New to Coins and this Forum
Soldier6575
Posts: 9
Hi,
I am new to this. I was wondering if you could recommend any good books for someone who is just getting started. I have some 1 Oz American Eagle silver coins that were passed down to me from my great grandfather, I also have a few that are more recent years. Not sure if I should have these graded or not. What is your thoughts on this? I also have a lot of old nickles, quarters, etc. that were passed down, and then a bunch coins from other countries that were my fathers from Vietnam war and his travels to other countries in the army and then my own now added from being in Iraq and all the countries I have visted in the army.
I am thinking about joining the PCGS platinum membership.
I am interested in the 1 oz American Eagle silver coins and American Eagle gold coins, 1 oz,1/2,1/4,1/10 . I have no gold yet, but looking.
What do you think of buying coins on ebay.com? So far I think I must be trying to look to hard for a deal but everything seems to go for what it is worth and then some. So I most likely wont have any luck with that. Is it possible to get any deals anywhere? Also it seems like they want to charge you a lot for shipping which can double your cost basis. It seems a lot of them make a profit on the shipping also.
I am new to this. I was wondering if you could recommend any good books for someone who is just getting started. I have some 1 Oz American Eagle silver coins that were passed down to me from my great grandfather, I also have a few that are more recent years. Not sure if I should have these graded or not. What is your thoughts on this? I also have a lot of old nickles, quarters, etc. that were passed down, and then a bunch coins from other countries that were my fathers from Vietnam war and his travels to other countries in the army and then my own now added from being in Iraq and all the countries I have visted in the army.
I am thinking about joining the PCGS platinum membership.
I am interested in the 1 oz American Eagle silver coins and American Eagle gold coins, 1 oz,1/2,1/4,1/10 . I have no gold yet, but looking.
What do you think of buying coins on ebay.com? So far I think I must be trying to look to hard for a deal but everything seems to go for what it is worth and then some. So I most likely wont have any luck with that. Is it possible to get any deals anywhere? Also it seems like they want to charge you a lot for shipping which can double your cost basis. It seems a lot of them make a profit on the shipping also.
0
Comments
Russ, NCNE
Apropos of the coin posse/aka caca: "The longer he spoke of his honor, the tighter I held to my purse."
Welcome to the forum.....
The Whisker Cheek Collection - Top 50 Peace VAM Registry
Landmark Buffalo Collection
Don't be in a big hurry to slab coins. Find out if they are worth the fee or use of a freebie first.
Russ is back!
I strongly recommend the book: The Coin Collector's Survival Manual by Scott Travers. It covers most topics regarding the hobby as a great place to start. Then search this forum for more details on any topic and you'll find lots of answers and opinions.
Link to the book on Travers' site
collections: Maryland related coins & exonumia, 7070 Type set, and Video Arcade Tokens.
The Low Budget Y2K Registry Set
<< <i>Hi Shawn. Welcome. And thanks for your service to our country. >>
I agree with pharmer
In most cases, the 1oz. silver coins are not worth getting graded. It would be best if someone with knowledge can screen them for you in advance.
Buying coins on Ebay can be very risky and frustrating, for a number of reasons, so if you have other less risky options I'd recommend you try them.
get online or get coinworld for coin show listings and drive to as many shows and look at as many coins as you can
and of course , read and asking questions on this board often is prudent as well........
look and enjoy the pic posts on here, they are very informative and excellent photos
Scott Travers' book, The Coin Collector's Survival Manual and Q. David Bowers' book, Experts Guide to Collecting & Investing in Rare Coins, are both helpful and full of insight.
I'd also recommend The Official ANA Grading Standards for United States Coins and Photograde 19th Edition.
In addition I'd consider subscribing to weekly and monthly periodicals like Coinage, Coin World and or Numismatic News.
And by all means, join the American Numismatic Association, ANA Website and you will receive in addition to membership, their fine monthly journal called The Numismatist.
You wont regret the journey for a moment.
Best regards,
Meet my first little guy, Benjamin. Born 4/8/2007
Pic taken at 2.5 years of age.
What started me was branch mint gold a few years ago. I did not really know what I was doing then, (not that I do now), except I read alot more and have found some really knowledgeable people to talk with. My favorite hobby now is also the Silver Eagle, which I do believe is one of the most gorgeous coins ever designed.
eBay is a viable venue, be careful and learn how to spot the various scams regardless of what you buy there.
ANA R-3120727
eBay: kragg3
thats cool but dont overlook the old AU Gold Libs Series for pretty much the same kind of money.....IMO they would have more resale appeal if need be and much more interesting to own, which want collecting is all about
<< <i>Hello, I am new at this as well. >>
MORE:
Russ, NCNE
-Amanda
I'm a YN working on a type set!
My Buffalo Nickel Website Home of the Quirky Buffaloes Collection!
