| So you want to be a coin collector ? Great! You | | | | coins can be detected by their poor quality of |
| are just entering an exciting leisure, at the | | | | fabrication, and they are dull or too shine. They |
| crossroads of history and archeology, which was | | | | also sound different when struck against |
| named the "leisure of kings" and began centuries | | | | something. But it is easy to get fooled if you are |
| ago. | | | | new. The best way is to get help from a friend |
| More, unlike many others, it may even bring you | | | | more expert than you, or if you have the time or |
| some money if you buy and sell coins smart. This | | | | can take a picture and post it on a numismatist |
| leisure, however, contain some pitfalls - and | | | | forum, experts can often tell you if the piece is |
| perhaps more than in others - so be sure to pay | | | | true or not. And remember that, as always, what |
| attention to them in order to avoid making | | | | is too good to be true is always too good to be |
| mistakes at the start. Follow the guide. | | | | true. |
| How to detect counterfeit coins | | | | Handling coins |
| If you are a beginner collector, and that you do | | | | When you buy your first piece, you will probably |
| not want to commit too heavily in your beginning | | | | be very excited and will want to admire and |
| passion, there is little chance that you fall on false | | | | perhaps even touch them. Above all, to handle |
| coins designed to deliberately mislead you. Such | | | | them, take them on the edge. It is very |
| coins are usually created by aware counterfeiters, | | | | important because the slightest scratch or |
| who tend to reproduce the most expensive and | | | | fingerprint can lower the value of your piece. |
| most valuable coins in the market, and so | | | | Similarly, avoid cleaning. Do not listen to the advice |
| generally only accessible to the most passionate | | | | of those who tell you to do so, you would likely |
| of numismatists - and those with the heaviest | | | | damage the piece and make it lose value. |
| wallet. However, buying a false coin is really a | | | | Eventually, you can soak a piece a few days in |
| danger for amateurs, and you should be sure to | | | | olive oil or soapy water to clean it a bit. But if you |
| follow a few rules. First, if you buy online, on Ebay | | | | really really need to clean a coin - and it should be |
| for example, be careful to buy only from trusted | | | | only for really dirty coins that have good values - |
| sellers. It is really simple to verify if a seller can be | | | | the best is to give this work to a professional. |
| trusted on Ebay: just look at its number of sales | | | | Try to keep them on a soft surface like velvet, |
| and comments from its customers. | | | | and protect them with a cover glass, or wood for |
| If you buy in currency exchanges, from vendors | | | | example. |
| or individuals, you must remain vigilant. Often, the | | | | |