I may need to break this addiction..

Danilee219

I'm admittedly and obviously new to all of this and I think my family thinks I'm on drugs locked up in my room every spare minute staring at every coin I see, taking pictures, sorting piles all over my room... etc. Lol. I just got excited when I saw the lettering on this piece, then let down after a double take. Decided it was time for my eyes to get a break.

Catbert

Hobby fever is intoxicating! Welcome and tell us more about what you’re collecting.

bolivarshagnasty

Nothing wrong with a cooling off period.

Smudge

Better than drugs or booze.

Danilee219

I haven't really found my specific niche completely. But as of now if I would have to guess im leaning more towards the pre 83 Lincoln memorial cents. But it's so new all kinds of random things keep grabbing my attention. Lol.

ricko

@Danilee219 .... Welcome aboard. When new to coins, you will see all sorts of things that look strange or different. Much of what you see will be PMD (Post Mint Damage) due to wear or handling. You will definitely benefit from some books.. the Redbook and the CherryPickers Guide. They will help you a great deal when checking anomalies. Cheers, RickO

dmwest

@Smudge said:
Better than drugs or booze.

maybe just as expensive....

1Mike1

I like your enthusiasm. If you're just starting out, get yourself a Whitman folder and fill it up. Keep us up to date on your collection. Have fun.

jmski52

Welcome! Take your time. Do pick up the references that ricko suggested. It's an interesting hobby.

Insider2

Suggestion, while it is fun to pick things out of pocket change or roll hunting, for under $25 you should be able to find a complete BU set of Memorial cents in an album. At the least, for under $5 you can get a complete set of the 1982 varieties. I keep mine handy when examining my "cookie jar." Both those purchases will give you a jump start and you can get a second folder to fill yourself from a personal search.

jedm

Welcome to the forum! I think there are many of us here that started in this hobby by collecting pennies (cents). I agree with @Smudge in his opinion comparing to drugs or booze. Sure you could spend as much time and money with those or other hobbies, but this one is less of a danger to your health as long as you take a few minutes to get up and get some exercise frequently in between.

Danilee219

I've already ordered a few books. The cherry pickers guide was one of them I know. I haven't looked into buying many yet but I intend on it, purchasing online scares me bc I see too many that are questionable and I personally have taken a few pictures that could easily deceive with the right angles and etc. But it's on my list for sure

Namvet69

Wait til you get a Plugable usb microscope from Amazon. Talk about finding errors, large and small. Welcome, much to read and learn here. Peace Roy

Paradisefound

Welcome the forum @Danilee219 .... I like and relate to your thought process
You do need to rest your mind as well as your eyes at times.
I have an extra AGFA LUPE if you like to have...PM me

ModCrewman

Until you get comfortable invest more time than money in your newfound hobby. You are unlikely to regret the time, but you would very likely regret the money invested if you make mistakes on your early purchases.

When I started collecting, I enjoyed the hobby at home with pocket-change and bank boxes of coins while reading everything I could find here for about a year and a half. That time reading helped me pick a niche in which I wanted to collect and enabled me to start out with direction and at least a base knowledge of the major pitfalls to watch out for. This is an amazing place to learn.

Redglobe

Hello,

If you belong to a local bank in your area I would suggest what insider2 mentioned,ask the teller for a dollar amount of rolled pennies and search through them. Great experience and fun at the same time. When your done with that batch return them back to the bank and try again.

It sounds like your having fun,and that is what can keep you interested and motivated.

BuffaloIronTail

@Insider2 said:
Suggestion, while it is fun to pick things out of pocket change or roll hunting, for under $25 you should be able to find a complete BU set of Memorial cents in an album. At the least, for under $5 you can get a complete set of the 1982 varieties. I keep mine handy when examining my "cookie jar." Both those purchases will give you a jump start and you can get a second folder to fill yourself from a personal search.

I agree, Skip. But "The Hunt" is where the real fun comes from. It kept me busy for months when I decided to complete my post 1959 Cents from circulation.

I ended up finding all but one, and I had a blast!

Pete

asheland

Danilee219

Yeah, i definitely need better setup. I'm driving myself mad trying to use poor lighting and a camera phone. Keeping my hands steady is a challenge. lol