Returning to the hobby

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KDS
KDS Posts: 3 ✭✭
in U.S. Coin Forum

After many, many years out of the hobby, I’m looking to get back into collecting. I’d like to focus on one coin type (I.e. Morgan dollars) but I’m interested more for investment grade coins that I’ll keep and hold into retirement. Are Morgan dollars a good investment coin or would you recommend a different coin type. I’m open to your opinions!

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  • RedRocket
    RedRocket Posts: 1,924 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    Welcome back.
    Here's to hoping there aren't another 14 years between your first post and the next one.

  • johnny9434
    johnny9434 Posts: 34,068 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    Welcome back!!

  • Relaxn
    Relaxn Posts: 1,265 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    Run away!
    So many fakes, frauds and f#$$ks... learn and educate yourself.

  • Morgan13
    Morgan13 Posts: 2,692 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited September 22, 2026 3:30AM
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    Morgans are probably the most collected coin in the hobby so demand will always be there.
    With that said you, yourself might find something more enjoyable to collect.
    Many others here are not big fans of Morgans.
    I think as long as you are prudent with your choices you will be okay.
    Seems like most coins slowly increase over time.

    Student of numismatics and collector of Morgan dollars
    Successful BST transactions with: Namvet Justindan Mattniss RWW olah_in_MA
    Dantheman984 Toyz4geo SurfinxHI greencopper RWW bigjpst bretsan MWallace logger7 JWP BruceS bigjpst
    JWP PROMETHIUS88

  • MFeld
    MFeld Posts: 17,132 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    Is your focus on collecting or investing? You mentioned both.

    Mark Feld* of Heritage Auctions*Unless otherwise noted, my posts here represent my personal opinions.

  • logger7
    logger7 Posts: 9,858 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    I hope you enjoy reviving your intereest in the hobby. I watched this video of Randy Campbell at FUN yesterday talking about his enthusiasm for Morgan dollars: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eNBGqB31HAM

  • joeykoins
    joeykoins Posts: 18,846 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited September 22, 2026 9:19AM
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    Hello 👋
    Welcome to the Forum!
    You said you might be interested in the
    Morgan Dollar?
    Great choice!
    I love all the many Morgans.
    Esp the

    "Varieties"

    It's an all different ballgame when searching for Varieties!
    It can be tons a fun, along with the additional value you can bring in to your collection.
    Many collectors either don't care for Varieties or are not aware of the profitable variety aspect?
    If interested, I suggest you purchase a guide book to help you tremendously!
    Inexpensive too!
    Around $30


    Whatever you decide to collect.
    Good Luck
    The most important part...
    Have

    FUN!

    Here's an
    Example:
    Regular 1878 Morgan Dollar.
    With the normal
    7 Tail feathers...

    Now,
    The
    "Variety"
    8 Tail feathers...


    "Jesus died for you and for me, Thank you,Jesus"!!!

    --- If it should happen I die and leave this world and you want to remember me. Please only remember my opening Sig Line.
  • GoldFinger1969
    GoldFinger1969 Posts: 3,472 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited September 22, 2026 7:50AM
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    Collect and "invest" in your hobby...but please do NOT consider them investments. They are NOT.

    You may or may not make money on your purchases....maybe you'll make good numismatic choices or maybe the underlying metal value will simply rise enough to drag upward all the coins.

    Personally, I mentally write down anything I buy to ZERO and thus whatever I get when I sell it -- in retirement or whenever -- is a windfall. :D

    There are so many variables with the coin hobby that unless you have decades of experience, are a dealer, or have deep pockets...it's tough to "invest" in coins and generate competitive returns.

    Any thoughts to considering gold coins ? At least there you have traditional hedging concerns even if the coins are more expensive than silver ones.

  • Mark1010
    Mark1010 Posts: 68 ✭✭✭
    edited September 22, 2026 8:16AM
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    Welcome back and good luck. I too have returned to collecting after years away. I came to the realization that I am unable to properly grade a coin or even come close to a correct grade. With that in mind, all I buy are slabbed coins. The surprise to me after years away was how popular the actual coin holder has become, and the value being assigned to the holder.

