| Coin collecting is a fun hobby to start and | | | | luster) to a flawless MS-70. Although MS-70 |
| the thrill of hunting for old coins is enough | | | | is considered unobtainable, a grade of MS-65 |
| for many people to continue doing it. Other | | | | and higher will make a coin's price shoot up. |
| people consider coin collecting an | | | | |
| investment, something they can receive a | | | | Circulated coins are more forgiving, they do |
| profit from. If you are one of those people, | | | | not take into consideration the amount of |
| then you can find several types of coins in | | | | scratches and dirt a coin has gathered along |
| this article that will help you determine | | | | the years. Grades for circulated coins will |
| what others are looking for. | | | | vary. AU (about "uncirculated"), EF |
| | | | (extremely fine), VF (very fine), F (fine), |
| Most coin collectors will look for only a | | | | VG (very good), G (good), AG (about good), |
| specific kind of coin that will make their | | | | F-2 (fair) and P (poor) are used as |
| collection more valuable and interesting to | | | | indication of how much a coin is worth. |
| buyers. Others are collecting for | | | | |
| sentimentality and are looking more at the | | | | These grades are dependent on a circulated |
| coin's uniqueness. | | | | coin's luster, visible wear, design elements |
| | | | and visibility of letters and numerals. |
| Series collectors are those looking for a | | | | Unlike "uncirculated" coin's grades, these |
| series of coins that mark every year and | | | | grades do not dramatically lower a coin's |
| every design change made in that coin. | | | | value. This is wonderful for people who are |
| | | | looking just to complete a collection and do |
| Type collectors are those people who are | | | | not care about a coin's mint condition. |
| looking to get one of each coin where there | | | | |
| were/are changes made. | | | | Pricing of a coin will usually be determined |
| | | | by a coin's supply and demand. Very low |
| Ancient coin collectors are those people | | | | supply and very high demand will make a |
| looking for coins spanning the years 650 BC - | | | | coin's price higher; however, high supplies |
| 450 AD. This is the time when coins were | | | | of the coins will depreciate a coin's value. |
| invented and there were silver, gold and | | | | |
| bronze versions made. It also marks the time | | | | Demand is usually established by coin dealers |
| when Roman emperors were the rulers and most | | | | where they take into consideration the number |
| of them feature famous Roman emperors, Roman | | | | of people wanting to buy or sell the coins. |
| towns, or gods. | | | | Once a coin becomes difficult to find, coin |
| | | | dealers will usually make its price higher so |
| Token collectors are those who are looking | | | | that people are inclined to sell extra copies |
| for different kinds of tokens that were used | | | | of their coins. |
| in exchange for real money when there was a | | | | |
| lack of coins. These tokens were used as | | | | Grading and pricing a coin usually takes a |
| local currency even if the government had not | | | | lot of experience to master. Although there |
| given permission for them to be used. | | | | are several tips and guidelines to look for |
| | | | in grading a coin, only professional dealers |
| Coins are also graded. A coin's grading | | | | have the final say on how much a coin is |
| depends on its condition and the price of the | | | | worth. It does not hurt to know this grading |
| coin will rely heavily on that grade. It is | | | | is done and why your coin was graded |
| important for a coin collector to know how to | | | | differently from what you thought. |
| grade a coin to make sure that he is not | | | | |
| swindled by individuals looking for a quick | | | | Coin collecting is not really about |
| profit. | | | | investment, it should be a fun and thrilling |
| | | | hobby. While the overall goal of a coin |
| "Uncirculated" coins are those coins that are | | | | collector is to complete a set of coins, |
| not showing any wear and tear or to referred | | | | learning what to look for in a coin is |
| to as "in mint condition". A mint state (MS) | | | | important to make sure that no one can take |
| grading depends on a coin's luster, contact | | | | advantage of your need to complete a |
| marks, hair lines and overall appeal. A coin | | | | particular set. |
| can have a grade ranging from MS-60 (dull | | | | |