I started going through a pile of cents, nickels, dimes and quarters. I'm not real sure what I am looking for, but I did find a page that listed dates to look for. After going through a stack ... I found another website stating that certain coins are also valuable. Now I'm thinking I need to go through them "again". I am a bit overwhelmed. I would also like to know what others do with their iffy coins .... ones that you aren't sure of. Do you put them in protective wrap? Or? I guess I'm having a rough start with my coin collection and I'm looking for helpful hints as to "anything" that will help get this off the ground without having to go through them over and over. Or is that part of the hobby? I do enjoy going though my coins, I just wish I had a better system, and was more knowledgeable.
What kind of reference guides are you using Deb? Do you have a copy of the Red Book, A Guide to US coins by R.S. Yoeman.
Actually, I do not have the red book yet. I went on the Internet and found some sites with, what they said, was the complete list. I then printed those out. Hopefully soon I will get to a store that sells the red book. I guess I was a little anxious to get started
You could also ask here by the series. Ask what the key and semi-key dates in a series are, someone here should know. If it's 20th century, I can generally tell you. Once you have taken the semi-keys and keys out, then it depends on either the intrinsic value of the remaining coins, or whatever happens to interest you about that series. Many collectors search for varieties like doubled dies and repunched mintmarks, some would just rather collect by date and mintmark. As far as storage, that depends on what kind of condition they are in. To this day, I still pull really nice unc coins from circulation for each current year and store them in babyfood jars by date. I don't shake the jars, and the coins stay nice. I also have a junk box that I keep coins that I am unsure about. I tend to use cigar boxes, but be careful as the paper and residue might tone coins a bit.
Check out the public library. They may have a few old copies just to get you started. Don't pay too much attention to the prices that are quoted in the Red Book as most are way off base compared to current market value.
What range of dates are these coins? I understand that you are sorting through cents, nickels, dimes, & quarters. What range of dates are these coins & where did they come from? It might be fun to obtain some Whitman coin folders and then sort through your coins with the initial idea of finding one coin of each date & mint mark to fill the folder. As you begin to fill the folder(s), it will become obvious to you which coins are plentiful & which ones are more scarce. It would be best to review a copy of the 'The Official Red Book' which is titled "A Guide Book of United States Coins" by R. S. Yeoman. Very best regards, collect89
Thanks everyone. My coins are a variety. I have a big bundle of wheat cents, some dating back to 1902. The rest seem to be in the thirty's ... fifty's. Indian head nickels, and just a big mass of misc coins that I haven't gone through yet. I also have the large dollar coins. Some are the bi-centenial (I'm not sure if they are worth anything). Most are in the fifties. I guess I will wait until I get the book. I have been storing them in an old wooden box, and by the sounds of the replys this should be ok until I get to them. Thanks again ... I appreciate the reply's!
For pocket change I don't do it like this at all. If I see someone I like I simply pluck it from the draw/pocket and I put it in a medicine bottle which I carry around. Later, when I'm bored, I look through them more closely to see the strikes and condition under the magnifying glass. The better ones I might put in hard plastic holders. The thing is that for the most part, normal change has little value. A few exceptions maybe as follows: Wheates are curiosities and older dates potentially valuable. Silver (pre-64) is silver and Kennedy half's, early dates are also silver. I look out for silver proofs that have been tossed into circulation for god knows what reason. War time Nickels are also silver. Other than that, relax and enjoy the coins. Pluck what you like. If something catches your eye it is likely an above average coin. Ruben
Searching though spare change is a blast. The great thing about it is that more than likely if you miss something it really isn't that big of a deal. It is a great way to get started in the hobby though. A few people have already suggested to buy the RedBook. I think that's a good idea. Once you run out of change in your box, you might want to hunt through some more coins to get the hang of things. So just head down to your bank and get a box of something that interests you. This is called Coin Roll Hunting. Now if only someone would make a website about coin roll hunting....
Trustme - here is another reference for you as to key dates......just look for low mintages: http://www.coinfacts.com/ The Redbook can be found at any major book seller. Keep your chin up.......it will come easier once you become more knowledgeable!
Jetshack, you've inspired me. How does one get one of these boxes?? Just go to the bank and pay for $___ worth of nickels???
that's exactly what you do... After searching through the change you have, you should have a fairly good idea of what interests you... I would recommend reading the basic and advanced guides as well as the individual page on the denomination that you've chosen. My personnel favorite is to search nickels.
One thing you have to avoid is the urge to "finish." There's no clock in coin collecting so don't feel compelled to rush through the coins to get them organized. Pick up a coin, look it up in the Redbook. Try to give it a rough grade using something like photograde. Once you know all about it, either put it in a 2X2 or put it back into another container. The coins with no particular special value to you might be valuable to someone else, so you can bring it to a coin shop to sell or trade for something you like. You have to decide what to collect and what to dispose of to raise money for your collection.
Nope ... I'm not gone. I had to write a five page essay and finish up with my algebra. I may disappear now and then, but it's only because of nonsense like school, shopping, or trips Thank you everyone for the comments. Like I said, I think I am just getting to excited. I think it would be fun to find something really "wonderful" I'm also afraid I might throw something away, like the lady that bought cig's with collectible coins. I bought myself a magnifying glass, but I think I will be needing a more powerful one very soon. This one helps, but I think it could be better. I also looked around for the red book, but nothing so far.
If I may.... do what I did not too long ago when I dug up a mixed bucket of old coins. Brake things down to simplicity. One pile silver, one pile copper. Attack, say, silver pile... Quarters, dimes, nickels, dollars, halves, all get their own pile. Take, say, the quarters pile.. break down by type (Liberty, Barber, Washington, etc) then by decade, then by year.... etc.
Trustme: You could order the book online (if not found at your library, but it's worth owning): http://search.barnesandnoble.com/The-Official-Red-Book/R-S-S-Yeoman/e/9780794824945/?itm=2 I own and like this 10 power loupe: http://www.geo-tools.com/lens.htm
