If you are new to the coin colleting business – we’d like to welcome you onboard. You’ll soon discover that coin collecting is unlike any other hobby. Coins will tell you stories, take you to special places and ancient times and if you want your coin collection to last generations to come, there are a few things you should know, because coins can be delicate and keeping your collection in good shape is not as easy as it looks.

1. Although coins are basically made to be used and exchanged, proof coins don’t really like to be out in the open, exposed to different elements and conditions that hasten their deterioration. Coins don’t like damp places, liquids, acids, and even bare human skin. Yep, coins generally don’t like you. Or anybody.
2. First of all you should get a protective, acid-free, album or book where you can safely store your coin collection. These albums are great when you want to display your collection and they also keep the coins protected. But don’t use any album and don’t be tempted to put your coins in that old baseball cards album. Buy the protective case from a coin dealer because a chemical element found in PVC and some types of plastic can damage your coins overtime. You should also store your coins in a dry and dark place, where the temperature is comfortable and mild.
3. Now this one is a little tough. We know that you got a collection running and like any collector you want to see and feel your precious exhibit. But you shouldn’t really touch coins with your hands. Our body and finger oil is harmful to proof coins and can cause scratches and discoloration. Even when you use gloves, try to hold the coin by its edges. And don’t sneeze!
4. No matter what happens, you should never clean your coin collection! No kidding! Cleaning will only damage the coin and its value. If, for some reason, you must clean a coin, do us a favor and let a professional asses its value first. If it turns out that your silver dollar worth less than a nickel - go ahead and clean like there’s no tomorrow. But know that once a coin is cleaned, there is no turning back. It will loose the coating and toning and be more vulnerable. As a rule, you should never clean proof coins or uncirculated coins. If you really must, clean only circulated coins and let a professional do the job for you.
5. Remember to check your coins regularly. See if anything changed, any discoloration or aging signs. Sometimes you can find a coat of green substance on your coins which probably means that there is a reaction with the protective cover or with the storing conditions and you should consider other storage possibilities.

If you are looking for more information about coins and coin collections, head on to www.ContinentalMint.com were we help Coin Collectors start and expand their collection with a wide selection of coin sets and collectors’ supplies, at the best prices available. At www.ContinentalMint.com we are dedicated to bring you a memorable piece of U.S. history, a professional, knowledgeable Customer Service and discounted prices and shipping rates.

Continental Mint helps Coin Collectors to expand their collection with a wide selection of coin sets and collectors’ supplies, at the best prices available.

Mark Etinger is a business strategist at Ajax Union Marketing Ajax Union specializes in Business Development and Internet Marketing

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A Brief History of Coins and Coin Collecting

Very few things tell more about a country in fewer words than the coins it produces. Coins hold a wealth of information on their small faces, from the year of their birth to the language spoken at the time, from the metals a country holds valuable to the cultural influences and historical figures that its people hold valuable. Coins can also be strikingly beautiful in their own right, with the top designers of a nation striving to have their motif chosen for immortality on the face of a coin. With so much information and beauty contained in so small a package, it is no surprise that coin collecting has been a hobby nearly as long as the concept of coins themselves. An understanding of the long history of coin collecting, once known as “the hobby of kings,” will make this pastime even more enjoyable.

The Origin of Coins and Coin Collecting
The hobby of coin collecting began nearly as soon as the first coins were minted in Asia Minor, around 650 B.C. Before that time, gold and silver ingots were the most common form of legal tender. Because there was no standard, however, each trade necessitated a careful weighing and examination of the precious metals being offered, and it was easy for unscrupulous merchants to pass off a lesser quality of gold in trade. Coins, which were printed on standardized weights of precious metals and stamped with a government guarantee of value, was the answer to this unwieldy, easily sabotaged trading process. Within one hundred years, the concept of coins had been adopted by all of the major trading cities in the civilized world.

At the beginning, coin collecting had a very practical reason – there were no banks in which to store money. People hoarded coins as a way of safeguarding their wealth. Those coins that were especially beautiful were hoarded the longest, often being passed down within families.

Coin Collection in Renaissance Times
Modern coin collecting, where the coins are viewed as a work of art as well as a collection of valuable legal tender, is widely thought to have begun with Francesco Petrarca, or Petrarch, who is often called the father of the Renaissance. Although there is reason to believe that Roman emperors and citizens paid prices higher than face value for coins that were no longer in circulation, Petrarch was known to be an avid collector, and often spoke of his collection in his writing. During the Renaissance, popes and nobility began collecting coins for their artistic and historical value, and the name “the hobby of kings” was born. So popular was the pursuit and trade of ancient Greek and Roman coins in this time period, that a brisk business in high-quality counterfeits sprang into being. Today, these counterfeits even have a high value, due to their age, quality, and historical significance.

