The Gold n Pawn

Coin Choice

What Coins Should I Collect?

What Coins Should I Collect?

By Robert L Taylor, JD

You should collect what you like and enjoy. This is Your Dream. Design it any way you want.
Never-the-less, . . . decide on Foreign coins or US Coins; and Proof or Mint State. If US, then decide upon a Denomination: penny, nickel, dime, quarter, half dollar, dollar or other.

Or, decide upon a particular Period in History, e.g.: Morgan Dollars (Lady Liberty, Following Civil War), Peace Dollars (Following WWI), War Time Cents (Steel and Shell Casing – WWII), War Time Nickels (Silver – WWII), Silver quarters and dimes pre 1965; Statehood Quarters; 20th Century; 19th Century.

Or decide upon an Historical Figure; Kennedy Half Dollars (Following his death), Lincoln Cents; Washington Quarters; Franklin Half Dollars; Eisenhower Dollars, Susan B Anthony Dollars, Roosevelt Dimes; Sacagawea Dollars. You can also choose Type Sets, Year Sets, Mint Sets, Proof Sets and Decades.

The Next Step is to decide upon the Quality of coin you want to collect. Your choices are: a) pocket change; b) bank rolls; c) US mint and proof rolls and sets (new and used); d) Buy from Coin Shows and Clubs; e) Buy on the Internet; f) Buy from coin dealer; g) Buy from coin magazine or ad. Each has their benefits and advantages. Pocket Change and Bank Rolls provide Circulated coins. The US Mint provides Uncirculated “Mint State” and “Proof” coins.
The Internet provides the Greatest Selection from private Web Sites, e.g.: www.ThePerfect-Coin.Com to the big Auctions like eBay, Yahoo, Heritage and TeleTrade. And With the advent of PayPal.com (free) it becomes very quick and easy to pay for purchases over the Internet and by Phone.

The one thing that is important in all of the above choices is the Grade of the Coin, which is closely related to Value (a topic for another article). But which leads to the next choice: Buy Slabbed or Raw? Raw coins are what you find in pocket change. Slabbed coins are those that are Professionally Certified and Graded by an Independent Third Party. The coin is then placed in a “slab”, made of plastic, identified, labeled and sealed. It actually takes 3 Professionals to decide upon the Grade of a Coin. If Buying Raw Coins, You need to Know How to Grade a Coin. Even then, there will be Disputes about the Grade. When Buying a Slabbed coin, You Know the Grade. The Grade Becomes Virtually Undisputable! All references to Price in any resource are Based on Grading, which follows the Guidelines set by the ANA American Numismatic Association. Currently, there are only Four Companies that are Recognized for Strictly following these Guidelines: PCGS, NGC, ICG and ANACS. It is from these Professionals that one should buy slabbed coins. Buying Slabbed Coins is the First Rule of Serious Coin Collecting.

Obviously, one will be very limited in the years, mints, and varieties available from pocket change and bank rolls – both being local in nature. Even if starting with these means of collecting, always keep an open mind about other resources. So, a little future insight helps to decide that better resources will yield better coin collections. Most collections will span a greater range of years, than either pocket change or bank rolls can possibly produce. It is therefore imperative to investigate other resources.

Your Budget will usually determine the Grade of coin that you can afford to collect. MS63-MS65 is an Ideal range for collecting, not only because of the excellent condition and detail of the coins, greater availability, lower costs, and because coins in this range tend to Appreciate faster than other Grades. There item is very simple, and it has to do with the quality of the coin or how much you want to Spend per Coin – for an average coin, for an exceptional coin, or a perfect coin. Your budget will usually determine this factor, or, how much per month you can spend (per month?) for your new Investment. Never doubt that Coin Collecting is an Investment. Although it is easy to overlook the amount of time spent on this Endeavor because two of the main ingredients are Pleasure and Enjoyment. Confucius Say:

“If you enjoy what you are doing, you will never work another day in your life.”

Think of it as a Fund. You are trading Money for . . . Money that Grows and Gives Pleasure! Properly attended, this Fund can quite possibly put someone through college.

Lastly, decide whether to collect all of the coins in your Group including varieties and errors or just the Regular Issue Coins. Errors and Varieties can become extremely expensive and difficult to find. Most people will avoid them.

