Hey Zulu, I was wondering what it is that you do at 11 years old to afford a gold coin? If Mom is buying it for you then it really shouldn't be awkward to ask her for a ride to a coin shop. I would think that an over protective mother would want to be with her son when making such expensive purchases. You should explain to her that it's in her best interest to take you to a coin shop. If she is encouraging you to make such purchases with strangers on Numista then you should explain to her that you will have to not only send money to a stranger but also give them your address.
Απόσπασμα: Sanjuro2020Hey Zulu, I was wondering what it is that you do at 11 years old to afford a gold coin? If Mom is buying it for you then it really shouldn't be awkward to ask her for a ride to a coin shop. I would think that an over protective mother would want to be with her son when making such expensive purchases. You should explain to her that it's in her best interest to take you to a coin shop. If she is encouraging you to make such purchases with strangers on Numista then you should explain to her that you will have to not only send money to a stranger but also give them your address.
Απόσπασμα: ZuluRaptorSpaceActually, we get the coins on eBay.
I have only bought ONE coin on ebay. The seller had NO communication with me when I made the purchase. After a very long week of waiting and concern the coin arrived. It turned out to be the real deal, but the lack of communication taught be to buy in person or get to know the seller before making any serious purchases. Seller FEEDBACK is not always reliable.
I'm sure if I had started collecting seriously at your age I'd have a pretty good size collection by now.
....I wish my mom would have bought me gold and silver coins...
At your age you should start investing. A little gold here, and a little silver there can add up over a lifetime. They don't have to be collectors coins. Just keep an eye on gold and silver prices so you know when to buy.
Heads or tails? I dunno. I don't see a head or a tail...
Απόσπασμα: ZuluRaptorSpaceActually, we get the coins on eBay.
I have only bought ONE coin on ebay. The seller had NO communication with me when I made the purchase. After a very long week of waiting and concern the coin arrived. It turned out to be the real deal, but the lack of communication taught be to buy in person or get to know the seller before making any serious purchases. Seller FEEDBACK is not always reliable.
I'm sure if I had started collecting seriously at your age I'd have a pretty good size collection by now.
....I wish my mom would have bought me gold and silver coins...
At your age you should start investing. A little gold here, and a little silver there can add up over a lifetime. They don't have to be collectors coins. Just keep an eye on gold and silver prices so you know when to buy.
Do you know how much guilt I'd feel if I melted down a coin?
Απόσπασμα: ZuluRaptorSpaceTell that to someone who's never owned a silver washington quarter!
You're just starting out. In five years you'll have dozens of silver quarters and dimes and, I hate to say it, they'll lose that wow factor for you. Low grade silver coins simply become a precious metal investment.
But luckily for you, that won't happen for a while yet :)
Right not just enjoy the hunt and cherish what you have.
"What we are is not as important as what we aren't"
I've been "collecting" since I was 4... only started seriously collecting when I was about 10... and that was a road trip in the US that lead me to discover a lot more coins than Canadian circulating commems.
Persuade your mother to take you to a coin store or sth, they sometimes have Morgans and other silver for sale at silver spot...
University is time consuming, cherish your free time!
Yes, it takes time to collect, and you have come across as begging, so I apologize for what I said. Some folks come to Numista and act like kids so that members will trust them or send them free coins. So if you're 11 be patient, keep your eyes open and you will get coins.
You say things that seem to not be consistent, like "I don't have $40 to buy 6 pounds of bulk coins" but you have enough for gold. You also said that you don't have a single wheat penny, but then you said you have been collecting for years.
Plus if you have enough money for a gold coin than you have enough to pay full price. To be honest most of us here want to swap because it's a lot easier to swap doubles than to use cash. Many of us have a tight budget.
This makes me very skeptical, so slow down, be patient and polite. Put up a swap list and it will happen. trust me, your collection will grow.
Taking a break from swapping for a while, but still interested in pre 1799 Spanish coins, I will make time for that!
Dear zulu
slow down; you have to learn to walk before you can run. Just start collecting, anything so you can learn. 15 turtles has a better collection than I do in some areas, and knows more than me. And I am 51 years old. The more you collect the more you learn. Don't skip the the common coins just to say I have a gold coin. There is a lot you can learn from collecting the common coins. And gives you a good base.
yours daryl
Απόσπασμα: ALLRED1950Dear zulu
slow down; you have to learn to walk before you can run. Just start collecting, anything so you can learn. 15 turtles has a better collection than I do in some areas, and knows more than me. And I am 51 years old. The more you collect the more you learn. Don't skip the the common coins just to say I have a gold coin. There is a lot you can learn from collecting the common coins. And gives you a good base.
yours daryl
@ALLRED1950 You have a beautiful collection that I envy (right word?) and is most parts better than mine
And hey, I started off with common coins too, and I still like the common coins as I can (like Daryl said above), learn a lot about that country from that coin. In fact, I still collect common coins a lot because I collect world types, and trying to fill the Numista map.
