What Coin Series Should I Start Collecting as a New Collector?

For new collectors, or anyone even a little curious about the hobby.

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Here's something most people don't tell you about coin collecting: you've probably already started. That jar of quarters on your dresser? The handful of change rattling around in your car's cupholder? There's a decent chance something in there is worth holding onto.

Coin collecting has a bit of an image problem. People hear the words and picture a guy in a cardigan hunched over a magnifying glass, spending hundreds of dollars on a single coin sealed in a plastic slab. And sure, that version of the hobby exists. But it's not the only one, and it's definitely not where you need to start.

The truth is, coin collecting can cost you almost nothing to get into. Some of the most satisfying collections are built entirely from pocket change and a $3 folder from your local coin shop. The hobby scales to whatever you want it to be. You set the budget, the pace, and the focus.

So if you're curious but don't know where to begin, here's a genuinely good place to start.

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Start with what's already in your pocket

The single best starting point for a new collector is the U.S. State Quarters series (1999–2008), or its follow-up, the America the Beautiful Quarters (2010–2021).

Why? Because you can build a real, satisfying collection almost entirely from change. Each series has coins for all 50 states (plus territories, in the later run), and the designs are genuinely interesting: national parks, state landmarks, historical moments. You're not just collecting coins; you're putting together a little map of the country.

Pick up a coin folder at any hobby shop or online for a couple of bucks, start checking your change, and slot them in as you find them. There's something weirdly satisfying about filling in those little holes one quarter at a time.

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A few other series worth knowing about

Once you've got the bug, these are popular starting points that are easy on the wallet:

Lincoln cents (1909–present). One of the longest-running series in U.S. coinage, and you can find most of the modern ones in circulation. The older ones (pre-1959 wheat pennies) show up more often than you'd think, and they cost almost nothing to collect casually.

Jefferson nickels. Straightforward, widely available, and satisfying to fill a folder with. The “Westward Journey” nickels from 2004–2005 have some of the nicest designs the U.S. Mint has ever put on a five-cent coin.

Washington quarters. Classic design, long history, and easy to find. If you want to go deeper into the earlier decades, circulated coins from the '60s and '70s are still very affordable.

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Three things to keep in mind as you start

1. Cheap folders beat expensive cases, for now. You don't need fancy storage to start. A basic Whitman or Littleton coin folder keeps everything organized and makes it easy to see what you're still missing. Upgrade later if you want; don't let gear costs stop you from starting.

2. Condition matters, but don't obsess over it. Coin grading is a whole rabbit hole you can go down eventually. For now, just enjoy finding pieces that appeal to you. A circulated State Quarter with a clean design is still a cool coin.

3. The hobby teaches history without trying to. This sounds a little corny, but it's genuinely true. You'll find yourself looking up why a particular coin looks the way it does, who's on it, what was happening when it was minted.

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So where do you actually begin?

Tonight, check your change. Look for State Quarters you haven't seen before, wheat pennies hiding among the regular cents, or anything that just looks a little different. Then, if you want to go a step further, grab a coin folder and start filling it in.

You don't need a big budget or any special knowledge to get started. You just need to start paying attention to the coins already passing through your hands.

That's really all it takes.

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Have a coin you're curious about, or a series you're thinking of collecting? We're always happy to help a new collector figure out where to start.