Want to purchase my first coin from the US Mint. Any Suggestions?

I meant coin shows, Rich. Attending one is a 'must do' for all collectors. Currently there is the ANA show down in Philly which is a major event but check out some of the local shows. There are sure to be some in your area or maybe a short road trip away. Also, consider joining a coin club if there is one in your area. It's great to learn from other collectors in the 'face to face' setting.

 

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I would go with the ASE of your two choices. At least it will have an worldwide monetary value in silver and is a rather attractive coin. I would suggest you buy on the secondary market, rather than the mint. (its cheaper) :smile

 

Thanks JCB1983, silverfool, green18, & Ripley. All great advice I'll definitely check out the coin store this weekend and keep my eye open for clubs and shows in my area.I'll take a closer look buying some silver eagles after reading "the book"

 

As mentioned by a couple other posters go to a coin show. From your poster ID you're in Florida. Here's some coin show listings:

http://www.coinshows.com/florida.html

But I'm sure that show list is by no means comprehensive. You should be able to find more with some searching. Especially the smaller local shows wont be on that list.

If you do go to a show you will be exposed to many areas of coin collecting. You might end up being interested in and collecting an area of coins you never thought of, or never heard about before! And you might fore go US mint products altogether. You might even end up liking 19th century or early 20th century US coins or coins from other countries or something else.

One last thing, if you go to a show, ask a lot of questions of the dealers. Occasionally you will run into a grumpy dealer, but most are willing to give you a quick and valuable education on the coin types they sell. Some of the most valuable info I've learned is at coin shows from dealers.

Good luck!

P.S. If you have an interest in history, especially ancient history, you might consider ancient coins. You could end up collecting them. (They are my collecting focus and passion. )

P.P.S. For those of you from other states looking for shows go to their homepage: http://www.coinshows.com/

 

I have attended both the Brandon and Clearwater coin shows and have enjoyed them a lot. Of the two the Clearwater show is larger but I found that going to smaller shows can be a learning lesson.

I didn't know about the Brooksville show and will plan on attending it also.

However, if you have a collection it really helps to bring a list of what you need. That way you'll know the spots that do need filling rather than thinking they are holes.

Enjoy the experience. BTW both the Branson and Clearwater shows are free and have ample parking.

 

All excellent suggestions, as is common on CoinTalk. One suggestion - can't go wrong with a proof set. Take a look in the Red Book and read about proof coins, then get some from the mint as a proof set or silver proof set. Please correct me someone, but do proof sets go down in valve below the gov. price?

 

Many times you can pick them up in the 'after market' for less......

 

Hey RichMoney, another thing you could do is look for a coin club and go to one of their meetings. I am also new to this too and I went to my first meeting last month and it was really neat. I met folks that collected a variety of different coins and money. They also had a great presentation on counterfeit coins. I bet if you google coin clubs for you area you will find one or two. Bottom line up front enjoy what you are collecting.

 

I've wondered about this, but I don't think it is a general rule. Which ones do you think it would be true for?

 

A lot of the 70's and 80's and early 90's sets go for a few bucks under initial price offering, generally. The more recent issues (within the last ten years) can be had for original issue price to a few bucks over. This type of phenomena is typical of modern commems too. I've picked up many at $8 to $10 (and sometimes more) under the original mint price offering. The trick though, is to guess which issues are going to be worth less in the after market. I never make out as I always order the bloody stuff from the mint. My price savings have always been on duplicate sets and coins bought after the fact.