Best type or series of coin for beginners

Since I'm just starting out collection coins for the numismatic value of them, I'm just curious to see what people think are the best types or series to collect?

I think for a beginner there are a few important criteria (in no order):

Value- Low enough cost to collect not to put off new collectors.

Desirability- some level of interesting history, uniqueness, or eye appeal.

Attainability- The coins can be found easy enough so that the beginner can feel they can build a collection with effort but not so much to discourage them to the point of quiting.


To me Wheat Cents, Indian Head Cents, Buffalo nickles, and Mercury dimes probably fit this the best. A large portion of these coins can be had for very small amounts and the vast majority go for less than $50.

 

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All of those are pretty good choices. When I started out as a kid, Mercury dimes in particular fascinated me. :3 I never really built sets, but they were easy to find and inexpensive.

You could also do non-US coins, if that's your thing - you can find all kinds of interesting and historic foreign coins for insanely cheap prices. I still love old pre-1900's foreign coins, and a lot of dealers will toss non-PM foreigns (and sometimes even silver foreigns) into a bargain bin. You could also do sets of coins for the countries your ancestors came from. That's actually something I've been meaning to do myself.

 

Jefferson Nickels is the only answer.

 

The Jefferson nickels are a great set to start with. They fit all of your criteria.
The ASE coins in business strikes are also a nice set if you want a little precious metal value to your set.

The Jeffs can be started from circulation, at 5c each, then you can spend a little to upgrade them to BU over time.
Jeffs also tone like no other coin out there.

The ASEs are easy to find, and relatively inexpensive, but can be challenging to find in really nice shape in some dates.
Many people consider these just 'silver bullion', and therefore put their fingerprints all over them without a second thought.
When you finally find that perfect one in a group, for the same price as the ugly ones, it is very satisfying.

 

proof sets; today I bought five for $30 (altogether). They were 1970, 1972,1973, 1974, and 1991. They have a very appealing look and are cheap at my local dealer. About $1 per coin.

 

Well, you should collect exactly what you would like to collect... so if the seated liberity dime is the coin that you fall in love with, start collecting that. Do not try and force a coin onto yourself that you don't care for simply because they're cheaper in MS than another. The coin that genuinely interested you is the coin you should collect... even though you may have to get it in a lower grade

Best,
C.J.

 

Very well said. Even though the Jefferson nickel might be the easiest to collect I would never just because I consider the coin to be very ugly and boring. Collect what you like. For me it's wheat pennies. I don't know why but I love them and they're for the most part pretty affordable. Good luck.

 

Yes, if price was the primary concern I'd go with Jefferson Nickels, but to me they are not as cool as mercury dimes, indian heads or wheat pennies. I do like buffalo nickels though. The 50 state quarters are nice looking and cheap too but just don't pop for me.

 

Don't let Lehigh or gbroke hear you! I'm sure they would be very angry...:devil:

But I have to agree. Lincoln Cents are THE cheapest to collect (unless you want to try and attain registry status), and most widely collected (I think...I forgot where I got that info) and IMHO has a richer luster than the typical blast white coins of virtually all other denominations. I like older wheatie's golden look as well.

 

Getting ramped up on coin collecting myself and my main focus has been on exactly what has been advised above. Jefferson nickels, pennies, ASEs, and silver proof sets. If I find something else that interests me along the way such as a Morgan dollar or a MS silver dime then I'll purchase it.

Right now I've been purchasing war nickels and indian & wheat pennies for my collection.

 

It seems you already know the answer to your question, it is in your comment
"Yes, if price was the primary concern I'd go with Jefferson Nickels, but to me they are not as cool as mercury dimes, indian heads or wheat pennies. I do like buffalo nickels though. The 50 state quarters are nice looking and cheap too but just don't pop for me."
What "is cool" to you? What does "pop" for you? that is the answer to your question.
I can tell you what does it for me, but that is really unimportant. You will spend time and $ with something that interests YOU. Delve into your delights! and enjoy the treasures.
If you do go with 1c, Indian and wheat, don't forget to check out the flying eagle! But then... that's MY thing. What's yours?

 

Don't forget Ike Dollars! you can complete a set with uncirculated coins for under $200, with the most expensive ones being maybe $15 or $20 a piece, and most being $2-$4 for clad business strikes.

 

It really depends on the grade of the coin you collect, if you are looking for XF40 range then the mercury dimes have more silver value then the numismatic value. MS coins then more of the value is numismatic.

I would start with Indian Head cents, once you get hooked you pick up a flying eagle, finally you end with my personal favorite large cents. I am thinking about trying to do a braided hair run...

 

The only answer I shall give: Jefferson Nickels.

 

I say the best place to start is Roosevelt dimes. They are cheap, easily obtainable and a great way to get into silver. Do a set with all of the proof issues if you want a little more challenging set.

 

Type

You've seen it written here at CT several times. Telling someone what coin to collect is like telling someone who to marry or what car to buy. I can only tell you what I enjoyed collecting. Consider getting a couple Jefferson Nickel folders and a couple Lincoln cent folders. You can roll search & fill them with a bunch of different dates & mint marks. It will become apparent which ones are tough to find & you can start pricing your options at coin shows etc.

At the same time, get a Dansco 7070 US Type set album. Fill the Dansco one coin at a time & learn about every major US coin series in the process. Some of the holes you can fill from roll searching. You will have much to choose from when you are coin shopping. :smile

Whatever you do, have fun and post here often.

 

I sort of had my mind made up before I posted the thread that I like Indian heads,Wheats, buffalo nickels..ect but I figured a thread like this would be a good refrence for other new collectors.

When I decided that coin collected sounded cool I didn't even have any idea of where to start or where to start to look. I read a lot and bought a Red Book and figured it out though,with the help of reading the posts on these forums.

It just seemed like there are so many coins to collect that maybe narrowing it down a bit might help sometimes.

 

I have to agree with this. If you start with the dansco 7070 (one of each coin) you will quickly find the coins that you are attracted to and fit your budget, they will be the first holes you fill.

 

Well, the correct answer is:

Drumroll please.......

Collect what you like


There isn't even a requirement you build a set. Just find what interests you, whether it's a particular series, foreign coins, ancients, US type set etc. Decide how you are coin to collect them, you can build a nice circulated Jefferson set from just roll searching. Same thing with Kennedy's.

That is the best thing about coin collecting, you can make the rules.

Have fun,
Mike

 

I came back to say this. It's my favorite album, and if I could start all over again, it would have been my first and only aside from Jeffersons.

For you folks hating on the Jefferson nickels and saying things like: "It's ugly, boring, easy to collect, blah blah..."

I was going to write a long rage dump and show pictures and most likely turn you into a Jefferson nickel collector.
But I don't have the patience for that.
So all I will ask is...

Have you ever actually looked at a Jefferson Nickel that didn't come from your pocket?

I say good day...