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<p>[QUOTE=&quot;desertgem, post: 1254814, member: 15199&quot;]Welcome to the forum! Ebay can be good for an experienced collector, but experienced takes time to accumulate. The worse thing about being enthused with coin collecting is the desire to jump right in and make up for lost time, but that is dangerous. I would recommend obtaining ( from library or online) a Guide to US coins ( usually called a redbook for obvious reasons~ its red) not for the pricing however, but for the information inside. The pricing is often way off, but by comparing the prices given within a group ( such as indian head cents) , you can tell the supply/demand/rarity relationship. Although not always accurate, it can guide you to what price is reasonable.</p><p><br /></p><p>Secondly, the ability to grade a coin and recognize problems before buying is extremely important, as you can&#039;t really trust the person selling it. This forum is as good as any book on grading, but you will have to search through old posts to find the threads. It will take some time and certain transitions are difficult, such as telling a AU58 from a MS-63, or a MS-64 from a MS-65, each of which may be a big financial jump. Spend time at a coin show and look at the various graded coins.</p><p><br /></p><p>If you have the financial ability, buy coins graded by PCGS or NGC and study them to try and decide why the coin was graded MS-63 rather than MS-64 pr 65. It will pay off in the end.</p><p><br /></p><p>Decades ago when I started, there was no one around to give me advice except my older brother <img src="styles/default/xenforo/clear.png" class="mceSmilieSprite mceSmilie1" alt=":)" unselectable="on" unselectable="on" /> so I bought &quot;lots&quot; and had little idea what I was doing. But I usually bought coins I liked, and not ones he did, and I am glad as I still have some of those 3 cent nickles and bust halves.</p><p><br /></p><p>Contain your enthusiasm, and in a couple of years you will be glad you did, as knowledge is the most important part of any type of collection. And finally join a local coin club if there is one, it is always nice to interact.</p><p><br /></p><p>Jim[/QUOTE]</p><p><br /></p>

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