COIN COLLECTING

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Coin collecting is the collecting or trading of coins or other forms of legally minted currency. Frequently collected coins include those that were in circulation for only a brief time, minted with errors or especially beautiful or historically interesting pieces. Coin collecting can be differentiated from numismatics in that the latter is the study of currency, though both are obviously closely related.

Coin shows are fun, exciting events, but they can also be overwhelming, especially for a beginner. There are some things you can do to maximize the time you spend at a coin event.

Coins shows are the best way to buy or sell coins. Well before the show, you should take some time to get organized. Know what you’ve got, what you need and what you’d like to sell. This is something that a surprising number of collectors don’t do. The best way to always be prepared is to keep a running inventory list.

Do your homework beforehand, so you know what you want to purchase and have a good understanding of its fair market value. Of course, always leave room in your budget for that spur of the moment purchase, but don’t let yourself be overwhelmed by all the choices available.

Before you go, be sure to pack comfortable clothing and good walking shoes. Most coin show floors are huge, and you’ll soon lose your steam if you are overheating or have aching feet.

Once you get to the show, try to stay focused on the series you’re most interested in. Many shows are so large that if you allow yourself to become distracted you will spend the whole day wandering and accomplish nothing. If a show offers a brochure listing the dealers, take it with you and check off each one as you visit him to avoid just wandering around in circles.

Visit and get to know as many dealers as you can and compare their offerings. Try not to rush into any sales until you’ve had the opportunity to comparison shop. And don’t be afraid to ask a dealer if he’s got a specific coin but just isn’t displaying it.

Since coin collecting is a life-long hobby, don’t skimp on your purchases. Buy the best grade coin you can manage within your budget. You won’t regret it. Coin shows are a great place to sell duplicates and collections you no longer want, so bring them along and see if you can drum up some funds to make new purchases. Remember that coin collecting is a hobby and, as such, should be fun.

Some of the premier shows in North America included:

ANA’s World’s Fair of Money and the National Money Show are billed as the largest coin shows in the States. Sponsored by the American Numismatic Association (ANA), the show features a wide range of certified coin dealers, representatives from US and international mints, and a number of other vendors. These are held twice yearly at locations around the country. For current info, visit the ANA site at www.money.org.

The Las Vegas Coin, Stamp & Collectibles Show, also sponsored by the ANA, includes a series of educational seminars. You can find more information about this event, as well as links on where to stay when attending, at the ANA website at www.money.org.

Chicago International Coin Fair is sponsored by Collect.com and Krasue Publications. Generally held each year in the spring, the event is hugely popular with collectors and dealers from around the world. Find more info at www.collect.com.

To find shows near you, check out these online directories of upcoming events:

• www.coinshows.com – includes a director of coin shows organized by state. Event sponsors can submit information on their own events; many smaller, local events can be found here.

• www.coinworld.com – features paid advertisements of show, which can be searched by location. Fairly comprehensive listing of most of the mid-size shows.

• www.coinshowdates.com – offers lots of local and regional event information organized by state. Readers are welcome to submit their own information on events as well.

• A Brief History of Coins

• A History of Coin Collecting

• Acronyms Used in Coin Collecting

• American Numismatic Assoc

• Ancient Coins

• Buying Coins for Your Collection

• Caring for Coins

• Coin Auctions

• Coin Collecting Clubs

• Coin Collecting Clubs Abound on the Internet

• Coin Collecting Events

• Collecting Old Coins

• Collecting Rare Coins

• Commemorative Coins

• Famous Mint Errors

• Famous Museum Coins

• FAQ's on Coin Collecting

• Foreign Coin Collecting

• Numismatic & Coin Collecting Resources on the Net

The Laymans Guide to Australian Coin Values - Will Help You Identify All Of Australia's Most Valuable Coins & Notes, Give You An Accurate Idea Of How Much Cash A Dealer Will Pay You For It And Give You Pointers On How And Where To Sell It.