Proud member of the CUFYNA
First, honesty is only as good as the seller who is making the offer because the people who run Ebay do a poor job of regulating it. There are counterfeits, altered coins and all sorts of traps on Ebay that even the experienced collector might have trouble picking up. Also the charges for offering and selling items on Ebay have gotten so high, that it is not necessarily the cheapest place to sell coins. Some dealers use it as a place to dump their less desirable material. Some of this stuff are coins that they have had trouble selling elsewhere. “Let the buyer beware.” That’s the approach to Ebay.
I’m not as hard on dealers as others are when it comes to shipping charges. If you have not send coins via Registered Mail recently, you are in for a shock. It costs about $10 for the service to start and goes up from there for insurance depending the value of the item. Then you have to add in the cost of the box and a trip to post office. Recently I sold a $3,800 item to a customer. The shipping charge to was $15.00. The postage was a little over $14 plus I had to buy the box and make a trip the post office, which 14 miles round trip. The IRS says it costs over 30 cents a mile these day if you drive your car. Bottom line – it costs me more to send the item that the amount I charged my customer.
You best bet is to find a dealer you your area who will take you under his or her wing. Short of that, there are some good people who post here as well.
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Coinlearner, Ahrensdad, Nolawyer, RG, coinlieutenant, Yorkshireman, lordmarcovan, Soldi, masscrew, JimTyler, Relaxn, jclovescoins
Now listen boy, I'm tryin' to teach you sumthin' . . . . that ain't no optical illusion, it only looks like an optical illusion.
My mind reader refuses to charge me....
Brian
Word of warning. STAY away from places like ebay until you really know coins and even then stay away.
If your just getting started I alway suggest a person go to a bank and buy a bag of cents or nickels and start lookiing through them prior to running out and buying anything. You also may want to check out any coin shows in your area and just go there for an education.
Buying top quality Seated Dimes in Gem BU and Proof.
Buying great coins - monster eye appeal only.
<< <i>Buying coins on Ebay can be very risky and frustrating, for a number of reasons, so if you have other less risky options I'd recommend you try them. >>
That`s what I hear from my experience reading the forums in the time I`ve been here. Very easy to get burned on e-bay especially those that are new to the hobby.
As others have said, The Redbook is a good book to start with. Scott Travers books are a great start too. I have this book which I recommend as well as one already mentioned: How To Grade US Coins.
Not all the coins I have are graded and happy with the ones that aren`t. I have ones that are and like them just as much. With time and experience you`ll eventually learn what are usually worth having graded or not.
Now that you're here, be careful. Coin collecting has less regulaton / oversight than a Sunday flea market. It's the wild west out there.
Read. Don't even think of buying anything now. A Redbook is a good place to start. Go to local shows. Get an idea of what's out there. Find out what series of coins you like. Get the book(s) written about them. Read some more.
Look at a lot of these coins. Learn to grade them. Don't use third party grading services as a substitute for knowing how to grade coins on your own. Find a mentor. Always have a second set of eyes look at a coin that interests you. I've never bought a bad coin this way.
I'll get flamed for this, but personally, I never buy anything over the internet based on an image. An image of a coin is not the same thing as seeing the coin yourself.
Once you're ready to buy coins, set a budget and stick to it. Remember, there are no bargains in numismatics, unless you're looking at varieties that don't interest most people. If it's too cheap, chances are you are looking at a problem coin.
Unless you're a trust fund baby, if you don't find something that interests you today, something will turn up later. I've walked out of a large coin show with $6,000 to spend and bought nothing. If you don't like a coin, don't buy it, period.
I've never bought anything from E-Bay, Teletrade, etc. Those venues don't interest me, though many others here feel differently.
"Seu cabra da peste,
"Sou Mangueira......."
Keeper of the VAM Catalog • Professional Coin Imaging • Prime Number Set • World Coins in Early America • British Trade Dollars • Variety Attribution
U.S. Nickels Complete Set with Major Varieties, Circulation Strikes
U.S. Dimes Complete Set with Major Varieties, Circulation Strikes
Positive BST as a seller: Namvet69, Lordmarcovan, Bigjpst, Soldi, mustanggt, CoinHoader, moursund, SufinxHi, al410, JWP
You will get a lot here, read, listen, learn...
And oh yea------DO NOT shoot at the lemmings----they are harmless-- easy to identify---but just annoying
Welcome to you too, Kragg.
Apropos of the coin posse/aka caca: "The longer he spoke of his honor, the tighter I held to my purse."
<< <i>C'mon John, you're no fun. At least let him shoot their King. >>
Take that back quick pharmer---- could you picture them all running around without knowing whose a$$ to kiss...besides you are a better man if you get over 20 replies to your threads right ??? Even if 16 are from these same little guys...
Let me welcome you also Kragg.
ANA R-3120727
eBay: kragg3