| (NC)-Okay. So you've been diagnosed with the | | | | airplanes or animals. Silver dollars, $100 gold coins, |
| collecting bug. Don't panic. Here's what you need | | | | bi-metallic coins, coins featuring flowers...whatever |
| to do: first, visit the library. Pick up some standard | | | | you choose is fine, there are no rules. Many |
| reference catalogues (for example The Charlton | | | | collect coins to commemorate great events in |
| Standard Catalogue of Canadian Coins, or Haxby's | | | | their lives, a child's graduation, a new baby...or to |
| Coins of Canada) and read them thoroughly, along | | | | mark historical events such as the Queen's Golden |
| with every book you can find on collecting. | | | | Jubilee. |
| Contact your local coin dealer or numismatic club, | | | | The more knowledge you have, the more fun |
| and ask them to recommend good websites and | | | | collecting becomes. Learning what to look for, |
| other resources. Become a member. Buy a | | | | how to identify quality items, how to use the |
| magazine or two. That way they'll know you're | | | | lingo, and how to establish a fair price will make |
| not going to waste their time. You might also | | | | the hunt that much more exciting. The more you |
| want to take a course. The Canadian Numismatic | | | | know about pricing, the easier it will be to |
| Association offers one by correspondence at | | | | recognize a good bargain. And getting good |
| Once you've done your homework, the next step | | | | bargains is a big part of what it's all about. To the |
| is to decide what, specifically, you'd like to collect. | | | | collector, bragging about 'finds' constitutes one of |
| The best advice here is to follow your interests. | | | | life's most enjoyable pastimes. |
| Collect what you love, and, again, learn everything | | | | The final step is to get out there, enjoy the |
| you possibly can about your chosen specialty. | | | | hobby and pull together the most amazing |
| Most collectors go for issues of a particular | | | | collection of coins ever assembled. |
| country or time period, some go with themes, like | | | | |