Coin Collecting Throughout The Ages

Coin collecting, or numismatics is a hobby as old as time. As a  hobby, it has been around for more than 2,500 years. This is surprising  since the use of coins has been around for pretty much that same amount  of time too. Man has always had a fixation for small, round, shiny  things. And throughout the ages, coin collectors have always been on the  prowl for the oldest, rarest, most attractive coins around.

Numismatics comes from the Greek word nomisma, meaning currency, or  coin. It is also related to the study of banknotes, tokens, and other  early forms of money.

Coins and other forms of money are issued by governments and other  monetary agencies. Billions of these flood the market yearly. But as  time goes by, the number of these coins go down. Some get lost and some  are damaged beyond recognition.

This goes to show that the older the coin, the rarer it must be. And for coin  collectors, this is prime stuff.

Coin collectors and hobbyists number millions around the world. This  hobby is taken so seriously that there are even professional dealers and  investors who ply their trade in this fashion.

The lure of coins lies in its power to draw people into the era it  belonged to. These coins show many aspects of everyday life during those  times. By examining a coin, one comes to know the geography,  philosophy, sociology, artistry and other aspects of the culture they  existed in.

Ancient kings (and even todays leaders) had a telling habit of having  their faces imprinted on their currency. Some historians have been able  to put together clues regarding the ancient civilizations using these  coins. Sometimes, coins would tell of a leader or prominent figure that  would have been forgotten by time if it were not for these coins.

Hobbyists usually start collecting coins from their own locality.  This makes sense because they are the easiest to collect. These  hobbyists then expand their collection to coins from increasingly  farther and earlier origins.

Coin collectors regard every single coin as a unique specimen. They  take note of the date, the mint marks, and even the abnormalities in its  design. Ironically, some of the most expensive coins are those with the  strangest abnormalities. This is because this type of coin is hard to come by.

For example, there could be a coin in existence that differs from other coins in its batch. For some unknown reason, it lacks some of the  required markings. Such coins are deemed more valuable than the normal  coins of its type.

A good number of coin collectors collect coins according to themes.  The coins they collect all have a common topic. Some collect coins  related to kings and queens. Some collect those related to plants and  animals.

The price for a coin is determined by the demand for this coin. Many  factors affect this demand. If a coin is rare, chances are, it is in  great demand. However, there are some coins that are rare, or exotic,  yet the demand for them remains low. If this is the case, then its  market value will remain in the low end.

Before purchasing coins, one must do much research about that coin.  He must assess its current market value and make sure that the coin is  genuine. He should also consider how much he could earn if he resells  the coin.

The American Numismatic Association is the largest numismatic  organization in the world. It was founded in 1891 and was chartered by  the Congress of the United States 21 years later. This group has the  largest library of coins available. Collectors would love to visit their  headquarters, the World Money Museum, which is one of the largest coin  museums in the world.

Another organization, the American Numismatic Society, is the most  active and respected nonprofit numismatic publisher in the world. They  maintain a museum that contains more than a million objects. They also  have a library that has one of the most comprehensive in coin collecting  knowledge.

Whether you are a hobbyist or a serious collector, coin collecting  will always bring a sense of fulfillment and history to your life. It is never too late to start collecting today. You cant lose! Your collection can only grow in value as the time passes by!