| Coin collecting has become a multi-billion dollar | | | | encourages research and collection of different |
| industry across the world. The earliest coin | | | | types of currencies. The ANA brings out a |
| collecting hobby can be traced back to about | | | | monthly magazine called the Numismatist that is a |
| 1300 AD when Francesco Petrarca, an Italian | | | | treasure trove of data for the avid collector. The |
| scholar and poet, started saving coins and realized | | | | ANA also publishes a coin value determination |
| the growing value of his collection over time. Coin | | | | guide that provides clarity around the complex |
| collecting differs from numismatics in that the | | | | subject of coin valuation.The coin collection |
| latter is focused on the study of different types | | | | market, like the stock and real estate market, |
| of currency including coins, notes and other | | | | has its ups and downs. The value of a coin is |
| monetary objects.Coin collectors specialize in | | | | cyclical and can vary strongly based on demand |
| different types of collections. Often this is | | | | or other current events. Often, coin collectors will |
| determined by the financial resources that can be | | | | find that certain coins may never appreciate over |
| invested as well as ease of availability of the type | | | | time even though they may be from a unique era |
| of coins. Collections vary from focusing on a | | | | or period. Conversely, other commonly found |
| specific country (often the most common form | | | | coins like the 1 cent from, say a Lincoln era, may |
| of coin collection since it's easier to accumulate | | | | appreciate in value. Many coins may also incur |
| coins from one's own country or a country that | | | | costs for storage since they may have to be |
| one frequently travels to) to a certain historic era | | | | kept in sterile conditions to prevent damage from |
| like the US Colonial Period, the Russian Revolution | | | | oxidation or general touch.For those interested in |
| etc.Other obscure forms of collection include | | | | coin collecting, the easiest way to start is by |
| focusing on collecting error coins or exonumia | | | | collecting coins from their own country and then |
| where coins created due to die errors, uneven | | | | gradually focusing on a specialized area. There are |
| designs, double strikes, etc. are in great demand. | | | | numerous stores (both physical and online) that |
| A much more specialized but highly difficult form | | | | carry a large inventory of rare coins. Auction sites |
| of collection is to focus on coins from a specific | | | | like eBay also have frequent listing of rare coins. |
| civilization in history, like the Roman, Celtic, Aryan | | | | Caution must be exercised when purchasing from |
| or Goth eras.Those interested in coin collecting | | | | online stores since certificates of authenticity can |
| can find hundreds of coin collecting clubs in their | | | | be tampered and fake photographs can also be |
| areas where members gather to discuss trends in | | | | published. If possible, it is recommended to use |
| numismatics as well as to evaluate rare coins. In | | | | online escrow services that will collect the |
| the US, the American Numismatic Association has | | | | payment on behalf of the seller and subsequently |
| a large roster of coin collectors from around the | | | | pay the seller only after the buyer receives and |
| country. Formed in 1891, this organization | | | | verifies the coin. |