Ive been buying silver/gold for a while now, and I just bought a collection of dimes/quarters from someone, and ended up with some pretty nice coins that I only paid scrap prices for. This kind of got me thinking about starting to collect coins! I really enjoy mercury dimes and SQL, so im thinking about doing something with them im just not sure where to start. Is there any more interesting thing to collect besides just filling a book? Or what different ways are there to make putting a set together more interesting? Like I said im just getting started, so any tips would be GREATLY appreciated!
Hello, Figure8! If you're looking for a more interesting way to put a set together, consider coin roll hunting! Coin roll hunting is the sport of purchasing coin rolls at face value from the bank and searching through them for old and interesting coins! For a beginner like you, I would recommend starting with pennies and nickels. You can search for wheat pennies, foreign coins, buffalo nickels, and even silver wartime nickels minted from 1942-1945. I also search for any Jefferson nickels minted before 1960. If you're looking for silver, other than the relatively scarce wartime nickels, you can also search through dimes, quarters, and half dollars! Half dollars are the best, although your bank may not have them. Dimes are second best, but you may have to purchase $100+ of them. They can be rewarding though; I have found nine silver dimes! Finally, quarters are tough, but there have been people who have found silver and even barbers and standing liberties! Good luck, and have fun Mr. Wheat Penny
Thanks for the reply! I have tried crhing but as of right now my bank has a 3 roll max.. Or they charge a fee so until I switch banks I'm limited. Is there any reason I should do nickels and pennies instead of mercs?
First, welcome to CT:welcome: There are about as many ways to collect as there are people, but having said that, the most popular are - date/mintmark (album filling) - type sets (one of each kind of coin) - special sets, or interest - hoarding (just collect anything that you come across) For me, my 'special set' is my history sets which match my reading interests. Two I have, one I'm working on: 1932 - Depression Set 1942 - WW2 Darkest Days 1840 - Huckleberry Finn set
Where to start? Your pocket is a great place and piggy banks better but there are many ways. I suggest 1st find a coin design you really like then READ about it. Know what your buying before you pay out good cash for it. Above all else enjoy yourself doing it
Mercs are a great set to start with... and not that expensive (less the three key dates). Of course, chances of finding them in circulation is pretty slim, so you'll have to buy from a local dealer, eBay, or some other source. Then you can store and display them in a Dansco or similar album. Here's an example of a complete set (less the keys) for around $350 on ebay right now: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Mercury-Dime-Set-Housed-in-Dansco-with-Slipcase-70-Coins-/130796005275?pt=Coins_US_Individual&hash=item1e740ca79b
I got a 16d, that's the main reason I was thinking about starting with mercs, along with the fact it's one of my favorite looking coins
If it's raw, be aware that the 1916-D 10c is the most heavily altered US coin, so I'd post pics to be sure it's real. And another thing about mercury dimes that I'ver noticed is finding a really nice 1926-S (a semi-key date) in G-4, G-6, or VG-8 problem free is can be challenging. I severely overpaid for mine just to get an example with eye appeal..
Yea it's a good starting point for just a merc set, but it be also great funding for a different set so im trying to get some ideas
