Going the way of the slab, advice needed

slabfab

This is my first post. I've been lurking here for a few weeks and I've rather enjoyed the lively debates. I especially enjoy the "guess the grade" threads as I find those most illuminating.

I've recently sold off a good bit of my raw coin collection to free up funds for certs. I have a daughter headed for college next year so this slush fund is all I have for now. I'm interested in wartime jeffs in MS65FS, silver eagles in MS69, and Franklins in MS65. I would like advice on how to proceed. Should I concentrate on one series at a time? Since my funds are limited should I invest the money now in the tougher dates/grades as they come available? What do you guys generally do?

Also I have a few raws that I am considering sending off...I will try to take some pics and see what the group thinks. I would be honored to receive one or two "you sucK" commendations...one day perhaps...

Thanks in advance.

ddbird

Welcome Frank! Its ok to concentrate on different series if you enjoy all the series. If a nicer key coin comes along and you have the funds, I would scoop it up. But if your going for quantity, hold out until you have a way to "renew" your funds. Eagles would be able to do pretty easily until you hit a few of the rarer ones, but thats a relatively cheap set. Franklins or Jeffs arnt too bad either, but you will start having to pay a lot more with the FS and FBL designation.

Most importantly, have fun doing it!

Lets see some of those pictures....

DorkGirl

Hi Frank to the forums!!

The great thing about this hobby is that you can collect anything you want, anyway you want....just enjoy doing it!!

coinguy1

<< <i> should I invest the money now in the tougher dates/grades as they come available? >>

Welcome.

Please don't buy coins if you are doing so as an "investment" - buy them because you like them, and understand you might end up losing money on them.

RGL

Welcome ... since you are interested in a few series, don't worry about concentrating. If you find a superlative coin at a good price in whatever series, buy it ...

Steve27

Should I concentrate on one series at a time? No, you will just end up covering the same ground twice if you go that way.

Since my funds are limited should I invest the money now in the tougher dates/grades as they come available? Yes, always buy the key dates first (since they will cost more later).

What do you guys generally do? Buy coins in the grade I can afford, buy them for enjoyment not investment, and sell a few to remind myself of what they're really worth.

LincolnCentMan

Frank,

Welcome.

Although I wouldnt advise coins to be the primary means of investment for your daughter's college, I'll certainly give my opinion on how to best collect a series.

Unless you have a lot of money, it's difficult to collect more than one series at once. The purchases of in one series always dilutes your ablity to get coins in the other. A concentrated effort will always produce the best results if you're a man with a humble coin budget. I've also found that it's best to try to buy the hardest coin(s) first, and to buy it in as nice of a grade as you can comfortibly afford. It's easy to find and purchase the easy stuff. And it's difficult to sell them for any meaninful profit.

David

LucyBop

Boy, you'll get alot of different answers on this one......


The main thing is, have fun while you collect.

razorface1027

The main thing is, have fun while you collect.

DITTO:

Welcome to the forum, Frank.


Tom

slabfab

Thanks for all the friendly advice. The common thread is to just have fun and that should not be difficult...I've been collecting since I was a teenager in the mid 70s and have yet to tire of it (doh, I think I just gave away my age!). These coins are not for investment. The reference to my daughter's college was to point out that funds are tight right now and my slush fund is all I'll have for a while for the hobby...but we've got fingers crossed and breath held that scholarship money may take some of this sting away. I appreciate everyone's feedback.