After posting the what do you collect thread, I have been thinking what I should stick to as a new collector. I have thought about how I acquire coins, and most are just buying different ones I find deals on. So I have thought about it, and I think I will start collecting the first and last of every US coin. This will let me keep examples of every US coin and its history as being able to view the coins design changes. Anyone else do this?
Buy a Red Book. You can choose and view the designs quicker (for a lot less money)....... It's not what we think, but more so what you think. What series or designs do you like? Narrow it down and enjoy collecting.......
Nah! I thought about the first and last but that rascally 1933 Saint Gaudens kept screwing everything up!
You wont beable to do thus for the v nickle as because of the 1913 the 1932 quarters are pricey but not to bad and the standing liberty quarter is exspencive. Im kinda doing this right now. Im trying to get at least 1 of every denomination from mid 1800s till now wile geting first and last years that i can afford. Which basicly has just turned into if ibsee a ciin i like then ill buy it besides my mercury set. I have to get atoeast one merc everytime i buy coins at a shop. War nickles are a 'easy set to do as well. Another fun set to try and do is to collect coin from a series that were same denomination but different design that were made the same year like the 1909 ihc and the 1909 lincoln or the 1916 barber and the 1916 mercury which would also include first and last year
Sounds to me like what you are wanting is a Type set, which would include a coin from every denomination starting at any time period you want and ending at any time period you choose. I chose to set my Type set up as something that is affordable and still challenging at the same time and the thing is you can customize to however you like. Right now I have a spreadsheet that i keep track of what I have with. Ill post some pictures in a minute, and you will be able to see where I chose to include some different types of the same coin (if it was a major type in the easier series like the 'V' Nickel, i have 2 examples one with 'CENTS' and a 'NO CENTS' variety). The thing is, I can also use my spreadsheet and adapt my Type set to whatever i want. For instance, for the seated liberty series you will see that i only have one space for those coins, my original thinking was that they were just too expensive for nice example to really go after more than one at a time, but after having acquired a couple seated coins i found I really like them and I REALLY, REALLY, like the seated half and dollar with arrows and rays, still be adding a place for those 2 coins in my set. I also pick up coins that i know should be included in a type set, and can add spaces for those later if i decide to include them. Anyway here are some screenshots of my Type-Set in progress:
As far as collecing. I am the kind of person who buys it all. I love half dollars. I want to collect all years . I want one of each coin but was wondering if anyone did it this way. It seems like a more realistic goal than just buying " everything". That list helps a lot
Buying 'everything' will put you in the poor house. Try to narrow your scope a bit. Type sets are marvelous (and I'll more than likely start one some day) but I'm currently working on a short set of commemorative half dollars (classic) and that, in itself, is quite pricey. Also too, don't forget the appropriate literature that goes along with collecting each series. Sometimes we hem and haw over the price of such volumes but they will save you money in the long run by making you a more knowledgeable collector and consumer.
I have that file saved as a template if you or anyone else wants it, just PM with an email address to send it to
I would suggest that you collect every US coin from the 21st century. You can get many from circulation but will need to get some from other sources including the US mint. It might be fun.
I think type collecting is great to begin with...or for rich folk: since I can't afford most coins in the grades I'd like to look at, going for a big set is moot for me. I'm glad I stopped when I did, and focused more on upgrading the types I really liked. I think your concept of "first and last" may also get you in trouble, unless you learn like crazy before buying. From there I think Phil's idea is superb. I would watch out for the thinking behind this, "I buy what I get deals on," since later on, you may be disappointed. I think you will get more enjoyment from, "I buy what looks beautiful." It will save you money and heartache, I think. For example, I bought a Peace dollar with gorgeous luster, but a cut through Miss Liberty's lip. I know why I bought it, and I think the price was right. I still enjoy it. On the other hand, I've bought Morgans when I thought they were "good deals," based on the grade, but when looking at them for a while, the idea she was in a knife fight gave me fits, and I sold them. Likewise, I could never afford Seated Liberties and Barbers that I really enjoyed looking at, so I've given up on them, for now. However the disparity between affordable, say, VG first year and AU last year may make for a cool display. Whatever you do, please share! It's your collection, so why not?
I know its my collection. I like all coins. I think starting a 20th century first and last collection is what i will do. Its affordable for me now and will not break the bank. Trying to find how to display them other than a folder is my problem
I experimented with many ways, and prefer these two: For most: 2x2s (stapled cardboard) in 3-ring pages. For the better coins: airtites in airtite albums.
What ever you decide, collect what you like and get the best coins you can. You will enjoy higher grade coins more and they will hold their value better. I have a thing for nice MS Morgan dollars with a nice golden peripheral tone. Of course you could add WL halves and SL quarters into the mix too. Some coins just hit you with that WOW effect. You know it when you see it.
I like the odd types. Twenty Cent pieces (hence my screenname), half-cents, 2-cent, 3-cent, $3 gold, Stella (I wish)... I guess I like the historical aspect; why these denominations didn't stick around, etc...
I'm lucky to own a very beautiful 8 month old Stella, a much more personable iteration of the $4 gold version. Although this one likes talking in her sleep...yeesh!
What I do is. Every couple months I make a list of coins I'm interested in and slick to the list. A type set is also a good idea.