This Concept of “Trading Money for Money” is critically important because most people shy away from spending a little more, just to get the best. And I am talking about the best in quality of coin, no matter what the Grade or Price. In other words, get a Coin with the Grade it is Supposed to Have. This is the Only way to be sure of the Value of the Coin. Spend your Money Wisely. Get what you pay for. Until you become a Professional at Grading, rely on the Professional Graders. Whether you choose to collect Kennedy Proof Half Dollars, or Jefferson Nickels from pocket change, thanks to the Internet, you will find a huge selection available, on many different web sites, to give your Coin Collecting efforts a boost. Internet Web Sites will Forever Change Coin Collecting! Why? Because Top Quality Coins can be easily Bought and Sold by any body – since they are Slabbed!

Always Know Your Grade!

Robert L Taylor, JD
Copyright 2006, Robert L Taylor, JD

About the Author

Robert Taylor is a 59 year old retired Lawyer, from Denver, CO, who spent most of his career representing people who could not afford an attorney, and who has had a passion for collecting US coins. Wanting to share his Passion, he created http://www.ThePerfect-Coin.Com which features US Rare and Modern Dollars (from 1878) and Coins (from 1960), all Certified and Graded by NGC or PCGS.
For Beginning Coin Collectors, he then created http://www.Beginning-Coin-Collecting.Com

QUEST 4 TEH COIN choice 2

Ultra Rare 1799 $10 CAPPED BUST LIBERTY NGC MS62 Gold Eagle Choice graded coin $42,500.00

CHOICE PCGS 1796 DRAPED BUST QUARTER ~~~~ RARE COIN!!! $29,000.00

1860-S Gold $10 Liberty, PCGS Genuine, (Choice AU Coin) $14,950.00

1860 Seated Liberty Silver Dollar, Choice UNC, Toned Prooflike Coin $5,495.00

1889-CC Liberty Gold Double Eagle $20 – CHOICE BU – RARE Carson City Gold Coin! $5,435.00

Stunning key-date 1894 $1 MORGAN NGC MS63 choice graded Silver Dollar coin $5,250.00

Scarce 1920 $20 SAINT PCGS MS64 OGH Philadelphia St Gaudens Choice Graded coin $4,949.00

1850 Seated Liberty Half Dollar, PCGS Genuine, Choice BU Coin $4,195.00

1909-D Indian $10 Eagle Gold Coin, PCGS Genuine, (Looks Choice BU) $3,995.00

1879 CC VAM 3 MORGAN SILVER DOLLAR CHOICE ORIGINAL BU KEY DATE COIN $3,895.00

Rare 1910 San Francisco $5 US Indian Head Genuine Vintage Gold Choice BU Coin $3,895.00

Lot of 50 1921 $1 MORGAN PCGS MS64 Choice Certified Silver Dollar coins $3,879.00

1894 O MORGAN SILVER DOLLAR MS 63 PCGS (#0671) Choice Certified Coin $3,849.99

10 CHOICE BU 20 FRANC GOLD FRENCH ANGELS 1876-1898 EUROPEAN BULLION COINS $3,799.00

1839 Head of 1838 Liberty Gold Eagle $10 – CHOICE AU – EXTREMELY Rare Gold Coin! $3,635.00

5 Rolls of 1921 Morgan Silver Dollars * 100 Coins * All Gorgeous Choice Gem BU * $3,599.50

USA Seated Liberty Dollar 1872 S Choice UNC- from Europe Mint Luster Type Coin $3,470.00

5 Rolls of 1922 Peace Silver Dollars * 100 Coins * All Gorgeous Choice Gem BU * $3,399.00

5 Rolls of 1923 Peace Silver Dollars * 100 Coins * All Gorgeous Choice Gem BU * $3,399.00

MACAU 1952 50 AVOS, CHOICE TO GEM UNCIRCULATED COINS, FANTASTIC LOT OF 1,000 $2,995.00

MACAU 1952 50 AVOS COINS, CHOICE TO GEM UNCIRCULATED, GROUP LOT OF 1,000 $2,995.00

1860 / 1861 SS REPUBLIC SHIPWRECK 3 COIN 1/2 DOLLAR SET NGC CHOICE UNC. $2,950.00

1935 Florin. Choice uncirculated PCGS MS63 – A top coin for your PCGS set $2,909.88

1894 $20 LIBERTY HEAD DOUBLE EAGLE CHOICE BU GOLD COIN $2,897.75

Rare 1906-D $10 LIBERTY PCGS MS64 choice Denver Gold Eagle coin $2,875.00

1875-S Liberty Gold Double Eagle $20 – CHOICE BU – RARE MS Uncirculated Coin! $2,835.00

