Start Coin Collecting At Any Age

Old coins that is.  Try looking under that old dresser, or up the attic where grandma or grandpa’s things may be stashed away patiently waiting for you to discover them.  Who knows, you might find a coin there, an old coin that – at today’s rate – may be worth a few dollars; probably three or four or five, even ten times what the coin was worth back then. 

A penny a day, is worth okay

Fortunately or unfortunately, there was a shortage of copper during the year 1943 and all pennies made at that time were minted using steel. There were however, some Lincoln pennies that were incorrectly minted on bronze that turned out to be blanks.  A few years – or decades later -these bronze pennies became a rarity and are valuable.  The steel ones though, because of their commonality, are worth only between one to three dollars each. 

Be aware and be wary as there are schemes where gullible coin collectors are sold coins that are copper plated in an attempt to make these pennies appear to be bronze.  Also, keep your guard up anytime someone offers you a circa 1943 penny made out of a metallic white alloy.

Old coins are good coins

Coins, specifically the silver dollars made and circulated between the years 1878 and 1935, are worth between twelve dollars and twenty five dollars for the circulated coins.  The coins that were not in circulation are worth considerably more.

Meantime, those quarters, dimes, or half  dollar coins made and circulated prior to 1965, are usually made out of ninety percent silver and therefore worth as much as today’s silver (with an additional premium, albeit small, put on the coin’s face value).

Wrong pennies are right

There is a Lincoln penny issued in 1972 on which the date and the letters on it appear to have been doubled.  This rare coin is currently worth about sixty dollars, assuming the pennies are in standard condition. The Philadelphia Mint during that time period accidentally misaligned the die used in minting the coins causing the portrait of Lincoln to look like it was doubled.  Fortunately or unfortunately, eighty thousand of these were circulated before the error was discovered.

In summary, coin collecting is similar to collecting bits of history and trivia from the past.  In addition to the face value its worth as a treasure – pennies, dimes and coins – often are worth more in the long run.

Software used for coin collecting

It is a common coin collecting problem: too many coins, not enough information on what kinds of coins to collect, or a disorganized group of collectibles.

The solution?

There are programs that are especially created for computer use, commonly known as software. Coin collecting software packages are created by professionals to help those who are having a hard time organizing and tracking their coin collections.

These systems keep classifying, organizing, and cataloging coins at your fingertips while trying to find other coins that a collector might want to add to his personal collection.

Other advantages of these software packages for coin collecting are:

1. Organizer buddy

It is a coin collector’s best friend. Coin collecting software packages are exclusively created to help the hobbyist organize, manage, and track their coins fast and without difficulty. With almost 300 billion coins that were manufactured by the U.S. Mint alone, who could sort through all of these coins to find the ones they would like to own?

2. Statistical reports provider

With these coin collecting software programs the collector to easily record statistical reports about coin collecting for quick references in the future.

3. Provides numerous ways to interpret, view, and access coin collecting data

With software packages, every coin collector can easily view his data in many ways. He can either choose to view the data in tabular form or in virtual form or can modify these tables and generate reports with just one click.

4. Provides easy-to-use templates

Coin collecting software packages are perfect even for the “newbies” in information technology. This is because there are templates that are available at any time for the recording and organization of data. The collector can then just enter the data he needs to log without having to use complicated formulas.

5. Saves more time

With these software packages, the coin collector will be able to save time organizing his coin records, leaving ample time for other activities. This means spending less time organizing and managing coins and more time for enjoying the hobby.

The tedious job of keeping a systematic record is sometimes the main reason some coin collectors give up the hobby, and why employing such tools will make coin collecting more enjoyable.

Using computer technology is the better way to make coin collecting easier.

Safely Storing Your Coins

So, you have been making that coin collection of yours for a very long time, but do you know how to keep the coins in mint condition? So where exactly do you store your precious coin collection?

Well, there are many different ways to show off the coin collection. But, one of the best ways would be to use a coin collection album. A coin collection album has many advantages, here are some of them.

The first advantage of album is the ability to see both sides of the coin. This makes it so you can enjoy both sides of the coin without having to take it out of its casing. Making it so there is a lower chance of you somehow damaging the coin.

The next thing that an album can help with is the prevention of damage. The plastic that the album is made of helps prevent damage that other types of storage would not protect it from such as scratches. It can also protect your valuable coins from natural damages such as oxidizing.

