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Hi all! I came in to some old coins thru the passing of my dad. He had been collecting since he was a kid. Most of what he had was in boxes and paper bags. Where do I start? Should I start with half pennies and work my way up? Are there good catalog softwares out there or is that not the way to go? Is this a good site to estimate possible worth? I have about 20 other questions but for now I will kick back and learn. Thank you to those who take the time to respond!
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Comments

  • Welcome to the forums!

    Cameron Kiefer
  • image

    Read and learn! All I need to do now is learn to read!!!! image
  • I can't answer all your questions but I am sure many people here will be more than happy to answer all your questions. Welcome to the forum!
  • wam98wam98 Posts: 2,685
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    Wayne
    ******
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    Katrina
  • Pick one type and stick with it. There are so many desirable coins on
    the market it is easy to go astray. Good luck in your search.

    image
    Alex in Alaska
    Collecting Morgans in Any Grade
  • FatManFatMan Posts: 8,977
    Here's a Big Fat Welcome to ya!image

    Sorry to hear of the loss of your father.

    A good place to begin would be with the RedBook, an excellent guide to US coins with retail prices. The RedBook also has general grading information which you will need to know in understanding what you may have. This will get you started. Good Luck and enjoy the adventure.
  • ddbirdddbird Posts: 3,168 ✭✭✭
    I agree with fats...2005 REd book...Once you learn the rarity of certain coins, take em to a dealer and get an opionon, or learn to post pictures here! Ask away...people will be more than friendly to help. Dont clean any of your coins either...though some may look tarnished...it will ruin their worth if you clean them!
  • Take your coins to a couple of your local dealers and get them appraised.
    Then decide where you want to go from there !!!
    Don't make a decision until you know what you have !!!

    You can follow this link to look for PCGS authorized dealers in your area !!!

    PCGS authorized dealers

    If possible take them to more than one dealer, don't accept any offers till you at least get a second opinion of value !!1

    You might also try posting scans or pictures of the coins here. Theres lots of knowledgeable and helpful people using this forum !!!

    Welcome and good luck!!!!
  • Welcome aboard! Can you tell us what you have? Can you post photos? That would help us to help give you some idea of value. You must educate yourself some, first. A good start would be to purchase the red book, officially titled "A Guidebook of United States Coins," by R.S. Yeoman, edited by Kenneth Bressett, 2005 edition.

    Disregard the values listed, as most of them are not very accurate. The intention of getting the book is to look through the different coin series and find out what you have. Read up on mint marks and where they are located and see if any of your coins have them.

    DO NOT ATTEMPT TO CLEAN any of your coins. Any questions you have, ask, ask, ask. There's almost always someone here who has the answer or who can help you out. Good luck!! image
  • krankykranky Posts: 8,709 ✭✭✭
    Welcome, ognib!

    I agree with FatMan - buy a book called "A Guide Book of US Coins" by R.S. Yeoman. It has a red cover, and it's commonly called the "Red book". From that you can get a general idea of the value of your coins. The prices are retail, so you would obviously get less if you wanted to sell them to a dealer. That's a good place to start. Get them organized, see if any are particularly valuable.

    New collectors, please educate yourself before spending money on coins; there are people who believe that using numismatic knowledge to rip the naïve is what this hobby is all about.

  • Yes this is a good place to learn,someone here will be able to answer any question you may have. Im suprised that you would only have about 20 questions I can think of more than that.image
    "Freedom of speech is a great thing.Just because you can say anything does not mean you should.
  • ShamikaShamika Posts: 18,781 ✭✭✭✭
    Welcome to the Forum.

    By the way, we love looking at coin images if you have any.

    Buyer and seller of vintage coin boards!
  • mirabelamirabela Posts: 5,012 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Welcome. Sorry about your father image . Like others said, don't clean your coins, and only handle them by the edges or else your fingerprints will be hideous marks in 30 years. Read lots and lots before you buy or sell anything. Have fun...
    mirabela
  • OK...How do I post an image? Oldest thing I've found so far is an 1840 dime and an 1860 2 cent piece. The large cents I have found so far are too worn to read the date. Bummer!
    image
  • image
    What the others said.........read
    Building 33-47 Mint Sets always looking for MS67s PM with any coins you might have for sale.

    Mike
    idocoins
  • FatManFatMan Posts: 8,977


    << <i>OK...How do I post an image? Oldest thing I've found so far is an 1840 dime and an 1860 2 cent piece. The large cents I have found so far are too worn to read the date. Bummer! >>

    Here is a thread with instructions. Posting Pics
  • mgoodm3mgoodm3 Posts: 17,497 ✭✭✭
    Welcome. We like pics.image
    coinimaging.com/my photography articles Check out the new macro lens testing section
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    You've come to the right place, lotza great people.


    Herb image
    Remember it's not how you pick your nose that matters, it's where you put the boogers.
    imageimageimage
  • Now I have to learn how to take a CLOSE UP!!
    image
  • cladkingcladking Posts: 28,649 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Welcome aboard.
    Tempus fugit.
  • GeminiGemini Posts: 3,085
    A big WELCOME to you and have a pleasant journey here...image
    A thing of beauty is a joy for ever
  • Always a good place to start !!!

    image

  • image
    Young Numismatist that collects: Morgan Dollars, SAE, Proof Sets, and Liberty Nickels.
    I also love to go through rolls to find coins.
    BST
    image
    MySlabbedCoins
  • Welcome to the Forum!!image

    jim
  • merz2merz2 Posts: 2,474
    ognib
    Let me also welcome you.There are collectors of most series here.If you post pics we might be able to help with grades.Of course your local Library probably has The Official RED BOOK,also known as Guide Book Of United States Coins.This book is a great help to most newbies.It ca usually be purchased for $10.00 at local coin shops.
    Don
    Registry 1909-1958 Proof Lincolns

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