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