Coin collecting
Find information and books about coin collecting

Home

 

Books

 

Videos

 

Articles

 

Suppliers

 

Links

Starting a Coin Collection - Why It's So Popular
by Michael Russell

People from all over the world study, collect and invest in rare coins and bullion coins. These hobbyists are called "numismatics", and many take their hobby very seriously! Coins are so fascinating for many reasons. One is that coins represent many different and exciting periods in American and World History. There are always interesting stories behind these coins and they are genuine mementos of past history. Their historical interest is unique to every culture that has ever used coins, and has played an important part in the economic growth of these societies.

 

Collectors of anything, whether it's toy trains, rocks, hotwheels or artwork offers the collectors a feeling of satisfaction. Coins have the added advantage of their extraordinary endurance, easy storage and display factors, and importantly, the ability to complete sets. Collectors should take good care of their coins (and usually do!), since they will probably last for hundreds or even thousands of years! The earliest known coins were from the Lydian society, and were called "starters". They were made of a gold and silver alloy, and were used around 600-700BC! So we know that coins can last a long time! Starting a coin collection is easy and there are several ways you can so this. A favorite way of collecting is to start a general collection of a variety of different coins. For example, you might acquire a Liberty Walking Half Dollar, Buffalo Nickel, an Anthony Dollar, or a Peace Silver Dollar. You'll probably become attracted and interested to one or another because of its intricate design or interesting history. You then might want to complete a set of this particular coin, say every date and mint mark for the Peace Silver Dollar for example. Or you could collect one example for every different Buffalo Nickel, and then proceed to a different coin. The choice is your preference (and budget!). Anyone can find a coin that they like that will fit into their budget, and allow them to complete a set.

Another popular method of collecting is to buy type. You do this by assembling coins that have different stamps or designs. You can collect coins of any one denomination (for example, all cents, all quarters, all dimes etc.), or maybe just collect the coins of one century in history. This kind of collecting coins will help you to see the full overview of the coin designs, and just how these designs progressed through history.

If your budget doesn't permit you to collect a complete set of a coin that you really like, you can collect a Year Set. This would consist of acquiring a coin from each year that the particular coin was minted. You don't have to worry about mint mark, just the year. So if you want to collect sought after and valuable gold coins, such as the Indian Head $10 Gold piece which was minted from 1907 to 1933, you would just collect one of each year regardless of which Mint it came from. (If it was minted in Philadelphia or San Francisco for example, it wouldn't matter, just as long as you have one coin from each year.) This is a fun and lesser expensive way to complete a coin collection, and will give the collector immense pride and much satisfaction!

Collecting coins is really very easy to do today. People with middle income budgets, or even those with less modest budgets, can all enjoy the fun and excitement of coin collecting. Get started by visiting the many numismatic (coin collecting) sites on the web. Research all of the interesting coins you can. Find a coin you like and start collecting today!

Michael Russell
Your Independent guide to
Coin Collecting
 

coin collecting books

Find books about coin collecting

Coin Collecting for Dummies by Guth
"covers all the basics of this fun hobby and shows beginners the ropes, from buying, collecting, and storing a collection to determining a coin's quality and authenticity.."

2004 Standard Catalogue of World Coins by Chester L. Krause, Clifford Mishler
"Taking world coin collecting by storm, this annual best-seller is the only single volume available offering complete coverage from 1901 to the present day.."

British Coins Market Value
The essential guide to British coins

Handbook of Ancient Greek and Roman Coins by Z.H. Klawans, K.E. Bressett
"If you are new to collecting Roman and Greek coins than this book is ideal for you.."

Standard Catalog of World Paper Money by Albert Pick
An excellent reference book for dealers and hobbyists interested in collecting paper money of the world

Ancient Coin Collecting by Wayne G. Sayles
"Provides background on ancient coins and collecting for beginning and experienced collectors.."

The World of Coins and Coin Collecting by David L. Ganz
Good book for coin collecting enthusiasts

 

Make money from your hobby
“Using your present hobby or favorite pastime as your business base has many benefits. Why? Because any business you decide to become involved in should be doing something you LOVE something you believe in, something that you would work at NO MATTER what income it would generate...” read more

More articles about coin collecting

The Rupee of the British Empire - a regional currency

Genuine coins of the bible period

History of the Mexican coin

Coinage of Great Britain: Celtic to Decimalisation

Websites related to coin collecting

www.coincollectingtips.com
An information resource for the coin collecting enthusiasts

www.coincollectingonline.com
News of UK coin collecting fairs and other information related to coin collecting

www.royalmint.com
Find collectible coin sets at the Royal Mint
 

 

Coin dealers

www.predecimal.com
Specialist in the sale and purchase of British coins and most other world coins
.

www.ringramcoins.com
English coins and Old coins from antique english coin dealers in Southampton: Coin collectors and numismatists view and buy old coins and English coins from one of the UK's biggest online catalogues of antique coins

World of Hobbies - the quick reference site for hobby books, dvd videos and hobby related information
Find coin collecting books and information on world coins

Google
 
 

Are you a hobbyist?
Hobby tools, equipment and materials suppliers directory

Hobby listings