Posts Tagged ‘coin’
Do’s and Don’ts of Coin Collecting
Coin collecting is something that takes time to learn. The most important thing to remember is that you are doing it for the right reason – if it is a passion, then it is something worth pursuing.
Collecting just for profit may work but it usually is not enough in the long run. A person really has to think about this since many people who have tried it for that reason have lost focus and failed.
Successful coin collectors take a lot of time to learn everything there is to know about numismatics. Good sources of information are magazines, newsletters and brokers who can pass on information and news, when it happens. By using the resources a person can act fast before other collectors who want the same thing get the information first.
If a person tries to collect without knowing the basics, he will never succeed in this hobby.
Knowing how to grade coins can also help the collector know the true value of the collection. This knowledge will be valuable if the owner decides to trade for something of greater value or it can prevent scamming and wasting money for something of little value. Be vigilant!
One of the virtues that coin collecting can teach a person is patience since the collection may take years to complete. Some of the well-renowned collectors in the world have spent many years before reaping the benefits.
Learning to think like a collector is very important. Being too eager is not good because the collector could be tempted to purchase or trade the wrong coin which could prove to be costly. Think twice about using the information given even if that came from a reliable source.
Coin collecting can be difficult especially if the person is just starting. A person, more than likely, can’t afford to buy items worth more than $10,000, so it is best to start small and study the market for three to six months so that he can be comfortable before going after bigger prizes.
Coin collecting is similar to sports – it takes time to excel at it and goals, both short and long term, have to be established. By following the rules and using common sense, the person can become one of many other successful coin collectors.
Coin Collections: Beginner’s Guide to Coin Collecting
Coin collecting is a hobby that is extremely popular among a lot of people. Whatever the age of the person is, collecting coins has its benefits. In most cases, coin collections gravitate on two things. For children, they tend to collect coins that look pretty or unusual. However, for adults, their coin collections will tend to gravitate towards the value of it rather than the looks.
People have different ways to acquire their collection. Some will just collect any coin that they stumble upon, while there are people who buy in bulk and eagerly anticipate limited mint edition of coins. Whatever your methods are, there may be some questions that you may want to ask about this particular hobby.
The first would be about handling the coin collection. As a beginner, you must understand that you should handle the coins as little as possible. The fact that fingerprints on an uncirculated coin can dramatically cut the value of the coin, you must never handle the coin at all. However, if you do need to handle the coin, do so from the edge and never on the face of the coin.
If you need to lay the coin down, it is important to use a velvet pad if it is available. But, if none is available, a soft and clean cloth will do. If you are going to handle coins that are extremely high in value, you must do so with surgical gloves and protective face mask.
Most people will also tend to ask how to keep their coin collections clean.
Basically, you don’t really need to clean your coin collection. In fact, you shouldn’t even think about cleaning them at all. Most collectors look for the authenticity of the coin rather than its shiny newness. Even if you wipe the coin clean with clean, soft, and lint-free rag, it will leave hair line scratches on the coin which will greatly reduce its value. So, cleaning a coin collection is never really an option.
Storage is also another question that you may have about coin collecting. Basically, the goal in storing your coin collection is to protect it from temperature extremes and humidity. Also, you may want to protect your coin collection from dust, dirt, chemicals, and even fingerprints. So dehumidifying equipments will be needed as well as locking the storage as airtight as possible.
In most cases, low value coins are kept in almost any container and can be handled any way you like. However, when you are dealing with high value coins, you will need to give it extra attention. The goal here is to provide a container that will preserve the coin’s condition. Make the container as airtight as possible, and the container should also be able to display the coin in order for you to never need to take out the coin from the container.
Uncirculated coins are very much valued by collectors. However, if you really want a valuable coin collection, go for rare ones if you can afford to have it. Learning about grading coins can also help you to determine the true value of a particular coin.
So, if you want to start your very own coin collections, you may want to keep these things in mind. With these tips, you can be sure that you will be able to know how to handle your collection and also help in appraising its value. Always remember that this hobby is not just fun, but is also a good investment.
