| The supply and demand determine the price a | | | | When collecting coins from other countries be |
| dealer would charge, thus the market value of | | | | aware that there are many thousands of varieties |
| any In addition the quantity available of a coin and | | | | available |
| the number of interested collectors all play a part | | | | Collectors must do their research when deciding |
| in valuing a coin. Once a coin becomes | | | | on the purchase of expensive coins. Things to |
| acknowledged as a rarity, its worth normally | | | | know are, the current market value for the item, |
| increases whenever it changes hands. To improve | | | | how easily and for price it can be resold, and its |
| the value of any coin it should be kept in a good | | | | potential appreciation. Most importantly the |
| state of preservation. If a coin is in perfect | | | | collector must be knowledgeable enough to know |
| condition, just as it was when it left the mint, it | | | | whether a coin is authentic, or must have |
| might be worth much more than the same coin in | | | | confidence that the dealer does. |
| average used condition. Defacement or damage | | | | To obtain some idea of current prices realized for |
| will to a great extent reduce the value of a coin. | | | | various coins there are coin catalogs, dealers, |
| Collectors and dealers use a point system as well | | | | magazines and newspapers, and of course the |
| as a set of terms to describe the condition of | | | | internet which is usually more up to date. An |
| coins: Uncirculated or Mint State (ms 70-60), about | | | | important feature of the major Numismatic |
| Uncirculated (au 55-50), Extremely Fine (ef 45-40), | | | | conventions is the coin auctions. There are |
| Very Fine (vf 30-20), Fine (f 12), Very Good (vg | | | | catalogs of the items to be sold that are issued |
| 8), and Good (g 4). | | | | ahead of time, and lists of the prices at which the |
| Every date, mint mark, and design is considered | | | | items were sold can often be obtained after that. |
| as a different coin. The object is to acquire one | | | | They may have tables where Numismatists can |
| of every variety issued but to also upgrade the | | | | judge the offerings of many dealers. There are |
| condition of the coins already found. A collector | | | | local coin clubs where you can meet with other |
| must trade or buy to fill in a series The amount | | | | collectors and can assess future trends. |
| of coins to be found in circulation though is fairly | | | | Having a display cabinet with pull-out trays is a |
| limited. | | | | fabulous way to share your coin collection. An |
| Acquiring types of older coins is another kind of | | | | album system with plastic pages that hold |
| collecting. The object for the collector is to obtain | | | | individual cardboard coin mounts is also available. |
| a single coin to represent each different face | | | | For large numbers of coins use small, |
| series. Every coin is unusual and has its own | | | | standard-size coin envelopes filed in boxes |
| record. Most coin collectors start collecting coins | | | | So remember this is a wonderful way to have a |
| from their own country. Over the past 200 years | | | | hobby and an investment at the same time. You |
| or so the United States has issued many | | | | can imagine passing this on down through the |
| denominations. Some of them are quite | | | | generations of your family. Everyone who sees |
| remarkable, while different ones are stunningly | | | | your coin collection will have an appreciation for |
| gorgeous. There are the penny, nickel, dime, | | | | your dedication, appreciation and awareness of |
| quarter and half dollar that we are familiar with. | | | | the value of collecting coins. |