Coin collecting is a hobby that you can start at any age and can last for years to come. It’s an easy enough hobby to get started on because you can take a look at the coins you already have access to and see how they fit into your collection. This hobby is also a great way to jump-start interests in topics like math, geography, and history!
History
The first recorded instance of people using coins is around 650 B.C.E. and it wasn’t long after coins began circulating that people began to collect them. At first, it was used as a sign of wealth because it meant that a person could have extra coins that they didn’t expect to spend, but it turned into a full-fledged hobby during the 16th or 17th centuries. When it became a more popular hobby, it began to be known as numismatics, the study of coins. In the United States, the Mint was established in 1792 and since then production has evolved to give people many different kinds of coins for their collection. Today, it’s become such a big collection that people can make new friends without leaving the comfort of their home.
- A Short History of Coin Collecting: Coin collecting has been around for as long as coins have been around, it’s a hobby that’s been mentioned in art and literature for centuries.
- The History of Coin Collecting: Coin collecting has been a recorded hobby since 650 BC, but the hobby has evolved over the years.
- National Numismatic Collection: The Smithsonian National Numismatic Collection is the largest collection of money currently being shown in the world.
- History of the American Numismatic Society: The American Numismatic Society (ANS) was a group of collectors in New York City that came together in 1858 to collect and study coins together.
- The History of Coins: Coins and the history of coins can tell a person a lot about the culture of a place.
- Coin Collecting: This encyclopedia page from Britannica covers what coin collecting is and the history of the hobby.
- The History of Coin Collecting: Change Checker has put together an infographic to create a visual for people interested in researching the hobby.
- Numismatics: Numismatics is the study and collection of coins, tokens, and similar objects used as currency.
Getting Started
It may seem like it’s difficult to get started on coin collecting because there is so much insider jargon, but it’s a relatively simple hobby to understand. Beginners can get started by reading about different coins and looking at pictures to decide what coins they are most interested in collecting. Some people are more comfortable looking for coins from different parts of the world while others are more interested in finding rare coins. Some collectors choose to look for a theme such as a certain type of coin while others may look to collect for a certain year. A coin collection can be as unique as you are!
- Get Started Collecting Coins: A great way to get started on your coin collecting adventure is to read the U.S. Mint’s guide to getting started on the hobby.
- Coin Collecting Terminology: One of the most difficult parts of coin collecting is getting familiar with all of the specific jargon!
- Coin Collecting for Beginners: This guide is available to help beginners understand the hobby and feel comfortable building their collection.
- Starting a Coin Collection: Here’s What You Need to Know: This guide from the Royal Mint covers the different benefits of collecting.
- Tips and Tricks for Coin Collecting: Coin collecting can be fun and even profitable if you know how to get started.
- The Ultimate Coin Collector’s Resource: Coin collecting can seem overwhelming at first and even experienced people in the community may not know some of the best practices, but there are tips to make the process easier.
- Becoming a Coin Collector (PDF): There are many different kinds of coin collecting, including collecting circulating coins, collecting uncirculated coins, and collecting proof coins. Some collectors might choose to focus on one type of currency, while others cast a wider net to collect different currencies from countries all over the world.
- The Ultimate Beginner’s Guide to Coin Collecting: This guide from Hobby Help helps new collectors evaluate quality, learn how to care for your collection, and find new communities.
Storage and Organization
Storage and organization are some of the most important parts of coin collecting because you want to find the perfect way to keep your coins safe while also showing them off. Some collectors choose to keep them in a special binder in individual envelopes, while others prefer to keep them in boxes. Whichever method you choose, it could be beneficial to buy a pair of cotton gloves and a magnifying glass in order to better handle older coins and examine their details.
- Coin Collecting Tips: How to Store Your Coins: Once you’ve started a coin collection, it’s important to start figuring out how you’ll keep them safe and organized.
