I need a good starting point! Advice wanted

BOOK · December 2, 2005 3:47PM

As I have been reading and learning I find out I'm not a collector. I guess by what I read I'm a accumulator. My question is what would be a good type set to start to get the most fun and education while moving in a good direction? I have a pretty good start on my proof & mint sets from 57 to date. I also have my Lincoln book 99% complete my Indian cent 80% my Jefferson book is comp. My safes are full of odds & ends I have put together for the past 40 years. It's a shame to say but some of my coins I haven't seen for years. Some I have never seen as I order 2 sets of each from the mint and only open 1. All advice is welcome and wanted. I want to thank the forum member that met me at a local coin shop to help me get back in the groove. This was a big help. Thank you Book Giveaway

LastExitInNY · December 2, 2005 3:52PM

I know how you feel. I don't know which way to turn because so much appeals to me. I've started on some Peace Dollars from the Philly mint with some AU up to ms63.

relayer · December 2, 2005 4:14PM

Get a Dansco 20th Century Type album and work on filling it.

Touchdown · December 2, 2005 4:36PM

I have been wanting to collect all state quarters from circulation. I wanted to see how long it took me to get them all to date witout paying face. I thought it would be fun and challenging.

Also, Modern Commemorative coins. Some are a bit high and others can be bought at bargains. It will take some time and also be a challenge. But, you will learn more about the series and know which ones are the rare ones and so forth when trying to find them. I was intending to collect them myself but some are tough like the 1997 $5 MS Gold Jackie Robinson hcih goes for atleast $2500.

mr3holesinone · December 2, 2005 4:39PM

Looks like you have a nice accumulation started already.

I think I would add some silver to the accumulation. A Roosevelt dime set is easy to do and won't cost much; then start working on the Mercury dimes, you will be able to fill up most of the book without much trouble to your checkbook. Then head to bigger territory, the bigger the better. As previously mentioned, the Peace dollar set is very attainable. There are many series to work on. Leaf through the Red Book and pick something you like. In another 40 years you just may have yourself a collection after all.

100proof1957 · December 3, 2005 1:36AM

hows about a set that was 100 years old when you were born ?

coinguy1 · December 3, 2005 1:52AM

<< <i>My question is what would be a good type set to start to get the most fun and education while moving in a good direction? >>

I'd recommend looking through a "redbook" or other source which lists and illustrates all of the coin types/designs. See what designs/types appeal to YOU and slowly go from there.

For example, perhaps Capped Bust coins will apeal to you and you can assemble a type set of them? Maybe you will be drawn to Quarters (or Half Dimes or whatever) and you can build a type set of them? You might consider acquiring the various types that were available for a given date (in history or that has significance to you for some reason). You might have an affinity for Two Cent Pieces and want to collect that short-lived series by date.

There are nearly an endless number of possibilities to choose from. Don't force yourself to collect anything - let the idea come to you as you check out the possibilities and use your imagination.

291fifth · December 3, 2005 2:03AM

Start working on an AU type set of coins issued before 1950. Look for coins with nice eye-appeal and take your time. Sell your modern proof and mint sets to raise money for a few nice type coins.

MadMonk · December 3, 2005 2:06AM

Marks advice is good. I like to find the old type set books, and slowly work filling them up.
they typically offer a few more types, and I love the look of coins in an album.
Sounds like you have so much stuff, I'd sell all the doubles, and anything and everything that didnt fit, then take that money and buy some really nice type coins.

Bochiman · December 3, 2005 3:07AM

I would say:

Go to a few coins shows. Walk around. See what interests you...in slabs and also raw. The pictures of 3-ct pieces and half dimes look cool, but they are so small and tiny in person, I can't collect them (I can do 1 of each in a type set though).

So, I would say, walk around and see, in person, each type of coin (multiple ones....so you see how they tone, etc) and then do a dansco type set album.

If you find something that really catches your eyes, then go that route.

ajia · December 3, 2005 3:21AM

My question is what would be a good type set to start to get the most fun and education while moving in a good direction?

I would say a 'Type Set' collection would fit your parameters th best.
I have a Dansco 7070, but can not recommend it as it has of varieties left out.
If you feel comfortable showing your coins I have seem a plastic holder (not Captial) that has all the US Type coins & their varieties.....very cool, but a bit $$ if I remember it right.

Many of us here are accumulators IMO, I know I am.

A nice type set is very educational, half cents, 2 & 3 cent coins, hals dimes, 20 cent coins....all very cool.
The Ultimate would be every coin type from every mint that minted that type! CHA-CHING!

mozin · December 3, 2005 5:34AM

Stop being an accumulator. Sell, sell, sell. Use the money to start a Bust series type set of PCGS/NGC coins.

lordmarcovan · December 3, 2005 6:27AM

michael · December 3, 2005 7:03AM

for me

i think a smart move and also a value and opportunity move would be

a nice eye appealling circ set of pre 1915 type coins you get a variety of coins in varying sizes that are older classic and scarece some really scarce!! and MOST IMPORTANTLY YOU can show them to the grand kidsa and maybe there will be one coin that is a fav of the kids and then that might spark an interest to collect something like thgis one coin or a set of them or another type set!!??

