Coin Collecting

Coin Collecting for Beginners

Coin collecting is a fascinating hobby for young and old alike, and a perfect activity for any member of the family. Some basic information will help you get started on this fun, educational and rewarding pastime. Continue below.

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When starting a coin collection, your budget will largely determine how and where you begin. For a youngster, this can be a simple as asking friends and relatives to set aside any unwanted or interesting coins. There is no need for fancy albums or expensive cases at this stage of the game.

But you will want to make sure your budding collector has some small coin envelopes or cardboard coin holders to protect those coins from scratches and damage. You can find these in local coin and hobby shops, or at one of the many online coin suppliers.

Expect to pay between $2-5 for 100 cardboard holders or envelopes. You'll also want a sturdy box to store your growing collection. Nothing fancy needed here...an old shoe box will do just fine! Make sure you store it in a safe, dry place.

If you have a slightly larger budget, consider investing in some speciality albums to hold your treasures. Generally made of sturdy cardboard or pressboard, some of these are generic and designed to hold certain sizes of coins that you identify yourself. Others, including the Whitman series of coin folders, will help you focus on collecting a certain type of coin.

For example, the Whitman Lincoln Cents folder has empty spots to insert each variety of this popular coin. Filling these albums is a bit like an extended scavenger hunt, and kids and adults alike can have fun swapping coins and joining the search.

As you delve deeper into your hobby, you'll find an extensive range of coin boxes, holders, albums and other equipment. Like any other fun activity, this is limited only by your time, your imagination, and your budget!

Once you've decided to start collecting coins, you'll need a little help learning to identify your coins, and deciding what's worth keeping. Start with a basic coin identification book, like one of these titles:

* The Coin Atlas by Joe Cribb, published by Facts on File Books, 1990

* A Guide Book of United States Coins (60th edition) by R.S. Yoeman, 2007

You may also want to invest in a book all about the hobby, for some good information on where to find coins, how to identify them, how to store them safely, and where to meet other coin enthusiasts. Check out these titles for both older and younger readers:

* Coin Collecting for Dummies by Ron Guth, 2001

* Coin Collecting for Kids by Steve Otfinoski, illustrated by Jack Graham, 2000

Half the fun of having a hobby is sharing it with other enthusiasts, and coin collecting is no different. There are lots of places to meeting other coin collectors. Check online for interest groups. Some are especially designed for specific ages and interest levels, and there are some groups geared specifically for young collectors.

Coin conventions can be a thrilling experience, especially for the new collector. Some, like the Baltimore Coin and Currency Convention, is free and open to the public. As an added bonus, all collectors 12 and under receive a free handful of coins at the door!

Check your library or community center for coin collector's groups in your own town. It's a great way to learn the ins and outs of the hobby, and you may even be able to bring coins to swap. It's also a good way to get help learning to identify the coins you have. There is nothing like an expert sitting next to you to help you learn the ropes.

Coin collecting can be a life-long interest, and it can be easy and inexpensive to start. Just look in your pockets, and your on your way to a brand new hobby!

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