| ing coins is one of the world’s most | | | | from beginner to expert collectors. |
| popular hobbies but there is a lot more to it than | | | | The basics of coin collecting covered by these |
| one might think. At first the hobby might seem | | | | guides includes information regarding the types of |
| simple but the art of collecting coins has been | | | | coins, coin dealers, coin catalogues, coin values, |
| meticulously transformed into a discipline with | | | | coin identification, proper handling and storage of |
| people around the world actively competing to | | | | coins, categorization by country or time, supplies |
| improve their collections. Amongst such | | | | for coin collecting, coin shows and most |
| circumstances it is absolutely necessary for a | | | | importantly pricing. Prices guides are an essential |
| person just beginning to collect coins to be | | | | tool for coin collectors. The affectionately known |
| provided proper guidance. For the sake of | | | | Red Book, the Blue Book and the Black Book are |
| assistance there are many guides that are | | | | constantly used for price references. After being |
| available, both online and in the form of books | | | | in publication for a considerable amount of time |
| — but more specifically that rookie collector | | | | they have established themselves as authorities. |
| will need a coin collecting guide. | | | | Some guides deal with mistakes that beginners |
| There are many collecting guides which are | | | | make like paying too much for coins, buying |
| specifically directed towards the beginners. | | | | second or third hand coins or from unreliable |
| Coin Collecting 101’ by Alan Herbert | | | | sources because they do not learn enough about |
| proves to be a course in the art of coin collecting | | | | numismatics. These coin collecting guides show |
| for anyone just starting off. The books covers all | | | | how to get over these mistakes. After going |
| the essentials of coin collecting, which include | | | | through these guides you can save money with a |
| grading, market factors, errors, coin valuation, | | | | more sound coin valuation and reducing the |
| glossary of terms and buying coins. Another book | | | | probability of being over priced for a coin or |
| providing information on these issues is New | | | | buying counterfeit coins. |
| coin collecting guide’ by Joseph Bakes. The | | | | The valuation of coins is one of the most |
| Whitman Coin Guide to Coin Collecting by Kenneth | | | | important things a guide can teach you, basically |
| E. Bresset is another such book. | | | | the denomination, mint rarity and condition largely |
| Apart from written coin collecting guides and | | | | determine the value of the coin. Guidelines |
| books, there are online resources which provide | | | | provided in these books can help you know what |
| assistance. Most websites about coin collecting | | | | types of coins are worth collecting. |
| have a frequently asked questions section and | | | | Guides are extremely useful sources of |
| apart from that you can direct questions at them | | | | information which help you teach all the basics of |
| via email. Some websites also support a feature | | | | coin collection. Without the use of guides you |
| which estimates the value of the coin. A great | | | | stand a risk of committing many mistakes that |
| example of this is mywebsite! I’ve put all | | | | beginners often make, resulting in a loss of |
| my knowledge into the site to help everyone | | | | money due to incorrect valuation. |