Coin Collecting

It's called the "Hobby of Kings," but you do not have to be royalty to enjoy this wonderful past time.

Numismatics is the collecting and study of old currency, numismatists love the beauty and history of old coins. Each one is a tiny bit of the past, it tells a story of people and events. In 1792, the United States Mint began producing, or minting, coins. Over the years they have produced some of the most valuable coinage ever issued. One such example, Known as "The Class III 1804 silver dollar," is the most famous coin in the world and is valued at 2.3 million. Morgan Dollars are another coins that have a very popular following. But this does not mean that numismatists restrict themselves to only American coinage. Coin collecting is a global hobby, collectors are drawn to all types of currency from many different countries.

If you are just starting out as a collector, the first thing you need to know is, never clean your coins. This simple act can bring the value of a coin down faster than inflation. You find an old coin, and want it to look nice and shiny. Most people will use chemicals and abrasives to clean them. This damages the surface of the coin, and can remove the tarnish. Both of these features are vital to a coins value, and cleaning them can actually destroy their value.

There are many books and web sites that will give you tips and information about collecting. Coin collecting is both a hobby and a passion, it goes back thousands of years. It can be both a source of pride and wealth, but it must be understood.