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