Coin Collecting in Modern Times
Coin collecting has been a favorite pastime of many people with a reverence for history, including U.S. Presidents Thomas Jefferson and John Adams. The development of two large coin organizations in the mid-to-late 1800s, the American Numismatic Society (ANS) and the American Numismatic Association (ANA), helped spark American interest in building and maintaining a coin collection. Today, there has been an explosion in American interest in coin collecting, in large part due to the ease and availability of obtaining interesting coins. The U.S. Mint has successfully increased interest in starting a coin collection through the minting of specialty coins, such as the bicentennial half dollars released in 1976 and the current release of quarters commemorating each of the fifty states.

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The four basic features in which gold coins and their values are set, consist on: grade, rarity, popularity, and quality. That's the main reason why you ought to know everything concerning the valuation of gold coin values so coin dealers will not embezzle a sum that far exceeds the coins' relative worth. To be conscious is to attain the correct knowledge so keep your eyes openned wide for a few particular characteristics.

Real rare coins customarily are on the top of the most valuable gold coins around. If you're a collector, an investor or simply a zealous researcher, you should only rely on reliably endorsed population totals issued once in a while by NGC (Numismatic Guarantee Corporation) and by the PCGS (Professional Coin Grading Service). These two organizations are the most dependable services for validation of gold coins in the market.

The state and condition of the coin also plays a significant  role in its price determination, they name it the grade or quality of the piece. The closest it is to its flawless and original condition the higher rated it will be. And the popularity of a determined coin can also make your discovery, more or less luxurious simply for it might be an item everyone in the marketplace will like to put their hands on.

The price range will rely on what time period they come from. The gold coins from the 1800's to the early 1900's can fluctuate from $1280 to $16250. The price of the gold coins from after 1900 to the 1930's can vary from $1600 to $11450 according to the PCGS . And since the popularity of such coins are always changing, the market can be thinly capitalized and tremendously fickle, so be wary.

With a fast search online you'll come across gold coins grading services and the different ways they might be valued. You can also look for listings of U.S. gold and silver coins directories. Most of the genuine grading services (linked to PCGS and NGC) will involve you to have your coin evaluated, however the price they ask for is nothing when compared  to what your coin may be worth. If quality, rarity and popularity join together in complete harmony you'll find yourself with a collector's item in your hands, and it'll be worth every effort.

Serious and experienced numismatists know where to go and what to look for when they buy silver coins for their collections. These currencies are collected not only for their rarity and monetary value, but also for their aesthetic appeal and historic relevance. From the commemorative series to the rare collections, each has their own price.

As a coin collector and perhaps a budding numismatist, it is important to educate yourself with the different factors involved in pricing a coin so that you know if the seller is genuine or if you are being tricked into spending more than the value of the coin. Rarity, demand, the current price of a bullion and quality are the four factors involved when determining the price of a coin. When you buy silver coins, these factors should be understood and considered.

Though the first three factors are out of the collector’s hands, the quality of a coin is something that can be controlled. With this in mind, a coin then has a higher value when its condition is pristine. The condition is determined by the Sheldon scale, with 70 being the highest and closest to perfect.

If you are just starting out as a coin collector, then you should first do your research on where you should acquire or expand your collection from. Unfortunately, there are people who take advantage of the uninformed status of a novice. If you want to buy silver coins, make sure that you get them from a reputable source. It is not surprising to find bogus sellers, even after doing a quick search online for coin sellers and the like. Research and word of mouth is the key to a long and fulfilling coin-collecting hobby.

Gainesville Coins is one of the leading resources of gold and silver coins and bullions. Browse through their collection and buy silver coins and other currency types with confidence. For more information, visit their website at http://www.gainesvillecoins.com or call them at 1- 352-653-3009.

The hobby of coin collecting is unlike any other hobby. It is an entertaining past time that millions of people around the world enjoy. When your collection grows, you start to discover that there is a story behind each and every coin. Special coins can take you on a special tour through the past and provide you with better understanding of our history. Other coins tell you the journey they’ve been through. But most off all you can enjoy wonderful memories and have a legacy that lasts generations to come.

If you’d like to get into the coin collecting business there are a few things you should know - that’s why we’ve got this list together so you can have an easy start.

