I recently graduated college and got interested in collecting coins and I'm looking for advice. I'm interested in peace dollars, walking liberty halves, and mercury dimes but I'm open to other U.S. silver coin suggestions. I purchased a couple of coins from eBay and a couple Morgan dollars for $30 each from Littleton Coin Company but I'm not sure if I got a fair deal. After doing some research I'm worried about cleaned or over graded coins and over paying. I'm interested in U.S. silver coins for both the history and the investment in silver (coins that will hold their value better in the event silver went down in price). I'm interested in putting them away for the long term. I feel like now is a good time to buy silver. I'm looking at APMEX right now to put in an order (around $1,000). Here is what I had in mind: - $10 Walking Liberty Halves - 90% Silver 20-Coin Roll (XF) - $288.50 (http://www.apmex.com/Product/43925/10_Walking_Liberty_Halves___90_Silver_20_Coin_Roll_XF.aspx) - Is this a good condition and price? - $5 Mercury Dimes - 90% Silver 50-Coin Roll (Extra Fine) - $176.75 (http://www.apmex.com/Product/44583/5_Mercury_Dimes___90_Silver_50_Coin_Roll_Extra_Fine.aspx) - Is this a good condition and price? - Is investing in a set of Silver American Eagles a good idea (1986-present) - http://www.apmex.com/Category/160/Silver_Eagles___Uncirculated_2013__Prior.aspx I'd appreciate any advice on getting started with coin collecting and buying U.S. silver for the first time? I'm also interested in pennies (Flying Eagle, Large Cent, Half Cent, and 2 Cent). Thanks in advance.
When buying junk silver.. you care less of the quality and more of the price. Actually, you really don't care about the condition. IF you're buying the coins as bullion, and see them only as bullion, then you need to think differently than you would if you want the coins as a collector item.
The Silver Eagles are the ones that stand out to me the most. I am in the process of collecting the entire PR-69 Retro Black Holder series. Silver Morgans would be my second favorite, cheap to get, and their popularity keeps the prices down for the most part. Apmex is a good company. I would trust them over Lear Capitol or Goldline. I'm not bashing Lear or Goldline, but Apmex just has really good prices and their website is easy to navigate. But Apmex does a poor job at keeping certain coins in stock though. And you know, it just really depends on what you like and what fits your budget. With $1000, I personally would purchase/invest in a tube of sealed Silver Eagles. You'll pay more for slabbed coins, so if you're gonna buy in bulk, buy raw. But only buy in bulk from companies like Apmex.
Here's some more you might want to check out. Not saying these are better. Sometimes though you need to pick up different things from different places. http://www.providentmetals.com/ http://www.silvertowne.com/default.aspx http://www.goldmart.com/
Stay away from Littleton, it kinda reminds me of the mid-90's Columbia House or BMG CD deals. Do you have any coin shops near you? You might want to call around and check them out first as you will actually get to see the coins you are buying. Well, not condition as much as wear. You don't want a coin worn down to the bone which has lost metal content. If you are going through a box of junk Morgans at the coin shop, you midas well get the best ones you can.
