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<p>[QUOTE=&quot;GDJMSP, post: 2123, member: 112&quot;]Larry - </p><p><br /></p><p>You are correct in your comment that slabbed coins &amp; the grading companies were supposed to make it easier &amp; safer to buy coins. And to an extent they do. But you also have to realize that not all grading companies are equal. They do not all use the same grading standards and even the standards they do use change from time to time. </p><p><br /></p><p>As for collecting only being for the experienced - not so. Collecting from circulation is fun &amp; quite safe. And you get the coins for face value. You can also buy direct from the Mint. And if you prefer slabbed coins then only buy coins slabbed by the major grading companies like NGC or PCGS until you learn a bit. Even then I would not spend large sums of money. Of course large is relative and the individual must decide what is large to them. To some it may be $50 - to others it may be $5,000.</p><p><br /></p><p>New collectors need to try and learn as much as possible. This can be done from the beginning and still allow you to participate in the hobby. Buy some books - join a coin club - subscribe to some numismatic publications - read and participate in the coin forums - and above all ask questions. There are great many experienced collectors who are only too willing to help. All you have to do is ask.</p><p><br /></p><p>The internet provides a huge advantage to new collectors today. The sources of information are at your fingertips - but you do have to expend the effort.</p><p><br /></p><p>Even the experts make mistakes - far more often than they like to admit. The learning experience never stops in this pursuit of ours. There is nothing wrong with making mistakes - it is inevitable. Just make sure you learn from them.[/QUOTE]</p><p><br /></p>

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