I'm made it

[jsindaco]

Hi, I started collecting coins only a month ago. The first coin I bought was a 2000 Lincoln off-center MS66RD. I probably overpaid for it but who hasn't for their first coin. I've been enjoying modern varieties and errors. oh, to stare at a 81-s type 2 PR69DCAM (my 3rd coin), you would think it was made of gold I'm in my forties, but I feel like a child with these copper beauties.

[Jack]

jsindaco
Welcome to this Hobby and many happy days of Hunting!

[Bob P]

My personal welcome goes out to you as well jsindaco. You are definitely in the right place if you want to see almost everything about Linciln cent varieties. I suggest (if you haven't done so already), that you purchase a copy of Chucks book (Looking Through Lincoln Cents). http://www.coppercoins.com/book_order.php
It is a great reference source for the new and seasoned collector alike, and will hopefully keep you from making costly mistakes in the future. To go along with that, we have a very knowledgeable and friendly group of folks in our forum who can answer just about any questions you have about the hobby. Welcome again...enjoy the site, and good luck with your collecting!

[jsindaco]

Wow, did I write that? I meant 'I made it' or I'm here.' One of those...

and you guys with those pictures of all those fancy errors in your names...I only have a 95 DDO. Just got it this morning in the mail. Everyone must start somewhere.

[smed]

Welcome to the greatest hobby in the world! Sounds like you're already enjoying yourself a great deal!

Some free advice:

Collect what you like, not what somebody else says you should collect. Your collection is just that, YOUR collection. There is no right or wrong.

Buy the book! Read the book! Use the book!

A deal that sounds too good to be true probably is.

MHO to all the above.

[coppercoins]

Welcome JS. We have a great group of folks here waiting to help new collectors out. As for me, if I can be of service to you, please let me know.

[jsindaco]

Smed: I already got the book and looked through it before a buddy sent me this link. I'm reading 'complete guide' now but I'm still looking through 'looking through' at the same time.

All: I'm enjoying these modern type 2 coins as an inexpensive route to building value. Please suggest the next teir of cents, if any.

Also: How much difference is there between a 69 and 70? I bought some 69s and am wondering if I underbought.

[jsindaco]

Wow, I just noticed your name on that last post. I'm happy to own a copy of your book 'looking through.' Plenty of pics to hold the interest of us youngsters, (when we only have a few minutes to spend.)

I have another question: Is it alright to mention purchase prices for coins? I don't mind spending a bit extra, but I want to avoid being soaked I believe if you must pay more than the price guides say to obtain a coin, then that's the actual market value regardless of what any book says. Eventually, I will be asking for referrals to known honest dealers too, if that's permitted.

[coppercoins]

Very few rules around here, except that people have to be nice to one another. We're not a tight group, go ahead and ask what you need to ask to learn.

Re: the book, thank you for the comments. I'm guessing "youngsters" means "novice." I'm not going to reveal my age, but at almost 37 years old my attention span is fine

[Bob P]

jsindaco, Just an answer to the questions you brough up in an earlier post...As far as what you should collect next, I think smed said it best when he said:
"Collect what you like, not what somebody else says you should collect. Your collection is just that, YOUR collection. There is no right or wrong."
If you are excited by the prospect of finding varieties, then purchase a few rolls or a bag and have fun! Another good thing about Chuck's book is that he gives you info on which dates are more likely to produce varieties.
As far as your 69S or 70 question, you are more likely to find varieties in 1970 (especially 1970S)...However...should you latch on to the 1969S "biggie', then you would have found something that most of us only dream about. Good Luck!

[jsindaco]

This must be a lonely place to get the number of responses from the two principal personalities descernable in the book

But seriously, allow me to rephrase that question about what to collect next. I should have asked for someone to comment on what they are finding interesting in their collection (activities.) I find it pleasant and inspiring to listen to experience talking. Remember, I'm only weeks old in this gig so my experience is non-existant. Sure I had all the blue whitman folders when I was a kid, but that's just play.

Bob: Forgive me, I was talking about grades when I mentioned 69 & 70. I would rather not learn the hard way that an MS69 will buy you a gumball and an MS (or PR) 70 is trading for the $30 or $60 that was paid for it. Did that make any sense?

