$$$ Coin Collecting $$$

[CatwomanofV]

If you are going to collect U.S. coins, I suggest buying the Red Book (which is updated every year). The Red Book gives you the value of what coins are worth. That way if you decide to purchase a coin, you will know what is a good price and what is a rip-off. When I first started to seriously collect coins, I bought a bunch and yeah, I paid WAY too much but I didn't know any better. Most sellers are counting that the fact that the buyers don't know any better.

And whatever you do DO NOT CLEAN COINS!!!!! Chemicals that are used can hurt the value.

As for myself, I mostly collect U.S. coins even though I have some foreign and paper money.



Cat

[VM1138]

Originally Posted by Hockey92

I recently began collecting old coins and don't really have a clue what to look for other than old coins but it keeps me entertained. Ive got some "war pennies" that are silver looking instead of copper which are pretty cool, and I have all the new state park quarters so far.
what should i look to find in the future or are there any new mints that are worth collecting?

There's really no way to predict what is "worth collecting." I mean, most of the current commemorative releases by the mint will be worth next to nothing in the future because they made so many coins and they are made of such worthless material.

Now, if a crazy disaster happens and wipes out most of the state quarters, for example, their value goes up. But you can't predict that.

Collect what's fun for you. When I started coin collecting I just grabbed whatever I could. I built up complete collections of nickels, pennies, etc. Nothing in high quality, of course, but it was cool to just have a "complete" collection. Then I started paying attention to grades and mints and whatnot.

Collecting is a long-term proposition, so don't be too worried about getting it "right" immediately. Just have fun with it.

Also, as to coin values, don't trust any one source. There are Red Book, Blue Book, Grey Sheets, etc. I personally like Red Book and Grey Sheets (what dealers buy and sell their coins for), but I've rarely seen these books as accurate. Get out there around some coin shops and see what things are selling for.

Honestly, unless you're wealthy, don't go out and buy the high-end coins. Keep an eye out and you can usually find a few (over time) valuable coins. That's part of the fun. Now if you're looking at something for investment purposes, then by all means go out and buy a PCGS certified slabbed coin.

[JJ1987]

Anyone know how much a 1870 octagon California liberty quarter is worth?

[Bulldogdad]

^^^Ebay.