Best Conditions to Buy

[usa123-migration]

Since I started getting onto this board about a month ago, my perspective on coins has changed dramatically. At first, as I had always done before, I wanted to merely have raw specimens of coins in the AG-G range ( ).

 

After a few weeks of posting and reading and talking and doing other stuff that you can do on these boards , I decided that it was best to buy in the range of F-AU. It fit my wallet well, yet the coins I could find in these conditions seem to be the most profitable and still have an eye appeal and carry the traditional view of what a coin collection should be.

 

As for buying on the low end, this is stupid, because you may have the coins, but they are ugly and make you feel poor or something.

 

For buying on the high end, unless they are like PF-69 or 70 or something , they can be really expensive. (Try getting an MS-63 Classic Head Large Cent for a 17 year olds paycheck) The high end coins also deteriorate easier because they are graded so picky. In the range for those coins, a drop on the floor can cost you $500.00

 

Instead, I would rather get a Fine to Very Fine Classic Head Cent. That fits my pocketbook and is still a presentable coin.

 

With this in mind, I went out and bought some Fine Young Head Large Cents, because the local coin shop did not have any Classic Heads. I also got a 3 cent nickel that came in a Fine-Very Fine condition. I figure that 15-35 dollars is good to spend on those older varieties of coins. It doesn't cost me too much.

 

Yeah, I know all of you like to get the MS-65 of whatever it is you want, but you also don't only make $6.50 an hour. My boss, I tell you what.

 

Oh well, enough chattering. If I don't stop, I may lose my teeth, or fingers, or whatever it is I am using. I will try to post pics of my recent purchases soon. I haven't posted in like 2 weeks, so I figured I could bore you to death a little bit.

 

On a final note, I have decided to start buying the silver ounce eagles. My first one I got for $7.50. It could pull in an MS-60. (Is the grading on those things different, or does anyone care )

 

Fine, I'll shutup. Good to be back!!!

[kryptonitecomics]

It sounds like you are on the right path with your collecting. There is nothing wrong with AG and G coins if that's what you can afford. Everyone has to fit their collecting style to their budget in order to put together a collection that they appreciate. Some rare coins are so valuable that most of us could only afford them in the lowest of grades, but I am sure you were talking about general type coins as opposed to the true rarities in the hobby.

 

 

I have a mininmum grade standard for every US coin series so I try to go after F-12 and above on most of them as I agree with your assessment that the coins look a lot better with more detail. I have owned plenty of low grade key's like 1914-D Lincoln Cents in VG and I didn't feel poor by owning them. Don't worry about what others may think, buy what you like and you will always be happy.

 

As for the Silver Eagles...they are only eye candy, but you should only purchase nice uncirculated examples since really all your buying is a chunk of silver ....and why not have a pretty chunk

[Hoot]

As for buying on the low end, this is stupid, because you may have the coins, but they are ugly and make you feel poor or something.

 

Hmmmmmmm... I think that the lowly graded coins can be a blast.

 

 

Yeah, I know all of you like to get the MS-65 of whatever it is you want, but you also don't only make $6.50 an hour. My boss, I tell you what.

 

One of my favorite collections is my album of F-VF buffalo nickels. Fantastic to look at, and very affordable. Have not spent more than $15 on any single coin - even a '26-S.

 

On a final note, I have decided to start buying the silver ounce eagles. My first one I got for $7.50. It could pull in an MS-60. (Is the grading on those things different, or does anyone care )

 

Silver eagles are fun because they have "heft." Great to feel that weight in your hand and know that it's a pure chunk of silver. In an album, they camn make a great impression on the viewer. Since they've only been minted since 1986 (?), the series is short and sweet. Ikes can be the same way.

 

Enjoy what you collect. Great coins are available in ALL grades. None are to be berated, and buy only coins that appeal to you. If you do that, they'll have appeal to others with whom you may share your collections. You'll build many along the way.

 

Hoot

[michael]

hi there usa123

 

welcome to the boards

 

you are off to a good start and i think you will enjoy it here on the ngc boards

 

i love the coins you are buying great values and with as you say eye appeal you cant go wrong with coins like these

 

as long as you are a selective buyer and get what is sppealling to your eye

 

pm me if you ever got any usa federal coin related questions

i might be able to help you withy some food for thought

 

michael

[TomB]

I think your collecting strategy is a very good one. Similar to Hoot, one of my favorite segments of my collection is my Barber half set, which is F-VF. The set is made up of original, attractive and problem-free coins and is extraordinarily hard to put together since these coins essentially don't exist. However, they are also mightily affordable, in general. I have a blast with them and it seems you are having a similar experience.