Homeโ€บ U.S. Coin Forum

Hello.

New member to these forums.

Been on a couple other forums or sites, but this one seemed from Google searches like a good one.

I'm a recovering accumulator of random coins and things.

Obviously silver, gold and stuff but also interested in other platinum group metals.

What's a good place to start collecting?

I'd like to buy coins that increase in value of course.

Any hot markets I should get in on while prices are cheap?

Thank you and hope to learn a lot about how to collect.

ยซ1

Comments

  • YoloBagelsYoloBagels Posts: 154 โœญโœญโœญ

    Welcome to the forum! Your name is really cool.

    A good place to start collecting is to try to find what you like most out of coin series. I couldn't decide at first, so I decided to collect U.S. Type coins (one of each design). Then I moved to bust halves and world coins. Try to specialize in something.

    Coin markets can be hard to predict; most of the time you are going to make the best money flipping coins short term, or at least buying as low as possible. There are no guarantees in numismatics financially, which is why me and many other collectors see it as a hobby, not an investment.

    I hope you get a lot out of CU. There are some very knowledgeable collectors on here,

  • @YoloBagels said:
    Welcome to the forum! Your name is really cool.

    A good place to start collecting is to try to find what you like most out of coin series. I couldn't decide at first, so I decided to collect U.S. Type coins (one of each design). Then I moved to bust halves and world coins. Try to specialize in something.

    Coin markets can be hard to predict; most of the time you are going to make the best money flipping coins short term, or at least buying as low as possible. There are no guarantees in numismatics financially, which is why me and many other collectors see it as a hobby, not an investment.

    I hope you get a lot out of CU. There are some very knowledgeable collectors on here,

    Thank you!

    That's what I've been thinking a lot about; that I shouldn't try to make a bunch of money but research and collect to learn.

    I've always heard type set but for some reason it never clicked with me what that is.

    Thank you for explaining it.

    It's kind of obvious now that you explain it.

    Would be a good way to get more familiar with US coins.

  • IkesTIkesT Posts: 3,484 โœญโœญโœญโœญโœญ
    edited May 18, 2021 1:57PM

    @๐–†๐–ˆ๐–ˆ๐–š๐–’๐–š๐–‘๐–†๐–™๐–”๐–— said:
    What's a good place to start collecting?

    I'd like to buy coins that increase in value of course.

    Any hot markets I should get in on while prices are cheap?

    Unfortunately, none of us have a crystal ball. As they say, there is no Santa Claus in numismatics. There is a free lunch, however. ;)

  • @FredWeinberg said:
    A good place to start collecting would be to find a
    coin, a series, or a date that you like, and collect it.

    It's a mistake to buy coins only because you want them to increase in value.
    No one, repeat no one, can assure you that anything will increase in value.
    (if they did, they wouldn't tell you, they'd buy up everything they think it going up)

    'A Hot Market to Get In' means that the item has already started to 'move',
    and eventually all 'hot' markets cool off. Wrong approach, imo.

    Best advise? Collect what you like, or what catches your interest.

    Thank you, Fred.

    I really like the idea of a type set since I have so much to learn about US coins.

    Appreciate the advice.

  • @IkesT said:

    @๐–†๐–ˆ๐–ˆ๐–š๐–’๐–š๐–‘๐–†๐–™๐–”๐–— said:
    What's a good place to start collecting?

    I'd like to buy coins that increase in value of course.

    Any hot markets I should get in on while prices are cheap?

    Unfortunately, none of us have a crystal ball. As they say, there is no Santa Claus in numismatics. There is a free lunch, however. ;)

    I believe that.

    Santa never gave me coins. Lol.

  • TurtleCatTurtleCat Posts: 4,628 โœญโœญโœญโœญโœญ

    Welcome to the forum! The best thing is to just dive in a join the mayhem! Bonus points for posting pics of coins you own :)

  • @TurtleCat said:
    Welcome to the forum! The best thing is to just dive in a join the mayhem! Bonus points for posting pics of coins you own :)

    Thank you, Turtle.

    Yes. I have to figure out how to take OK photos of my random coins.

    Hopefully can figure out a photo or two this weekend.

  • yspsalesyspsales Posts: 2,517 โœญโœญโœญโœญโœญ
    edited May 18, 2021 2:11PM

    With silver and gold higher than normal... look at Lincoln cent, Indian Head Cent, and the Buffalo nickel series.

