| Amateur coin collectors generally start their | | | | Professional Coin Grading Service, Numismatic |
| coin collection by collecting coins that | | | | Guarantee Corporation of America, ANACS and |
| belong to their own country, as this is the | | | | Independent Coin Grading Co. |
| easiest and the most cost effective way to | | | | |
| start a coin collection. With time this may | | | | The best places to buy coins are reputable |
| give way to specializing in collecting coins | | | | coin dealers, auctions, coin shows or from |
| that belong to a particular type. Coin | | | | other collectors, though you should avoid |
| collectors may specialize in coins of a | | | | buying from the internet as it is hard to |
| particular country or of a particular period | | | | judge online whether the coin you are |
| or metal. Commemorative coins, such as those | | | | interested in is genuine or counterfeit. |
| released during sporting events or those that | | | | Coins may be stored in coin cases, coin trays |
| mark the independence day of a country, can | | | | and coin albums. However, you should avoid |
| also make an appealing collection. Coins with | | | | storing coins in jars, as keeping them in a |
| faults or defects are also popular among | | | | jar may scratch the coins. |
| serious collectors. | | | | |
| | | | Amateur coin collectors may mistakenly think |
| As with any other hobby, the coin collection | | | | that cleaning coins is an important part of |
| market is flooded with fakes and if you are | | | | caring for the coin collection. However, the |
| not an expert in this field it is very | | | | opposite is true; it is best that coins are |
| difficult to separate the original genuine | | | | not cleaned at all. Collectors prefer the |
| coins from the counterfeit coins. Before | | | | original look of coins and cleaning coins may |
| buying expensive coins it is a good idea to | | | | bring down their value. If your coins need |
| get the coin authenticated by reputable coin | | | | any cleaning, you should first consult a |
| grading and coin authentication services. The | | | | professional or an expert. Olive oil or soapy |
| condition of a coin is denoted by a coin | | | | water may be used for cleaning coins. Harsh |
| grade. For a detailed study on coin grades, | | | | cloths should never be used to clean, and tap |
| read Photograde by James Ruddy. Currently, | | | | water is a strict no-no as they contain |
| the more reputable coin grading services are | | | | minerals that may harm the coins. |