1903-S $20 US LIBERTY NGC MS63 Gold Double Eagle Choice Graded Coin-Bold Strike! $2,750.00

1861 Indian Three Dollar $3 Gold Coin – CHOICE BU – RARE Coin! $2,735.00

1862 Indian Gold Three Dollar $3 Coin – CHOICE BU – RARE Key Date Coin! $2,735.00

Rare 1897 $10 LIBERTY PCGS MS64 Philadelphia Choice graded Gold Eagle coin $2,599.00

PQ rare 1894 $10 LIBERTY PCGS MS64 choice Philadelphia Gold Eagle certified coin $2,549.00

1903 $20 LIBERTY PCGS MS64 Philadelphia Gold Double Eagle Choice Graded coin $2,499.00

1879-S Liberty Gold Double Eagle $20 – CHOICE BU – RARE MS Uncirculated Coin! $2,465.00

1855 $3.00 PRINCESS U.S. GOLD COIN CHOICE ORIGINAL BU $2,450.00

1926 $20 St. GAUDENS Certified MS-65!!! Gold Coin Your choice PCGS or NGC $2,450.00

1884-S Morgan Silver Dollar CHOICE BU – RARE MS Uncirculated Coin! $2,435.00

1913-S Indian Gold Eagle $10 – CHOICE BU – RARE Key Date Gold Coin! $2,435.00

1894 MORGAN DOLLAR PCGS AU53 CHOICE ABOUT UNC PREMIUM QUALITY NICE ORIGINAL COIN $2,395.00

Brilliant 1927 50 PESO NGC MS64 Mexico Gold Bullion Choice Graded coin $2,295.00

1920 WALKING HALF DOLLAR MS 64 PCGS (#6709) Very Choice Certified Coin $2,289.99

MAKE AN OFFER 1822 CHOICE XF Extremely Rare Capped Bust Quarter Silver US Coin $2,250.00

1834 Classic Gold Quarter Eagle $2.50 – CHOICE BU – RARE MS Uncirculated Coin! $2,235.00

Bold Strike 1903 $20 LIBERTY NGC MS63 Gold Double Eagle Choice Graded Coin $2,229.00

1923 $20 SAINT PCGS MS63 Choice gold coin Philadelphia St Gaudens Double Eagle $2,159.00

1892 CC MORGAN SILVER DOLLAR MS 63 PCGS (#3666) Choice Certified Coin $2,152.49

Choice 1920 $20 SAINT PCGS MS63 St Gaudens Philadelphia Double Eagle gold coin $2,129.00

CHOICE GEM BRILLIANT UNCIRCULATED $20 SAINT GAUDENS GOLD UNITED STATES COIN $2,099.00

Stunning 1928 $20 SAINT NGC MS63 Choice graded St Gaudens gold coin Double Eagle $2,099.00

1895 $20 LIBERTY NGC MS62 Choice graded Double Eagle gold coin $2,079.00

1900 $20 LIBERTY NGC MS62 DOUBLE EAGLE GOLD COIN GRADED PHILADELPHIA CHOICE $2,069.00

Stunning 1926 $20 SAINT PCGS MS63 Choice St Gaudens Gold Double Eagle coin $2,059.00

CHOICE GEM BRILLIANT UNCIRCULATED $50 BUFFALO GOLD UNITED STATES COIN $2,049.00

CHOICE GEM BRILLIANT UNCIRCULATED $100 PLATINUM 1OZ. AMERICAN EAGLE U.S. COIN $2,049.00

1907 $20 LIBERTY PCGS MS62 Philadelphia Double Eagle Choice Graded gold coin $2,049.00

5 CHOICE BU 20 FRANC GOLD FRENCH ANGELS 1876-1898 EUROPEAN BULLION COINS $2,029.00

1909 S VDB LINCOLN CENT GEM/CHOICE ORIGINAL BU RB VERY RARE KEY DATE COIN!!! $2,000.00

1932 VERY CHOICE TO GEM BU EAGLE GOLD COIN $1,999.00

1856 Indian Gold Three Dollar $3 Coin – CHOICE BU – RARE MS Uncirculated Coin! $1,935.00

1901-P Morgan Silver Dollar CHOICE BU – RARE MS Uncirculated Coin! $1,935.00

1917-D OBV. WALKING LIBERTY HALF DOLLAR 90% SILVER CHOICE GEM BU STUNNER US COIN $1,899.99

1891-CC Liberty Gold Eagle $10 – CHOICE BU – RARE MS Uncirculated Coin! $1,865.00