    Anything silver dollar related, that are common dates, in grades MS63, MS64, and MS65 will rise and fall with silver prices. They stand to lose if silver prices fall.

    Key date coins in each series are more immune to these PM swings.

    Invest as much in books and attending grading classes given by ANA.

    Or... buy CAC designated coins and call it a day.

    PCGS and NGC grading companies along with CAC have created a turn key way to collect.

    There is something for everyone.

    Type set is a good diversification tool.

    BST: KindaNewish (3/21/21), WQuarterFreddie (3/30/21), Meltdown (4/6/21), DBSTrader2 (5/5/21) AKA- unclemonkey on Blow Out

  • JimnightJimnight Posts: 10,846 โœญโœญโœญโœญโœญ

    Welcome.

  • 3stars3stars Posts: 2,294 โœญโœญโœญโœญโœญ

    If historical is something your interested in, don't limit yourself to US coins. Many foreign coins are way cheaper than their US counterparts. You can easily venture into the 1600's for some countries for less than the price of a 19th century US coin.

    Previous transactions: Wondercoin, goldman86, dmarks, Type2
  • coinbufcoinbuf Posts: 11,673 โœญโœญโœญโœญโœญ

    Welcome, buy and read books, go to shows leave your wallet at home and just look at lots and lots of coins. Do that for awhile to decide what kind of coins you enjoy, then read more before you buy anything. Knowledge is more important before you throw money at a project.

    My Lincoln Registry
    My Collection of Old Holders

    Never a slave to one plastic brand will I ever be.
  • derrybderryb Posts: 37,340 โœญโœญโœญโœญโœญ

    And while you're here, stop by the PM forum for more specific discussion about PMs.

    Capital investment depends on confidence. - Martin Armstrong

  • CoinscratchCoinscratch Posts: 9,208 โœญโœญโœญโœญโœญ

    Welcome!
    And Coinbuf is way too smart for me. I don't read first, I bring my wallet, and I buy the first coin I see :)
    Plus, I have many graded coins that are worth far less than the grading fee. The schooling comes natural :D
    Knowledge Smalledge.

  • @yspsales said:
    With silver and gold higher than normal... look at Lincoln cent, Indian Head Cent, and the Buffalo nickel series.

    Anything silver dollar related, that are common dates, in grades MS63, MS64, and MS65 will rise and fall with silver prices. They stand to lose if silver prices fall.

    Key date coins in each series are more immune to these PM swings.

    Invest as much in books and attending grading classes given by ANA.

    Or... buy CAC designated coins and call it a day.

    PCGS and NGC grading companies along with CAC have created a turn key way to collect.

    There is something for everyone.

    Type set is a good diversification tool.

    Thank you, Ysps.

    Great idea!

    I actually slowed down a lot accumulating silver and gold with prices so high.

    It didn't make sense to keep buying at these prices.

    Will definitely look at not silver gold issues for now.

    What is CAC?

  • dogwooddogwood Posts: 1,935 โœญโœญโœญโœญ

    Itโ€™ really comes down to a fine balance between being an excitable 10 year old again, and sending that 10 year old โ€œyouโ€ to his room if he wants to blow his money on something stupid.

    Iโ€™ve learned to only want what I truly trust. And trust takes time.

    We're all born MS70. I'm about a Fine 15 right now.
  • @3stars said:
    If historical is something your interested in, don't limit yourself to US coins. Many foreign coins are way cheaper than their US counterparts. You can easily venture into the 1600's for some countries for less than the price of a 19th century US coin.

    I LOVE very old coins.

    They are fascinating to me.

    With so much to learn about US coins, I definitely wouldn't know where to start a serious collection of world coins.

    Any advice welcome.

  • @coinbuf said:
    Welcome, buy and read books, go to shows leave your wallet at home and just look at lots and lots of coins. Do that for awhile to decide what kind of coins you enjoy, then read more before you buy anything. Knowledge is more important before you throw money at a project.

    Thank you, Buf.

    I really don't like reading, but you are probably right about educating myself more before going crazy buying.

  • @derryb said:
    And while you're here, stop by the PM forum for more specific discussion about PMs.

    Oh nice! I will.

    Thank you, B.

    I'm very interested in speculative metals markets but always have trouble locating sources that sell ingots or stamped blocks without huge markups.

