Poll Question: What is the best coin-collecting advice you've ever received?

Never clean a coin.

Rob, Nebraska

Learn to grade! The corollary to that is to learn the characteristics of a series or design, such as which Buffalo nickels tend to be struck with worn dies, that Mercury dimes can have full split bands, Standing quarters can have fully defined heads and Walking halves can have full hand detail, even on S-mints. A knowledgeable, selective buyer will be well rewarded.

Gary Burhop, Memphis, Tenn.

The best advice I ever received was to keep all of your coins in albums and coin tubes. With the albums, you can see many of your coins at one quick glance, and with tubes, they are protected from damage. Using 2x2 cardboard holders as permanent storage for your coins presents a danger of getting them scratched, and you can only see them one at a time.

Dave Burdis,Charleroi, Pa.

The best advice I received was to start saving silver.

Name and Address withheld

I was told early on, years before TPG, to learn to grade properly, and you can do this only by looking at thousands of coins along with my old photo grade book. Before that, I bought my share of overly graded coins. I specifically remember a Pennsylvania dealer specializing in mercury dimes that sold me cleaned coins, which I found out later when I sent a few into NGC, and they came back cleaned.
However, the experiences taught me how to spot cleaned coins, deal with ethical dealers, and avoid dealers like that Pennsylvania dealer.

Roy Herbst, Address withheld

Research the coin before you buy.

Name and Address withheld

I would advise any new or starting coin collector to start slow. Take your time, trust your instincts, and keep an eye on your wallet.

Name and Address withheld

Probably the best advice I received was to “stay away from U.S. Mint products.” But did I listen? No, I have been buying products since 1972!

Name and Address withheld

My best coin advice to any collector is - RESEARCH RESEARCH RESEARCH!!

Ben TheCoinGeek, Address withheld

The best advice I received was to never clean a coin! It loses value when you try to sell it, and if you buy a cleaned coin, you probably will not get your original investment money back for it.

KE, Germantown, Ohio

Legend Numismatics gave me the best numismatic advice I ever received. If you're upgrading a coin, only buy that upgrade if it's nicer than the coin it's replacing. So often in searching for upgrades, I find coins in a higher grade, graded by my favorite TPG, with a CAC sticker, and the price is very fair, but the eye appeal is not as nice as my existing coin in the lower grade. I learned long ago to pass on those upgrades until I find one nicer than the coin it replaces!

Steve Feiertag, Royal Palm Beach, Fla.