What year did you start collecting coins?

rainbowroosie · February 11, 2012 11:31AM

Following on the 51 years ago thread:

I started in 1956 due of course to the 55 DDO.

amwldcoin · February 11, 2012 11:32AM

1966???? I can't remember that far back!

kimber45ACP · February 11, 2012 11:33AM

1998

STONE · February 11, 2012 11:33AM

Summer of 1994

fcloud · February 11, 2012 11:33AM

I started as a kid, but was not allowed to purchase any coins. I only was able to collect out of circulation. I purchased my first coins after I was married in 1976.

AnkurJ · February 11, 2012 11:33AM

2006 when I saw a $50 Gold Buffalo.

RYK · February 11, 2012 11:35AM

1971, give or take a year

bronzemat · February 11, 2012 11:35AM

Around 1984/1985, was young but it was when my grandfather showed me a mercury dime and taught me what P-D-S meant & from then on I liked coins.

Did take a break in 1995 cause of high school and life but resumed in mid-2009.

rec78 · February 11, 2012 11:41AM

12-25-1958 if you want an exact date.

Bob

JCMhouston · February 11, 2012 11:41AM

1965, but I took a long break from High School until I got out of the Navy, I started seriously collecting again in 1985.

Mercury · February 11, 2012 11:42AM

I collected from circulation as a kid. I started serious collecting in 1999 with the state quarters, and never looked back.

291fifth · February 11, 2012 11:42AM

Late 1961

SDSportsFan · February 11, 2012 11:42AM

2003

Steve

mingot · February 11, 2012 11:43AM

Probably about '85 when I was a kid and for a few years after than.

And then from '94-95, but moved overseas and it was hard to get US coins there.

I bought a few things here and there, when I got back in '98. Probably 3 or 4 coins.

And then late '10 to present.

edix2001 · February 11, 2012 11:43AM

<< <i>1971, give or take a year >>

What he said.

jom · February 11, 2012 11:46AM

Started when I was a kid probably 1971-1973 or so. Stopped about 20 years and began with "this" market in late 1992. A work mate showed me a Time Magazine article about coins which was really an "investment" article about how the market had just crashed. I got interested then and haven't really stopped.

The story of starting when you are a kid around 10 years old and quitting for a long time before starting up again seems to be VERY common.

jom

Baley · February 11, 2012 11:46AM

Active collector 1975-1982, and then 1995-2006. Hoping for another activity window to begin in 2014 or so..

pocketpiececommems · February 11, 2012 11:48AM

I'm not sure but it was a couple of years before 1959 because all the kids were excited when the Memorial back cents came out. And everyone wanted to find one. I tried to trade a girl at church an Indian cent for one that she had but she wouldn't trade. I wonder how many Memorials I could get for and Indian cent today

WoodenJefferson · February 11, 2012 11:49AM

Well prior to 1965 but that transition year was the big reason I started putting together silver half dollars, from Kennedy to Franklin....to Walking Liberty.

nibanny · February 11, 2012 11:52AM

2009. When the UHR came out I decided to follow my dad's passion!

pitboss · February 11, 2012 11:54AM

1949 and I wish I had a million dollars back then and know what I do today.

Swampboy · February 11, 2012 11:55AM

1958.
When I started on a paper route the next year it was like Christmas every collection day.

TexasNationals · February 11, 2012 11:55AM

1991 when I was 12, I got a 1/4 Maple Leaf proof for X-mas then found out my grandfather and father both collected. I dispersed my grandfathers set for my father and his brothers and sisters for big bucks a few years ago and received $25k in commission in the form of coins from my father.

Swampboy · February 11, 2012 11:55AM

ditto what pitboss said.

rainbowroosie · February 11, 2012 12:01PM

pitboss is OLD!!!!

DennisH · February 11, 2012 12:07PM

1965, when clads appeared. I avoided them like the plague and focused on silver coins... except when you're a young kid a dime was about as much as you could squirrel away at once. Mercuries were my favorite.

lkeigwin · February 11, 2012 12:10PM

1961. I collected them only a little faster than I spent them.
Lance.

LotsoLuck · February 11, 2012 12:11PM

One of the reasons I hang out here, it makes me feel young

yellowkid · February 11, 2012 12:16PM

Mid 50's the first time, briefly again in the 60's, then late 70's and lately three or four years ago.

originalisbest · February 11, 2012 12:26PM

1984, with the discovery of a "neat" 1918-P cent and some common Morgan dollars in my dads desk drawer. Upon learning of my interest, my mom (who passed away just a month ago now) went and got me a 1984 Redbook and a 1926 dime in fine. Thanks go to both of my parents for always being loving and encouraging!

AUandAG · February 11, 2012 12:29PM

1954 and I lived out west so never saw a Philly 55 DDO except in ads to buy in the
mags.

bob

JRocco · February 11, 2012 12:35PM

Mid 60's

pitboss · February 11, 2012 12:38PM

<< <i>1954 and I lived out west so never saw a Philly 55 DDO except in ads to buy in the
mags.

bob

>>

I remember the 55's. They were in cigarette packages as the change from cigarette machines as I remember it but I could not afford to buy them at the time and surely can't now. For all you guys wondering just how old I am' i'm 72 as I started real young.

Cocoinut · February 11, 2012 12:55PM

I began collecting in 1955, when I was 6 years old. I had enjoyed looking at all of the old coins I found in my parents' change, so they took me to a hobby store. The sales person explained that the San Francisco mint had just closed, and he thought the "S" mint coins would disappear from circulation. We came away with a 2 page red cover Dansco Lincoln cent album that started in 1930. A few dates were tough - all of the 1931-33 coins, the 38-S, 39-D, 49-S, 54-P, and the current 55-S. I eventually found all but the 31-S, and got a new 4-page Dansco folder that began with 1909. In the mid-to-late 1950's, Lincolns from the teens and twenties were quite common, although the majority were only in good or very good condition. The 09-S, 09-S VDB, 11-S, and 14-D were never found in circulation. In 1957, I started a set of Washington quarters, followed by a set of Jefferson nickels in 1958. I still have a lot of the Lincoln's and Jeffersons taken from circulation back then, but sold most of the Washingtons when silver was rising in 1979.

Jim

okracer · February 11, 2012 12:56PM

1967.....when I was 8.

Dropdaflag · February 11, 2012 1:06PM

Coins since 2002 at the age of 32!

MVC · February 11, 2012 1:07PM

1973/4 or so. Boy scout merit badge. Mom said, go see grandma, I think she has some old coins

yellowjacket · February 11, 2012 1:07PM

The summer of 1959 when a neighborhood friend showed me a picture from the Red Book of the 1955 DDO cent, I jumped in with both feet. My parents knew I was serious when I finished my Mercury collection in 1962 except for the 16-D. They bought that for me as a gift for $60. Still have that dog-eared collection.

Garrow