(Part 2) Top products from r/coins

I'll echo others here, but I think it depends on what you'd like to collect. If you don't want to spend much money right now, especially if you haven't decided on what specific things you like, then searching coins from circulation - rolls from the bank, etc. - is a good way to get started (since all you spend is the face value of the coins you keep), but you may need to search a LOT of rolls before you find anything interesting. For example, I searched over $200 in half dollar rolls a few months ago - found no silver, but did find one proof that had escaped into circulation. I mentioned to the tellers that I knew what I was looking for, and they replied "so do we." Ah.

If you want to purchase coins, going to a local coin store, or meeting dealers at a show, is good, as they can help guide you to making a good purchase. If you start to specialize in particular areas, dealers can even keep an eye out for you, and put things aside. You might want to specialize in a particular series (e.g., a date run of Lincoln cents), or from a particular country, or with certain symbology (pics of animals, ships, etc.) or time period (e.g., Roman Empire - $40 will get you a nice coin that is 1700+ years old, for example - a lot of new collectors think that something that is old must be valuable/only in a museum, which isn't the case).

eBay and general Internet sites can be a good source for coins, but unless you are buying coins certified by reputable companies (PCGS, NGC predominately), from dealers that offer returns, I'd not suggest doing things this way if you are just starting out. Even if photos are decent, coins can be cleaned or otherwise impaired (so are worth less than they appear to be - you might overpay, maybe significantly, without realizing), and in one instance I had, an outright forgery (which I figured out after paying, but before it shipped, so was able to get my money back). Once you get more familiar with coins and what's out there, reasonable prices, and such, then eBay in particular can be a very good place to find things. For example, I've been collecting schillings of the Free City of Riga for a while (1563-1580). It is a very very specific collecting interest, and you just can't find them other than via eBay (out of several 100+ table shows, and multiple visits to half a dozen coin stores in driving distance, I found exactly one, but have purchased over 170 via eBay) - apparently metal detectorists in the area are finding them and selling them that way.

Lastly, I'd recommend picking up a few books so you know what is out there - what to look for and what things are worth. For one, if you are collecting US coins, the Redbook is very useful to know what is out there. If you are searching rolls, the Cherrypicker's Guide vol 1, vol 2 is handy to know what particular things to look for. The Redbook will tell you which dates are more rare/desirable, and the Cherrypicker's Guide will do the same for varieties. If you want to collect world coins, the Standard Catalog of World Coins volumes are very handy. There is one volume per century, starting in 1600. They are a bit pricey, but if you have a pile of coins that need identification, are very useful. You might be able to find these in a library, but having your own copi

Hope it helps!

Awesome you are keeping to collection going! I wish I had some of my granddads collection. The family wanted to sell it, so it got sold. So I started my own collection for the family to sell when I pass on.

Looks like you have quite a journey ahead of you, r/coins is great for identifying, showing off and steering you in the right direction on places to learn more.

Here are some links if you want, the PCGS site is great.

https://www.pcgs.com/grades

And a Redbook is always helpful, and any other good book on coins.

https://www.amazon.com/Guide-Book-United-States-Coins/dp/0794845061/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1509639315&sr=8-3&keywords=red+book&dpID=51vv8FmczFL&preST=_SY291_BO1,204,203,200_QL40_&dpSrc=srch

"Photograde Coin Grading Guide" is one I really like for grading. It's practically free used except for shipping.

https://www.amazon.com/Photograde-Official-Photographic-Grading-United/dp/0307993612/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1509639444&sr=8-2&keywords=Photograde+Coin+Grading+Guide

And most of all have fun!

Numismatics is the study or collection of currency, including coins, tokens, paper money, and related objects. Regardless of whether you’re a novice or an expert, the term numismatist still applies.

The important thing is to not overwhelm yourself and try to be an expert on everything. Learning how to research and educate yourself is probably the most important lesson to learn in the beginning. I would also recommend figuring out what you’re interested in collecting and focus on learning about that. Once you’ve done that, break it down further into manageable chunks, just like you’re doing with the Seated Liberty type.

I tend to focus on a single denomination at a time. I started with small cents, learning everything I could about varieties, grading, etc. When I want to switch it up, I choose a different denomination and start the process again. So if you’re interested in building a Seated Liberty type set, continue doing what you have been, focusing specifically on learning as much as you can about the type before the show.

If you don’t already have them, here are a few books I highly recommend picking up:

Official Red Book of United States Coins
Photograde
Grading Coins by Photographs
Cherrypickers’ Guide - Vol. I
Cherrypickers’ Guide - Vol. II

These aren’t meant to be read cover to cover, but I reference them constantly.

If you’re interested in focusing on Morgan’s at some point, I would also recommend this book:

The VAM Keys

Finally, when you’re considering a purchase, I go to eBay and filter by Completed and Sold auctions to get a sense of what kind of deal I’m getting. The market fluctuates frequently and although the Red Book is a very valuable reference guide, seeing what similar coins have sold for recently is a much more accurate representation of what a fair price is at that point.