1878 Indian Three Dollar $3 Gold Coin – CHOICE BU – RARE Uncirculated Coin! $1,865.00

1855 $3.00 PRINCESS U.S. GOLD COIN CHOICE ORIGINAL AU $1,850.00

1883-S Morgan MONSTER COIN CHOICE/SELECT BU 20A-30 $1,724.25

2010 AMERICA The BEAUTIFUL 5oz PCGS ** CHOICE ** FIRST STRIKE BU COIN SET $1,649.95

1878 Indian Gold Three Dollar $3 Coin – CHOICE BU – RARE MS Uncirculated Coin! $1,635.00

1884-S Morgan Silver Dollar CHOICE BU – RARE MS Uncirculated Key Date Coin! $1,635.00

1891-CC Liberty Gold Half Eagle $5 – CHOICE BU – RARE MS Uncirculated Coin! $1,635.00

1937-D Buffalo Nickel 3 LEGS Legged – CHOICE BU – Extremely RARE Coin! $1,635.00

1851-O Liberty Gold Quarter Eagle $2.50 – CHOICE BU – RARE MS Uncirculated Coin! $1,635.00

Lot of 20 1921 $1 MORGAN PCGS MS64 Choice Certified Silver Dollar coins w/ box $1,629.00

Lustrous 1926 $2.50 INDIAN PCGS MS64 Choice graded Quarter Eagle gold coin $1,599.00

1878-CC Morgan Silver Dollar, Choice BU DMPL, Slabbed Coin $1,595.00

1813 Classic Head Large Cent Choice AU++… A Very Nice Coin & VERY SCARCE DATE! $1,579.00

1894 $10 Liberty Gold Coin, PCGS Genuine (Choice BU) $1,495.00

ANCIENT GREEK SILVER COIN, PRUSIAS I – SCARCE -CHOICE! $1,487.50

1878 $3.00 PRINCESS U.S. GOLD COIN CHOICE AU $1,450.00

1932 INDIAN HEAD $10 GOLD EAGLE +++CHOICE BU+++ BRILLIANT UNCIRCULATED COIN!! $1,450.00

1887 Liberty Gold Eagle $10 – CHOICE BU – RARE MS Uncirculated Coin! $1,435.00

1915-S Indian Gold Half Eagle $5 – CHOICE BU – RARE MS Uncirculated Coin! $1,435.00

Excellent 1901 $10 LIBERTY NGC MS63 Choice graded Philadelphia Gold Eagle coin $1,429.00

1867 Indian Cent Gem BU Choice Unc. Uncirculated Head Red Coin FULL STRIKE $1,425.00

1895-s Morgan Dollar Choice Circulated Key Date Rare Coin $1,400.00

★1839 Capped Bust Half Dollar 50C – CHOICE BU – RARE FIND MS Uncirculated Coin!★ $1,400.00

Well-struck 1894 $10 LIBERTY NGC MS63 Choice graded Philadelphia Gold Eagle coin $1,399.00

Life Coin: The Short Story This is the short story that inspired the novel Life Coin.What would the world be like if when we turned 25 the choice was laid before us to continue or give up?David is given his gold Life Coin on his 25th birthday by his parents. He sets out on a quest to find the Life Meters and make his choice. Along the way he meets Allie, a young woman on the same journey, only she does not seem to be taking…

A Guide Book of United States Coins 2001 $14.95 us coins…

Catalog Of Rare And Valuable American Coins: Silver And Bronze Medals, Store Cards, Tokens And Choice Autographs To Be Sold By Auction (1860) (Legacy Reprints) $11.49 This book is a facsimile reprint and may contain imperfections such as marks, notations, marginalia and flawed pages….

