Whats the best coin to collect?

I just got back from a coin show. WOW sticker shock

I'm wanting to collect something that will go up in value if inflation strikes. I don't want to get too caught up in the MS grading game, and I don't really want to buy a roll of BU 1921 Morgans either. So no MS70 or buliion.

Something big, not pennies, indian heads, nickels or dimes, I can't see them well enough,theres just no bang for the buck for me here. Walking halves are cool, theres not a big following and there not much hype in these either.

Should I just jump in and buy several small collections? I want to keep the cost of each coin under $50 each. A middle of the road affordable coin, that everyone likes. Will I need to make it $100 a coin, what would you buy, with this kind of budget? Buy only graded PCGS coins?

Any ideas?

Thanks,
Tim

 

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You have to buy what you like, no one can tell you what that is but you. You have to love it, or it's work. You have to put in time, lots of time, learning to grade, spotting cleaning, etc. or you will loose your shorts. This is a hobby, a wonderful hobby, not an investment for your future. Put your money in a 401K, that will make you far more money in the long run and is a wonderful investment for your future.

Just my 2c....

 

Becky, thanks for your 2 cents

10 year ago I collected Large Cents, but it looks like all the collectors have them in there collections now,.very few seen at the show.

Thanks
Tim

 

If you want to be a coin collecter there's only one answer to your original question:The best one that you can afford in the series which will give you the greatest pleasure of ownership.

 

When I returned to coin collecting six years ago my thoughts were similar to yours. I had spent too much on larger silver coins which were common enough to be easily promoted (Common date Morgans and a complete set of Franklins). I returned as a collector, not an investor, and thought of my old incomplete Whitman folders of series I never had the patience or resources to complete. I chose Barber Dimes because they were small and therefore unpoplular, affordable (at least in the commonly encountered lower grades), and had enough challenge in tracking down the better dates without problems.

Barber coins have received a lot of press this year, and I am amazed at how well my patience in assembling original, no-problem coins has paid off in the last six years. Now that the cat is out of the bag about Barbers, I might start on U.S. 2 cent coins or 3 cent nickels. Collect whatever you like, but stick with your plan patiently, until others see your wisdom!

 

If you like big coins the Barber halfs might work (in circ grades)

 

Barber halves are very popular now. This is a very tough series to collect in no-problem F-XF grades. Most of what you find on eBay, in coin shops, or on the bourse has been cleaned. Mint state Barber Halves are easier to complete (for those who can afford them). I'll still stick with the tough dimes, which haven't had quite the limelight.

 

That cleaned coin thing is a very real concern

 

So it is with the Large Cents, a cleaned coin is worth alot less, very unwanted

 

Tough criteria. I would have said that the Silver American Eagles fit your description of an inflation hedge, except that you said no bullion. Graded MS63-64 Morgan dollars might be the way to go. It's a classic, affordable coin that is easy to collect and seems to be popular forever. But you said you don't like rolls of 1921 Morgans, so maybe that's out too. Peace dollars? Franklin halves? I would stick with something silver for the inflation hedge.

 

EXACTLY!!!

 

My personal approach to coin collecting is to collect what I like. I am not really into it for the investment but I am mildly surprised when something goes up in value unexpectedly (2004 proof set, for example). If I was looking to start a new collection and was trying to keep it resonably priced, I would go for the coins that didn't have a big following. I'm working on Franklins right now and the prices are resonable, the availability is good, and I like the looks of the coin. Just my opinion.

 

If you haven't already, I would suggest you pick up a numismatic magazine or a red book, browse through and find what series or individual pieces appeals more to your taste and budget. There's a world of coins out there, too.

Then, as everyone else has said, buy for collecting.

 

It's always nice to collect older coins, but IMHO there is nothing like collecting what the Mint has to offer today. The last 2 years I picked up about anything that had Westward Journey on it, which in turn took me to my roots "nickels". I also was very interested in starting a collection of dollar coins, so I picked up a roll of every Sacajawea released. Well one year later, about everything I purchased is up in value, and.. I have somewhat of an idea what I do and don't like to collect.

Then one day.. you ogle a Peace Dollar, and the next thing you know your explaining to your wife and the fry pan why you just spent the milk money

 

Well, at least you wife knows where the frying pan is

Collecting coins is an evolutionary process. one day you will like one thing, and hate another, and then 5 years later that wil be reversed. Dont try to force yourself on any one type of coin or series, unless you are only trying to finish it. Browse around all the types, varieties, denominations, series ect ect... and whatever chooses your fancy.

 

Buy what catches your eye. Also understand that you are going to make some mistakes along the way.

I even have some coins in my collection that I really like that are <shudder> cleaned.

FB

 

I'm just starting to collect Canada silver dollars. They are large, silver, (80%), and pretty to my eye. Many that I see are cameo prooflike and cost very little over bullion value. I have quite a few that I bought as 'junk' silver on eBay for below melt. My last good deal was 9 '64 Charlottetown commemoratives, prooflike, in their original packaging for 'melt' price including shipping on eBay. I've just received the book on Canada silver dollars that I ordered and am looking forward to pursuing a higher grade set collection. I also like ICCS as a grader. VERY conservative and they don't put the coins in slabs, which I totally dislike anyway. Some very nice ICCS dollar coins can be found on eBay Canada with prices that blow Morgans away....

 

COOL Thanks

 

Some good ideas here, Thanks

I'm thinking the Morgans, maybe the Walkers, when I was collecting Large Cents after about a couple of years, I knew the dealer to go to, all others didn't even come close to his prices or quality. Would someone please share with me who they think is the best dealer with Morgans. At the coin show I seen a roll of 1921 BU for $300, I don't even know if that was a good deal.I'm a newbie to the Morgans, but not collecting