I made a mistake, it's 1942-1945 nickels that are silver. 1941 nickels are not silver. Even some 1942 nickels are not silver, the way to tell is if they have the mintmark on top of the building, [like this] (http://images.pcgs.com/CoinFacts/4180_37655255_2200.jpg). Also look for the 1950-D nickel, those are worth a few dollars. If you find any 1983 P or D quarters that are uncirculated, they could be worth about $30-$50, ones that are almost uncirculated maybe a couple bucks. Regular circulated 1983 quarters are just worth 25 cents.

A good idea would be to pick up a [Red Book] (https://www.amazon.com/Guide-Book-United-States-Coins/dp/0794845037). There is already one in your first picture, but it's from the 1990s so useless except as a curiosity to compare coin values to today. Keep in mind though that Red Book values are basically what you would pay at a coin shop, not what you would get at a coin shop if you were to sell. So you always have to consider you might only get 90% of that listed value for example. If you sell at /r/coins4sale or ebay, you will get more likely. In order to get a value from the Red Book, you have to grade the coins. A good way to do that is [Photo Grade] (https://www.pcgs.com/Photograde/), a free website where you compare your coin to an example of a certain grade.

> I'd greatly appreciate your help in getting a clue as to what I have,

So hopefully the comments so far are helping identify them. If not, maybe sort them into what you know and what you don't, and post pics of a few at a time for identification help. Seeing several dozen coins is a bit overwhelming.

> and, what I should do to keep them nice.

Until you get a better idea of what it is you have and possible value, I would keep them all holdered, either in the existing holders or buying some inexpensive mylar coin flips (the clear plastic envelopes in your 1st and 2nd pics, and others). Example.

Older coin flips contained PVC, which can be harmful to coins. If the existing flips seem very soft and pliable, they may contain PVC, so consider rehoming those coins in new PVC-free mylar flips.

Coins in the hard holders, or the stapled cardboard holders, are probably fine for now.

Handle the coins only by their edges, and try not to touch the surfaces. The usual recommendation is to wear cotton gloves to prevent oils from your fingers getting on the coins, but disposable nitrile gloves do the same trick and are easier to use. As long as you get the powder-free ones, they won't harm coins.

Best not to attempt to clean or wash any of the coins. Cleaning techniques tend to abrade the coin surface and/or impart an unnatural sheen. Even if the harmful effects are not immediately evident to you, they are to collectors, and can destroy or at least significantly reduce the collector appeal (and thus the value) of the coin.

Nice collection! Good luck with it.

On the grading part; there are three circumstances that I'd like something to be graded: to increase its value, to authenticate it or to keep it safe (for something sentimental). Unless a coin is worth 250+ I wouldn't have it graded, I'd just throw it in an air-tite and tube.

PS: I love Morgans, that is the majority of my collection... all the way from cull Morgans to MS-66. If you are serious into collecting silver dollars (Peace and Morgan) I recommend you spend $40 and purchase this book:

http://www.amazon.com/Comprehensive-Catalog-Encyclopedia-Morgan-Dollars/dp/0966016823

First, learn how to grade (and identify coins) the best resource for this would be photograde, although you can no doubt find some decent references online.

Depending on what your collection mostly consists of, a specialty reference might come in handy. For example, early large cents have multiple varieties that can make a $20 coin a $20,000 coin, however these books are usually expensive ($50 or so) and so if you've only got like a single large cent, its not going to usually be worth it to buy a reference book just for that one coin.

Coinflation helps you with silver coins. For US coins, all dimes, quarters, dollars and half dollars are 90% silver from 1964 and before. For half dollars, coins dated 1965-1970 are 40% silver. For quarters, dimes, and dollars made for circulation dated 1965-present are not silver and neither are halves dated 1971-present. Melt value gives you a price "floor" meaning that a coin isn't going to be worth less than the silver in your coin, but it can be worth more. Many later-dated low grade silver coins are just worth melt, for example a 1964 quarter is only going to be worth whatever silver melt is, but earlier or better grade coins are worth more, for example a 1916-D dime is worth quite a bit, even in worn condition.

Well, based on the condition from the photo and according the the 2012 Red Book I would say a conservative $3,000 at least. Of course the market does fluctuate... I also used the ANA Grading Standards for United States Coins: American Numismatic Association and Grading Coins by Photographs. There may be some really good online services that can help you figure out the value as well, but I don't really know of any of the top of my head...

PS- Nice photos!

I'll start with your last question. The coins were left to my brother and myself. He wants to cash out his half entirely. I'd personally love to hold on to many of the coins - although I will have to liquidate some. The idea is that we want a decent appraisal, so that we can divide the collection without just liquidating it all. It's kind of a sin to break up the half dollars though, the only ones missing are a 1794 and stuff past the 1940s. And most of them are in AU or better condition.

Most of the coins went to PCGS for your reason #2, there's a fairly big jump in value depending on the grade. The idea was that getting them slabbed would definitely increase the value more than the grading fees. Somehow I don't think a "PCGS Genuine - AU Cleaning" holder does that. In most cases, anyway- there were a few items that do fall into your category #1.

I've already picked up blue and red books. Is this the photograde that you recommend?

