| Coin collecting, or numismatics is a hobby as old | | | | design. Ironically, some of the most expensive |
| as time. As a hobby, it has been around for more | | | | coins are those with the strangest abnormalities. |
| than 2,500 years. This is surprising since the use | | | | This is because this type of coin is hard to come |
| of coins has been around for pretty much that | | | | by. |
| same amount of time too. Man has always had a | | | | For example, there could be a coin in existence |
| fixation for small, round, shiny things. And | | | | that differs from other coins in its batch. For |
| throughout the ages, coin collectors have always | | | | some unknown reason, it lacks some of the |
| been on the prowl for the oldest, rarest, most | | | | required markings. Such coins are deemed more |
| attractive coins around. | | | | valuable than the normal coins of its type. |
| Numismatics comes from the Greek word | | | | A good number of coin collectors collect coins |
| nomisma, meaning 'currency,' or coin. It is also | | | | according to themes. The coins they collect all |
| related to the study of banknotes, tokens, and | | | | have a common topic. Some collect coins related |
| other early forms of money. | | | | to kings and queens. Some collect those related |
| Coins and other forms of money are issued by | | | | to plants and animals. |
| governments and other monetary agencies. Billions | | | | The price for a coin is determined by the demand |
| of these flood the market yearly. But as time | | | | for this coin. Many factors affect this demand. If |
| goes by, the number of these coins go down. | | | | a coin is rare, chances are, it is in great demand. |
| Some get lost and some are damaged beyond | | | | However, there are some coins that are rare, or |
| recognition. | | | | exotic, yet the demand for them remains low. If |
| This goes to show that the older the coin, the | | | | this is the case, then its market value will remain |
| rarer it must be. And for coin collectors, this is | | | | in the low end. |
| prime stuff. | | | | Before purchasing coins, one must do much |
| Coin collectors and hobbyists number millions | | | | research about that coin. He must assess its |
| around the world. This hobby is taken so seriously | | | | current market value and make sure that the |
| that there are even professional dealers and | | | | coin is genuine. He should also consider how much |
| investors who ply their trade in this fashion. | | | | he could earn if he resells the coin. |
| The lure of coins lies in its power to draw people | | | | The American Numismatic Association is the |
| into the era it belonged to. These coins show | | | | largest numismatic organization in the world. It |
| many aspects of everyday life during those times. | | | | was founded in 1891 and was chartered by the |
| By examining a coin, one comes to know the | | | | Congress of the United States 21 years later. This |
| geography, philosophy, sociology, artistry and | | | | group has the largest library of coins available. |
| other aspects of the culture they existed in. | | | | Collectors would love to visit their headquarters, |
| Ancient kings (and even today's leaders) had a | | | | the World Money Museum, which is one of the |
| telling habit of having their faces imprinted on their | | | | largest coin museums in the world. |
| currency. Some historians have been able to put | | | | Another organization, the American Numismatic |
| together clues regarding the ancient civilizations | | | | Society, is the most active and respected |
| using these coins. Sometimes, coins would tell of a | | | | nonprofit numismatic publisher in the world. They |
| leader or prominent figure that would have been | | | | maintain a museum that contains more than a |
| forgotten by time if it were not for these coins. | | | | million objects. They also have a library that has |
| Hobbyists usually start collecting coins from their | | | | one of the most comprehensive in coin collecting |
| own locality. This makes sense because they are | | | | knowledge. |
| the easiest to collect. These hobbyists then | | | | Whether you are a hobbyist or a serious collector, |
| expand their collection to coins from increasingly | | | | coin collecting will always bring a sense of |
| farther and earlier origins. | | | | fulfillment and history to your life. It is never too |
| Coin collectors regard every single coin as a | | | | late to start collecting today. You can't lose! Your |
| unique specimen. They take note of the date, the | | | | collection can only grow in value as the time |
| mint marks, and even the abnormalities in its | | | | passes by! |