Collectable gold and silver coins

Get Started Collecting Old United States Coins-The Hobby That Pays You Back!

By Guest | March 25, 2010

There have been people collecting old United States coins since the beginning of the nation. It is one of the most popular hobbies ever, and one of the few that actually pays you back. By taking the time to learn about these coins, you will be able to purchase good coins that gain value over time.

The first thing you want to do when collecting old United States coins is to decide what type of collection you want to build. Some people specialize in completing 1 series of coins, like a complete set of Walking Liberty Half Dollars or Mercury Dimes. These are two popular designs with wonderful details that collectors have loved for years. The tough part of completing a series is finding the key dates which are the rare and very expensive dates in any series of coins.

You could also get into type coin collecting where you collect 1 coin of each type within a series. For example 1 of each type of half dollar, quarter, or silver dollar. Another great type set would be a set of 20th Century coins. This would be 1 example of every coin minted between 1900 and 1999. A type set is easier to complete because it does not require the rare, expensive key dates.

No mater what old United States coins you intend to collect, you will need to learn all you can about the hobby and the coins in particular. This is a hobby that is full of traps for the uninformed. By becoming educated about your hobby, you can avoid these traps such as overpaying for your coins.

Every new collector will want to get a copy of the Guide Book Of United States Coins, AKA the Red Book. It is truly the Bible of US coin collecting, and is a wealth of knowledge. Some collectors even collect the Red Book! Looking at different editions across the years can show how coin values have gone up (or down).

New collectors should also buy a copy of the Photograde book. This book will show you how to grade coins. This is a skill you will want to have because a coin’s condition has an impact on its price. By learning to accurately grade a coin before you buy it, you will make solid purchases that will increase in value. It will also help you avoid overpaying for your coins. This is important because most coins you see will be graded higher than they really are. You will be able to spot bargains and avoid overpaying.

A loupe or other magnifying glass will help you look closely at coins and grade them accurately. Seeing the fine detail on the coins will help you grade and decide what to pay for your coins.

Learn more about collecting old United States coins by visiting my blog at http://oldunitedstatescoins.com!

categories: hobbies,collecting