So, I have not abondoned my idea of collecting brand new coins and preserving them, but I have decided my main focus will be on my 1909 - 2009 Lincoln Cent Collection. I want to build a collection of every year and mintmark for that year span, and put together a collection of MS60 or higher examples of all of them. I know this will not be easy or cheap, but I want to do it. I have been told the difference between an enthusiast and a true collector is complete sets. Having said this, I have to admit, I still struggle with grading coins. I'm not that good yet, I know I need practice, but I'm currious if anyone has any tips or things to look for when trying to determine the grade of a raw coin. Any help is greatly appreciated. Thank you in advance for your time and thoughts Kyle
Welcome Kyle, I have family on witchita and my dad was born their. I've seems few of your posts. What if you started with a short set? For example, pick a favorite ww2 coin and get an example of ever mint/date from 1940-45. I did that with the mercury dime and it worked out great. It's a good way to start without breaking the bank.
Good luck with your Lincoln collection. Some of those coins will be very expensive in higher MS grades, but with enough time, and money, you can complete it.
You've been told wrong. Many collectors don't put whole sets together and they've never been called an enthusiast for doing so. Collecting is what you make of it. However, a set of Lincolns in MS 60 is a worthy challenge for any collector. Best of luck. Guy
You might be looking at up to $3,000 for a set without variations. But depending on what else you decide is part of the "standard" set of Lincoln Cents, you might be 30x that. What's your opinion of famous errors and variations? Die or Production Variations: VDB, 1922, 1960, 1970-S, 1982 Double Dies: 1917, 1936, 1955, 1972, etc. Multiple Mint Marks: 1943-D, 1944-D, 1946-S, 1956-D, 1960-D, etc. Other oddities: 1943 bronze, 1944 steel, 1992 CAM, 1998-2000 WAMs (1996 doesn't exist), 1982 Cu/Zn, etc. How about those even more minor? If important, you'll want to bookmark these references: Lincoln Cent Resource Copper Coins Ken Potter Variety Vista CONECA Wexler's Error Reference Trail Dies Let us know what you decide!
Regarding collecting whole series/sets, I'm moving in the other direction. I am going from a complete series collector to slowly deciding Type collecting is more fun, more interesting, and is way better for showing off to non-collectors (wives, neighbors, mothers, etc). Showing them 80 kennedy proofs or 80 MS Washington Quarters VS. showing them 5 really amazing, toned, stunning coins all of a different design that might be ~$1000 each instead of ~$20 each. I am trying to make the transition as we speak, but buying one amazing coin a year is alot harder than 20-30 a year I want to buy. That's just how I'm evolving my hobby, but you can come at it in any direction. I used to think Type collectors were dumb, and now I envy them and am trying to become one. Ignore the BS distinction of the enthusiast vs. collector. Collect what you like and what you can afford and you can label it anything you want. Personally, I like "coin geek", or "coin punk", but "Enthusiast" and "Collector" are nice too.
Yup, a true collector is one who's only browsing/buying say.. Lincoln cents to complete their set of them but then easily gets distracted with an Indian Head Cent, only then to find out they never went back to finish their set because they started buying Indian Head cents.
