There Is No Single Best Coin
The best coin to collect depends on what you want from the hobby. Some people want an inexpensive set they can complete, others want history in their hands, and some hope for long-term value. The suggestions below are grouped by goal. Treat any mention of value as general, since prices change and vary by condition.
Best for Beginners on a Small Budget
- Lincoln cents: Running from 1909 to the present, the series is inexpensive, easy to find, and has a few challenging dates. Wheat-reverse cents (1909 to 1958) are a popular first project.
- Jefferson nickels: A compact series with an interesting wartime variation. Nickels dated 1942 to 1945 were struck with a silver-containing alloy and carry a large mint mark above Monticello.
- State and America the Beautiful quarters: You can often find these in change, which makes them a low-cost way to learn dates and mint marks.
- Roosevelt dimes: Dimes dated 1964 and earlier are 90 percent silver, and later ones are not, so even a simple set teaches something about metal content.
Best for History and Design
- Morgan and Peace silver dollars: Large silver coins tied to the late 1800s and early 1900s. Many dates are affordable in circulated condition, while certain dates and high grades cost much more.
- Walking Liberty half dollars: Widely admired for design, and a long series with room for different budgets.
- Buffalo nickels: Popular for their design, though many surviving coins have worn-off dates.
- Ancient and world coins: Roman and other ancient coins offer a direct link to the past at a range of prices. They also require more care about authenticity, so buy from reputable sources.
Best If You Care About Value
No coin is a sure thing, but collectors who aim at value usually follow similar principles:
- Quality over quantity: Better-condition coins of established series are usually easier to resell than worn or damaged ones.
- Certified coins for expensive purchases: Coins graded by services such as PCGS or NGC give buyers a common reference, although grading is still opinion, and a holder is not a guarantee.
- Key dates in popular series: Scarcer dates tend to have steady demand, but they are expensive and are also frequently counterfeited. See key date US coins.
- Bullion-linked coins: Silver and gold coins have value tied partly to metal prices, which may fluctuate.
Remember that dealers buy below retail, so short-term resale often loses money. If profit is your main goal, consider this a long-term and uncertain pursuit, and consult a qualified professional.
What About Rare, Million-Dollar Coins?
A handful of coins have sold for seven or eight figures, such as certain gold coins and early silver dollars. They are interesting to read about but out of reach for nearly everyone. Our article on the rarest coins in the world covers the best-known examples.
Coins You Might Find in Pocket Change
Searching change is free. Pre-1965 dimes and quarters, wartime nickels, wheat cents, and certain error coins are what hobbyists look for. See valuable coins in circulation for a realistic checklist, and coin varieties if you want to learn about doubled dies and similar features.
Is There a “Luckiest” Coin?
Many cultures carry lucky coins, such as a lucky penny or a coin from a birth year. These are traditions rather than facts about value, and you can enjoy them without expecting a payoff.
How to Choose
- Decide on a budget you are comfortable losing.
- Pick a series that appeals to you visually or historically.
- Learn the dates, mint marks, and typical prices before buying.
- Buy from reputable sellers, and start with common coins.
For a fuller introduction, start with coin collecting 101.