  • @CoinscratchFever said:
    Welcome!
    And Coinbuf is way too smart for me. I don't read first, I bring my wallet, and I buy the first coin I see :)
    Plus, I have many graded coins that are worth far less than the grading fee. The schooling comes natural :D
    Knowledge Smalledge.

    Brother? Lol.

  • lkeneficlkenefic Posts: 8,233 โœญโœญโœญโœญโœญ

    First... welcome to the forum. There's a huge braintrust to tap into here. Second, the first thing you need to buy is any recent issue of the Redbook and an ANA grading guide.

    Others have already weighed in on "coins as an investment". For me, coins have always been a hobby, so I just budget like it's part of my entertainment fund. In the future, I'll be able to recoup at least part of that fund. That said, I've done better on certain coins than others... you definitely learn a lot about a coin when you go to sell it!!

    Collecting: Dansco 7070; Middle Date Large Cents (VF-AU); Box of 20;

    Successful BST transactions with: SilverEagles92; Ahrensdad; Smitty; GregHansen; Lablade; Mercury10c; copperflopper; whatsup; KISHU1; scrapman1077, crispy, canadanz, smallchange, robkool, Mission16, ranshdow, ibzman350, Fallguy, Collectorcoins, SurfinxHI, jwitten, Walkerguy21D, dsessom.
  • @dogwood said:
    Itโ€™ really comes down to a fine balance between being an excitable 10 year old again, and sending that 10 year old โ€œyouโ€ to his room if he wants to blow his money on something stupid.

    Iโ€™ve learned to only want what I truly trust. And trust takes time.

    Thank you, Dogwood.

    That's one thing I am trying to do; to send the 10 year old packing.

    They have hurt my wallet.

  • @lkenefic said:
    First... welcome to the forum. There's a huge braintrust to tap into here. Second, the first thing you need to buy is any recent issue of the Redbook and an ANA grading guide.

    Others have already weighed in on "coins as an investment". For me, coins have always been a hobby, so I just budget like it's part of my entertainment fund. In the future, I'll be able to recoup at least part of that fund. That said, I've done better on certain coins than others... you definitely learn a lot about a coin when you go to sell it!!

    Thank you for the guides advice, Ike.

  • yspsalesyspsales Posts: 2,517 โœญโœญโœญโœญโœญ

    @๐–†๐–ˆ๐–ˆ๐–š๐–’๐–š๐–‘๐–†๐–™๐–”๐–— said:

    @yspsales said:
    With silver and gold higher than normal... look at Lincoln cent, Indian Head Cent, and the Buffalo nickel series.

    Anything silver dollar related, that are common dates, in grades MS63, MS64, and MS65 will rise and fall with silver prices. They stand to lose if silver prices fall.

    Key date coins in each series are more immune to these PM swings.

    Invest as much in books and attending grading classes given by ANA.

    Or... buy CAC designated coins and call it a day.

    PCGS and NGC grading companies along with CAC have created a turn key way to collect.

    There is something for everyone.

    Type set is a good diversification tool.

    Thank you, Ysps.

    Great idea!

    I actually slowed down a lot accumulating silver and gold with prices so high.

    It didn't make sense to keep buying at these prices.

    Will definitely look at not silver gold issues for now.

    What is CAC?

    Not an expert on PM's but there is some correlation.

    Not the go to guy on CAC, but a useful third party opinion of the company grade.

    I am more of a modern collector at times, and pure speculator at heart all the time.

    BST: KindaNewish (3/21/21), WQuarterFreddie (3/30/21), Meltdown (4/6/21), DBSTrader2 (5/5/21) AKA- unclemonkey on Blow Out

  • CoinscratchCoinscratch Posts: 9,208 โœญโœญโœญโœญโœญ

    @๐–†๐–ˆ๐–ˆ๐–š๐–’๐–š๐–‘๐–†๐–™๐–”๐–— said:

    @CoinscratchFever said:
    Welcome!
    And Coinbuf is way too smart for me. I don't read first, I bring my wallet, and I buy the first coin I see :)
    Plus, I have many graded coins that are worth far less than the grading fee. The schooling comes natural :D
    Knowledge Smalledge.

    Brother? Lol.

    I was just working on my LOL count, LOL.
    The main thing is to have fun and enjoy the hobby. Which is the part I happen to be an expert in :-)

  • CatbertCatbert Posts: 7,450 โœญโœญโœญโœญโœญ

    Two great resources: the search bar above and CoinFacts website. Welcome!

