| The first known coin collector was Petrarch, | | | | otherwise worn. To have a collection that |
| who lived way back in the 15th century. A | | | | will increase in value over time, a collector |
| century later, Hubert Goltz visited a number | | | | should consider uncirculated mint coins. |
| of coin collectors throughout Europe and | | | | These are generally available when a coin is |
| estimated that were approximately 960 | | | | first released and are not worn in any way. |
| collections in total. Numismatics gradually | | | | Their value is higher than coins in |
| became a favorite hobby of royalty. Francis I | | | | circulation. |
| of Austria wrote about his collection of gold | | | | |
| coins in 1756. The British Museum established | | | | Coins issued in different metals than the |
| one of the first coin catalogues. From this | | | | regular issues are also collectible. Prior to |
| have emerged more than 100 publications | | | | World War Two, pennies were minted in copper. |
| devoted to coin collecting. | | | | When copper was needed in Americas war |
| | | | industries and could not be spared for |
| Today the word coin refers to standard issue, | | | | coinage, the government authorized the use of |
| commemorative or presentation pieces duly | | | | steel to produce pennies. After the war, |
| authorized by the federal mint. This excludes | | | | copper was again used to produce pennies, |
| coins privately minted coins. The most common | | | | enhancing the value of the steel pennies. |
| substances used in making coins are gold, | | | | Today, it costs more than a penny of copper |
| silver, copper and nickel. Alloys, such as | | | | to make a penny. |
| copper and nickel, are also used to produce | | | | |
| coins, such as the US 25 cent piece, that are | | | | Congress is exploring the use of other metals |
| less expensive to produce than single metal | | | | to make pennies. Should this occur, the last |
| coins. | | | | copper pennies would increase in value, as |
| | | | would the new pennies. Design changes can |
| There are many different types of coins for | | | | also affect the value of a penny. For many |
| collecting. One can collect a specific | | | | years, pennies with wheat designs on the |
| denomination by date of issue, country of | | | | reverse side were issued. The design was |
| issue, mink mark, proof sets, uncirculated | | | | changed, thus increasing the value of the old |
| condition, metal content, design or mint | | | | design. A word of caution: all coin values |
| errors. It is ultimately up to the collector | | | | are based upon the availability of the coins |
| to decide what to collect. | | | | and their condition. Coins that are readily |
| | | | available or worn may increase in value over |
| Once the collector has decided on which area | | | | time, but not as much as mint, uncirculated |
| to collect, its time to get started. One area | | | | varieties. |
| that is common today is the US state quarter. | | | | |
| They are found frequently in pocket change. | | | | There are many places that a coin collector |
| Commercial booklets are available to store | | | | can go to find coins. There are coin clubs, |
| the quarters. If a collector just wants all | | | | dealers, online and on television auction |
| 50 state quarters, they are relatively easy | | | | sites, and even companies that specialize in |
| to find. Because so many have been issued, | | | | mail order purchases. You dont have to be |
| the value of circulated coins is low. Coins | | | | rich to be a coin collector. Choose your area |
| in circulation get nicked, scratched and | | | | of specialty and then jump in. |