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Star Wars Saga Legends Fans Choice Collection 3 Inch Action Figure – Sandtrooper with Orange Right Shoulder Pad Variant Plus An Exclusive Collector Coin $4.50 Jedi mind tricks often work on the weak-minded. Such is the case when a squad of sandtroopers asks Jedi Obi-Wan Kenobi about the two droids that are with him in a landspeeder. Obi-Wan tricks them into concluding, “These aren’t the droids we’re looking for.”…

MEXICAN SILVER LIBERTAD COINS, ONE OUNCE SILVER BULLION COINS- CHOICE BRILLIANT UNCIRCULATED CONDITION $44.00 The current version of Mexico’s silver “trade coin”, having replaced the Silver Onza. The coin has no legal tender value, but is rather a government issued bullion coin, containing a guaranteed silver content (value varies based on the worth of silver). Beautiful design, sought by collectors. Obverse pictures the symbolic soaring angel of liberty and legendary twin volcanoes. Reverse depicts a…

Star Wars 30th Anniv. Sandtrooper with Orange Right Shoulder Pad Variant, an Exclusive Collector Coin, Saga Legends ~ Dirty Figure $13.49 Jedi mind tricks often work on the weak-minded. Such is the case when a squad of sandtroopers asks Jedi Obi-Wan Kenobi about the two droids that are with him in a landspeeder. Obi-Wan tricks them into concluding, “These aren’t the droids we’re looking for.”…

Royal Sovereign Fast Sort Coin Sorter, Black (CO-1000) $59.49 The Fast Sort Coin Sorter is fast, up to 240 coins can be sorted per minute. Large Capacity Hopper allows up to 300 coins to be inserted in the collection opening at once. 2 Row Wrapper Capacity, 360 coins can be sorted into the tubes at one time. Anti-Jam, patented precise internal sorting automatically frees coins that are jammed. Portable, light-weight design enables sorter to be easily moved….

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Energizer 2L76BP 3-Volt Lithiumn Photo Battery $0.69 High energy density – Lithium / 3 Volt / 160 mAh. Long shelf life–retains 90% of original service life capacity after up to ten years in storage. Exceptionally wide temperature performance range, from -40° to +140°F (-40° to +60°C). Replaces: Duracell 7K67 & DL1/3N, DL-1/3N, CR1\3N, CR1/3N, 2L76BP, 2L76, Rayovac 867….

American Weigh Signature Series Black AWS-100 Digital Pocket Scale, 100 by 0.01 G $9.49 The AMW Series is a great durable and compact pocket scale for those who are seeking the on the go high-tech portable scale. The backlit LCD display helps make the numbers viewable and easy to read. The intuitive protective cover provides protection for the scale. With the smooth stainless steel weighing surface clean up is easy….

Dog Coin Purse by Two’s Company – Choice of colors, red $13.49 Two’s Company Dog Coin Purse in three colors….

Man Making Choice Where to Put Savings Holds Coin in Hands in Th – 18W x 14H – Peel and Stick Wall Decal by Wallmonkeys $30.99 WallMonkeys wall graphics are printed on the highest quality re-positionable, self-adhesive fabric paper. Each order is printed in-house and on-demand. WallMonkeys uses premium materials & state-of-the-art production technologies. Our white fabric material is superior to vinyl decals. You can literally see and feel the difference. Our wall graphics apply in minutes and won’t damage your paint or l…

Lenmar WCCR2016 CR2016 Lithium Coin Battery $4.99 The Lenmar WCCR2016 CR2016 lithium coin battery is a suitable replacement for all of your watches and calculators requiring a CR2016 battery. It supplies 3 volts for all of your watch or calculator power needs. The batteries are 1 to a pack and include the manufacturer’s 30 day warranty….

Energizer 2025BP-2 Lithium Button Cell Battery (2 Count) $0.01 2-pack3VCardboard card for peg hook…

New- LENMAR WCCR1620 LITHIUM COIN BATTERIES (CR1620) $4.95  3V; BLISTER; SINGLE; CR1620…

VOTE FOR COINS Mug for Coffee / Hot Beverage (choice of sizes and colors) $14.99 T-ShirtFrenzy offers over 30,000 designs on tons of products to offer millions of variations. You can search our store for something for everyone on your gift list or shop for yourself (our personal favorite). Please contact us with questions….

I Love/Heart Coins Mug for Coffee / Hot Beverage (choice of sizes and colors) $14.99 T-ShirtFrenzy offers over 30,000 designs on tons of products to offer millions of variations. You can search our store for something for everyone on your gift list or shop for yourself (our personal favorite). Please contact us with questions….