| Coin Collecting is affectionately known as the | | | | planes, ships etc. Other collection categories |
| 'Hobby of Kings' in reference to the fact that in | | | | include; period collections, composition collections, |
| ancient times only Kings could afford to collect | | | | signature collection, series collections, printed value |
| coins as lay people spent every penny they had | | | | collections, volume collections and more. |
| to survive. | | | | Step 2: Educate Yourself on Your SelectionIt is |
| Coin collecting or numismatics is an extremely | | | | very important to educate yourself sufficiently. |
| popular hobby which is now affordable to | | | | Join your local numismatic club, contact your local |
| everybody. You can delve into the wonderful | | | | coin dealer and ask them for good sources from |
| world of coin collecting as you read these words | | | | which you can learn about the hobby. This |
| by simply reaching in your pocket and finding | | | | information is important in order to understand |
| loose change. So what are the key steps | | | | what you need to consider when buying a coin, |
| necessary to begin a coin collection? | | | | and how to value a coin. An excellent resource is |
| Step 1: Decide What You Want To Collect | | | | the 'American Numismatic Association'. This |
| You need to decide what type of collection you | | | | association will provide information on dealers and |
| want to build. There are many different types of | | | | entities that promote coin collecting. Visit your |
| coin collection themes. These include; | | | | local library or and get books pertaining to |
| Country Collections- Some collectors obtain a | | | | Numismatics. |
| sample from every country while others focus on | | | | Step 3: Complete a Set |
| 1 country | | | | Complete a set. Collect one of each year and |
| Year Collections- Many collectors collect by year | | | | mint mark of your coin of choice. (A mint mark |
| e.g. one Lincoln cent for every year from 1909 to | | | | tells you where the coin was made.) |
| present | | | | Step 4: Subscribe to Coin PublicationSubscribe to |
| | | | coin publications such as "Coin World" or "Coinage |
| Mintmark Collections- Different mint marks can | | | | Magazine." These publications will keep you up to |
| provide adequate differentiation to collect multiple | | | | date on developments and ensure you make |
| samples for each year | | | | more informed decisions. |
| | | | Step 5: Get a Collectors Display Album |
| Type Collections- A collection may include major | | | | Pick up a collector's display album or folder to |
| design variants for a period of time in a particular | | | | proudly show off your new found hobby. Other |
| country | | | | useful coin collecting materials include; coin |
| | | | capsules, coin magnifiers, coin envelopes, coin |
| Subject Collections - Many collectors collect coins | | | | scales, coin carrying cases and coin trays. |
| that depicts an area of personal interest e.g. | | | | |