You guys suck!
cars
Posts: 1,904
I never understood coin collectors. Over the last few months however I've been hanging out over hear reading threads and checking out all the awesome pictures. Now I find myself wanting to putting together a 7070. Thanks a lot!
I am however very leery about who I purchase coins from as I don't know how to spot a cleaned/problem coin yet. Currently I only feel comfortable purchasing coins from well known members here so as not to get taken advantage of. I have a few Mint sets for some of the modern holes but that's about it. I do have a 20Th century type set I threw together for $70 or so. Most of the silver is from junk 90% bags I've gone through. I'm sure most of those will be sold as I find out what's wrong with them and I find myself wanting nicer examples.
Question, Is it stupid to purchase lower grade coins for time being just to fill holes/have an example. They would later be replaced with higher grade items down the road as I learn the ins/outs of collecting. Should I just hold off and do it right the first time? I figure the best way to learn is by making mistakes lol.
I guess I better get some reading material.
I am however very leery about who I purchase coins from as I don't know how to spot a cleaned/problem coin yet. Currently I only feel comfortable purchasing coins from well known members here so as not to get taken advantage of. I have a few Mint sets for some of the modern holes but that's about it. I do have a 20Th century type set I threw together for $70 or so. Most of the silver is from junk 90% bags I've gone through. I'm sure most of those will be sold as I find out what's wrong with them and I find myself wanting nicer examples.
Question, Is it stupid to purchase lower grade coins for time being just to fill holes/have an example. They would later be replaced with higher grade items down the road as I learn the ins/outs of collecting. Should I just hold off and do it right the first time? I figure the best way to learn is by making mistakes lol.
I guess I better get some reading material.
Its all relative
0
Comments
A good collection takes time.
Dont forget, buy books as well. The book before the coin will save you many times over.
I dont think the word stupid should be used here when a newbie ask's a question. Sorry TooTawl, but IMO that was over the top .
When it comes to the dansco 7070.........buy in haste, repent in leisure.
In honor of the memory of Cpl. Michael E. Thompson
I feel as if I've learned a ton from these boards already but I still have many megatons yet to learn and I look forward to it.
It is not stupid at all to buy lower grade coins to fill your 7070. A lower grade set looks nice to me and very very, well, old....just make sure you buy attractive coins for the grade, not problem coins or ugly coins and you can put together a set that will be very cool. You might even try to find a used 7070 that is tattered and worn if you like the old look.
--Jerry
<< <i>It is not stupid at all to buy lower grade coins to fill your 7070. A lower grade set looks nice to me and very very, well, old....just make sure you buy attractive coins for the grade, not problem coins or ugly coins and you can put together a set that will be very cool. You might even try to find a used 7070 that is tattered and worn if you like the old look.
--Jerry >>
I second this. I'm only a year into my 7070. Collecting attractive evenly toned pieces in around the EF grade. Most of the coins are keepers, since I've taken my time with the purchases, but I've already exchanged two coins for ones I like better. A relaxing, fun hobby.
Regards, Leo
The more qualities observed in a coin, the more desirable that coin becomes!
My Jefferson Nickel Collection
<< <i>Question, Is it stupid to purchase lower grade coins for time being just to fill holes/have an example. >>
Not stupid but it is the easiest way to waste money when replacing a coin at a higher grade...
"Because I can"
myurl The Franklin All Old Green Holder Set
Go for quaility over quantity... don't be in such a rush just to fill holes, take your time and go for coins that fit your grade range.
Also, you hear many veterans saying that they have been working on their 7070s for years, even decades. Not so much fun if you are new. "I am a coin collector now, of course I have not acually bought anything yet as I am waiting for the prefect coin for my Type set". Not so much fun. I would start with an easier set, that you can pick up some coins regularly and get a feel for grading, get a feel for dealers, etc.
Just a thought.
merse
The second time I did it I was a bit more systematic, though still somewhat impoverished, and I decided all of my 20th century was going to be BU or proof. I tried for Fine or better on the 19th century coins but had to settle for G-VG on some of the tougher types. I still managed to build a very handsome set. Later on when I transitioned to a slabbed type set, many of those raw coins in the 7070 came along for the ride and got encapsulated in plastic.
There is nothing wrong with low grade coins in a Dansco, though I think the "buy the best you can afford" rule is a good one. (Unless you're doing a lowball set and then you buy the worst you can afford, haha). Picking coins that have eye appeal for the grade and/or are well matched with each other doesn't cost anything. A cheaper circulated set put together with a good eye can be just as appealing as a more expensive set that was put together haphazardly or without an eye for quality.
You are definitely doing the right thing by asking questions and reading here. These forums have a lot to teach ALL of us, even the most seasoned veteran numismatists. And if you don't believe veterans can learn things from newbies, think again.
One nice thing about being a newbie to the game is that you have a fresh outlook. By all means, take advice as you see fit and never stop soliciting it, but also do what feels right to YOU, because your instincts can usually be trusted- if you like something, go for it. And don't let anybody rain on your parade.
<< <i>Starting off collecting with a 7070 can be tough. You probably will not see enough examples of coins to really learn to recognize cleaned/problem coins. >>
That is true.
However, nothing is wrong with collecting cleaned or problem coins. IF you know the problems up front and pay accordingly. Sometimes those lightly cleaned or dipped pieces that won't grade in a slab can look very appealing in a raw album setting like the 7070.
Just ask Baley, who gets my vote for King of the 7070 collectors. He has several coins that were cracked out of "cleaned" or "problem" slabs, which, aside from a little dip or something, are truly stupendous looking coins. His set is a thing to behold. The big taboo about cleaned coins is that the TPGs will not slab them. But if you are a 7070 collector, what do you care about slabs, anyway?
True, it is best to seek original and uncleaned coins, which will hold their value better. But if you see a really beautiful coin that has been cleaned (not too harshly), and it is suitably discounted and loaded with eye appeal, it can give you a lot of bang for the buck. Just as long as you knew up front that it had been cleaned, and paid accordingly. You wouldn't want to try to sell it down the line, and get a nasty surprise when somebody tries to slab it or refuses to buy it because of the cleaning.
Dif'rent strokes for dif'rent folks.
Of course, you DO have to learn to recognize what's cleaned and what isn't, and what's fake and what isn't. I must admit that even after 33 years of playing around with coins, I am not so perfect at detecting subtly cleaned and/or retoned coins. But hanging out here has sharpened my skills considerably, and I've gotten better at it.
I knew it would happen.
be ready for the highs and lows