| Children are 'collectors'. Whether it's books, | | | | For instance, ones that were minted to |
| stamps, feathers, shells, match labels, baseball | | | | remember a historical event or to commemorate |
| cards, hello kitty products or Pokemon cards, | | | | a red-letter day for that country would be a prize |
| children make a hobby of whatever is the 'rage' | | | | to the keen collector. Sometimes coins come out |
| at the time. Collecting coins is a passion with | | | | of the mint flawed. Such coins are much sought |
| many. | | | | after. They are valued for these very defects. |
| The interest could start because everybody else | | | | The 1943 vintage steel penny with zinc plating is |
| is collecting coins - perhaps a chance acquaintance | | | | worth much more than its face value. When the |
| gives you a few coins from a foreign land that | | | | number of coins minted is restricted, the value |
| kindled your interest. There is nothing more | | | | goes up. These become collectors' items. |
| enthralling to a prospective coin collector than | | | | Collectors also search for coins that have long |
| handling currencies of places he's never been to. It | | | | gone out of use. When evaluating coins, |
| fires the imagination and often starts a life long | | | | consideration is given to the state the coin is in |
| pastime - numismatics. | | | | and whether it is the 'genuine article'. |
| Children find methods to enhance their collection. | | | | Some collect coins as a hobby while others are |
| The easiest way is in school where they swap | | | | keen professionals. The latter invest in coins as |
| coins with fellow collectors. The more countries he | | | | others would in works of art or vintage wines. |
| has coins from, the greater the pride of a child. | | | | With these avid collectors, coins made of precious |
| Numismatics is an interesting way to learn about | | | | metals are an attraction. Of course, they have to |
| other countries. It doesn't always end at school, | | | | pay exorbitantly high prices for them. They |
| however. Many years later the collection invokes | | | | frequent auction houses and are in touch with |
| a host of pleasant memories associated with | | | | other coin collectors with whom they strike |
| school and it seems almost unbelievable that you | | | | bargains to get a desired coin. |
| could have collected so many coins at that young | | | | If it's the jingling of coins that gives you |
| an age. | | | | satisfaction; if like Silas Marner you enjoy the feel |
| As children it may be fun, (a few lose interest | | | | of metal as the coins fall through your fingers, or |
| after a while), but coin collecting can be a serious | | | | if on looking at a country's currency you are filled |
| business among adults. Searching for a particular | | | | with enchantment, numismatics is the hobby |
| coin can mean traveling halfway round the world. | | | | you're looking for. Whether you wish to make |
| Coins that are no longer in circulation are | | | | just a hobby of it or pursue it is as an |
| treasured. Coin collectors 'hunt down' special coins. | | | | investment, is entirely up to you. |