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<p>[QUOTE=&quot;saftyguy, post: 2851, member: 296&quot;]Hi Jerry,</p><p><br /></p><p>If I didn&#039;t know better, I thought you were writing the story of my life with your question. The parallel is uncanny. I collected Lincolns and Jeffs (and others) as a child, put them away in Jr. High, and got interested again about 10-11 years ago (I&#039;m old, too!&nbsp; <img src="styles/default/xenforo/clear.png" class="mceSmilieSprite mceSmilie2" alt=";)" unselectable="on" unselectable="on" /> ) when I started buying Mint and Proof sets directly from the Mint.</p><p><br /></p><p>So, here&#039;s what I did: I first bought a coin database for the computer (Coin Keeper Deluxe by HobbySoft) and inventoried everything. You don&#039;t know where you want to go until you find out where you are. Then, I started upgrading my sets to the best condition I could afford, BU if possible. But, I didn&#039;t get rid of the old ones. Consequently, I now have two sets of almost everything, one in Circ the other in AU-BU. (FWIW, I&#039;ve never disposed of a single coin I collected from circ as a child. There is too much sentiment attached. Plus, I&#039;ve got a few goodies.)</p><p><br /></p><p>After a hard ten years work, I have collections of just about every 20th Century series the US issued, including original Proof sets back to 1955, and original Unc sets back to &#039;59, and some modern Commems, too.</p><p><br /></p><p>To show it can be done, I am missing 14 Mercury dimes in BU, one IHC (guess which one?), three Barber quarters (again, guess which?), and one Buffalo. EVERY other set is complete! (To be fair, I have to admit my Morgan set is a year-only set, not year/MM. Couldn&#039;t afford that one!) I finally got my 09-S VDB (the last one I needed) last year as a Christmas present from my (very tolerant) wife.</p><p><br /></p><p>As far as budget, yes, you can do it on your amount. You may have to compromise some grade for some of the pricier keys, and maybe wait a while before you buy, but it CAN be done.</p><p><br /></p><p>Suggestions: Join a coin club, go to shows and search the junk boxes, buy what you need and then grade up when you can, browse eBay (and the others). You can find some super deals if you&#039;re paying attention and quick (learn to snipe&nbsp; <img src="styles/default/xenforo/clear.png" class="mceSmilieSprite mceSmilie8" alt=":D" unselectable="on" unselectable="on" /> ). But, most importantly, ENJOY YOURSELF. My primary motivation isn&#039;t to &quot;make a killing&quot; on the value. My enjoyment is finally getting that &quot;last one&quot; that I need!</p><p><br /></p><p>Incidentally, I have been searching for the &quot;last&quot; Buffalo I need in the condition I want for two YEARS. Haven&#039;t found it yet, but I&#039;m still trying![/QUOTE]</p><p><br /></p>

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