My 6-Month Journey into Colonial Coin Collecting: Lessons, Mistakes, and Hidden Gems I Wish I Knew Sooner

My 6-Month Love Affair With Colonial Coins (and the Messy Truth)

Let me tell you about my colonial coin collecting journey – the excitement, the mistakes, and the $2,000 wake-up call I wish someone had warned me about. When I first stumbled into this world last winter, I was clueless. Spoiler alert: I got everything wrong at first. Chasing shiny high-grade coins? Check. Ignoring fascinating history for perfect surfaces? Guilty. Here’s what six months of obsession taught me.

Why “Ugly” Colonial Coins Stole My Heart

My Painful Grade Obsession Phase

Like most new collectors, I thought colonial coins needed to look museum-perfect. Reality hit fast:

• Truly pristine colonials cost more than my first car
• The most interesting coins often look well… rough

Everything changed when I held a VG-grade 1794 cent. The scratches? Generations of farmers and shopkeepers using it. The worn date? Proof it circulated when Washington was president. Suddenly “ugly” became beautiful.

Discovering Charm in Crudeness

These coins weren’t minted – they were born in revolution-era workshops with:

• Hand-carved dies (no two exactly alike)
• Mismatched silver alloys
• Strikes so uneven they look drunk

As I learned from veteran collectors, that “flaw” might be a die crack from the Boston Tea Party era. Like @1630Boston told me early on: “These coins weren’t meant to be pretty – they were made to build a nation.” Here’s the big lesson – imperfection tells the best stories.

How I Built My Collection (Without Selling a Kidney)

The $500 Starter Kit I Wish I’d Bought

After overspending on hyped coins, here’s the affordable colonial starter set I’d recommend to my past self:

1. Connecticut copper (1785) – Get one with visible LIBERTY
2. Massachusetts cent (1787) – The kind Paul Revere might’ve carried
3. New Jersey copper (1786) – Findable under $100 in lower grades
4. Vermont Ryder 2.0 (1785) – My personal favorite design
5. Rosa Americana (1722) – England’s “gift” to the colonies
6. Virginia halfpenny (1773) – Often affordable in Good condition

Where Smart New Collectors Shop

Through expensive trial and error, I found these reliable sources:

• Kevin Vinton (eBay: Indeetlib) – His detailed photos saved me from 3 bad purchases
• CoinRaritiesOnline – Their educational articles are worth the membership alone
• Local coin shows – The adrenaline rush of hunting before sunrise is priceless

The Real Treasure Isn’t in the Metal

Holding History in Your Palm

My worn 1652 pine tree shilling (graded VG35) became priceless when I realized:

• This coin was minted while Shakespeare’s plays were still new
• It survived King Philip’s War and smallpox outbreaks
• Some colonist probably traded this for gunpowder

That’s when it hit me – I wasn’t collecting coins. I was preserving revolution-era artifacts.

Resources That Changed Everything

Here are the game-changers I discovered embarrassingly late:

• The Early Coins of America – Crosby’s 1875 masterpiece (free on archive.org!)
• Whitman’s colonial guide – My coffee table bible
• In Yankee Doodle’s Pocket – Makes history feel alive

What Six Months Taught Me

1. Chase stories, not grades (that VF coin won’t love you back)
2. Focus on state coppers – affordable and packed with history
3. Spend 3 hours researching before buying (Newman Portal is free!)
4. Find collector friends – old-timers love sharing knowledge
5. Celebrate “flaws” – each scratch is a generational handoff

After 180 days, 14 auctions, and one regrettable eBay binge, I’ve learned colonial coin collecting isn’t about perfection. It’s about holding a 1794 cent and feeling the ghost of Alexander Hamilton’s economy in your palm. Sure, my bank account groans – but holding living history? That’s priceless.

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