- Practical and Easy Tips for Organizing a Coin Collection: Once your collection grows, it’s important to know how to store them properly because storage is the difference between a serious collector and someone with a bunch of coins laying around.
- How to Safely Store Your Coin Collection: Properly stored coins are worth more. When you sell, it will provide more money to yourself and your family.
- The Best Way to Store Your Coin Collection: Different people have different suggestions on how to store coins in order to make their collection shine. This guide is from experts giving their own opinion on the matter.
- Protect Your Coin Collection: When it comes to collecting rare coins, the last thing you want to do is damage them. It’s important to know what contaminants could affect your collection and how to avoid them.
- Guidelines to Store Your Coins Safely: Coin collections can be preserved for a long time with proper maintenance and storage, but coin damage can occur relatively easily.
- How To Store Your Coins and Collectable Coins: The most important thing to do when it comes to storing your coins is to do no harm. This page offers tips on how to keep your coins clean and safe.
- The Two Best Ways to Keep Your Collection Safe: Choosing a safe location and handling your coins safely are the most important ways to keep your coins in good condition for years to come.
Coin Collecting for Kids
Kids are easily able to get into the fun of coin collecting! They may not have the means to go out and get expensive coins, but there are plenty of activities and resources available for getting kids interested. When kids are planning to start coin collecting, it’s best to go for coins that are already in circulation like a collection of 50 state quarters. You can simply purchase a coin folder for quarters with relative ease to keep things organized. Coins are great for teaching kids about history, culture, math, and geography. This makes it a fun hobby, while also being a great teaching method.
- Coin Collecting for Kids (PDF): This document is filled with activities and information dedicated to helping kids get interested in coin collecting.
- Busy Bee Coin Collecting for Kids: There are plenty of activities and games to get kids invested in coin collecting.
- Introducing Your Child to Coin Collecting: This guide has information that’s helpful for getting kids started in the hobby!
- Collecting a World of Coins: For kids starting a hobby, it can help to have a starting point. A world of coins binder is a great way to help kids find coins from all around the world.
- Mint Your Own Coin: This activity is great for teaching kids about the different parts of a coin while giving them a chance to make their own coins.
- Coin Collecting for Kids: The state quarters map is one of the easiest ways for kids to get started coin collecting. This page also includes helpful tips for getting kids invested in the hobby.
- Kids and Coin Collecting: There are plenty of reasons why it can be beneficial for getting kids invested in a hobby, it comes with educational opportunities and advantages.
- Getting Your Kids Involved in Coin Collecting: Coin collecting is a hobby that can last a lifetime; it doesn’t have an expiration date and gets better over time.
Organizations
If you’re interested in coin collecting and getting started in this hobby, then maybe it could be beneficial to join an organization with like-minded individuals. Some clubs and organizations have meetups in person, but you could also choose to just talk to people over the Internet. Meeting people with the same hobby can help you learn more about how other people are managing their hobby, swap tips, and find new coins you’re interested in adding to your collection.
- The Numismatic Bibliomania Society: This organization was founded in 1979 to support and promote coin collecting books, magazines, catalogs, and other printed materials.
- International Bank Note Society: This society is dedicated to helping people learn more about banknotes, how they’re manufactured, and what you need for your collection.
- Carson City Coin Collectors of America: Carson City Mint was started after former President Ulysses S. Grant was appointed Carson City’s leading proponent of the mint.
- The Liberty Nickel Collector Society: Liberty Nickels are a series of coins that ended in mystery, it’s an easy series of coins to collect while also offering an interesting history.
- The Combined Organization of Numismatic Error Collectors of America: This coin collecting organization is devoted to error coins and educating people on these errors.
- The Royal Canadian Numismatic Association: This organization is located in Canada and is designed to help coin collectors meet people with similar interests and cultivate new friendships.
- The Royal Numismatic Society: The UK’s foremost society on the study of coins, medals, and items related to currency.
- American Numismatic Society: This coin collecting organization was founded in 1858 to get coin collectors together to share their collections and tips.
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