  • KDS
    KDS Posts: 3 ✭✭
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    Thanks for everyone's feedback! I must say its a little concerning that some of you feel that there is little investment value in coins. I was hoping to buy and hold for 10 years+ but if the consensus is that it is not a good idea, then I appreciate their feedback and will reconsider. I'd say Im more of an investor than a collector.

  • Batman23
    Batman23 Posts: 5,475 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    Some coins go up in value, others hold or go down in value. If you buy condition rarity and then more coins of that condition appear, value goes down.

    Many here say that if you want to invest, stocks is where the money is at. Collect if you like to collect and enjoy doing so. I have coins that have probably doubled in value over time, but I would probably have much more money had I invested that money into Roth IRAs instead.

  • dcarr
    dcarr Posts: 10,257 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited September 22, 2026 11:00AM
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    There are many ways to collect Morgan Dollars.
    The two extremes are, of course:

    • The highest-end DMPL (Deep Mirror Proof-Like) coins.
    • Problem-free non-cull loose coins at prices close to the silver "melt" value.

    And everything in between.

    Moonlight Mint
  • cameonut2011
    cameonut2011 Posts: 10,875 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    If you are looking to invest long term, I'd look for index funds for superconductors/microchips. Collect what you like and can afford to lose.

  • TomB
    TomB Posts: 23,189 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    Nearly every opinion will be different and will reflect the interests and experiences of the person who responds. Learn what you like and are interested in as well as your goals and tolerance for risk. None of us can answer this for you. Good luck.

    Thomas Bush Numismatics & Numismatic Photography

    In honor of the memory of Cpl. Michael E. Thompson

    image
  • jmlanzaf
    jmlanzaf Posts: 43,047 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    @KDS said:
    Thanks for everyone's feedback! I must say its a little concerning that some of you feel that there is little investment value in coins. I was hoping to buy and hold for 10 years+ but if the consensus is that it is not a good idea, then I appreciate their feedback and will reconsider. I'd say Im more of an investor than a collector.

    If it's a hobby, you buy it because you like it and it gives you pleasure.

    If it's an "investment", you buy it even if you don't like it because you expect the returns to be good.

    We could get into the effect of compounding and why 99% of coins don't keep up with stock funds (and probably 75% of them don't keep up with savings bonds), but that's almost besides the point.

    All comments reflect the opinion of the author, even when irrefutably accurate.

  • seatedlib3991
    seatedlib3991 Posts: 1,629 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    I will give you my most basic response. You have shown an interest in rare coins; there is no need to rush. Search online or buy a few books first. My personal rule of thumb is this: If finding just the right coin doesn't make you feel like an 8 year old kid getting exactly what he wanted for Christmas; then go find something that does make you feel that way.
    Investing, for better or worse, is something that should be done with little emotional involvement; except to perhaps support ideals you hold.
    Hobby's should give you a greater zest for life, and if you breakeven or make a little money; well that's just the cherry on top. My opinion. James

  • lkenefic
    lkenefic Posts: 9,518 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    Just my opinion... but for me, I view coins as a hobby. Period. Coin purchases and numismatic related items are a part of my monthly budget under "Entertainment". So, I'm not expecting to get ANY of the money back... sort of like taking my girlfriend out to dinner and a movie... but unlike the dinner, I can go back to coins on a regular basis and get "some" of my money back if I decide to sell.

    Investments are a different story altogether. I'm still working, so I'm contributing to SS, MD State Teacher's Pension, a Roth IRA, and savings. Part of my coin collection is PMs (pre-33 AU and 90% Ag) and that's really the only part of my portfolio in coins that has done exceptionally well but with the caveat that I bought before the huge run-up in PMs.

    Best of luck in anything you decide...

    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.
  • KDS
    KDS Posts: 3 ✭✭
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    Nice to meet a fellow Marylander (MoCo here). Thanks for your response.

  • johnny9434
    johnny9434 Posts: 34,068 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    When you see a nine nice coin, remember it. You'll get a real decent kean eye/taste that will treat you well

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