The world of coin collecting can be daunting, but it doesn’t have to be. What if we told you that the best coin to start collecting is the one in your pocket?
Well, it’s true. While hundreds of coins have varying values and histories, most collections can be started with just a handful of coins.
Here are some of the best coins for beginners:
What is the Best Coin to Start Collecting:
The Penny
The penny is the most common coin in the United States, and it’s the only one that isn’t worth a full dollar.
The copper-alloy coin was first minted in 1793 but only carried its current name in 1862.
The face value of each penny is still one cent—and people often refer to pennies as “cents” when discussing them—though inflation has caused their buying power to fall over time.
The penny is technically part of a group called “mill” coins because they were once made from silver rather than copper; however, all U.S. currency now uses nickel instead of silver or gold.
Thanks to inflation since 2006, when pennies stopped being produced out of sterling silver (92% copper and 8% zinc), they are now worth less than 1/1000th of their original value!
The Nickel
If you’re starting to collect coins, there are a few things that you should know.
First of all, nickel is the most common coin in circulation. That means it’s easy to find and doesn’t cost much.
Second, nickels have a face value of five cents but can be sold at a premium because they are worth more than their actual value.
Thirdly—and maybe most importantly—nickels are easy to store and sell once collected!
The Dime
The dime is a ten-cent coin. The word dime comes from the French word disme, which means “tenth part.”
The first dimes were minted in 1796 and featured an image of Lady Liberty on one side and a wreath on the other.
These early dimes were made of pure copper and struck at the U.S. Mint in Philadelphia (where modern commemorative coins are made).
Dime collecting can be fun for all ages!
If you’re interested in starting a collection, consider buying some silver dimes like these 2017-P 25th anniversaries Eisenhower Presidential Dollars.
Check out this 100th Anniversary Peace Dollar Set if you prefer gold coins.
The Quarter
The quarter is a U.S. coin worth 25 cents.
It has been minted since 1796 when it was first made of silver.
From 1834 to 1891, the quarter was made of silver and copper because there wasn’t enough silver available for pure coins.
The composition changed again in 1932 when it became all-copper (or cupronickel, if you prefer).
In 1969, the U.S. Mint issued uncirculated quarters that featured designs from previous years on their reverses—these are called “Proof” quarters.
They can be precious depending on their condition and what year they come from!
The Half Dollar
The half dollar is the coin you should start collecting if you’re interested in collecting coins that have been minted since 1796 and have 90% silver.
It’s also a good choice if you’re concerned about price fluctuations since some of your coins will be made of pure silver, and others will include copper.
Where to buy these coins?
Apmex.com offers a wide selection of common date-circulating coins like pennies, nickels, dimes, quarters, and half dollars, which makes it a good one-stop shop for buyers. As shown in the search results,
Apmex has dedicated categories for coins of each denomination, such as “Pennies,” “Nickels,” “Dimes,” “Quarters,” and “Half Dollars.” Within each section, they offer circulated and uncirculated coins from all production years.
With such a robust inventory of common date coins across all denominations, Apmex.com offers great convenience as a one-stop shop.
Before you go…
So, what coin should you start collecting? That’s entirely up to you! Do your research and find the one that interests you most. And remember: just because a specific type of coin is more valuable than others doesn’t mean it’s better than all other options—it’s all about what YOU like best!
Check out my next article: “23 Most Valuable Penny Collection in History: A Rare Look Inside“
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