Feeling Excited About the 2025 Marine Corps Coin!

Let me just say, I did not expect to fall down the coins and paper money rabbit hole.

But here I am, hands covered in lint and old coin wrappers, trying to figure out what makes one shiny disc worth more than another.

It started last winter, after my uncle handed me a shoebox full of coins at a family dinner. "You like history, right? You'll figure out what to do with these."

No pressure, right?

I had zero clue what to do. I mean, I knew people collected coins, but I always assumed it was something you started as a kid with pocket change. Not a grown adult sorting through dimes in sweatpants.

The shoebox was chaos. There were old silver dollars, random foreign coins, and a few mint sets still sealed up like tiny time capsules. The weirdest part? Some coins were just in Ziploc bags. Not exactly museum quality.

I spent hours on the kitchen floor, squinting at dates and Googling phrases like "what is a proof coin" and "how to not get scammed selling coins." Every answer was more confusing than the last.

"Getting coins from different countries like Canada, UK, or US can diversify your collection and potential value."

That actually made sense. But first, I needed to know what I even had.

The Comedy of Errors (and Embarrassing Fails)

First real fail? I brought a handful of coins to a local shop, thinking they'd be thrilled to see my 'treasures.'

Instead, the guy behind the counter barely looked up from his sandwich. He glanced at my pile, shrugged, and said, "Most of these are just face value."

Ouch.

The worst part? I tried to act like I knew what I was doing. I even dropped a term I read online: "Do you think this Morgan dollar could be MS-65?" He laughed and said, "Not unless you time-traveled."

I left with nothing but a greasy napkin and the feeling I'd embarrassed myself.

A week later, I tried organizing everything using an old spreadsheet I found online. That lasted about 10 minutes before I realized I had no idea how to grade condition or spot a real rarity. Some coins looked shiny, but for all I knew, they were just polished to death by someone else.

Then came the second disaster: I decided to clean a handful of old pennies with soap and water. Rookie move. They came out looking like sad, brown poker chips. If you've ever heard the sound of coins clinking together in a plastic bowl, that's the sound of value disappearing.

Not my finest moment.

Took coins to a shop, got shut down instantly
Tried grading coins by eye, realized I was clueless
Attempted to clean coins, destroyed their surfaces

The final straw was when I tried to sell a few duplicates online. The only offers I got were from people asking if I'd throw in free shipping—on $2 worth of coins.

I started to wonder if I should just cash everything in at the bank.

Is this even worth it?

How I Finally Figured It Out

After those fails, I decided to actually learn something before making another move.

I picked up "the Red Book" (the classic guide for US coins) and started reading. Turns out, there are entire communities obsessed with this stuff, and they're way more welcoming than my local coin shop.

I started lurking on forums and saw advice like: "Collecting silver coins is a cheap way to start investing in precious metals and they might have future value."

That clicked for me. I didn't have to become an expert overnight. I could focus on silver coins—especially ones with special designs or proof finishes. They felt more accessible, and honestly, more fun.

That's when I stumbled across modern proof coins, like the American Silver Eagle series. The designs were gorgeous, the history was cool, and you could actually buy them new, already graded and slabbed. No guesswork, no worrying about condition.

I saw a presale for the 2025-P $1 1-oz Proof American Silver Eagle Marine Corps Privy NGC. The price was about $159, which felt steep at first, but I realized it was certified and had a unique Marine Corps privy mark. Plus, it's a proof coin—so it's struck with extra care and detail.

Honestly, the idea of owning something that commemorates the Marine Corps (and is already authenticated) made this feel different from the random coins in the shoebox.

I ordered this Silver Eagle, and suddenly collecting felt less intimidating.

"Silver coins are a good rainy day fund, just cash in when needed, much easier than gold."

That line stuck with me. I wasn't just collecting for fun—I was building a little nest egg. Something tangible, and way more interesting than a savings account.

I also realized you don't have to stick to one country or series. Mixing in coins from Canada, the UK, or other countries could make the collection more interesting—and maybe even more valuable down the line.

What Changed (and What Actually Worked)

The first time I held that new Silver Eagle in its slab, I got it.

It was pristine, with the NGC certification and the Marine Corps privy mark right there. No more guessing about condition or authenticity. No more worrying that I'd ruined something by touching it wrong.

It felt like a real collector's piece, not just pocket change in a box.

I started branching out, picking up a Canadian Maple Leaf and a British Britannia. Each one had its own story and vibe, and suddenly I understood why people got into this hobby. It wasn't just about value—it was about history, design, and having something solid in your hand.

My collection finally felt organized and intentional, not just random coins and old wrappers. I even found myself looking forward to each new release, especially ones with unique themes or privy marks.

"Collecting silver coins is a cheap way to start investing in precious metals and they might have future value."

That turned out to be true. I wasn't breaking the bank, but I was building something cool—and maybe even useful down the line.

Advice If You’re Starting Out

Honestly, if you're just getting into coins and paper money, learn from my mistakes. Don't try to clean old coins or sell them before you know what you've got.

Start with something modern and certified, like the 2025-P Proof American Silver Eagle Marine Corps Privy or a Maple Leaf or Britannia. They're easy to buy, hold their value well, and look incredible.

If you want to go the old-school route, pick up a copy of the Red Book and join a few online communities. Don't be afraid to ask questions—turns out, most collectors love helping newbies.

Whatever you do, just start. Whether you go for a special edition like the Marine Corps coin, a classic bullion piece, or a mix from different countries, you’ll learn by doing.

Take action this week—pick up a coin that excites you, or organize what you already have. Whether it’s this Silver Eagle or something else, just get started. You’ll thank yourself later when your collection is actually something you’re proud of.

Feeling Excited About the 2025 Marine Corps Coin!