I have collected coins since I was a kid. Mostly as a fun hobby, not really for the sole purpose of investment.
Unfortunately, Chinese counterfeits are hurting that market.
I, too have been a collector since I was a kid. I have a complete wheat cent set (no 1909 S VDB, no 1914 D), complete Jeffersons through 1980, complete Roosevelts to 1964, complete Washingtons to 1964, and a nice type set missing of course the usual. I bought most of the type coins in the 1960s, a few recently. The circulating coins are all from pocket change.
I laugh at the obvious counterfeits on eBay. Some of the Chinese stuff is pretty good, I was grabbing bullion 2019-early 2025 but not (obviously) right now.
Interesting times we live in.
Yes they are. I buy mainly from established coin dealers or graded coins.
I am looking at a few other old proofs that I would like to get next.