| e have been collecting coins almost ever since the | | | | coins. As a result, they can end up spending very |
| first coin was put into circulation. Coin collections | | | | large sums of money. In the end, what this |
| come in a wide variety of types and in a huge | | | | means for a prospective hobbyist is that coin |
| range of value, from less than circulation value to | | | | collecting is a varied hobby with options and |
| priceless. Not surprisingly, collectors range from | | | | methods available to collectors on a variety of |
| the casual collector – the one who glances | | | | budgets. |
| at his or her handful of change to see if there are | | | | How much is a coin worth? |
| any special quarters – to serious collectors | | | | The value of a coin in any collection will be |
| who will spend thousands of dollars to buy a | | | | influenced by a range of factors, such as the |
| specific coin in order to complete their collection. | | | | country of origin, the production date, the length |
| Coin collecting as history | | | | of time the coin was in circulation (or if it was |
| One of the great things about coin collecting is | | | | even in circulation), and most importantly, the |
| that the history of most civilizations can be traced | | | | condition of the coin. Obviously, the better the |
| through their coinage. Modern states especially | | | | condition of the coin, the more valuable the coin |
| have the habit of depicting important cultural or | | | | will be. Within this laundry list of factors, collectors |
| political events on their coins. Older coins show the | | | | will come across coins worth anything from less |
| progress of technology, as the first crude coins | | | | than a cent to rare coins that are valued at over |
| made from gold, silver and bronze have | | | | a million dollars! |
| developed into today’s refined pieces of | | | | If you have a coin that you think might be |
| art. | | | | valuable, the best thing you can do is to get a |
| Coin collecting as a hobby, as opposed to just a | | | | price guide. These guides will be readily available at |
| means to collect wealth, first developed during the | | | | any large bookstore or hobby store. A number of |
| Renaissance. One of the greatest figures in the | | | | websites also keep updated directories of coin |
| Renaissance, Petrach, was known to have | | | | values. If you do not trust your judgment in |
| included coins in his art collection, recognizing the | | | | appraising the condition of your coin, most coin |
| beauty they possessed. Coin collecting as a hobby | | | | collection stores will offer appraisal services, for |
| soon spread to the wealthy and church leaders, | | | | free or a nominal cost, that will give you an |
| which is why it is often known as the | | | | expert opinion on the value of your coin. |
| ‘Hobby of Kings’. | | | | Grading a coin |
| Various types of coin collecting | | | | As discussed above, the most important factor in |
| Most coin collections start when a prospective | | | | evaluating the value of a coin is its condition, or |
| collector comes across a unique or interesting coin | | | | “grade.” New collectors can be |
| in the course of receiving change. For that reason, | | | | overwhelmed by the number of different grading |
| the most common collections are those that | | | | systems in use around the coin collecting world. |
| focus on the domestic coinage of the collector. A | | | | The best way to learn how to grade coins is to |
| collection that focuses on the coins of one specific | | | | try it yourself and then talk to professional |
| country is just one type of coin collection. Some | | | | appraisers at your local coin collecting store or |
| collections focus on specific trends or styles. | | | | hobby group to see what they think. |
| Some more focused collections will even just | | | | Coin collecting resources |
| focus on a specific type of coin or series within a | | | | Since it is one of the most popular collection |
| country’s coins. For instance, a coin | | | | hobbies, there are endless resources for individuals |
| collector could try to collect every state quarter | | | | interested in coin collecting. Coin collectors have |
| that the US mint produces, or a penny from | | | | huge conventions in major cities. These are great |
| every year in the history of the United States. | | | | events to attend for new collectors, as you will |
| Another variation in coin collecting is the value of | | | | be exposed to more experienced collectors, who |
| the collection. Coin collecting can be quite | | | | can help show you the ropes. It will also give you |
| inexpensive, or outrageously expensive. For some | | | | the opportunity to view rare and beautiful coins |
| collectors, the hobby is simply a matter of | | | | that at this point you could only dream of having |
| collecting the coins that they come across | | | | in your collection. It is also a good idea to join coin |
| through standard circulation. This is would definitely | | | | collecting groups on the Internet, to keep you |
| be on the inexpensive side of the scale. However, | | | | busy between conventions. |
| other collectors will seek out rare and hard-to-find | | | | |