Also another thing about a coin collection album that it is a good for holding coins in general. Each pouch that you put one of your coins into is very strong. This means you will not have to worry about losing your precious coins, or have them be ruined by rubbing up against each other like they would in a normal folder.

The price of these coin collection albums has a pretty decent range from about twenty dollars to forty dollars. Some people may think that this is an expensive price to pay, but remember the price you would be saving by not having any damage to your coins. So, all in all it’s a much better deal to purchase the album versus a normal folder.

The final reason that these coin collection albums are much better is because at the beginning of most of these albums, there is a brief information section. This information section is a great place to see what coins are in the particular album you are looking at. This makes it a lot faster to find the coin that you are looking for instead of searching through all of your coins in one giant collection.

So, if you want to have the best place to store your coins, consider an album. It will definitely be the best place to keep your coins safe and organized.

What’s the Value of Your Coins?

When collecting coins, the most interesting part about it is getting to know about the different value of each coin. This tends to be true because it is very interesting to see anything you own start to grow in value. This feeling also tends to make your hobby seem like it has more function than many people’s hobbies may. It is also extremely fun to see how much your few older coins can be so many more coins today.

So, now that you have started this new hobby, you are going to need the proper resources to find out exactly how much each of your coins is worth. The first place you should go to, to try and find the value of your coins is a local coin dealer. The coin dealer is an expert in the field of collection coins, so they are going to be the ones that try to keep up with how much each coin is worth. Also, if you want to learn more news about what is new in the coin collection world they will also know most things about that too. These dealers should also be able to help you sell your coins for as much as you can sell them for.

Another great way for to find the value of your coins is by using a blue book. These books have a list of just about every coin that has been used and how much they are worth today. Every year, this book gets updated so these books will always have the correct value of each coin. The only problem with these books is that many times after the book has been published the values of the coins have already changed.

Also, the internet is a very useful tool to find the updated information. The only issue with the internet is that the value one site gives you may not be completely correct. This is why it is best to check a couple different sites to make sure that the value you are getting is the proper value.

Though, these coins do have a supposed to have a set value, this number is really based off the buyer and sellers idea. Remember, when you are trying to sell a coin for a particlular price does not mean that you will be getting that much for it in the end. If you are having a problem selling a coin then try lowering the price just a bit.

So, go out there and enjoy your new hobby of collecting coins.

How to Begin Your Coin Collection

There is a wealth of detail in the markings on a coin, but few people take the time to understand their meaning, or to find out the real value of a coin- the price collectors are willing to pay for a rare specimen, rather than what you can buy in a shop with today’s common currency. Some of the information you can get from a coin is the year it was made, the language that was spoken by its makers, and what metals and symbols were prized by culture that used it.

The history of gold coins is long and intriguing. They were first used in Lydia around the year 640 BC. Gold has been used as currency for almost three thousand years. Each coin was designed to reflect the values of the culture that produced it. The Kangaroo appears on Australian gold coins, and the Panda is celebrated on a different Chinese coin design every year. The American equivalent, known as the Gold Eagle, displays a nest complete with young bald eagles, as a testament to the importance of the family and of unity. Perhaps the great majority of coins show the image of the ruler who held power when they were minted. The practice of putting famous and influential faces onto the currency continues to this day.

There are many coin collectors around today, but their hobby has existed almost as long as coins themselves. The first collectors who took an interest in the different coins of the world were doing so well over two thousand years ago. Petrarch, one of the great Renaissance men, is credited with originating the collection of coins as an aesthetic pursuit. Before his time it was more for the value of the precious metals from which they were made that people sought out coins.

Anyone can begin collecting coins. It is a very easy and inexpensive hobby to take up, and numismatics, as it is technically termed, is enjoyed by people from all walks of life. Many developed their enthusiasm as children, collecting coins of small value for their designs. This can be an interesting hobby for an older person, such as a parent, to begin with their child.

