Expert: Joe Hylas - 2/8/2006

Question
I recently started collecting coins and decided to start with nickels. I'd like to get 1 coin from each year form each mint available. Where can I find a good checklist to go by? Albums that I've bought don't neccassarily have all the coins I've bumped into. Should I concentrate on circulated coins or just stick to proofs?  

Answer
Hello Walter,
There are 4 series of nickels:  Shield Nickels made from 1866-1883; Liberty Nickels made from 1883-1912; Buffalo Nickels 1913-1938 and Jefferson Nickels made from 1938 to present.
Get your self a copy of the Guidebook to US Coins by RS Yeoman.  This will have all the info you need to collect any and all.
You have to collect what makes you happy.  Sometimes the mint state coins are harder to find and more expensive than the proofs.  I suggest you collect PCGS and NGC Certified coins only.  This will help you avoid buying coins that are overgraded by the sellers.
If you are interested, contact me at JoeHylas@aol.com and I can send you a list of available nickels.

Regards
Joe Hylas