6 Easy Ways to Start a Coin Collection

There are many different ways to collect coins and paper money. But starting a coin collection doesn't have to be stressful. Here are six easy ways to start collecting coins today:

1.) Year Sets – Ever since the U.S. Mint began striking coins for circulation in 1793, most issues have carried their year of production. It’s the number one easy way to start a collection based on a single denomination and every year it was issued.

• Dates & Mint Marks – The Congressional Act of 1835 established mint marks with the initial of the mint that struck the coin. First strikes occurred in 1838. Almost always, both the year and mint mark appear on the obverse.

2.) P&D Sets– A popular two-coin starter category for coins issued every year by the Philadelphia “P” & Denver “D” Mints. These are the two workhorses of U.S. Mint branches that strike coins.

3.) PDS Sets – Include issues pressed by the San Francisco Mint that has, since 1975, struck coins only for collectors.

4.) Mint Sets – Feature coins struck in a specific year in Uncirculated condition.

5.) Proof Sets – Feature coins specially struck on polished dies to attain extra-sharp frosted motifs against brilliant mirrorlike fields. These collector-quality sets are issued each year.

6.) Type Collection – Thanks to our pocket change, the sixth easy way to get started is with the motif, or design, associated with a denomination. Usually, it’s what is on the obverse, or head of the coin. But sometimes it can be the reverse, or tail. There are more than 65 different types of U.S. coins honoring America’s history!

• Key Date – Many coin series have an interesting variety because of their low mintage, survival rate, condition or demand. These become the key date, or must-have, of the series. 

• 1909-S VDB most famous key date- Issued by the San Francisco Mint, the 1909 Lincoln Head Cent had a limited mintage of just 484,000. It included the designer's initials VDB (Victor David Brenner) on the reverse. It rocketed to the top of collectors’ want lists after the mint pulled it from its release after just four days. Source