Hoarding Or Collecting
To some people there’s little distinction between hoarding and collecting coins. Both have been going on for centuries and both result in the owner having an abundance of coins.
But hoarding is generally done for either the face value of the coin itself or the value of the materials the coin is made from. And collecting is done for the artistic value of the coin.
Hoarding coins has been around longer than coin collecting. For as long as coins have been minted, people have been hoarding them.
Coin collecting as we know it today, is thought to have originated around the 14th century. It was once referred to as the hobby of kings. Probably because only kings could afford to keep coins for their artistic appeal and not worry about their monetary value.
At that time in history, most people were too busy trying to feed and cloth themselves and their families to worry about a coins artistic value.
Today, coin collecting is something everyone can participate in. Although cost is a factor, small or specialized collections can be easily affordable.
The government has even made coin collecting easy for the average person. The state quarters are collectable coins that can be acquired for no more than 25 cents a piece.
They can be found everyday in anyone’s pocket change. The more recent issuance of the presidential coins is another easily collectable coin. The U.S. government began issuing these coins in 2007 and they’re easy to find.
Accessories for Coin Collection
When collecting coins, one thing to consider is how to arrange and take care of the coins. Coins that are collected may be antique, ancient, or limited editions coins. These coins come from many countries and are usually high in value. A collector must know how to keep and take care of them so that they will retain the same appearance and value.
One way to take care of coins is to purchase s selection of coin accessories. Not only are coin accessories used to make a coin collection presentable and organized; but the primary purpose of coin accessories is to take care and preserve the coins.
When buying coin accessories it is important to choose those accessories that will best satisfy the needs of the collector. Some factors that may be considered are durability, price and usefulness.
Many coin accessories can be found in collectible stores and even online. Here are some coin accessories that may be considered:
Coin Boxes
Coin boxes are the most common sought for coin accessories as they are very convenient to coin collectors and specialists. The compartments of the box provide for easy location of the coins. The compartments are also wide, which provides flexibility in placing the coins. The wide compartments also allow the collector to handle the coins the proper way.
Coin Albums
Coin albums are similar to any typical album with the difference being that the coin album is especially designed to hold coins. A coin album has a transparent layer that aids in the protection of the coins. The collector does not need to handle the coins one by one. All he has to do is turn the pages and the coins are all there protected from improper handling.
Coin Holders
Coin holders are best for those collectors who collect coins during their travels. They allow portability of the coin collection. In addition, the collector does not need to carry his entire collection. He can simply place a single coin in the coin holder. Coin holders provide safety for the coins and prevent a coin from the many elements that may depreciate its value.
Other coin accessories can be found in the market. Determine the primary purpose of the accessory and if it can satisfy your needs. Prices will differ depending on the durability of the accessory. Research the many coin accessories that are sold and compare prices before choosing one.
How to Grade Your Coins
A “grade” is described as a shorthand designed by coin experts (numismatists) to reveal a coin’s appearance. Simply put, if a certain coin collector tells another collector that he owns an uncirculated Charlotte 50 half eagle, both should already have a concept of the coins appearance without even seeing it, because of the claim of its grade.
Some disclose that designating a grade to rank or categorize a coin is more of an art rather than science, since often it is extremely subjective or biased; this applies particularly when working on “Mint State” coins where little differences, in terms of grade, make so much difference in the price.
Grading can be learned, studied and applied with a predictable and known outcome that eventually depends on judgment, not feelings.
Like any language, science, sport, or research, it is best to learn and understand coin grading one component at a time, through serious study and experience.
Today, most numismatists use the “Sheldon grading scale”. While there are those that complain of “too many grades”, most experienced coin graders recognize and appreciate the fact that there is a wide range in features between ranges.
Strike
This is the method of stamping or imprinting a drawing or a symbol onto a blank. Depending on the coin’s design, it can either have weak or strong strike. An example of this would be the “Type II gold dollar” on which both sides (front and back) have the highest strike that is perfectly aligned, meaning, these designs require weak strikes.