Is this the book you were talking about? I put it on my Christmas list either way. Definitely looks like it will be helpful. Thanks for the recommendation.

For error/variety collecting, I'd recommend the following:

Jeweler's loupe: 15x in my mind should be fine for most major varieties and errors.

Lamp: I like a small, flexible desk lamp kind like the Ikea Jansjo.

Gloves: optional. only really necessary if you are working with high-value coins. Since most error/variety collecting comes from bank rolls, bags, etc. and has generally circulated, I don't see much of a point in gloves. In addition, gloves decrease your sense of grip which can actually lead to dropping coins MORE often.

Books: books are gear, too. I'd recommend the cherrypicker's guide. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B008OAZJY0/ref=rdr_kindle_ext_tmb

Go back to Grandma's and make sure she doesn't have an 1893-S Morgan (or arm yourself with a Red book and do a quick lookup of all her coins.) It could be the difference between having some silver worth melt value and having a coin that you could trade for a nice used car!

If they a packaged US mint products you can pretty easily look up prices on eBay sold auctions.

For everything else you can get one of these: https://www.amazon.com/Official-Guide-Grading-Counterfeit-Detection/dp/0375720502/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1495145544&sr=8-1&keywords=pcgs+grading
or one of these:
https://www.amazon.com/Official-Standards-American-Numismatic-Association/dp/0794838243/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1495145572&sr=8-1&keywords=ana+grading+standards

You can use those books to start evaluating their condition, then you can use eBay or even a Whitman Publishing US Coins Red Book to get relative values.

I have used this a lot:

http://www.coinfacts.com/large_cents/large_cents.html

It seems to be the best resource at the moment

I also bought:

http://www.amazon.com/Penny-Whimsy-William-H-Sheldon/dp/0942666623

and

http://www.amazon.com/Copper-Quotes-Robinson-Jack-H/dp/B000V05SJ2/ref=sr_1_3?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1405085534&sr=1-3&keywords=copper+quotes

I didnt find either of them to be overly helpful (no pictures).

Coin Flip Assortment on Amazon, can also search for specific sizes by just searching Mylar 2x2. Should also get a Flat Clinch Stapler I bought the linked one and love it for stapling flips.

Good dedicated grading guide:

Older version

Newer version

The version shouldn't matter much, though the newer one might have more color photos.

Yea...I got this one about a month ago. http://amzn.to/1R96gCl It ain't bad, but I think I wish I got yours.

Sounds like you're looking for the CherryPicker's Guide:

​

https://www.amazon.com/Cherrypickers-Varieties-Official-Whitman-Guidebook-ebook/dp/B008S3BUDM/ref=sr_1_2

H.E. Harris State Quarter Map - US State Quarter Collection https://www.amazon.com/dp/B002C0KS12/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_n1EZCb52GC4X3

Something like this? I own one I put my silver proof quarters in. It’s sturdy and doesn’t bend.

Amazon has this usb microscope by Celestron that I was looking at for $35. It appears to be one of their top sellers in the category.

The ANA standardized grading based on the Sheldon 70-step scale back in the 1970s (I think). Whitman has published the descriptions in book form for all US coins.

http://coins.about.com/od/Coin-Books-And-Publications/fr/Book-Review-The-Official-ANA-Grading-Standards-For-United-States-Coins.htm

http://www.amazon.com/Official-Standards-American-Numismatic-Association/dp/0307090973

I'm sure if you look around you can find the descriptions online somewhere.

They're available in hardcover as well.

I didn't have the ISBN's handy for all of these it was easier to find Amazon links and a link to Rick Snow's site for the Indian books. These are the books on my bookshelf which aren't the common ones: (Some are hard to find.)

• Photograde: Official Photographic Grading Guide for United States Coins, 19th Edition
  
• United States Early Half Dollar Die Varieties 1794-1836, 4th Edition
  
• The Official Guide to Coin Grading and Counterfeit Detection, 2nd Edition
  
• The Complete Guide to Barber Dimes
  
• The Complete Guide to Barber Quarters
  
• The Complete Guide to Barber Halves
  
• The Flying Eagle & Indian Cent Attribution Guide (Volumes 1-6)

You want a "Cherry Pickers's Guide".

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B008S3BUDM/ref=cm_sw_r_other_apa_i_LS5VDbJ9Y3XKH

Or something similar

https://www.amazon.com/dp/1440235708/ref=cm_sw_r_other_apa_i_UU5VDbFHRACFW

https://www.amazon.com/State-Quarter-Map-Us-Collection/dp/B002C0KS12

Cherrypicker's guide if you want to be serious about it and spend the $40

The Whitman Red Book, a price guide to US Coins.

This one is also nice

This is the one I bought, gives you 25 of each size

Here's a link to the ones I pickup: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00M9G4AIG/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apap_aCdzvn7pgP1t2

https://www.coinsupplyexpress.com/cowens-2x2-cardboard-coin-flips.html

Obviously you don’t need that many, but this is what a lot of people store their coins in.

https://www.amazon.com/Plastic-Capsules-Collection-Adjustable-Two-Cent/dp/B07TXG1VB4

Or these