Thanks, you guys are great.

[Bob P]

Yes...it mades sense. I had a feeling that's what you meant, but wasn't absolutely sure. Any time you can get an MS70 coin, it obviously means perfection (at least in the graders eyes). 95% of everyone else can not tell the difference between the two. Either way, you can't go wrong, but usually, the price difference between the two can be financially difficult for those without an unlimited supply of money. If you plan on reselling the coins, it is pretty easy to find out the going rate of graded coins. MS 70 coins can be extremely rare on older coins.

As far as what folks find interesting in their collections, for me personally, it is what varieties I am able to find searching throuigh bags, rolls and old collections. I think most folks started with the blue folders, but after you begin to fill them up, then your options become limited. You can upgrade your coins or move on to something different. THe world of varieties on just the Lincoln Cent is amazing. I have over 1800 individual coins that are varieties that I have collected over the past 36 years or so, but the excitement never seems to go away. Each time I find any variety, no matter how minor or major, it is always a thrill. I also collect coins to fill books, but that is merely a minor portion of what I like.

[joeyuk]

Welcome. You'll have a great time here. Joe

[coppercoins]

My particular role in the coin game doesn't involve grades or submitting coins for grades, I'm in it for the "complete set." Given that number grows almost daily, it becomes a more unreachable task every time we get a submission or go through a roll or bag of coins.

With that being the case, it becomes a more enjoyable and more challenging task every day. I go through rolls, change, bags, whatever comes my way, and I find something worth popping into the collection every time I sit down, or darn near it.

A circ bag of wheaties produced a 1942S DDO and a 1957D RPM in the first 200 coins. The particular 1942S DDO I found is a well known die in the industry, and it is the first of its kind in my ownership...I did find one for Bob in his coins while visiting with him, so this one isn't the first one I've ever found.

All of this is just a matter of experimenting a while, buying a few things here and there, and getting a good feel for what you like. Different people inevitably steer in slightly different directions. Not to pick on one person, but Doug, a regular here, only collects RPMs. He has no interest in doubled dies. Another regular here, Gabe, started out with 1960D and 1961D RPMs only, then fanned out into different areas when he got used to the market and knew more about it.

As for me, until I have every known die variety (they are tecnically not considered errors) I will not be finished...which will probably keep me huting for the rest of my life. I enjoy nearly impossible tasks that require a lot of detail and knowledge. If collecting Lincoln cent die varieties was a rather easy and simple task, I would have become disinterested with them long ago.

My collection contains over 1,500 different die varieties, about 80% of which I found for "normal coin" prices. Most were two to five cent finds in rolls. It's a fun, yet very difficult challenge, and one for which I have grown to have a passion.

Regarding having the two principals of the book respond to you here, this is our play area. This is what we enjoy doing. It would get very dull indeed sitting in an office all day writing articles and publishing books communicating only to those who paid for information. For me it's not only my job but my passion and hobby as well - and I enjoy talking with others who share my passion and hobby.

[pennyhound]

And remeber this: if you have had a bad day or just got in from a good day, we (older guys & gals) don't run to the bar/s and other hot spot/s for fun and enjoyment ... our/s is right here or in the back / front room/s of our homes apt/s looking for the above mentioned item/s, that have all our intrestes.

Lincoln Cent/s, small, large and not all small cent/s (1856 thru present) ... there are plenty of folks on here that are into every other area of numismatic/s under the sun, as well from any given coin ever produced ... enjoy your stay and looking forward to many more post/s from you as your stay here endures with time.

Come visit often and read other area/s of the site ... I think you will enjoy and who know/s ... make that next major find ... as so often happen/s, when you least expect it ...

Remeber: the only dumm question, is the one that was not ask ... we all started from were you are now ... and most if not all, went on our own way/s into ... (you name it) the direction/s are countless ...

and as your time increases ... we or some of us are on here at all hours of the day and night, if not posting about our finds ... reading about other/s find/s or just killing time ... enjoying our ... interest/s.

Welcome aboard.