| Coin collectors can be divided into two basic | | | | An extensive and varied collection can be acquired |
| types, people who collect coins for their aesthetic | | | | by a few years of working behind the register, |
| beauty and those who collect them for their | | | | especially for those who work in popular tourist |
| intrinsic value. The distinction is not a definitive | | | | areas. |
| one; many people belong in both categories. | | | | These casual collectors are the ones who collect |
| Coin collecting is a hobby that most people do not | | | | them for their beauty and variety. A great many |
| plan on starting. The average collector started as | | | | clubs and shows have sprung up for the |
| a child when an unusual coin was received as a | | | | enthusiastic hobbyist. Collectors group their |
| gift or as change. The child that is interested in | | | | collections in different ways; by year, mint marks, |
| such things starts watching for different ones and | | | | countries, commemorative, or reproduction of |
| they become "hooked." Over the years the casual | | | | ancient varieties. The condition of a coin is one of |
| collector may gradually progress from wheat | | | | the most important factors in its value. |
| pennies, buffalo nickels and the occasional silver | | | | The deliberate collector usually starts acquiring |
| dime, to visiting coin dealers and purchasing rarer | | | | them as an investment. Silver and gold coins are |
| vintages to complete their collection. Many have | | | | literally worth their weight in the metal that they |
| discovered that a good source is the bank. | | | | are made of, and may have additional value due |
| Purchasing rolls of coins can sometimes result in a | | | | to limited production or some oddity in production |
| "find." | | | | that makes them rare. Coins are an easy, low-risk |
| Another way that many people get drawn into | | | | investment to purchase and keep. Some financial |
| coin collecting is on the job. Food service workers | | | | institutions will even allow them to be held in an |
| sometimes receive foreign or old coins as tips. | | | | investor's brokerage account. One interesting side |
| Cashiers receive them as payment when | | | | effect of coin collecting resulted in a shortage of |
| someone is forced due to necessity to use saved | | | | pennies in circulation when the price of copper |
| coins, or are not aware of their value. Silver or | | | | went up a few years ago, as people began to |
| rare coins are sometimes still acquired this way | | | | hoard the pennies they had. |
| by the alert employee, who keeps a supply of | | | | For whatever the reason people collect them, it |
| change in order to swap it for the found treasure. | | | | can be a very satisfying hobby. |