| p>For generation after generation coin collecting | | | | un-circulated or proof coins anywhere but the |
| has been a hobby for many people. Collecting | | | | edges because fingerprints will impact its grading |
| coins involves the buying and selling of legally | | | | and significantly reduce the value of the coin. |
| minted currency, trading something you have for | | | | There are a few different themes that are |
| something you want. Rare, historical, or coins that | | | | common and are often combined into a goal to |
| were minted with errors are generally sold at a | | | | reach a collection. Some coin collectors try to |
| higher price, as are coins that were only in | | | | obtain a sample of a coin that was issued from |
| circulation for a short period of time...if at all. | | | | every country. Or collectors may want to collect |
| Numismatics is the study of currency and is | | | | coins only issued from one country, most likely |
| closely related to the hobby of coin collecting. | | | | their own. |
| Why do people begin the hobby of coin collecting? | | | | One of the great things about coin collecting is |
| Well there are as many reasons as there are | | | | that there are so many areas you can focus on. |
| hobbyists, but generally they are interested in the | | | | Some collectors focus on coins of a specific |
| coins themselves or are fascinated with the | | | | country and may only collect British coins, or |
| history surrounding the coins. When beginning a | | | | Canadian coins, or U.S. coins. Still others will try |
| collection most collectors start with circulated | | | | and collect from at least one country from |
| coins, there is little risk involved because you can | | | | around the world. Most collectors have some |
| always just spend the money in the marketplace, | | | | interest in history and often will scout for coins |
| but there is not much of an upside that they will | | | | that fit a particular period that interests them. For |
| appreciate in value. Circulated coinage is not rare | | | | example, their collections might consist of coins |
| or unique and will likely get damaged from the use | | | | issued from the 18th or 19th century, ancient |
| and therefore values will only increase after a long | | | | Roman, Byzantine, Greek, Indian, Celtic, |
| period of time. Many kids begin their collection with | | | | Merovingian, Ostrogothic, Parthian, or Israelite |
| circulated pennies which is an fun, inexpensive | | | | origin, or medieval time periods. They would have |
| way to begin the hobby. | | | | coin dealers scouting for coins that fit this criteria. |
| After the hobbyists gains some experience, they | | | | Not all collectors begin the hobby with the purpose |
| usually begin buying coinage that has not been in | | | | of investing, but after time their collections may |
| circulation. Purchasing from the U.S. mint is a great | | | | be of significant value. Focusing on the investment |
| way to begin buying un-circulated coins, and | | | | side of coin collecting takes a much more |
| collectors can also purchase from dealers, | | | | sophisticated approach and more dedication, and |
| auctions, coin shows, an online coin store, or from | | | | while there is a chance that coins will increase in |
| other collectors. | | | | value there is also the possibility they do not. |
| The condition becomes very important as you | | | | Coin collecting is a fun, fascinating hobby to |
| start trading old coins, ancient coins, and rare or | | | | become involved with and can provide hours |
| obsolete coins. Any sort of damage such as, | | | | learning for the hobbyist. Most collectors start out |
| dented edges, holes, gouges, even cleaning can | | | | small and build there collections over time, as |
| greatly reduce the value of the coin so it | | | | there interest and resources increase the value of |
| becomes very important to store and handle | | | | their collections typically grow as well. |
| them with care. Collectors do not touch | | | | |