A good place to start your collection is with the coins specially designed to commemorate various occasions. An interest in coins can be stimulated by an interest in the event they commemorate. Coins that bear an important date, such as the recipient’s birth date can also make an interesting gift on a special occasion. Collecting local coins or ones relating to a particular period of history that you find interesting can be highly rewarding too. Coins that originate in your area will be much easier to find, so they make a great beginning to your collection. Most coin experts are intrigued by where and when their coins were made, and spend hours finding out about their history. Choosing a particular type or age of coin means you will soon develop a good knowledge of what coins you are looking for, and their values.

Many collectors target coins with particular errors on them, since these are usually particularly rare and difficult to locate. These include mistakes in the stamp causing faulty designs to appear on the coin, and coins that were erroneously made with the wrong combination of metals.

Coins can be bought at shows or from dealers, but you may also find interesting coins mixed up in the circulating currency. If you are particularly interested in older coins, then it could be worth your while to get a metal detector, which will be able to locate silver or magnetic metals. Even without such equipment, many exciting finds have been made just by picking up what somebody else has dropped. The luckiest chance can bring a coin to the attention of a collector, since the vast majority of people do not recognize what they have, and rare coins can be passed through the normal routes alongside common currency for years.

Valuable coins should be stored and treated correctly to keep them in the best condition. Choosing a coin collection means that preserving the value of your items is much easier than with many other hobbies. Many people choose to show off their finds by having them framed and hung on the wall, or presented in glass cases. Many museums house large coin collections that are displayed in this way. The beginner can however be safe in the knowledge that an old cardboard box or empty glass jar will keep their collection just as well protected.

Once the collection has grown, in size and in value, it can be worth getting hold of a coin folder, specially designed to keep coins safe. There are many different types and sizes of folder. The best choice will depend on the size of the collection to be housed and whether the collector expects to add many new coins in the future. Some folders have sheets of plastic pockets to hold various coins together, while others provide separate pockets for each coin. As well as keeping your collection safe and organized, putting your coins into a folder will mean that you have them ready to take with you should you want to bring them to a show or to have them valued. If you are interested in trading coins with other collectors then having them to hand will be a big advantage. A range of folders is available in most coin stores, or online.

To ensure that coins stay in top condition, it is important to make sure they are clean before they are put away with the rest of the collection. A simple soak in vinegar or lemon juice will usually do the trick. Ammonia and alcohol are also effective for this purpose. There is no need to polish the coins. In fact, this can damage them by wearing away their markings or making scratches. Simply pat them gently with a cloth, or leave them to slowly dry off in the air. Many coin shops offer a professional cleaning service, but this will not be necessary unless you are a serious collector, perhaps with too many coins to take care of yourself.

Finding out how much your new-found coin is worth can be just as interesting as discovering its history. Most old coins that you come across are unlikely to be worth very much, and the price you can expect to get if you do decide to sell will depend a great deal on the condition of the coin. There is usually plenty of information on rare coins to be found at local libraries, and the internet also holds a vast range of information. If you believe you have found something that is very valuable, it is a good idea to consult an expert. They will be aware of recent fluctuations in price and will be able to identify anything you are having difficulty with.

Particular coins, such as ones that were only created in limited numbers, can be valuable. Some coins are rarely found in good condition, making perfect examples worth a lot of money. Coins that are bought as investments should always be carefully stored and looked after, in a coin folder or similar packaging designed for the purpose. It is the gold coins such as the Kangaroo and the Eagle that many collectors see as the best investment. These coins tend to be of greater value as collector’s items than as currency. They can be bought from specialist collector’s stores or dealers in precious metals, over the internet or at shows.

Coin collecting can be a very profitable hobby, if it is done right. The value of particular coins can increase over time, and there are often collectors willing to pay large amounts of money for the rarer coins that will fit into their collections. If you are interested in the coins for their own sake, and prefer to spend your time learning about their history rather than seeking out buyers, you will probably find this to be a more rewarding experience. You will also gain much more knowledge about coins that will probably help you to build up a more valuable collection in the end.

Buying Coins on eBay

eBay is an excellent resource for finding bargains on rare coins of all types. You should start your research with “Advanced Search” feature located on the search results page. This feature allows you to make coin searches based on Country and other criteria. For example, if you are looking for rare coins in the Houston, Texas area, you may restrict your search only to a specific area and deal with available coin sellers. You should also specify a maximum and minimum price you’re willing to pay for a rare coin, offer free shipping; only accept PayPal and other options.