    Seated Half Society member #38
    "Got a flaming heart, can't get my fill"
  • @Catbert said:
    Two great resources: the search bar above and CoinFacts website. Welcome!

    Thank you, Catbert.

  • 3keepSECRETif2rDEAD3keepSECRETif2rDEAD Posts: 4,285 โœญโœญโœญโœญโœญ

    Welcomeโ€ฆhow did u manipulate the text for your screen name? The only other member who could do that was banned within 24 hours of you joining ;)

  • @3keepSECRETif2rDEAD said:
    Welcomeโ€ฆhow did u manipulate the text for your screen name? The only other member who could do that was banned within 24 hours of you joining ;)

    Thanks, 3keep.

    You can download all types of keyboard apps for iPhone.

  • BryceMBryceM Posts: 11,841 โœญโœญโœญโœญโœญ

    Welcome to the madness.

  • SilverProofQuarter1883SilverProofQuarter1883 Posts: 1,865 โœญโœญโœญโœญโœญ

    Welcome, happy collecting ๐Ÿ‘๐Ÿ‘๐Ÿ‘

  • KliaoKliao Posts: 5,623 โœญโœญโœญโœญโœญ

    Welcome! There's a lot of knowledge to be had here. Learn and enjoy!

    Collector
    87 Positive BST transactions buying and selling with 53 members and counting!
    instagram.com/klnumismatics

  • DoubleEagle59DoubleEagle59 Posts: 8,370 โœญโœญโœญโœญโœญ

    Welcome......and seems like you know what you're doing.

    Keep buying silver bullion.

    "Gold is money, and nothing else" (JP Morgan, 1912)

    "โ€œThose who sacrifice liberty for security/safety deserve neither.โ€œ(Benjamin Franklin)

    "I only golf on days that end in 'Y'" (DE59)
  • RichieURichRichieURich Posts: 8,523 โœญโœญโœญโœญโœญ

    Welcome to the Forums - may you find them informative and enjoyable.

    An authorized PCGS dealer, and a contributor to the Red Book.

  • @markelman1125 said:
    Welcome, happy collecting ๐Ÿ‘๐Ÿ‘๐Ÿ‘

    Thank you, Mark.

  • @Kliao said:
    Welcome! There's a lot of knowledge to be had here. Learn and enjoy!

    Thank you, Kliao.

  • RB1026RB1026 Posts: 1,469 โœญโœญโœญโœญ
    edited May 18, 2021 5:12PM

    Welcome @accumulator!

    This is THE place to be if you want to learn about numismatics, imo. There is an incredible wealth of knowledge and experience here to be sure, along with some really great people.

    Best advice I can think of is to identify an area (series, type, denomination, or ??) that interests you and pursue it with passion. Learn, learn, learn everything you can about it. Over time, the specialist enjoys a HUGE advantage over a general collector. The trained eye sees opportunities that others miss. Not only will you be more likely to reap financial rewards by mastering your field, but you'll also develop an elite collection that you'll be proud to own.

  • @DoubleEagle59 said:
    Welcome......and seems like you know what you're doing.

    Keep buying silver bullion.

    Thank you, Double.

    I assure you, I have no idea what I am doing.

    Been buying silver bullion until late last year, but tired of + $350 10 oz bars.

    Looking to starting a serious collection.

    Whatever that means.

  • @RichieURich said:
    Welcome to the Forums - may you find them informative and enjoyable.

    Thank you, Rich.

    Already picking up a lot.

  • @RB1026 said:
    Welcome @accumulator!

    This is THE place to be if you want to learn about numismatics, imo. There is an incredible wealth of knowledge and experience here to be sure, along with some really great people.

    Best advice I can think of is to identify an area (series, type, denomination, or ??) that interests you and pursue it with passion. Learn, learn, learn everything you can about it. Over time, the specialist enjoys a HUGE advantage over a general collector. The trained eye sees opportunities that others miss. Not only will you be more likely to reap financial rewards by mastering your field, but you'll also develop an elite collection that you'll be proud to own.

    Thank you, RB.

    I think I am already going to start with a type set, as suggested earlier.

    Seems like it will be a good way to understand the history of US coins and learn about a variety of periods.