Generally the strike is not a key factor in establishing the coin’s grade except when it is included in a series where the value is connected to strike.
Preservation of the coin’s surface
The number of coin marks as well as where they are placed is a significant element in establishing the grade. While there is no fixed formula on the number of coin marks that sets its grade, there are several regulated standards regarding the significance of the location or positioning of a scratch.
For instance, a coin having a deep scratch that it is not easily visible on its reverse (back) side will not be strictly penalized. However, if the same scratch was positioned on a noticeable or obvious central point on the front, such as the cheek on the Statue of Liberty, it would be penalized much more.
Patina or luster
A coin can have a variation of textures on the surface, influenced by design, the metal that was used and the “mint of origin”. Textures can include frosty, satiny, proof-like and semi-proof-like.
When examining the coin’s surface in terms of grade, two things should be looked at; the quantity, or what is left of the original skin (has to be intact), and the location and amount of marks.
Luster is important especially when determining whether a coin is either circulated or uncirculated. A coin in Mint State technically; is free of abrasion and wear and must not have significant breaks in its luster.
Color
This is a very subjective element in determining coin grade. For instance, a “gold coin” showing dark green-gold pigmentation may be unattractive to one collector and attractive to another.
As gold is moderately an inert metal, it is not prone to much color variance as copper or silver. Although wide ranging colors may exist in gold coins.
Almost all of US gold coins had been dipped or cleaned, therefore not anymore displaying their original color. As coin collectors become knowledgeable, most of them are attracted and fascinated to coins having their natural color. In most coin series, it is nearly impossible to discover original coin pieces.
Eye attraction or appeal
Color, luster, strike and surface marks come together, comprises “eye appeal”. Note that a coin having superior “eye appeal” can be strong in one aspect, such as possessing exceptional luster but not quite as strong in another aspect, such as not so good color.
A coin that is undesirable in one aspect yet good enough in all the other aspects can still be distinguished as “below average” in “eye appeal”.
Knowing how to grade a coin is very important so that one can have an idea of the value or price of the coin that he is buying or selling. When new to coin collecting, be sure to ask the help of an experienced collector or dealer when buying or exchanging your coins.
What Are Factors That Affect The Value Of Coins?
When one is just starting in coin collecting, often the first question is: “What is the value of the coin?: and the answer is that the coin will cost as much as you are willing to pay for it and the amount can vary considerably. For instance, a coin dealer’s offer can be much less than a coin collector that certainly wants your coin badly to add in his collection.
The following are factors that can influence the true value of a coin.
1. Grade or condition of the coin. Your coin will be worth or valued more when it is in good condition. When in a perfect or unblemished mint condition, an “uncirculated” coin will be worth many times more than a similar coin that has been in circulation.
2. The rarity of a coin is the principal basis for a coins value. Generally, the rarer that a coin is found to be, the higher it is priced. Do keep in mind that rarity has very little influence on the coins age. Chinese coins are a thousand years old normally sell for about ten dollars since there are so many of them; while a “1913 Liberty Head Nickel” can sell for up to or over a million dollars because only five specimens are known to be in existence.
3. Bullion value. A coin’s precious metal content can determine its value. A platinum, silver or gold coin will not, in general sell for less than the coins value when melted.
4. Demand. There are coins that are greatly in demand; sought after by many collectors, and if that a particular coin is in great demand the price will be even higher. Even comparatively plentiful coins can mandate higher value when they are popular with coin collectors.
For instance, “1916 D dimes” are much more abundant than the “1798 dimes” yet in spite of this, “1916 D dimes” sell for so much more because there are many more individuals collecting 20th century dimes than 1700 dimes.
Here’s how you can determine the approximate value of your coin:
1. Properly, accurately, and correctly recognize and classify your coin, and know the to place value on that coin. You can do this successfully by examining your coin in a catalogue or online with the “coin price guide”; this will give you an idea of the going rate and price of your particular coin and you can determine the approximate value of your coin.
