If you are like most of us, your coin collecting experience probably started with a close relative introducing you to a coin you never knew existed and had a great story. Sometimes it never takes hold and sometimes you come back around to it later and pass collecting on to the next generation. Big collections or small collections, there is always a certain pride for your coins and what they represent to you... and it can be really fun! Collectors usually end up with a medley of coins but the one coin that always shows up on this list are the American Silver Eagles. The Type 1 coins started in 1986 and ended in 2021. It's considered to be the most collected coin in the world. There is a myriad of books and guides that will point you in the right direction, but (shameless plug!) the book shown below may be one of the easiest and interactive guides for collecting the Type 1 American Silver Eagles. For now, let's look at the top 3 collecting strategies that will make your coin collecting even more rewarding!

1. COLLECT POPULAR DATES

In every collection of coins, there are always dates that are popular among all collectors. A good example is the first year of issue or in the series the last year of issue. In this case it would be the aforementioned 1986 and 2021 dates. There are several different strikes of these coins, so true collectors will want the different strikes available. Another popular example is to collect the anniversary dates and special issues. This is especially true in the popular Silver Eagle Series. There is a good advantage to this, they are also easy to get rid of! If you decide to stop collecting a series or lose interest, it's a whole lot easier to sell a popular dated coin over an obscure date to the average collector.

2. COLLECT KEY DATES

Collecting key dates is wise, especially if you know this is a series of coins you are committed to complete. A "key date" is a rare year or mintmark in a series of coins. Every series of coins are going to have dates or mintmarks that are more rare than others. One key date most of you are aware of is the uncirculated 1996 American Silver Eagle. I have watched and heard the shock of thousands of customers looking for the 1996 Silver for their collection. A true brilliant uncirculated coin can easily be $120 or more and certified MS70 examples in the thousands of dollars! We will cover more on that next but the point is to always know and be on the lookout for the key dates in your collection. Shameless plug here but your dealer can be your best friend for finding key date coins. We have access to many more coins and buyers than any average collector. Find a good reputable dealer you can trust and they can be a real advantage for you. By the way, we also have fun when we can find a rare coin you have been missing! I have found and sold many coins that I will never be able to own but there is a vicarious happiness knowing I helped you finish a collection you have been working on for years.

3. HAVE A PLAN

Coin collecting is a great hobby but it doesn't mean you shouldn't have a plan. Once you have established a group of coins you wish to collect, stick with it! There is a lot to consider. Are you a collector that wants all of the coins in the same grade? A brand new Silver Eagle in MS70 is a whole lot cheaper than the 1996 Silver we talked about above. If you are committed to matching grades, know that you will most likely have to wait for one to show, patience is a virtue! Are you a collector who desires every year and mintmark in a collection? Or just a date set? Also, unless you have very deep pockets, most of us have to consider our budget. Here is a good example. I have helped complete some of the finest known collections of America Silver Eagles in the world. The same year can change from a $100 coin to a $10,000 coin based on the mintmark and condition. Know that you may give up condition or miss a mintmark if you have budget restrictions. Another pitfall of not having a plan is a haphazard collection. The new, shiny, twinkling whatsit just came out and you WANT one... stick to the plan! That's where a really good guidebook can help you keep up with your collecting goals.

These Top Three Strategies will really help you when Collecting the Type 1 American Silver Eagles. With that being said, never forget, coin collecting is supposed to be a fun and rewarding process. These strategies will help you stay focused to reach your collecting goals. Some collectors may never desire to have a full collection and are happy to grab a Silver Eagle here and there as a gift for a child or grandchild. One thing is true, you never know when you may start another future collector down their own journey. Happy collecting!