When buying a coin, you should look for trustworthy coin sellers who have many positive feedbacks and if possible no negative feedbacks. If a negative feedback is listed, you should read it. Most active sellers who have made a lot of sales have a few negative feedbacks, even if they’re always being honest. There’s always the possibility of an unpleasant customer or con artist showing up and it doesn’t mean those sellers are at fault. Most coin sellers on eBay are scrupulous about coins grading and offering good pictures so you may judge the offer for yourself. Be cautious and very suspicious if a coin seller has a feedback score under 90 percent.

You shouldn’t expect to buy a coin at fifty percent or even twenty-five percent discount, it’s plainly unrealistic.

If you want to have a pleasant experience with your eBay purchases, read the following tips and you’d never have to be concerned about your eBay rare coin purchases again.

1. It is recommended to buy from Power Sellers. These people are already well established in eBay community and care about their customers and reputation.

2. If you choose not to buy from Power Seller or a coin seller with feedback number lower than 200, you should check their latest sold items (are they rare coins?) and when the seller is registered with eBay. If a seller has been around eBay for 1-2 months, you might just find a scam.

3. If possible find a coin auction with “No reserve price”. It means you don’t have to bid up to “normal” price on the coin, and you have better chance in landing an excellent deal on a rare coin.

4. Examine through auction listing and read Return policy. You should make sure that the seller gives you at least a week to review coin and determine if the coin was correctly advertised.

5. A useful eBay feature that not all eBay members seem to know about is a feature known as “Want It Now”. Just click the “Want It Now” link located at the bottom of the search page and you may post an ad for a specific coin you are looking for. It is a free service.

It is also strongly recommended to use the “contact seller” feature to get specific information from a seller; it helps you to get a better sense on their familiarity with the item and most importantly, their honesty. If you get vague answers, don’t deal with the seller.

Supplies For Coin Collecting

Collected coins must be kept safe from damage as their overall value depends on it and even the smallest amount of damage can significantly lower the its value. Certain supplies will help collectors preserve their coins without damaging them.

Gloves

The dirt and oils on your hands can scratch your coins. Gloves will provide a barrier between that dirt and the coins to prevent scratches or other forms of damage. Use cotton, plastic, or surgical gloves.

Coin tweezers

If gloves pose a problem for you, then try using a pair of coin tweezers. The tips of these specialized tweezers are coated in plastic to prevent scratching.

Magnifying glass

You need to see all of the fine details of your gold coins that may not be visible to the naked eye. A magnifying glass will aid you in this process, but be careful when using them to avoid doing damage to your coins.

Guide Books

To help you find quality coins at good prices use a guide book. Take your time and allow this resource to lead you to higher quality finds after all just one quality coin is worth far more than a collection full of okay ones.

Quality Dealer

You should buy from a dealer with a good reputation and that is known well amongst collectors. If a dealer has been around for years and very few people know of them it is most likely because they aren’t as good as other dealers, so take the time to find out why. No dealer can know every type of coin, so find one that specializes in your type of coin. If the dealer seems to know too much about too many coins listen to your instincts and run.

Cleaning materials

Use a very strong and soft fiber cloth and a mild soap to clean your coins.

Mats

Always use a mat on the table you work on with your coin. If you drop the coin you don’t want to damage it and reduce it value. The mat or soft cloth if you don’t have a mat can keep the coin from being damaged if it is dropped.

Boards

Many people opt to use coin boards to display their coins, but be careful not scratch the coins putting them in the boards. Also the boards may not have a film to cover the coin allowing it to be damaged by the air around it. If you use boards find one that fully protects the coins from being touched and from the dangerous oxidation caused by the air.

Envelopes

Use coin envelopes when you take your coins to different places to protect them from damage. You can also put some specific details about the coin in the envelope. Be careful not to drop the coins or allow them to bang up against anything as the envelope will offer no protection form impact.

Other Supplies

There are other supplies you can use like coin holders, coin folders, and coin boxes. Most of these things will be for the protection of the coins. Be careful how you use them and don’t buy anything that will damage your coins. As time goes on you may develop your unique way to protect your coins. Remember your coins are only valuable as long as they are not damaged.

