Coin Collecting - Pennies, Quarters and the American Eagle Silver Dollar

The hobby of coin collecting can be challenging andtypes of coins are the Buffalo Head nickel and the
exciting for those who wish to undertake it.Liberty Head Nickel.
Although coin shops today can be a littleThe first place to start on your journey of coin
intimidating, and you can quickly becomecollecting is right in your pocket. That pocket
overwhelmed by the size and scope of coinchange from the vending machine or left over
collecting, we hope to guide you into this intriguingfrom grabbing your morning coffee can be the
and sometimes valuable hobby.perfect entrance into this hobby. Although coins
Coins have several different values that wemight have a high numismatic or metal value they
should define before we start. The first value isstill may be in circulation at their face value and
what is referred to as the face value and what isjust waiting for you to find them and add them
stamped directly on the front of the coinage. Anto your collection!
example would be quarters (25 cents), dime (10The purchase of a coin guide from your local coin
cents), and a penny (1 cent).shop or book store can help you start identifying
The second value is the precious metal value ofwhich coins are worth keeping and which ones are
the coin. For instance pre-1965 dimes, quarters,better to use at face value. Start small with
and nickels actually have a high content of silver.pennies and quarters and then work your way up.
The use of silver was discontinued in this coinageYour number one asset will be your diligence in
because the cost of the metal rose to the pointchecking coins as they come into your possession.
that the metal content of the coin was worthOnce you are comfortable you can then take the
more than the face value. Many of us cannext step into precious metal coinage such as the
remember the same thing happening to the priceAmerican Silver Eagle and Gold American Eagle.
of copper and the changing of the metal contentThe cost of these coins actually fluctuates with
in a penny to compensate for the rising cost ofthe cost of the precious metals as they are
the precious metal in 1982.minted 99.99% pure by the U.S. Mint.
The third type of value is referred to theHopefully this has helped get you started and
numismatic value or the collectors' value. Thisenjoying the hobby of coin collecting. Remember
value is different from the face or metal value inkeep your eyes open as you never know when
that it is derived by a coins uniqueness and valuethat Buffalo Head Nickel might cross your path!
to other coin collectors. Some examples of these