Also, here in Canada, we have a school course called "The Americas" and "World History". Coins HELP you get better grades !
University is time consuming, cherish your free time!
I agree with pretty much all that has been said here. I started really collecting 7 years ago when I was ten, and that was sparked by my mom taking me to a coin shop. I completely understand what you mean when you say it would be awkward, especially for a small kid trying to buy from a seemingly menacing and possibly even unsociable old man. But going to an actual store is way better. Your mind gets completely blown by how much stuff there is!
You NEED to buy books first, and LEARN. Going to a local coin shop is a great way to learn. I consider myself relatively experienced with coins now, but I still often go to my local coin store just to ask the guy a bunch of questions. I've seen some of your previous posts where you've ended up buying some coins off ebay and have overpaid a little; this must stop! Obviously everyone overpays for things and makes mistakes, but don't make a habit of it! Remember, if you just stay patient and save $5 here, $3 there, eventually it will add up to a decent amount-- which means more coins! I really strongly recommend learning and reading as much as you can about this stuff, and going to a real coin store would help this tremendously. Begin with cheap and common stuff at the beginning. Hardly anyone starts off with some of these coins that you mentioned in this post. Ask around your family; I'm sure you've got tons of relatives or friends who have travelled or saved some coins.
Finally, I strongly suggest you stop buying from Ebay. Just don't do it! I know it seems irresistible sometimes, and paying with a parent's credit card makes it seem like fake money. But in the end of the day, it is very hard to find really good deals online. You first need the experience of seeing physical coins, holding them in your hand, seeing the proper grades from your local dealer, etc. Be PATIENT. As I said, I've been super serious about this hobby for 7 years and I've still overpaid, bought cleaned coins, overgraded and made other mistakes this year. You will have an awesome collection, but you don't need to complete it all now.
PS: I think it's good that you try to learn a lot through the forum. I ask that you now reread what I just said and really consider some of it. Also, feel free to message us (or me) at any time with questions.
Hey, what coin shops are there in Toronto? The only one up here is CDN coin and currency, which I'm not fond of.
Can't seem to find others off Google maps.
Yeah don't go to CDN coin and currency unless you're looking for really specific stuff or are willing to overpay...
Strange that you can't find any...
here's what I found just from Google maps:
K L Coin Co
817A Queen Street East
Toronto, ON M4M 1H8
(416) 461-5252
thecoinshop.ca
Bay Coins & Stamps
595 Bay Street
Toronto, ON M5G 2C2
Atrium on Bay
(416) 585-2273
House of Stamps
Square One Shopping Centre
100 City Centre Drive, Mississauga, ON L5A 2A1
Bell
(905) 848-2646
aamcollectibles.com
Arcade Coins <-- I've heard they're good, and they come to coin shows.
10 King Street East
Toronto, ON M5C 1W6
(416) 368-6655
arcadecoins.com
Taylor's Coins <--- My favourite place. I go here all the time.
1043 Avenue Rd
Toronto, ON M5N 2C5
(416) 440-0379
International Coin Certification Service (ICCS)
2010 Yonge
Toronto, ON M4S 1Z9
(416) 488-8620
^that's where ICCS works from, and apparently there's a really good coin store in the same building but they don't have info online.
You should really just go to the Torex coin show this weekend at the Hyatt Regency hotel. It's Saturday 10-5 and Sunday 10-3
I don't go to Toronto much, its a 40 mn-1 hr drive south, and I'd like to go to Torex, but school......... tests
Thanks for the advice though. I might do a little 'shopping' next weekend.
yeah I totally get the school commitment Luckily I've got time to go to torex tomorrow, hopefully there's stuff left for me.
They usually have a show in late June too, go to that one if you can. I'm not sure if you've ever been to a coin show, but it is quite the numismatic experience. This face describes it well:
You have a beautiful collection that I envy (right word?) and is most parts better than mine 
! 
Luckily I've got time to go to torex tomorrow, hopefully there's stuff left for me.