Which coins should i collect

Get Started Collecting. Many people start a coin collection with coins they see every day, or with coins they got when traveling to other countries. As your collection grows, you may want to collect special coins made just for collecting.

These coins can be made of different metals, such as gold and silver, or have different finishes than a circulating coin. Coins with certain mint marks. Coins made in proof and uncirculated finishes. Coins made for collecting have different finishes than circulating coins.

The finish is how the surface of the coin looks. The three main finishes are circulating, uncirculated, and proof. The only way to get real information about the coin market is from a dealer or collector who regularly attends shows and auctions. I personally view it as my duty to pass on accurate information to good clients. Conversely, I will not willing pass this information onto "tire kickers. Thinking Like a Collector. Anyone who approaches numismatics with a dispassionate attitude is a virtual certainty to lose money.

Conversely, most pure collectors make money; often times in spite of themselves. This is because they buy coins for the right reason: they love them. They what interests them and they carefully research their purchases. They know that they are not buying overhyped coins at the height of a promotional period. I define connoisseurship as the ability to discern true quality in a specific field. In numismatics, the connoisseur is able to determine which coins have the most aesthetic eye appeal and which, literally, stand apart from the "typical" piece.

A numismatic connoisseur, for instance, is able to appreciate a truly original gold coin with rich, "crusty" coloration. He is able to innately sense that year old coins do not have to be big and bright in order to be desirable.

Connoisseurship is a natural ability. You either are able to naturally determine the "best" or you are not. If you are not a born connoisseur and very few people are then you should find a dealer who has this ability to assist you with your purchases. Learning to Grade. I have seen people spend millions of dollars on rare coins without having the slightest idea how to grade. They put their complete trust in dealers and in third-party grading. Frankly, this attitude leaves me baffled.

If I do not feel very comfortable grading a specific type of coin, I do not buy it. As an example, I think Indian Head half eagles are extremely hard to grade.

To be totally honest, I can't grade the damn things. My solution? I don't buy them. By the same token, I feel that I am a world-class grader of Liberty Head half eagles.

So I buy a lot of them. There are some simple rules when it comes to grading. First--and foremost--you need to view as many coins as possible. As the first official U. Yet, along with its incredible numismatic history, it is also an affordable coin. The United States Mint kicked off its bullion program with five different American Eagle coins of silver and gold. A one oz. The reverse features a modern heraldic eagle design by John Mercanti. While American Silver Eagles are common, they are also in high demand as the important first-year coin in the series.

As a result, they normally sell at a significant numismatic value over spot. However, paying a little extra for this specific silver coin is worth it. The American Silver Eagle changed the face of silver bullion investment. It's impossible to predict precisely which coins will increase in value. Frankly, some coins will not. The best advice in this regard is to pursue coins that are in exceptionally good condition, such as mint state also called "uncirculated".

The highest-grade coins usually offer the greatest potential for price appreciation. Individual taste should also be taken into account. Perhaps you collect coins that have a design or theme that you enjoy. Maybe you search for coins from a specific year that is meaningful to you, such as the birth year of a family member. You can never go wrong in coin collecting if you look for coins that appeal to you on a personal level.

Many collectors simply love the hobby, and aren't in it to make big profits. Yet collecting coins and holding them for several years is often a viable investment strategy. This may be due to the melt value of the coins rising over time if they are made of silver or gold. Coins can also appreciate in value due to their popularity or because of a limited mintage scarcity.

As a general rule of thumb, it's advisable to collect the highest-grade coins i. These are the coins that tend to have the highest profit potential. You will usually have to consult a numismatist or numismatic expert to ascertain the rarity of a coin.

The numismatist will be able to identify what type of coin you have, and determine whether it is a rare coin or commonplace.

You will have to correctly identify what coin you have to figure out its value. Once you know what the coin is, there are many price guides you can reference to get a general idea of how much the coin is worth. Here are some of the most reliable price guides used by collectors:.

The information on this page does not constitute an offer to buy or sell the coin s referred to. Prices mentioned are for illustrative purposes only. Joshua McMorrow-Hernandez is a journalist, editor, and blogger who has won multiple awards from the Numismatic Literary Guild. He has also authored numerous books, including works profiling the history of the United States Mint and United States coinage.

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