| ing coins can be a fascinating hobby. Millions of | | | | interest like errors, double strikes or off centered |
| hobbyists have collected coins for centuries, some | | | | strikes. These can be very valuable if you find |
| collecting from your interest while others collect | | | | them through very careful search. Some people |
| as an investment. Whatever your motive is | | | | go to coin shops and look through the various |
| beginning a coin collection such as collecting gold or | | | | displays to find something that they have an |
| silver coins can be a fun and rewarding pastime. | | | | interest in. You can find a wide range of coins |
| All you really need to begin is to have an interest | | | | from cheap, common coins to more expensive |
| in coins, a discerning eye, a willingness to learn and | | | | and rare ones. You can start with the lower |
| someplace to store your collection. The type of | | | | valued ones and dream about the day you can |
| coins you collect is entirely up to you. That goes | | | | look at the rarities. |
| for the value of the coins as well. Some people | | | | Other places to consider looking for coins are |
| will only look for high valued proof coins while | | | | pawnshops, antique shops, flea markets [you |
| others searched for those elusive rarities. But | | | | might find a real treasure trove for a dollar], coin |
| your collection could simply be collecting gold or | | | | shows or auctions. Auctions can be very |
| silver coins of a particular country or of a | | | | interesting because quite often people who attend |
| particular era. It doesn't matter if they are not | | | | auctions are looking for items like furniture, |
| high-value coins as long as you enjoy collecting. | | | | paintings or sometimes jewelry. Many countryside |
| Besides, you are probably far better off starting | | | | auctions don't have many people looking for coins. |
| off your collection with lower valued coins until | | | | If you have friends that are living in another |
| you begin to really know what you are doing. Like | | | | country then you may ask them to send you |
| everything else in this world, there is always | | | | some coins from there. |
| somebody tried to separate you from your | | | | Once you do start collecting one of the prime |
| money. And they're not interested in giving you | | | | rules is "do not clean your coins." Some people |
| anything in value in return. Go to the library or | | | | have claimed their coins, hoping to make them |
| buy yourself some coin books and begin to learn | | | | shine brighter and be more valuable to only |
| all about the specific area that you are interested | | | | discover they have removed the mint finish, a |
| in. You may change your mind along the way on | | | | microscopic thin layer of metal from production, |
| what you want to collect but at least you have a | | | | and ruined the full value of their coin. quite often |
| start on your education. | | | | coins that you feel might be "tarnished" actually |
| You may simply begin collecting by looking | | | | have the exact toning of color that many |
| through your own pocket change. This is how | | | | collectors want. Unless you're a complete |
| many people started. Or you may go to a bank | | | | professional and know exactly what you're doing, |
| and purchase some rolls of dimes, nickels or | | | | once again don't clean your coins. |
| quarters and see what you can find. Sometimes | | | | Coin collecting can be for fun or for profit. |
| something will turn up that might surprise you. | | | | Actually, coin collecting can be both fun AND |
| Some people buy mint bags, these are bags of | | | | profitable. Just keep in mind that it is never too |
| coins that come straight from the mint and | | | | late to start collecting coins and that the longer |
| people go through them looking for coins of | | | | you have them, the more valuable they become. |