| A collector would choose certain specifications | | | | the concern on what kind of metal to choose |
| when it comes to his coin collections. If a coin | | | | belongs to the more professional collector. Aside |
| collector is new in the business, it is a tradition to | | | | from being a challenging collection, it puts you in a |
| start at the very beginning. You can't just flip a | | | | lot of risks. |
| coin and decide the result, although, that can be | | | | By this time you may already have an idea on |
| the last resort. Alright, so down with the real | | | | where to start. As the hour glass makes its due, |
| thing. You can choose your collection based on | | | | you will become more interested and selective of |
| your preference. Are you the silver, bronze, or | | | | the types of coins that fits your album. You will |
| gold type of person? How old do you like your | | | | develop areas that you may not find in other |
| coin to be? In what period? | | | | collectors. |
| Best advice: start at what interests you. Then | | | | You still need to know some specifications about |
| collect it by the following: | | | | the kinds of coins that you will collect. |
| Date or Period of Time | | | | Details |
| Coin collectors who see their collection as an | | | | You have seen an ordinary coin, its features |
| investment would probably prefer coins that are | | | | wouldn't be different from the old one because |
| older than their grandfathers. The more ancient | | | | typically, new coins are just patterned from old |
| the coin, the better. Aside from being centuries | | | | coins. You have to inspect if the writing on the |
| old, there are also Revolutionary coins and those | | | | coin is still clear. A coin wherein the smallest |
| that came from another time in history. Some | | | | details, like feathers or robe folds, are completely |
| people would start by building up decades of coin | | | | worn away is of little value. |
| that embraces Mint condition. | | | | Toning |
| Country | | | | Means discoloration or tarnishing, toning can |
| If you have decided to collect any kind of coin for | | | | increase the coin's value. Believe it or not, if a blue |
| as long as it came from different countries | | | | tone is present on a silver coin, it can be very |
| worldwide, that would be tiring but exciting. And it | | | | desirable. Toning has an effect on a coin's details |
| can cost you a lot. So things wouldn't be | | | | for it can accent its faded features. For as long as |
| exhausting, you could start off by collecting coins | | | | the tone of the coin wouldn't turn out uneven, |
| of your own country. After that, if you already | | | | there's no reason to reject it. |
| have enough funds, you could drop by a coin | | | | Wear n' tear |
| shop and ask if there are any coins from outside | | | | If you have been in coin shops that are offering |
| the country then go to the next or just gather it | | | | bargain coins, it might be because it has been into |
| in one blow. | | | | a lot of circulations and the market has already |
| Metal | | | | rejected it. You will notice certain kinds of |
| If you're a beginner, you wouldn't want to start | | | | scratches an even scarring that is caused by |
| collecting silver or gold coins for these are the | | | | chemicals. Scratches can be acceptable but |
| kinds of coins that can bore a hold inside your | | | | scarring is a no-no. Chemical scarring can be |
| pocket. Better settle with the lower metal levels | | | | related to corrosion, pits, etc. As much as |
| first. Not unless money is not a problem. Usually, | | | | possible, make your coin collections spotless. |