffalo culls, but could get the Jefferson, and the five post 2003 designs in circulation.

And there's no rush to complete this set...so take your time and find the finest examples from circulation.

-LTB

 

Wheat cents can still be found in rolls, but you might only find a few in a $25 box of pennies. It's a lot of work but the coins are essentially free because you can just cash the ones you don't want in with the bank (preferably a different bank).

Otherwise if condition isn't a concern, you can get what penny lots on ebay relatively cheap.

 

:welcome: good question! checking your pocket change is always fun! Roll searching is great also,but you are going to have to get them by the box. I have had some good luck at yard sales,if you dont see any coins,simply bring up the subject. I score coins this way all of the time. Pawn shops are a good place for silver coins. Also the bank is great for halves and dollar coins,all you have to do is ask,I score silver halves this way all of the time.Even got an ASE for $1 a while back! I consider myself a newbie collector,but I have been hoarding coins for years and have all kinds of stuff lying around.Shoot me a pm (private message) of some of what you are looking for,maby I can help you out some.My other advice is hang out here alot and learn all you can.The people here are great,and very knowledgeable,so stick around! Good luck in your searches!--Dennis

 

Near my neck of the woods, the B&M dealers and some coin show dealers have "junk" boxes loaded with US and world coins at nominal prices.
I put together an incomplete set of British pennies from one such box at a coin show on a blustery winter day. Cost? 20¢ per coin.

 

My local dealer has a few boxes full of buffalo nickels and other older coins that are in worn/rough/cull state that you can get for 10 for $8, not a bad way to fill a folder for some of the coins you don't find in circulation too often. He used to have a bin of wheat pennies in rough shape for 10 for $2.

 

Welcome to CT! :welcome: Junk bins are a good idea, either at a coin shop or coin show. I would suggest talking to your parents about increasing your cash flow this summer. Perhaps you can do some odd jobs or chores around the house (or neighborhood). TC

 

See if there is a local show (sometimes they have a YN giveaway/prizes), the same could be true of a local club.

 

Thanks everyone for the ideas! By the way, how do you send a PM?

 

To send a pm from this thread,just click on the persons username and select from the little drop down...at least that's how it works from my phone

 

I am also a YN. I have been very frugal with my collection. I build most of it from circulation. As for finding wheats, just persistently search large amounts. As for cheap coins, I go to coin shows and dig through dealers' bargain boxes. For this, I recommend looking for coins in old, yellowed 2X2s. These usually have outdated and lower prices on them.

 

Be careful, but try your local flea markets. You can pick up rolls of wheat cents at reasonable prices, along with the common date Buffaloes. Just watch who you deal with. I got lucky, there is a guy at a flea market local to me who I deal with on a weekly basis. It helps to build a good rapport with somebody like that. Just do a little homework, and don't be afraid to haggle a little or simply walk away.

 

A coin dealer in Florida had a small bin of dateless buffalo nickels for 15 cents each, and partial dates for 45 cents each. However, I've found 3 buffalo's in circulation, and I've only searched about 10 boxes. I also hear about people finding V nickels in circulation once in a great while... So look through your change for a while, then buy the rest.

 

When I was your age I was at the coin shop digging through the bins of well worn old coins like Buffalos and V-Nickels.
Most shops have bins of cheap coins that you can dig through for hours if you like.

Welcome to the group!
Stick around and learn.
Don't expect to go too fast right now.
Good things will come if you are patient.

 

I am at your age, and the bin searching is good for smalls, but it is good to remember "quality over quantity" That is the guide in the creation of my Dansco 7070(type set). Even with that rule, I am yet to pay as much as $100 on a coin, and very few of mine were over $50. Good luck! and :welcome: