How do you collect?

The bank is supposed to order my first box of halves on Monday

I would love the silver but I also have some major gaps during recent years.

 

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Well I collect ancients, so I unfortunately have to buy everything, and there's little I can get in uncirculated condition. It also isn't the sort of thing with clearly defined sets. I have generally been trying to get coins of all the emperors through around the year 300 or so, but I've gotten most of the common ones, I'm not focusing too much on that goal. I am however trying to get coins of the first tetrarchy from each mint, and I think I'm going to try to get all the major types of reverses for Gordian III. That said, I largely get whatever happens to catch my fancy when I'm shopping rather than focusing on filling in holes. Price wise, I haven't gone above about $30 before shipping on a coin.

 

Try searching rolls for higher grade uncs to complete your collection(s). Use gloves and store the coins properly. Great way to show your son the proper way to collect and handle coins. And, a better chance your collection will appreciate in value, always nice, even though not a priority.

 

Technically, I am not a coin collector and so this might not answer all of the questions in the OP. I am a silver art bar collector. How do I collect? First of all I collect based on what I like. I usually collect based on certain themes and artwork that I like. I read my price guides and do some research on ebay by looking at pictures and seeing what silver art bars themes and artwork attract me. There are certain silver art bar collections that I am currently building such as the '70's Coca-Cola silver art bar collection and I have a "wish list" of the silver art bars that I like to buy to collect. I do not buy that much on ebay and I prefer to try to find them locally because I can get them cheaper at the local coin dealers and at coin show. I want to pay the lowest price for a silver art bar possible.

 

Most of the coins I collect, like many here, haven't been in circulation for over 100 years or so. But there are a few I have collected from circulation such as a few Jefferson nickel sets and Roosevelt dime sets that I put together over the years that I pulled entirely from circulated change. I upgraded them whenever possible until I reached the point where I couldn't possibly find nicer specimens without buying uncirculated examples. To be honest, some of those sets were the most fun and challenging to assemble. There are some common Jeffersons that appear to be as common as dirt according to books, but rare beyond comprehension as far as finding them in change. I've waited 20 years to find some pieces! Best of luck.
Guy~

 

I was always saving wheat pennies and older nickels and the occasional silver or foreign coin I'd get in circulation until in the last year I decided to start collecting in a more serious way. The first thing I did was get Whitman folders for all the coins still in circulation and try to fill those just from the change I and my parents had in our houses. There were a few dates that I just couldn't seem to find for whatever reason, and if they were older I went ahead and bought a coin for 99 cents on eBay. If it's newer, I figure I'll get it in change sooner or later. Then I moved on to some of the coins no longer in circulation but not expensive. This includes pre-1960 Jefferson nickels, Mercury dimes and Roosevelt silver dimes. The local coin shop has bulk bins of those where you can search through for the right dates and it's all the same prices. I'm looking for coins that look nice but I'm not worried if it's mint or toned or whatever. I'd just like the best coin I can find without paying a premium. After I got all the coins like that that I could find, I had to start going after more expensive coins, but I still more look for an average coin with the right date and mint mark than an uncirculated one. To me it just doesn't matter the condition really. I don't want it all beat up, but as long as I can read the date and see the effigy on the coin I'm usually happy. I would never buy a slabbed coin because I like something I can touch and have no interest in paying a premium. That's just how I am. I'd rather buy 10 beat up coins from the 1800s than one really nice one for the same price. The most I've paid for a coin is about $15. I'll go higher eventually but I like the feeling of going to a coin shop and coming home with a bag of coins. I try not to spend more than about $100 on a visit to the coin shop, so coming home with two coins that were $50 each wouldn't be so rewarding. I'm not worried about reselling these coins and it's really just something for me to enjoy right now.

 

Umm, sorry to bother all, I really am, but How do I start my own thread to ask a question about a suspect quarter?

 

I like CappedBustDimes try to collect a matched set, though I work on many sets at once, but mainly devote my main interest in 5 cent pieces. I personally would never be happy with a g or vg key date while the rest of my set is in say AU. I do buy key's in a wide range of grades when the price is right though. I personally like certain series in circulated over ms, not due to price, but imho a blast white MS capped bust half doesn't do it for me, while a nice xf gets me going oohh and aaahh. A early wheatie in a 65 red don't interest me though an 65 BN will catch my eye and they're more affordable. These coins have been around for a long time just take your time and be choosy if it's not excatly what you want/like why buy it, chances are you won't be happy with it in the long term.

 

Your question made me realize that I am completely obsessed with Jefferson Nickels. Apparently I have a Whitman folder of circulated examples plucked from change worth a few bucks, a BU Dansco Album of Jeffersons worth a few hundred, and an NGC Registry set worth thousands. Here is an example from each set.


Whitman Folder Circulated Collection


BU Album Collection


Registry Collection



It doesn't matter how you collect as long as you enjoy yourself in the process. I love all my Jefferson Nickels

 

Therein lies the secret to a long and successful relationship with your hobby. If you're having fun, then continue whatever it is you were doing. Like Paul, I love all my coins, even the ones nobody else does.
Guy~