Finding Collectable Coins for Beginners

Here are some tips for finding collectable coins for beginners to get their coin collection started without a lot of expense. Many collectible coins are quite expensive and until the collector decides to focus on specific coins it is often a good idea to start a general collection to become familiar with what coins are available for collecting.

Pocket Change

There are still many collectible coins found in pocket change. Beginning coin collectors should save their change throughout the day and sort through it in the evening. Wheat pennies are still commonly found in circulation and to a lesser extent silver coins. Buffalo nickels are probably circulating as well but I personally haven't received one in my change in many years. Error coins are another possibility from pocket change. The state quarters and Westward Journey nickels are a great starter collection that is easily obtained in pocket change as well.

Bank Rolls

One way to increase the odds of finding valuable coins in circulation is to buy bank rolls. Buying rolls of coins from your local bank will allow a beginning collector to sort through a large number of coins. Take out anything of value that you find and simply roll the other coins and return them to the bank for more rolls of coins to search.

Online Retailers

There are many sources of coins online including eBay. With careful shopping coin collectors can find some great deals, especially on poorly listed items and auctions that end in the early morning hours when few buyers are online. eBay is also a great place for new coin collectors to browse to see the variety of coins that are available. Buyers should be wary of buying expensive coins from sellers without a stellar feedback rating and a satisfaction guaranteed return policy. eBay and other online retailers are a great source of coin collecting supplies and price guides as well. A beginning coin collector can buy last year's coin price guide very cheaply. While the prices listed will be a little dated, the information on the coins is still quite valuable.

Coin Shops

Local coin shops can also be a great resource for not only buying coins but also for learning about the hobby of coin collecting in general. Coin shops display a large variety of coins that collectors can see and become familiar with. Coin shop prices will vary greatly from quite expensive to quite reasonable.