If you were just starting to collect coins...

alohaet

What would consider the top coins for your collection? Going after the ones that would be the corner stone of your collection. I love the 1916D Mercury Dime as one of my favorites, even though I don't have one. Just curious

Ed

MorganChicken

Depends on the budget. For me personally, it was just nice uncirculated Morgans (mostly common dates). Couldn't afford the 93-S or proofs... There's some nice keys in some series' that are very affordable, such as Buffalo Nickels.

alohaet

I do like the Buffalo Nickels. I am like you can't afford the top of the line coins.

ocon4008

As I am only a little over a year into my hoarding of coins (but I must say a collection is starting to emerge) my top coins are:

1) 1893-S Morgan PCGS VF 30

2) 1923 Large Cent ICG EF 40 wrong 1823 Large Cent ICG EF 40 correct

3) 1877-S Quarter eagle PCGS MS 62 pop 27 and only 27 higher

4) 1798 Large eagle $1 raw F 12 - 15 B-22 (an R4) on it's way to the left coast

and my top coin???

1930-S Lincoln PCGS MS 64 BN pop 3 zero higher.

Just kidding about the order; put them in any order you prefer. Thanks for asking.

MidLifeCrisis

I guess I don't really understand your question.

The key dates are well known for most coin series' or types. If you're asking would I go after the keys first, then the answer is probably not. Instead I would slowly build a collection that would eventually allow me to get the keys by trading up.

As MorganChicken mentioned, it obviously depends on your budget...but it also depends on your collecting mentality, your level of patience, and the kinds of coin you've decided you want to collect.

I generally have a "less is more" mentality with coin collecting. I'd rather have a few really nice pieces than many average pieces. That means I'm willing to save and wait a long time between purchases. That also means I'm willing to trade up to get a key or major rarity, often to the point of trading many coins for just one. It's a built in savings plan that allows me to enjoy some coins along the way until the opportunity comes to trade them for a more significant and expensive coin.

COALPORTER

"2.) 1923 Large Cent ICG EF 40"

Someone really got you on that one !

ocon4008

<<Someone really got you on that one >.

I like it; and they all said the same thing about the 93-S but it crossed.

ecichlid

<< <i>I do like the Buffalo Nickels. I am like you can't afford the top of the line coins. >>



Why do they have to be in the top grades? Like to see a consistent collection in terms of grade, but by no means does a set have to be MS-65 or better. Why not an EF set or an AU set?

COALPORTER

<< <i><<Someone really got you on that one >.

I like it; and they all said the same thing about the 93-S but it crossed. >>



I was just kidding about the date you typed in. I hope you ment 1823.

Billet7

<< <i><<Someone really got you on that one >.

I like it; and they all said the same thing about the 93-S but it crossed. >>



He's making a joke...I think what you have is likely an 1823 coin....not a 1923 cent. I doubt you would brag about an XF 1923 cent in the same breath as an 1893-S Morgan.

ocon4008

I just hate when i am stupid!

MidLifeCrisis

<< <i>I just hate when i am stupid! >>




Sorry, but that made me laugh.

barbershopper

For me, that would be 66 years ago.
I'd probably dream about a 1916 LSQ, 1856 FE cent and maybe a '22 no D Lincoln in XF.
My collections are all complete including major varieties and errors.
I occasionally upgrade a coin but am happy with them as they are now.

JT

HKstrongside

@ ED, I am just starting out in coin collecting and I have found for me I really like older gold. The only problem is I have ran out of my coin buying money very quickly buying gold. I did buy a couple other things I thought I would like, but ended up selling them for gold. I would say, buy what you enjoy looking at and telling people about. Pick up a few lower grades of coins you think you might like. Then when you narrow it down, go after the ones you really dig. My father in law had a reasty Liberty nickel when he was showing me some of his. I had never seen one before. I thought it was real cool. So I picked up a decent one for $10 on ebay. I have included the photo. I love it, one of my favorites.
But hands down the cornerstone for me is my pcgsVF35 1879CC $5 Half Eagle.