How to start

[KENB]

I have been collecting pocket change for 30 years. I now have 6 five gallon jugs full. Any suggestions on how to go through these coins in a logical manner?

[omahaorange]

The way I've found to start is separate in the following order:

1. Country of Origin

2. Denomination

3. Mintmark

4. Decade

5. Year

If you plan to start a collection take the nicest looking examples and insert them into cardboard 2x2 holders, then store thiese either in a box or vinyl binder pages designed to hold the 2x2s. Take the rest and either roll them in coin wrappers (or, the better option, plastic tubes sized for the coins.

I would suggest you get a copy of the "The Red Book":

http://coins.about.com/od/coinvalues/fr/redbook.htm

Depending on how your interests run, this is the first of many books I would recommend you read. I would strongly suggest a current copy of this one, it is inexpensive and a valuable resource for the first time collector, giving information on coin types, errors, along with values. You can pick it up on line or in your local bookstore.

30 gallons of coins!?! Looks like a good winter project. good luck, and let us know if you find anything interesting.