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How Do I Start Collecting Coins?

jfloomis3jfloomis3 Posts: 83 ✭✭
in Coin Swaps, Tags and Giveaways
I am 16 years old and want to start collecting coins. It seems like a really neat hobby, but the problem is I don't know where to start! I don't have any coins, and certainly don't have the money to buy any ones of any substantial value. Does anyone have any tips or advice on how to start collecting? I don’t want to sound like a beggar, but if there are any coin giveaways or if someone wants to get rid of a few coins, I would really appreciate the chance to start a hobby that I hope serves as a source of enjoyment and comfort throughout my life.

Thanks!

Jimmy L.
Jimmy L.
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Successful BST transactions with: Tdec1000, lordmarcovan, WTCG, PRoemisch, Hayden, bolivarshagnasty, nibanny, morgan3896, WaterSport

Comments

  • TorinoCobra71TorinoCobra71 Posts: 8,050 ✭✭✭
    The first thing you should do is go buy a copy of "A Guide Book to United States Coins" by RS Yeoman. Better known as the "red Book" and read it from cover to cover!

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    TC71
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  • laserartlaserart Posts: 2,255 ✭
    If you are on an extreme budget on the low end like me you could collect world coins. Many coin shops have what they call a junk box, or basket and they put coins from all over the world in there. I started a "1 from each country" collection years ago and it now has hundreds of coins. The best part is you can get some great coins for almost nothing. I have purchased coins @ 5 for a dollar, now that fits just about anyones budget. There are some really tough coins to get too, not as easy as it sounds.
    "If I had a nickel for every nickel I ever had, I'd have all my nickels back".
  • morganbarbermorganbarber Posts: 1,821 ✭✭✭
    You can collect nickels or pennies from circulation. Rolls from the bank come at face value. Reading as much as possible and looking at as many coins as possible are the first two steps.
    I collect circulated U.S. silver
  • laserartlaserart Posts: 2,255 ✭
    If you want to put a collection of state quarters together in a hurry, go to a car wash for instance and get a few dollars worth of quarters from the change machine, it will be a ready made collection. From there you replace worn quarters with better ones as you find them.
    "If I had a nickel for every nickel I ever had, I'd have all my nickels back".
  • lonelyplonelyp Posts: 1,634
    When you get your RED BOOK pick up some good albums too.

    Myself, I saw a full Kennedy Half set with proofs, and I wanted one. THEN I fell for Walkers. I love Walkers, And Mercs too. image
    The Washies, Sackies, SHQs, and so on, are all albums I have. But I don't really spend any time on them.

    I guess my point is, If you are collecting RAW Modern coins, you may as well have the contemporary albums.
    (Old man) Look I had a lovely supper, and all I said to my wife was, “That piece of halibut was good enough for Jehovah”.

    (Priest) BLASPHEMY he said it again, did you hear him?
  • BoomBoom Posts: 10,165 ✭
    Join the ANA. Learn to detect cleaned (altered) & counterfeit coins.
    Learn to grade! They have great correspondence coursesand tests
    to take. Buy the Red Book alluded to along with it's running mate,
    The Blue Book (by Yeoman). Learn all you can & you'll save yourself
    a lot of money & spare yourself a ton of heartache. JMHO, FWIW! image

    Good Luck.

    Oh, and hang around here. Don't be afraid to ask questions either,
    as you've already done. Many good people here will be glad to help
    you. image
    Boom's Retired Registry Set & Boom's Retired Variety Set
    image
  • BaseballAbsBaseballAbs Posts: 2,621 ✭
    Learn as much as you can about coins. Buy when you see a great deal, sell, then buy what you want. Buy low sell hi. It takes time and patients. Bottom line, it takes money to make money. Good luck.
    Winner of the "You Suck!" award March 17, 2010 by LanLord, doh, 123cents and Bear.
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