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Question from a newbie

anjcollectionanjcollection Posts: 213
in U.S. Coin Forum
Brand new to this board. I usually deal in sportscards, but I wanted to dive into the coin market.

I'm mainly interested in Lincoln pennys and quarters. Any ideas on good starts for my collection? I saw a 1909 Lincoln VDB MS66 RD on ebay. Is that a good place to start? I'd say I'd want to spend less than $400 on any single coin.

Thanks!
Andy

Comments

  • mojoriznmojorizn Posts: 1,380 ✭
    I'd say if you want Lincolns for less than $400 in MS then start with a couple of semi-keys. The 1909-S and 1914-D are always in high demand in MS and both can be had for less than you're willing to pay. I've got a MS63RB '09-S and spent less than $300.

    Mojo
    "I am the wilderness that is lost in man."
    -Jim Morrison-
    Mr. Mojorizn

    my blog:www.numistories.com
  • 1jester1jester Posts: 8,637 ✭✭✭
    Welcome to the boards, and to coin collecting, anj. Stick around here and don't be afraid to ask questions; there are some of the most helpful and extremely knowledgeable people here.

    Also, if you turn on your private message capability, others will be able to talk privately with you.

    imageimageimage
    .....GOD
    image

    "Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you." -Luke 11:9

    "Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God is one LORD: And thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might." -Deut. 6:4-5

    "For the LORD is our judge, the LORD is our lawgiver, the LORD is our king; He will save us." -Isaiah 33:22
  • StuartStuart Posts: 9,820 ✭✭✭✭✭
    anjcollection: Note that mojorizn was suggesting the 1909-S (not the 1909-S VDB) would be in your stated price range in mint state grades.

    I thought it best to point this out to you since you mentioned that you are new to coin collecting.

    This rather small but significant disctinction between the two coins has a huge impact on price, as you can see from the following web link:

    http://www.pcgs.com/prices/frame.chtml?type=date&filename=lincoln_cent


    Stuart

    Collect 18th & 19th Century US Type Coins, Silver Dollars, $20 Gold Double Eagles and World Crowns & Talers with High Eye Appeal

    "Luck is what happens when Preparation meets Opportunity"
  • RYKRYK Posts: 35,800 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Andy,

    Congratulations! You have graduated to coins. It took me a while to do so, but I am glad that I did.

    You are probably not going to like my advice now, but you will thank me later. Do not buy a single Lincoln cent (or any other coin) until you have purchased a book on the series and browsed any educational websites on the series (if there are any). I do not collect Lincolns, so I cannot steer you, but someone here will.

    Good luck,

    Robert
    My Box of 20: https://pcgs.com/setregistry/collectors-showcase/box-20/ryks-gold-box-20/17132
  • cladkingcladking Posts: 28,733 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Welcome aboard. If you're interested in MS-66's exclusively then you'll
    find many of the older dates will be impossible in your price range. In fact,
    you'll find some of the Lincoln memorials will be a little bit of a stretch if
    you like varieties.

    To get MOST of the older Lincolns in your price range will require you to
    come down to MS-60 condition.
    tempus fugit extra philosophiam.
  • mgoodm3mgoodm3 Posts: 17,497 ✭✭✭
    For $400 a coin you can get some very nice ones. Very high grade for some issues, less for the more rare dates. Buy what you like and enjoy them.
    coinimaging.com/my photography articles Check out the new macro lens testing section
  • Conder101Conder101 Posts: 10,536 ✭
    I'd be careful diving in, there's big rocks down there. Better to wade in and learn about the swimmin' ole first before you go diving.
  • MapMakerMapMaker Posts: 252
    anjcollection,
    Welcome to the Board. I just sold my collection & lost money because I didn't listen! I have some good advice for you from a recent post : If you are a collector/investor as I was forget the investor part and enjoy the hobby unless you are well healed and have big bucks to invest! To anyone who asks me for collecting advice I will have one all inclusive statement; "BUY THE HOLES!" I could have faired much better if I had bought the "Key" dates and forgot the rest, but as most collectors I attempted too many sectors and did not focus on key dates and truly rare coins. If you just "Buy The Holes" you will do well as a collector and Investor. If you have any questions please don't hesitate to PM me or ask it on the board.
    Good luck in your numismatic endevors. Sincerely, MapMaker.
    P.S. TIMING HAS A LOT TO DO WITH THE OUTCOME!
  • anjcollectionanjcollection Posts: 213
    Great, great feedback so far from all. It feels a lot like the set registry board from the sportscards side of things. With my experience from there, I think I'm set to make some good decisions about what to get in the future. I will certainly take the advice of learning to swim before 'diving' in.

    Thanks!

    PS. Any further advice on where to start in terms of affordable 'rarer' pennys or quarters, that'd be great. Also, any advice on which publications or books I should buy to get me started, that would be great too!
  • MapMakerMapMaker Posts: 252


    << <i>Great, great feedback so far from all. It feels a lot like the set registry board from the sportscards side of things. With my experience from there, I think I'm set to make some good decisions about what to get in the future. I will certainly take the advice of learning to swim before 'diving' in.

    Thanks!

    PS. Any further advice on where to start in terms of affordable 'rarer' pennys or quarters, that'd be great. Also, any advice on which publications or books I should buy to get me started, that would be great too! >>


    COIN WORLD Link is a good starter. Great publication with volumes of good articles and a monthly price guide.
    Link
    Have Fun, MapMaker.
  • cladkingcladking Posts: 28,733 ✭✭✭✭✭


    << <i>!

    PS. Any further advice on where to start in terms of affordable 'rarer' pennys or quarters, that'd be great. Also, any advice on which publications or books I should buy to get me started, that would be great too! >>



    Many of the later date cents and quarters can be quite scarce in nice
    uncirculated condition. Some are excellent values for the price.
    tempus fugit extra philosophiam.
  • JxnBoyJxnBoy Posts: 737
    Coppercoins, who is a member here, has a fantastic site on copper.
    http://www.coppercoins.com/

    Good luck and welcome.

    David
    David

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