A Coin Collecting Guide

Coin collecting, or numismatics, is one of the most fascinating pastimes available. While your niece’s skateboarding or son’s video games may only last a few years, collecting coins can be a hobby that lasts a lifetime. However, before you jump into the hobby, it is important to learn all you can about the coins you are interested in and how to care for them properly. This is why you should have a good coin collecting guide in place.

There are many different ways to collect coins, but the most important step is figuring out what it is you want to achieve from your collection. This could be as simple as completing a set of coins in a certain denomination (like half-dollars or 20-cent pieces) or it could be more involved, like collecting a particular series, like the State Quarters or American the Beautiful. Historical enthusiasts also find a lot of enjoyment in collecting coins that represent a specific time period or event.

It is also important to figure out what your budget is before you start purchasing coins. The last thing you want is to get in over your head financially or not be able to maintain your collection. The best way to do this is to create a spreadsheet that lists each coin that you need to complete your collection and how much it will cost. You can then cross them off as you purchase them.

Once you have figured out what kind of collection you would like to focus on, it is a good idea to make sure that you are purchasing your coins from a reputable dealer. This will help protect you from people who try to take advantage of new collectors. Also, you should carry around a coin grading guide with you so that you can quickly reference it when you are deciding whether or not to purchase a coin. A great option for this is the Official ANA Grading Standards for United States Coins (7th Edition, 2013).