| Being a coin collector doesn't necessarily mean | | | | Starting your hobby of being a coin collector |
| that you collect old rare coins from around the | | | | involves hunting down new ones. There are plenty |
| world. A collector could simply be a person that | | | | of places to find them for your collecting. Root in |
| collects them in a jar around the house. If you | | | | your own wallet (and everyone else's who will let |
| look at those coins, though, you will likely find a | | | | you examine them for less-common ones). |
| wide array of dates. By doing this, you might | | | | Look at the ones on display at flea markets and |
| become interested in becoming a traditional coin | | | | auctions. The internet is a great resource for |
| collector other types of coins. | | | | buying, selling, and trading coins. Always keep your |
| Becoming a collector isn't going to make you rich. | | | | coin collecting price guide handy when shopping to |
| You'll probably never land on a stash of old | | | | avoid scams or paying too much. |
| Roman or Celtic coins that will bring you fame and | | | | If you are not a professional dealer, do not clean |
| fortune. If you want to get into coin collecting, do | | | | your collection. Using the wrong method to clean |
| it for the pleasure of hunting down increasingly | | | | them can damage some of the old rare coins and |
| rare or unique ones. | | | | reduce the value of your collection. |
| Some people focus on collecting coins created in a | | | | Dirty coins are perfectly acceptable when you are |
| limited edition that are new in the marketplace. | | | | a collector. If, however, you want to clean those |
| Others focus on specific types of coins, such as | | | | that have no particular value, you can simply use |
| old Canadian or silver coin ones. | | | | warm water and dishwashing liquid to give them a |
| A collector needs a few tools of the trade. A | | | | shine. |
| magnifying glass to examine details on each of | | | | Read as much as you can on your new hobby. A |
| them is one. Envelopes or albums to store and | | | | good coin collector learns what makes it valuable |
| display the ones you have are other supplies to | | | | and be able to recognize those old Roman coins |
| purchase. A coin collecting price guide that has | | | | for more than the symbol stamped on them. |
| information on dates, varieties, and grading | | | | As you grow proficient, you'll be able to let go of |
| guidelines is a smart addition. | | | | most common ones and focus on old rare ones |
| A plastic ruler that has both millimeters and inches | | | | instead. If you have children or grandchildren, pass |
| for measuring them, cotton or latex gloves for | | | | those ones down to them. Who knows; you may |
| handling, a soft cloth to set them on for viewing, | | | | just have created a new coin collector! |
| and good lighting round out the list of supplies. | | | | |