jpcienkus's Bio
I started to seriously get interested in collecting coins in the fall of 2012. Prior to that, I dabbled in it. I saved silver coins I got in change and was buying some mail order coins. I started to receive Morgan's via a monthly mail order program. I really got interested in knowing more about them. Once I started to educate myself, I canceled all the mail order coins and realized I had over paid for roughly a dozen coins (Morgans, Frankies & Kennedy's). I thought I was getting some nice coins, but as I learned more about the hobby and the series, I realized they were AU at best and I was paying double their market value. A good lesson.
I bought my first read book in 2012. I read it and instantly became hooked on the hobby. I've read many more coin books and feel comfortable buying coins. I now have a stack of various coin books that I want to read.
I started by focusing on Morgans. I think this is a beautiful coin with a colorful history. I also learned early on to buy coins already graded by either NGC or PCGS. Like many others, I thought I could find raw Morgans, get them graded and realize an instant profit. I was successful on some, but also had a few body bag.
When reading the Red Book, I was exposed to coins that I never knew existed! After a year of putting together a Morgan set, I started branching out in my interests. I would call my style eclectic. I don't really care to complete any series sets. I just like adding US and World coins that appeal to me.
I'm currently working on a graded 7070 set. Due to some of the gold coins required in the set, it won't get finished, but I'm having a blast learning about and acquiring the coins.