HELP!! looking for new collection

Hello im a 17 yr old united states coin collector. I also have a few foreign coins too. Im looking for a new collection to start (United States coin.) That is not too expensive but is not also cheap. Around 20$ a coin excluding key dates. And suggestions would be great thanks!

 

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Transportation tokens.

 

nickels ? what grade are you wanting ?

 

You might start a type set. Start with modern stuff and work back in time. As you get to the older coins you can adjust the grade you buy to fit your budget. Along the way, you might find something you think is really cool.

 

Franklin half's...Walker short set

 

Walkers seem like a good one. I just bought a 1916-S AG/G for $19. I also have other coins I got in lots including 1916-D relatively inexpensive. A lot of people are doing type sets though.

 

You might want to start by getting yourself a Red Book of United States Coins. Granted, the price guides are not totally accurate, but at least you will be able to review every series of coins that have been produced in the US. Usually, you will hear such garbage as, "Buy what you like.", but in your case I don't think that will work.

Good luck!

Chris

 

Mercury dimes minus the 1916-D.
Kennedy half dollars.

 

There are tons of ideas for you...

I fully agree with the idea of getting a reference book (like @cpm9ball said, the Red Book) and, after actually reading through it, going to a couple shops/shows to see some examples of what's out there to collect.

We can all throw our personal choices in there (for me, World Coins, Jefferson Nickels, and varieties) but we can't "Inception" a collection idea for you. That's something you really need to decide for yourself if you're going to be passionate about it.

For Jefferson nickels, you could probably put together most of a set at face value from the bank. Maybe not the keys (1950D, 1942D, 1939D/S, and varieties) but most of them. You could also put together a really nice raw set for way less than $20/coin with maybe a couple exceptions by shopping at coin shops. It's only when you get into the registry quality grades that they get super expensive. Kind of along the same lines as the Kennedy Halves @Victor mentioned.

I might also consider a set of Eisenhower Dollars. Not too many coins, and finding attractive ones is a worthy quest. Again, lots of coin shops won't charge an arm and a leg for them, either. Maybe Franklin Half Dollars fits into this same category.

With the more established sets (Walking Liberty Half Dollars, Mercury Dimes, Lincoln Cents) there are already tons of collectors who have put together complete sets, and there are key dates that are going to possibly be "stoppers" - or at least coins that hold you up from finishing the sets. Plus, getting attractive coins in higher (i.e., detail-showing) grades will be especially cost-prohibitive for you.

As for varieties (which I collect) - maybe a short set of Type B/C Reverse Quarters (1956-1964) or maybe expanded to include the 1956/58/59 Franklin Half Dollars. What I like about varieties is that you learn a lot about the minting process, plus you can have the thrill of cherrypicking a variety. Or you could discover a new piece (I have just one, but it's really sweet!) Just one example of many.

Just my two cents.

 

I would say nickels are the best, you can put a full set together from circulation, you can also put a full set together of Roosevelt dimes together from circulation if you try long enough, ive put together 3 sets of Roosevelt dimes from circulation the past year and working on an MS 63+ set of nickels from circulation. They are fairly easy sets and cheep.

 

When I asked myself this same question, I decided on a collection that had a combination of variety, consistency, and was affordable to my casual budget, so I assembled a year type series of U.S. coins from the depression to the state quarters (1929-2009). I upgraded it over the last few years to include 23 modern commemoratives, and replaced circulated coins with proof's from 1950-2009, the years 1992-2009 are the silver proof's. This set has 508 coins in it and has a retail value of about $4,500. I display it in customized capital frames using cardboard cutouts.

 

Ike dollars are a fun set. Try to get the highest grade that you can afford of each year and mint mark. You also have some varieties such as type 1 2 and 3 1972 Ikes and type 1 and 2 1976 Ike dollars you could include. Along with 40% silver proofs, clad proofs and 40% silver business strikes.

Here's what a complete set of all the dates, mintmarks, strikes (proof business strike), major varieties and metals. If you want it to be shorter you could narrow it down to just date and mintmark.

1971p
1971d
1971s (Clad proof)
1971s (Silver proof)
1971s (Silver business strike)
1972p
1972p type 1 2 and 3
1972d
1972s (Clad proof)
1972s (Silver proof)
1972s (Silver business strike)
1973p
1973d
1973s (Clad proof)
1973s (Silver proof)
1973s (Silver business strike)
1974p
1974d
1974s (Clad proof)
1974s (Silver proof)
1974s (Silver business strike)
1976p (type 1 and 2)
1976d (type 1 and 2)
1976s (Clad proof) (type 1 and 2)
1976s (Silver proof)
1976s (Silver business strike)
1977p
1977d
1977s (Clad proof)
1977s (Silver proof)
1977s (Silver business strike)
1978p
1978d
1978s (Clad proof)
1978s (Silver proof)
1978s (Silver business strike)

 

statehood quarters

 

Really? Somehow, I feel like I'm missing the sarcasm font...

 

I don't think State quarters are a bad way to go. Can get them for face. It can be fun and it's the thrill of the hunt.

 

True - state quarters are easily obtainable. However, I wouldn't start a collection of them because:

1) Everyone's grandma has at least 5 sets of them in BU rolls, to be given to the grandkids at some point in the future...so prices will (most likely) never go up.
2) See #1 - so condition will likely not vary so much, as BU coins are available quite easily - so maybe the OP might not learn as much about eye appeal/quality as he would with all the aforementioned options.
3) Resale on a circulation-pulled state quarter set would be...well...disappointing? I have almost a complete PCGS MS69 graded set to sell on consignment and can't get anyone to touch them for $10 each. That's less than the cost of grading...

Now, if your goal was to put together a set for fun only...I could see trying to get them from circulation. I could see it as a fun father/son mother/daughter (and any other combo of genders) task.

 

I had a blast picking them out of circulation for a friend from the U.K. Sure, worth only face? Ya. Fun? Yep. And cheap! Everything you said @stldanceartist is on the mark. Not much investment there, just fun.

For max $20 I would go for a set of Franklins in a Dansco. I would try to pick MS examples which can be had for around that price. And if silver should go up, then they might be worth more.

 

I agree that some really nice Franklins can be had for $20 or less. Same with Ikes (although the Franklin set would contain more silver) and especially with Jeffersons. I think I've only paid more than $20/coin for 5 or less Jeffersons in my collection (not counting my 1994 P and 1997 P Matte Proof hoard.)

 

You know, since the OP also mentioned having some world coins, a suggestion might be to start collecting the coins of our neighbors to the north and south. Some beautiful, beautiful coins, low mintages, and, most importantly, COIN DEALER INDIFFERENCE (i.e., usually great deals when you can find them...)

 

Indian Head Cents?
There are only a handful of dates to contend with that are over $20 in G-VG.
It's also a very satisfying set to upgrade - at least I think so.