This is my first time here at the cointalk forum, it looks like a pretty neat place and it seems to me that it's run by some pretty educated people. I'm not sure if this is the right place to post this-so please forgive. I was looking at the US mint website like I always do, and I noticed the 2005 United States State Quarters Proof Set was out. It includes The Lincoln penny, the Roosevelt dime, Kennedy half-dollar, Sacagawea golden dollar, two of the new commemorative nickels (not sure which two), and the 2005 state quarters. All 11 coins are proofs, obviously uncirculated. Price is 22.95 (without shipping). Is this a good deal? I did my research and looked up the coins in Red Book 2005 (I just updated), and the toal price for all 11 coins added up to be a little over 50 dollars. I know as well as anyone that Red Book is NOT intended to be used as a price guide, however that's over a 200% difference between Red Book price and US Mint price. I was thinking that maybe in...20 years the set might be worth $50.(?) Anybody have any recomendations on me possibly buying this? Any comments would be helpful as I have never bought a set before, haven't even bought from the US Mint. So, I don't know what to expect. I'm guessing that they're trustworthy-not a doubt in my mind. But still would like some feedback. Ok, now I'm rambling. Thanks- Bill
Howdy Bill - Welcome to the Forum !! Certainly nothing wrong with buying from the mint. That's how most collectors get their Proof & mint sets. But don't buy them because you think they might go up in value - they might not. There are many years where mint products have actually gone down. Buy them because you like them
Well I certainly like the looks of them. You see-I usually like to collect the older coins. Preferably the ones before I was born. I like the history in them and I like to imagine what it was like back then-that's why I was skeptical in buying modern day coins from the mint-I don't have much experience with them-Thanks for the info. Bill
Ahhhhhh - older coins, history - just imagine what it was like back then !!! Sounds like you might be a world coin collector and just don't know it yet Have you ever considered collecting world coinage ? You wanna talk about history - Boy Howdy do they have it !! But before I continue with this spiel, I should probably let you respond first. Don't want to unduly influence a new member ya know. Aint that right folks
Okay, fine, you've got me curious now -- what's a good world coin collection to start up with? I like Canadian cents, and I almost have them all (including the large cents) from 1900-2004, and I like the CCCP (USSR) coinage, but I can't really find them anyplace in circulation. What would you suggest as a college student without a lot of cash to spend? ~AJ
It is...I just stay here to learn all of the tips of the trade ;--) and yes---its fine to post this here! Lincoln cent ;--) It has both...the Buff P and D and the Ocean view D and P but Proof is not uncirculated...proof is one way of minting...UNC in just like you get in change but this year the mint is not doing the UNC sets they are doing Matted sets...don't get me started on that!! That is up to you...are they worth it to you?... maybe Just buy what YOU like...don't let anyone tell you what to buy or collect. Speedy
Thats right...even though when you take another collector over to the World area it leaves many more coins for me I just wish they would stay here with me!!!... Speedy
Sounds like you already have a good start on it. But finding anything but Canadian in circulation would be rather tough in this country. You might might the odd piece here and there, but you won't find much. However - the choices available if you choose to purchase your coins are almost limitless. And you'll likely find that they ( world coins ) are a good bit cheaper than US coins. And that goes for copper, silver & gold. You say you like the CCCP coinage - it's out there. But have you considered the older Russian coins ? They're out there too and quite affordable in many cases. Although Russian coinage has been becoming quite popular in the past year or two and going up in price. I myself am rather fond of Royal French coinage and in lower or mid grades it is quite affordable. You can even find some of the smaller silver denominations in AU/Unc grades for $50 - $60. And I'm talking about coins from the 1600 & 1700's. In VF or XF grades they can often be had for $25 - $30. You can even find gold coins for as little as $50 - $75, often in Unc condition. The story is basically the same for most European nations with the exception of the UK. Some of that stuff is more expensive than the US coins. So - what strikes your fancy ??
nope...not yet ;--) Just today I heard of a S VDB that might fit in my collection---a little higher grade than I was looking for but I think it would be better in the long run...the guy said he would have it in this week for me to look at! Nope...world coins just don't have my number yet...when they do I'm sure they will call! Speedy
I said earlier: "...and the 2005 state quarters. All 11 coins are proofs, obviously uncirculated." Wow-this quote thing is pretty neat. Anyways, I realize that Speedy I was just stating two different facts-I probably should have left that last one out. Thanks for all the corrections-I'll work on that too. World coinage GDJMSP-allright, I'll possibly look into that one. You see-There are tons of coins in the US, and I still have a lot to learn. I'm afraid that if I go into world coins I'll get lost and never come back! Thanks for all the info. y'all- Bill
