Beginner looking for direction

Not even a collector but would like to start . I'm thinking of starting a set of consecutively dated coins beginning with the present and working back. I want them to be in as great condition as possible. Where might I begin finding such coins beyond looking through my loose change that's all in rough shape
(pennies, n, d, q)? Thanks, and this is my first post

 

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You can find some pretty nice coins in circulation. Also, you can get bank rolls, which sometime have virtually uncirculated coins. Another source is relatives that throw change into a jar forever. Sometimes, they will sell them to you for face value.

 

Start an Ikes collection

 

Go from the past back, in ten years a coin that is worth 1000 dollars now will cost 2500 then, while a 2012 d nickel is 5 cens now, will be like ten cents than, also coins in good condition may disappear, ones that ou need

 

What's that?

 

Ikes are Eisenhower dollars.

Like this one

 

You have many different options. I'd actually suggest a type set or a short set. Maybe do all dimes or nickels dated 40-45 (war years) or a state quarter set, or a half dollar set, ikes (like above) and kennedies (like the ikes but have kennedies face on them). All and all I'd look around and see what coin/coins appeal to you and start a collection from there. Also the red book, just google "red book" it's a guide on coins which is very helpful.

 

The Kennedy's ( spelling ) also have a face value of 50 cents not a dollar

 

get a Red Book and probably a book like this http://www.amazon.com/Coin-Collecto...&qid=1346988310&sr=1-2&keywords=scott+travers

 

Yes, it's a half dollar, so a little smaller. And eps I think It's kennedys and kennedies are the plural of Kennedy (although my spell check has them red) and kennedy's is the possession (the kennedy's dog)

 

Welcome to the hobby, if you're still wondering where to buy some coins look for dealers in your area. When I started I found 4 dealers where I am. I thought my area wouldn't have any, just shows that it doesn't hurt to look for a good dealer.

 

Welcome to CT!

My advice: Quality over quantity!

 

I can't believe we've had eleven replies and nobody has brought it up yet:

If you do start collecting coins, don't clean them!

 

When referring to a group or series, it is correct to use the word Kennedy's. Possession would be indicated if a noun were to follow as in your example, "Kennedy's dog".

Chris

 

We will agree to disagree on that one.

My advice? Collect what you like. Learn a lot, read good books about coins, learn a ton on CoinTalk, learn how to grade and spot problem coins, but in the end of the day buy what makes you feel good and not what others "think" you should buy.

Its a hobby. Yes, education is important, as is how to evaluate a coin, but those are just tools to better enjoy your hobby. Many people here collect high grade US modern coins. Good for them. Others collect medium grade, older coins. Good for them too. I collect coins over thousands of years, over countless civilizations. I don't have $100 million to buy all of these coins in the highest possible grade, so many times mine might be lower grade, but at least I can afford to collect a certain ruler or type of coin I otherwise might not. In that regard, good for me as well.

The hobby is what you want to make from it. Having said that, Thad is right in that if you can afford it, you rarely look back and regret buying a better coin.

 

I can't believe someone forgot about that! That's very very important!

 

What you should do is send Peter $10,000 to place at the top of every page a banner that reads, No matter how dingy or grimy it may look, don't clean your coins!"

 

1. Get a RED BOOK, 2. Get a book on grading coins like "NGC Grading Guide for modern U.S. Coins". 3.After this go to as many coin shows and coin clubs you can, and learn from others. Ask questions and get to know the dealers and other collectors. You will find out that allot of them will help you, but a few will want to take advantage of you so be alert. After this you will be able to buy or acquire the coins you want in the condition that you can afford. Most of us, go by cost and eye appeal, while others go for the slabbed coins/currency. You can still go to banks and ask for rolls of new coins and pick the ones that appeal to you the most. Then as you can afford better coins, then you can buy better ones. It's fun to search rolls. Good luck.

 

Thanks for all the replies guys. I've been doing online research the past couple of days, and this morning am sitting at my kitchen table in front of 100$ of rolled quarters I got from the bank yesterday. Now Im wondering, "what in the world am I looking for?" I'm in no hurry...

 

You're in the right place. The first good thing you did was to register and post here, and now browse the forums. I started last year with a few coins I found in my mother's things and took off from there. I had no idea what I was doing, but I started lurking around the online communities and there is a wealth of information out there. Look for pricing guides online too, get a sense of what the coins are worth, and absolutely get the Red Book. You can find a lot out there on ebay as well, what coins are out there and what they are selling for. I've bought most of my coins on ebay and haven't had a bad experience yet (knock on wood...).

Good luck, I started with Morgans and moved to Kennedys and Eisenhowers, I have one Dansco of Ikes now and am working on one of the Kennedys. These are way more affordable, and along the way I'm learning. One of these days I'll jump back to 19th century coins, but for now I'll stick with the more modern ones.