and if not you get a great set of coins that has value and demand and also you will be able to sell to many interested buyers

now if i might be so bold as to suggest that you also include a famous coin like the first year of issue 1909-p matte proof lincoln cent in bn or rb but nicely colored as with the 2009 100 year anniversary coming up and asll the history and romance and popularity of the lincoln cents this would be a really neat value opportunity scarce coin to own

and an interesting proof type coin to boot

mostly a funcollector coin to have

a win-win-win situation

now as you go back before 1830's you can find some really nice fine type coins reasonably priced and pre 1807 pre 1800 even good vg are great coin if they have the right look and eye appeal

you will learn much along the way and youcan start with the barbers and work your way back

maybe add a few sexy cc mintmarked coins like a cc twenty cent piece seated dime quarter

maybe even the hot and totally undervalued 1878-cc obverse cancelled die quarter the one of the only coin struck with a cancelled die

better yet get the cancel mark on the reverse few if any have this characteristic and this can be cherried and waht a historical scarce coin cc mintmark last of the cc quarters and a cancelled die put back into serivce out of necessity and then try for the reverse calcellation mark also

one rare sexy mamma jamma

then you can go get a nice trade dollar with the sexy cc mintmark

and so on

good luck and i hope you choose something you like to do

oh my i almost forgot do nort forget to add the piece de resistance to your typeset true american colonial type coins say for instance a nice 1797 half vcent from maSSACHUSTEES the only colonial copper coin thsat has the word half cent on the reverse and the first coin to do so then this eagle on the back of this mass half cent was used by the early federal mint on thewir silver and goldcoins and also the standards where adopted by the early federal mint for their half cents based on this mass 1787 half cent

wild and a really good historical coin!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! way undervlzued too so you cant go wrong!!!

andi think the first american coin to have an american indian on it that actually looks like an american indian

and there are so maNY OTHER colonial coins to choose from all histriical and with great value and context of true american spirit those last few years of the 1700's

Barndog · December 3, 2005 10:59AM

I'm surprised people haven't overwhelmingly recommended the Dansco 7070 for you. Many forum members have posted their experiences with that set here (including me). I loved putting together my set. You can have coins from the 1700s (my earliest coin in the set is a nice 1803 Large Cent that I purchased from a forum member) as well as modern coins. The set can be a great challenge as you seek coins with similar eye appeal and grade. Trying to put together an XF-AU (or better) set will take some time, but is well worth the effort. Plus, you will learn a whole lot in the process. I had to read about early copper (my preferred series is Capped Bust Half Dimes) in order to pick up nice examples of half cents and large cents. I'm so sure you will enjoy putting together a 7070 set that if for some reason you don't enjoy it, I'll pay for your album (they cost about $25). I think once you are done with the set you will consider yourself not done, since you will want to find upgrades, key coins, and varieties to improve your set.

SRTaylor · December 3, 2005 11:17AM

I would stay away from widgets or easily replaceable coins. Buy coins with strong eye appeal with low population reports.

BOOK · December 3, 2005 5:05PM

Rule change

cape · December 4, 2005 12:18AM

book, if it were me i would probably only keep the sentimental pieces and then possibly find someone here on the boards to sell for you on ebay or offer them on the buy sell trade forum. after that focus on a series that you really like and complete it as best you can 1 coin at a time . this series could be completed in any grade that your able to afford and be very rewarding to you. good luck ed

Heywood · December 5, 2005 9:05AM

I got a dansco 7070 set and it has been fun. I am now joining the others on the board looking for the elusive seated dollars that are genuine, look good, and don't cost an arm and a leg.

I would reccomend a more specialized type set-

Maybe odd denominations- take the money you would spend on a 7070 and get better quality 1/2 cent, 1/2 dime, 2 cent, 3 cent nickel, 3cent silver, and 20 cent pieces. (And maybe a 4 dollar gold coin)

Maybe starta certified certified proof set using older 19th cent coins.

Join the Club-- Hi, My Name is Doug, and I am an Accumulator! ( Need the Russ TM)

carl · December 5, 2005 9:50AM

You didn't mention the condition of the coins in your Lincoln Cent, Indian Cent, Jefferson Nickel, etc collections. Why not do as I do and start second, third, etc sets with the highest grade in set #1. I've been doing that and now have albums of 10 sets of Lincolns, 2 sets of Indian Cents, 2 Liberty Head Nickels, 4 Buffalo Nickels, 7 Jefferson Nickels, 2 Liberty Head Dimes, etc., etc.
What is a real mess is when I get a great new Lincoln good enough to go into set 1 then the one there has to go to set 2, the one from 2 to 3, 3 to 4, and on and on and on. Keeps me up for hours after a coin show.
with the stuff you don't want to put in albums, put into those 2x2's and put them in those long red boxes in order of denomination and condition.
Or just sell everything and start all over.

TwoSides2aCoin · December 5, 2005 10:23AM

Book, just keep accumulating like you are doing. Sounds like you are on target to me.
I would go back through with a 10x loupe on all of your holdings in search of Gems and Rarities. Often times along a forty year span, you could have some real treasures stashed away and never know it. I would just recommend going through your accumulation with a "fine toothed" comb and having someone knowledgeable of what to look for with you

I need a good starting point! Advice wanted

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