Everyday coin values are changing; so you need to use a “coin price guide” that is updated on a daily basis to obtain the current coin value. Look at online sites that offer step by step guidance on how to recognize your coin the proper way.
2. Grade your coin based on your thorough observation and examination of its current condition.
3. Consult coin catalogues for a list of retail prices in or estimates of your coins retail value. “A Guide Book of United States Coins”, popularly known as “The Red Book” to coin dealers and collectors, provides information on retail coin prices for US coins and is available in libraries, coin shops and bookstores. “The Standard Catalog of World Coins” (in volumes) is a guide commonly used by coin dealers and collectors as well, to provide information on world coins and is available in many public libraries.
You can also check current coin prices by basing it on the actual dealer coin price found in magazines and newspapers or online auctions such as Yahoo, Coin World, eBay or Teletrade.
Always keep in mind that you are not collecting coins primarily for money; you collect for enjoyment and self gratification, and profit is to be last consideration. The plain fact that a certain coin does not have a large monetary value, does not necessarily suggest that it is no longer interesting or fascinating or that it must not be included in your collection.
Each coin will have a certain interest in itself, regardless of the condition that it is in and regardless of its monetary value. There will always be a certain characteristic that will draw you to that particular coin; so when it does, then you should have it in your collection. Have fun!
Collecting those quarters
Collecting coins is a hobby that anyone and everyone could do. But collecting quarters is a hobby that – currently – it is estimated that one hundred six million Americans do. Men, women, and children of all ages are involved in collecting quarters.
What is it with these quarters that millions of people seem to go “gaga” about? Primarily, doing it is easy as quarters can be found almost anywhere and the collectible coins do not cost much more than face value.
So how should one collect (or start collecting) start collecting the very much in-demand quarters?
For the budget-conscious coin collector
If the collector is concerned with his or her budget, many quarters may be obtained as change from purchases. This is a very convenient and less lifestyle-invasive method of procuring quarters. If the collector is serious, bags of these coins can be purchased from coin dealers. Do not forget to choose those quarters that were not circulated!
How to store those quarters
For those just starting a coin collecting hobby, coins they collect are usually placed inside a large glass jar or bowl. This is perfectly fine. Serious collectors prefer coin storage devices especially made for coins that are available in coin shops and from coin dealers.
How to make quarter-collecting fun and interesting
Children are the perfect people to start a hobby such as coin collecting, quarters most specifically. Nothing beats the excitement of a new quarter in one’s pocket. Quarters are a unique, as well as a very inexpensive, way to get children interested in history. When they find a new coin, they can research it to find out the details of the state from which the coin came, etc. It is an effective way to have fun while learning.
Coin history101
The sequence of how the coins are minted, believe it or not, is based on the order of the states. Basic US history tells us that Delaware was the first state; therefore, this was the first quarter minted. For the sequence of the other states, check the schedule from 1999 to the 2008 of the US Mint.
Collecting quarters is a valuable hobby that has many benefits. It trains one to be patient, resourceful and appreciative of history and the value of the big and little things in life.
The Exceptional Truth behind Rare Coin Collecting
Are you interested in coin collecting? Have you ever tried collecting rare coins?
Today, coin collecting, especially of those coins that are considered rare, is considered to be one of a few hobbies that are not just a mere pastime or leisure activity. Coin collecting can serve many purposes considered typical of this activity.
Coins have long been known as works of art because of the way the manufacturers carefully engrave the designs on the surface. Coins of a particular nation often portray the history of that nation with the engraving of the design on the coin.
Few people know that coin collecting can also be a profitable venture. Rare coins that are extremely hard to find are often valuable and when found can be a good investment. The rare coin collection market in the United States has boosted their sales in recent years from 348% to 1, 195%. According to the U.S. Rare Coin Market, the average price of $1,000 spent by an individual during the 1970s would be valued at almost $57,977 today.
What is the secret behind these rare coins that their value continues to increase with age?
