How do I learn more about coins?

ajyas

I've been casually collecting since I was 10 or 11 (20 now) and started with metal detecting with my step dad, and I've been getting more into it the past couple years, mainly filling albums from searching bank rolls and gathering many older silver coins from my local coin shop. My question is, how do I learn more about coins? What books/websites do you guys recommend? Everyone on this forum seems very knowledgeable about coins and I'm not sure where to start. I picked up the new 2024 Red Book and am currently going cover to cover, reading it a little bit every day, but after that, where should I go from there? Sorry if this question is off topic, but I appreciate all answers.

jonathanb

@ajyas said:
I picked up the new 2024 Red Book and am currently going cover to cover, reading it a little bit every day

That is THE BEST PLAN, bar none.

after that, where should I go from there?

I think "worry about that when you get there"? There's a LOT of information in the Red Book. You're not going to get through it overnight. By the time you're done (or even before then), you may have found some areas that interest you more than others. Ask again here when you have some ideas of what parts you like, and I'm sure that you'll get good advice for diving deeper into those areas specifically.

rsei0120

I suggest go onto PCGS and look under services, Another one is The Official American Numismatic Association, Grading Standards. There are a lot more but that should help..I am no expert and very new at this yet, The people on this site are very knowledgable and will help. Just be respectful.

gumby1234

The Red book has a lot of info to start. What books you get from there depends on your collecting goals. Most coins have a book dedicated to them. Buffalo nickels have books . Morgan dollars and many others. There are coin books about error coins and about counterfeits.

Eldorado9

Coinfacts.com is a fantastic resource.

gumby1234

Also a book to learn how to grade coins will help immensely even if you only use it after you buy.

gumby1234

Coinfacts, photograde and Variety Vista come in handy for websites as well as VAM World for Morgan dollars.

Catbert

Also use the search function for topics of interest. You might also visit other coin sites in addition to being here such as CoinTalk.

Morgan White

After the general knowledge from the Red Book, pick a series that interest you, like Buffalo Nickels etc. Then buy a specialized book on the series.

Early_Milled_Latin_America

Figure out your true core collecting interest is then buy books from that series. With US coins there are so many books out there.

coinbuf

Once you have finished your red book reading take a look at the very first pinned post on this forum, there are many resources listed in that post.

ajyas

Thank you guys, I really like Franklin halves so after I finish the Red Book, I'll probably find a book for them, and it's a short series for the most part. I also have the ANA Grading Standards book I picked up a while back, so I'll go through that and try to learn grading. I appreciate y'all. This is a very helpful forum.

gumby1234

Franklin halves sounds like a good place to start.

privatecoin

Read this forum. Search for topics of interest. Just don't bump ancient threads.

privatecoin

@ajyas said:
Thank you guys, I really like Franklin halves so after I finish the Red Book, I'll probably find a book for them, and it's a short series for the most part. I also have the ANA Grading Standards book I picked up a while back, so I'll go through that and try to learn grading. I appreciate y'all. This is a very helpful forum.

Ikes are another good short set to start with

BustDMs

I don’t know the knowledge of your local dealer but ask questions there.

Join a local coin club if you have one in your area. Ask questions and listen to differing viewpoints.

Join the ANA, American Numismatic Association, money.Org.

As mentioned earlier in the thread get specialty books on the subjects that interest you and join specialty clubs that collect those types of coins.

Remember to VERIFY information you are given as if it is online you may not know the experience behind the answers.

Have fun and stay within your budget. Nothing is more discouraging than seeing a new collector get cheated or overspend themselves out of the hobby.

Hope you enjoy it as much as I have!

AlanSki

I learned by trial and error.

pursuitofliberty

Welcome! @ajyas

Sounds like you are off to a good start ... showing up here and asking a thought out question, owning and learning what you can with a RedBook and an ANA Grading Guide.

I'm going to second all of my friend @BustDM 's points above. There are a lot of good points in this thread, but his are very to the point and quite insightful.

I would also invite you to join the ANA. If you like to read and own the print copy of the Numismatist (which comes every month), splurge a little and check that option. Even if not, the membership is well worth the price IMO.

Get out and meet people if you can. Small shows, local dealers. maybe a local club. If not, start to hang around this board and maybe a couple other places on line a soak up what you can.

If you decide on a series, or a target design you want to acquire, I also suggest you focus on a grade range within that series. Try to view as many coins as you can (either in person or on-line). This will help you get a better feel for wear, luster, texture, color and surface qualities. It is far easier to understand and become proficient in a series or two at a time and a smaller grade range (for example VF30 to AU50 if you are looking for "EF40" coins) than to try and understand all grade ranges, much less all series.

Enjoy the journey. Don't get caught up in the destination.

Numismatics can offer a lifetime of learning and enjoyment. I'll hope it does for you.

may

I’m a newer collector too, only started seriously collecting a year and a half ago. I would take my 2011 Red Book to bed every night and read it until midnight . Learned a lot from that thing.

OAKSTAR

@ajyas said:
How do I learn more about coins?

You're 20 years old. You're most likely a social media, internet generation kind of guy. Google is your friend... You have the information at your fingertips. I'm guessing that's how you got here. 😉 😂

Of course, you must be wise enough to know you can't believe everything you read and see on-line. But you're off to a good start here! 👍🏻 Welcome!

Actually, you could probably teach me how to learn more!

rodepetdinosaur

Welcome to the world of coins. You've already received a lot of good advice. Franklin halves are interesting in
that the shallow relief of the coin puts a lot of the surface out where it can get "beat up". This and the size of the
coin makes them "relatively" easy to grade. The advice you received to "enjoy the journey" is definitely something you should
remember.

PeakRarities

I'd echo what everyone else said in this thread, and emphasize spending time on the forums. There was a point where I would read pretty much every thread that was posted here, which forced me to learn about topics I wouldn't have otherwise read about. Spend some time in the archives too.

Tom147

@ajyas said:
Thank you guys, I really like Franklin halves so after I finish the Red Book, I'll probably find a book for them,

Tom147 says : eBay has Rick Tomasko's book on Franklin & Kennedy halves. $ 26.00 I have this book and it is well worth the cost. Everything you need to know about both series.

ShaunBC5

I’ve got that book, too, and echo @Tom147 in saying it’s a great resource.
Also, I think there’s a Giant Red Book that focuses on halves (I have the Dime one) that I’ve been meaning to get.

asheland

Joining here was a great start! Welcome to the forums.

ajyas

Haha. Glad everyone is so encouraging here. Thanks for all the tips. Thanks for the recommendation @Tom147 I'll check out that book.

divecchia

Welcome aboard. You have a great start, by reading the Red Book and joining this forum. Learn what you can about the series you intend to collect. If you are doing a U.S. Type set, then learn what you can from the Red Book to get the basics of all the different pieces. Above all, I would collect what you like and collect it how you like. Meaning, have fun with the hobby and make it as enjoyable as you can you you.

Good luck, Donato.