Coin Collections for Everyone

Coin collecting is attracting people of all ages. Even children are joining in the hobby and collecting every coin available to them. People collect coins for many reasons such as:

* An exciting hobby

* Investment into the future

* To hold a piece of history in your hands

* Treasures for future generations

* Personal history

* Sheer value (some are made of gold or silver)

* Uniqueness

Just like people all coins have their own story to tell. Every scratch, dent, and detail mean something in the life of the coin. This history adds value to each of the coins for the coin collector.

Coin collecting is very personal with each collector deciding what he or she will collect and it can cost as much or as little as they wish to invest in it.

While children are often interested in this hobby it is often difficult for them and usually requires a helpful nudge from adults. Children don’t have the money needed to purchase new coins to add to their collection nor do they have the attention span needed to patiently search for each addition. Teenagers may become interested, but the money and equipment needed to enjoy this hobby often deter them.

Here are some tips for each age group to help get them started.

Children- No money or little money required

You need a place to put your coins, a watchful eye, some information on coins, and a lot of interest. To start go through your change and see if anything catches your eye. You can also ask your parents and look through their change, pick up change from the ground, trade with other collectors, look at flea markets, and ask around coin shops. Children can gain funds for coin collecting by saving their allowance, portions of their lunch money, and any other money that comes into their hands.

Teen – with a minimal budget

You will need a quality album to keep and protect your coin collection. If your collection was started years ago you already have this by now. If you don’t have one already consider a custom made one if your budget will allow for it. As time goes on you will begin to look for rarer coins to add to your collection. You may also want to get a book to help you properly identify potential coins and evaluate your current coins. Lastly look at online auctions, and other sales websites for coins being sold.

Adult – With small to large budgets

Your budget will depend on the type of coins you choose to collect. Adults primarily collect coins for interest or investment. At this point the life long collector will often begin to upgrade their collection. You can search estate auctions and sales, as well as other avenues for new additions to your collection.

Coin Collecting: A Great Hobby for Children

If you are under the impression that collections are only for adults, you are mistaken. Coin collecting is a great hobby for children.

Collections are fun and easy. Coins may be found in many places, but always ask before taking a coin that may belong to someone else. If you already have some coins find a safe place to keep them. Sometimes you can ask Mom or Dad to give you the coins that they have received as change throughout the day. Many times, interested grandparents, uncles or aunts will learn of your interests and save special coins just for you.

Most parents are very happy to assist a child with their interest in a hobby. If you have not shared that you are interested in coin collecting, now would be a great time to tell them. Coin collecting is a safe hobby that most parents will encourage and help children involved in coin collection.

What better time than right now to begin your collection. What coins do you have right now? Check all your pockets and the places you hide your special treasures. If you have not already planned to use these coins you for something else, start your collection. Any time you receive a coin, take a good look at it. Is it a coin you do not already have in your collection? Is this a coin that commemorates a special occasion? Is this coin from another nation? If the answer to any of these questions is ?Yes!? then you will want to add it to your collection.

When planning how to spend your allowance, plan to save some money for your coin collection. Once you save several dollars, you may want to ask your parents to take you to the bank at their convenience in order to exchange those dollars for coins to add to your collection. Many online resources help you to know the value of the coins in your collection.

While your collection is small, storage is an easy matter. A jar with the matching lid will keep your coins together so none get lost or damaged. As time passes you may find that one jar is not enough.

Adding only one coin per week means that in one year you have added fifty-two coins to your collection. As time passes you may enjoy showing your family and friends your growing collection. In no time you may have a very great collection of coins, that began with what you have in your pocket today.

As soon as you begin collecting coins, you should make a list of each coin you have in your collection. While a paper record is fine, you may wish to use your computer and make a spreadsheet to list the coins in your collection. Remember to always list the year the coin was minted.

Once you have this list, it is a simple matter to check each coin that you receive to make sure it is not a duplicate. Duplicate coins can be traded for coins that you do not have. You can also use to list to sort coins that have similar characteristics. Perhaps you will want to sort out all the coins that were made in 1995. You can start to put like coins in separate jars to make it easier to locate them.

Coins tell us many stories. On their face, you will find many famous people that you can learn more about. Some coins come from far away countries. Try to learn about those countries. Coins may commemorate a historic event too.

With parental support, children can begin collecting coins at a very early age. As that collection grows, it can become something that is cherished. Who knows, those few old pennies and nickels may have great value in the future. Take good care of them.