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<p>[QUOTE=&quot;Ardatirion, post: 617028, member: 9204&quot;]These are my rules. They may not work for everyone here, but I guarantee they&#039;ll give you a more enjoyable collecting experience:</p><p><br /></p><p>- READ the book before you buy the coin. Books can be incredibly expensive and, if you have a way of borrowing it or downloading it (illegally! gasp!) do that first. If you really like the series, a hard copy is the way to go. But there&#039;s no need to rush it. </p><p><br /></p><p>- Buy the coin before you buy the book. Contradicting? I know it is. But provided that its not a very expensive coin and, more importantly, you&#039;re okay with a gamble, buy the coin first. I sometimes find it a bit difficult to really get into a coin book unless I have something in my collection to connect it to. This will give you inspiration for reading some of those books you borrowed.&nbsp; </p><p><br /></p><p>- Stop trying to think about sets. Everyone says &quot;buy what you like,&quot; but few here have made the logical connection that this means to relax with the sets a little bit. There&#039;s really no need for some publisher at Whitman to tell you what to collect. So buy some nice coins. Double up on a date or type if you have to, it won&#039;t hurt any. </p><p><br /></p><p>- NEVER expect to make money when selling your coins. Trust me, this will save you a whole lot of grief. Easier to simply treat the money you spend on coins as gone for ever. Then you&#039;ll be happy with what you do manage to get when you sell. </p><p><br /></p><p>- ALWAYS push the frontiers of your numismatic knowledge. I hate hearing people complaining about how much they don&#039;t know. &quot;Early copper? I don&#039;t know anything about it!&quot; &quot;Ancients? I&#039;m afraaaaaaaaid!&quot; Try something new. Even if its just an impulsive world coin buy from the bargain bin. </p><p><br /></p><p>- PATIENCE! Tmoney was right when he said this. Patience is the most important thing in my collecting arsenal. I have gotten so many rare (or at least rare-ish) types by simply waiting for one at the right price, and its always come along. Remember: your coin is out there. Wait for it.</p><p><br /></p><p>- Look at as many coins as you can. Online. At shows. In the collection of friends. Only that way will you truly understand grading or attribution. Or anything for that matter. The more the merrier. </p><p><br /></p><p>- Talk with others about your coins. This can be hard, as I know many of us are very security-conscious. But even discussing them here on Cointalk is good. Ya, I may get tired of hearing about everyone&#039;s new 1922 no D, but its good for YOU. I&#039;ll get by, somehow. </p><p><br /></p><p>- Never go to the General Discussion section. It will suck your brains straight from your head. <img src="styles/default/xenforo/clear.png" class="mceSmilieSprite mceSmilie8" alt=":D" unselectable="on" unselectable="on" />[/QUOTE]</p><p><br /></p>

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