Rare coins were able to maintain even when the economy is unstable. They have been able to stabilize the wealth of the nation by serving as “inflation fighters.”
Experts contend that through these rare coins, the economic wealth of a nation is sheltered from possible harm by functioning as an investment much like “gold bullion”. This is applicable during the times when the value of the paper money continues to depreciate.
The rarity of these coins is not constrained by being merely collector’s items but they can also be considered a work of are and just like any work of art, may be priceless.
Rare coin collecting is not just like any other hobby. The concept of collecting such treasures is considered exceptional by itself and the monetary value can equal its distinctive character.
Coin Collections: Is This Hobby the Right One for You?
Today, you will see people having different kinds of hobbies. Some loves to collect doll houses, others love stamp collecting, there are also some who likes collecting different species of butterflies and preserve them, and some people likes to collect toys. However, if you really want a valuable collection, and a collection that will be worth a lot in the near future as well as a hobby that will truly provide you with great satisfaction, then you might want to start a coin collections hobby.
Coin collection is a hobby that has existed for centuries. Here, you will not only get a piece of history from different countries, but you will also have a chance to invest in a really valuable hobby.
Coin collecting is a multi billion dollar industry. In fact, a single rare coin can amount to as much as a million dollars. If you love history, then coin collecting is definitely a must.
The great thing about coin collecting is that it’s not just a hobby, but also an investment. You have to consider that coin collectors such as yourself travel all over the world in order to participate in forums or events that involves this one of a kind hobby. In fact, some people bid thousands of dollars in auctions for a coin that was worth a single cent during its first release.
As you can see, a coin collection can definitely be a very lucrative investment especially if you have a rare coin in your hands. You have to remember that although coins are currencies, it does appreciate in value especially if the coin is very rare and is not being produced anymore.
For example, try imagining getting a hold of a rare coin that dates back to the Ming Dynasty in ancient China? You can definitely imagine how much this kind of coin is worth nowadays. Even if the coin was worth 5 cents during the time it was first used, you have to consider that this coin will definitely appreciate in value because of its historic significance, its rarity and its age.
There are many ways to start your collection.
First, you have to decide what kind of coins you want to collect. If you want to collect World War II coins, then you can do so. Or, maybe you want to try collecting rare ancient Roman coins? This may be very expensive but is also an investment that will be worth a lot in the future.
If you are just starting out, you may want to try collecting different kinds of coins from different countries. Ask your friends who have traveled abroad before to hand you some coins they have from the countries they traveled to before.
This is relatively a cheap way to start your collection.
Once you get the hang of it, then you will opt for rarer coins that can be worth a lot of money. In time, you will be able to see that your coin collection will grow from collection of coins from different counties, to a collection of rare coins that is worth thousands of dollars a piece.
As you can see, coin collections are not just a fun hobby to have, but it is also an investment. With a coin collection, you will be able to have something to do in your spare time as well as invest in something that will be worth a lot in the future.
Starting Your Collection
Collecting coins as a hobby is fun and easy. You just look through your change everyday and pick out the ones that interest you. Or the ones that are different or unique.
Everyone knows wheat pennies are old and so are buffalo head nickels. And if you look closely, you can still find them being spent everyday.
But, if you’re interested in coin collecting for profit or as an investment, there’s more to it than just looking through your pocket change.
Coin collecting is a very serious business for a lot of people. People all over the world make their living with it. Coin collecting has been a business for generations. And there’s the very real chance of losing a good chunk of money if you just jump in with both feet without knowing what you’re doing.
When you’re first starting out, take it slow. Do your homework. There’re many different areas of coin collecting to get into.
Look around and find a specific niche that interests you. If you just jump in and start buying everything that catches your interest, your collection will have no order or consistency.
Then later on when you do began to concentrate on one particular area, you’ll just have to sell the other coins to make room for what you’re really interested in. And this could result in financial losses.
You could start by visiting a local coin shop or attending a coin show. That’ll give you an idea of what’s out there.