  • USSID17USSID17 Posts: 1,264 โœญโœญโœญโœญโœญ

    Welcome to the club! Can you give us an idea of what coins you currently have?

  • @USSID17 said:
    Welcome to the club! Can you give us an idea of what coins you currently have?

    Thank you, US.

    Super random 20th century US coins, a lot from circulation.

    A pile of silver bars.

    A few small gold bars.

    A handful of foreign notes from trips and old mail order magazines in the 2000s.

    It feels scattered.

    Looking to start a collection of nice coins I can be proud of.

  • USSID17USSID17 Posts: 1,264 โœญโœญโœญโœญโœญ
    edited May 18, 2021 5:40PM

    @๐–†๐–ˆ๐–ˆ๐–š๐–’๐–š๐–‘๐–†๐–™๐–”๐–— said:

    @USSID17 said:
    Welcome to the club! Can you give us an idea of what coins you currently have?

    Thank you, US.

    Super random 20th century US coins, a lot from circulation.

    A pile of silver bars.

    A few small gold bars.

    A handful of foreign notes from trips and old mail order magazines in the 2000s.

    It feels scattered.

    Looking to start a collection of nice coins I can be proud of.

    Yes, with a Type Set collection.

    But first you gotta get organized and get rid of the scattered feeling. I always had to set priorities and stick to them. It's to easy to get sidetracked in this hobby.

    I was intimidated for years to even start a Type Set. Come to find out, I actually had many of the coins.

  • @USSID17 said:

    @๐–†๐–ˆ๐–ˆ๐–š๐–’๐–š๐–‘๐–†๐–™๐–”๐–— said:

    @USSID17 said:
    Welcome to the club! Can you give us an idea of what coins you currently have?

    Thank you, US.

    Super random 20th century US coins, a lot from circulation.

    A pile of silver bars.

    A few small gold bars.

    A handful of foreign notes from trips and old mail order magazines in the 2000s.

    It feels scattered.

    Looking to start a collection of nice coins I can be proud of.

    Yes, with a Type Set collection.

    But first you gotta get organized and get rid of the scattered feeling. I always had to set priorities and stick to them. It's to easy to get sidetracked in this hobby.

    I was intimidated for years to even start a Type Set. Come to find out, I actually had many of the coins.

    Yes.

    First thing is find out how many coins are in a full type set. Lol.

    I think even though I have some that will fit in this type set, I want to build it from zero.

    I dont know why. I think it will just be better that way.

  • vplite99vplite99 Posts: 1,344 โœญโœญโœญโœญโœญ

    Welcome to the board. You have started just like I did over 40 years ago, stacking silver. With some experience you will learn to buy close to or even below melt.

    I would not be influenced by those saying precious metals are high or low; you can always make a good argument either way.

    Read everything you can before you start serious buying. Education is not free, but it doesn't have to be painful (getting ripped off).

    Vplite99
  • @vplite99 said:
    Welcome to the board. You have started just like I did over 40 years ago, stacking silver. With some experience you will learn to buy close to or even below melt.

    I would not be influenced by those saying precious metals are high or low; you can always make a good argument either way.

    Read everything you can before you start serious buying. Education is not free, but it doesn't have to be painful (getting ripped off).

    Thank you, vp.

    Guess I am going to have to crack some books. Lol.

  • thebeavthebeav Posts: 3,826 โœญโœญโœญโœญโœญ

    Welcome to the forum !
    As others have said, collect what you like. Looking back over many years, it worked for me.

  • CatbertCatbert Posts: 7,450 โœญโœญโœญโœญโœญ
    edited May 18, 2021 6:30PM

    @๐–†๐–ˆ๐–ˆ๐–š๐–’๐–š๐–‘๐–†๐–™๐–”๐–— said:

    Yes.

    First thing is find out how many coins are in a full type set. Lol.

    I think even though I have some that will fit in this type set, I want to build it from zero.

    I dont know why. I think it will just be better that way.

    You might consider starting with the basic US type set found on the PCGS registry. This would be a nice guide to learn about what coins types would be included in such a collection. 41 coins for this one:

    https://pcgs.com/setregistry/design-type-sets/design-type-sets/basic-u-s-coin-design-set-no-gold-1792-present/composition/950

    Or, maybe start with a 20th century version so you start with less expensive types.

    Seated Half Society member #38
    "Got a flaming heart, can't get my fill"
This discussion has been closed.