Post your best collecting tips for new collectors

construct

Don't buy what you can't see.

For example, if you can't see the difference between a 61 and a 62, look at the 62 but buy the 61 (or just wait until you can see the difference).

FatMan

This is a great thread. Might be a bit overwhelming for a new collector, but for the most part essential information.

Here are a few of mine:

Reading is a lot cheaper than buying

You gain more knowledge from reading than buying

Looking is free. And you can not look at too many coins

Only buy coins that make you smile

NEVER BUY A COIN SIGHT-UNSEEN - This includes bidding in auctions.

JJM

read, look, read , look............

Gemineye

All this stuff is good info.......
And don't eat cream filled donuts while you look at your coins.....
It gets 'em stickey............
..........................................

rec78

Avoid problem coins altogether. Also, don't let anyone talk you into buying a coin that you don't like. If you dont like it now-you will hate it later. To Paraphrase a member here--"Good coins are not cheap and cheap coins are not good".... Bob

Tarmac

Invest some time and money to attend a national show. Look at auction lots, walk the floor and try to sell 4-5 high end coins you may have. A real eye opener!

Coxe

Don't buy any coins right now. Read, visit websites, go to every bourse you can and look at coins. Then when the market corrects back some, you'll know what you want and where to find it. Coin dollars will go much further and fewer mistakes will be made this way hopefully.

Coindexter

<< <i>Avoid problem coins altogether. >>



Many people would prefer to have an absence of any problem coins in their collections, but I think owning a few is an excellent way to learn about those problems.

I suggest a type set of problem coins (not a denomination type set, one example of each type of problem coin). These are very inexpensive to assemble and serve as an excellent diagnostic tool for people that are not yet experts.