I don't know what you collect in American coins, but for ancients you might go for a theme, like horses, or
gorgon heads, or dolphins. There are several threads on
forum ancient coins that are thematic that way. Most of what I collect is Greek Southern
Italy and
Sicily, but also I have a
collection of
ancient coins with dogs on them. And, I joke with a friend that my
collection is going to the dogs!
Wayne Sayles suggested collecting the best you can afford, I try to stick with VF or better. Nice coins (and beautiful coins) retain their value better. But be aware of how wear and strike affect the beauty. A figure with its nose off the
flan is going to have less
eye appeal (usually) than one where the very back of the
head is a little off the
flan. A VF coin with an artistic die might be a better
choice than EF or even
FDC coin with an ugly die.
Remember
Augustus Caesar's motto, make haste slowly. In other words, don't rush it.