1. Which coins you would like to collect? There are many and many different types of coins from all over the world and from different time frames. It’s better for you to start by focusing on a theme that interests you most. You can collect coins by years or by countries. You can collect themed coins like coins that depict your hero or a subject you’re interested in, like nature or airplanes.
2. Start with collecting coins that are available or in circulation and see if you like it. Collect the State quarters or ask from friends that travel abroad to bring you back some coins. This is an exciting and inexpensive way to start a coin collection.
3. If you see that coin collecting is your calling, start with doing some homework. You can find information online or in various magazines about coins and professional collectors.
4. Get a protective album or book where you can safely store your coin collection. These albums are great when you want to display your collection and they also keep the coins protected.
5. Finish a set before moving on to the next. Once you start a collection, you can get easily tempted to get other coins and different themes. When you finish a set, it makes it easier to have an organized and valuable collection.
6. When your coin collection starts to gain scope and value, you should think about safe storage. Buy or rent a safe because coin collections are the first thing thieves are looking for. If you don’t have a safe, make sure that the collection is kept in a well hidden place, and not displayed around the house.

Another benefit of collecting coins is the fact that it can become pretty valuable with time. Try and work with metals that will rise in value like silver and gold but don’t go over the top. It takes time for your collection to gain value and in the meanwhile you should know your budget.

If you are looking for more information about coins and coin collections, head on to www.ContinentalMint.com were we help Coin Collectors start and expand their collection with a wide selection of coin sets and collectors’ supplies, at the best prices available. At www.ContinentalMint.com we are dedicated to bring you a memorable piece of U.S. history, a professional, knowledgeable Customer Service and discounted prices and shipping rates.

Continental Mint helps Coin Collectors to expand their collection with a wide selection of coin sets and collectors’ supplies, at the best prices available.

Mark Etinger is a business strategist at Ajax Union Marketing Ajax Union specializes in Business Development and Internet Marketing

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/collecting-articles/how-to-start-a-coin-collection-without-spending-too-many-coins-1165180.html

Collecting coins is so much fun! It is both a hobby and a source of income for many. One type of coin that you may want to consider collecting is ancient coins. Many collectors hesitate to buy ancient coins to collect because they can be terribly expensive. What is most important is the uniqueness of these coins and the benefits they provide their collectors.

Here are some tips that should be considered when buying ancient coins:

1.    Conduct a research of ancient coins. It is important that a collector is aware of what coins are considered ancient. It does not require a collector to go to a library since many websites on the Internet can provide all the information needed to become well-informed about ancient coins.

2.    There is a wide variety of ancient coins available for collectors. A collector can choose from different eras and civilizations. He can choose from a Chinese civilization, ancient Rome, Greek, Persian, etc. It is preferable for a collector to focus on a specific group or era when collecting coins.  

3.    Once a selection has been made, a collector may then focus on the buying of these coins. To start select coins that are least expensive –set a price range such as $20. Once the collection grows, he may then want to start buying the more expensive coins.

4.    A collector may also try searching for ancient coins at auction houses or online auctions where ancient coins are available.  Always be aware of possible fraud no matter which venue you are using and take extra care in buying coins at online auctions.

5.    It is also suggested that the collector make a list of the ancient coins that he would like to buy. He can list them according to his order of preference which will make his search for ancient coins an easier task.  Included on his list should be the amount he is willing to spend on a certain type of coin. The list will be helpful whether online or at an auction house, enabling him to manage his budget easily.

6.    It is important to have a separate holder for his ancient coin collection or his other collections. Separate holders will help the collector organize and preserve his coins. Ancient coins are generally more expensive than other collectible coins so it is necessary for a collector to know the proper care for them.

Ancient coins should not intimidate coin collectors. They are an exciting way to enjoy the hobby of collecting coins.  Not only do they provide fun but they serve as a source of knowledge for many coin collectors.

Sansan
www.myfablane.com

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When people find coins, they do one of two things: place them in their collection or get the value of the coin and attempt to sell it to other collectors. Usually, getting the value of a coin is complicated. You have to factor in the year of the coin, how many scratches it has, if there are any errors (and if those errors happen to be rare), and any mint marks on the coin. When it comes to older coins, it gets even more complicated because bullion values, demand, rarity, and various design values start coming into play.

First off, the only safe way to finding the value of old coins is to bring it into an expert collector who has been examining the markets for a very long time. Only he/she will know exactly which marks give what value, which years are more valuable, or how special a certain error is. The tricky part about determining value is to believe not what you would pay for it, but what others would pay for it. It's very easy to both over and underprice coins by not understanding this concept.

A very popular factor is rarity, especially in old coins. Because older coins are obviously not in production any longer, more and more are lost or misplaced each year, reducing the number of specimens in existence. Nobody knows just how many exist of each exact coin, but the rarer they are, the more they cost, often times regardless of how old the coin is. Thousand year-old Chinese coins can be worth less than fifty year-old rare error coins because the former is actually very easy to find, while the latter can be worth thousands of US dollars.

A common practice among the black markets of the coin collectors is to offer services where scammers value the coin at a significantly lower price than actual worth, and then offer to purchase the coin at a higher price. They claim that the owner will have a hard time getting rid of it, and will snap it up at a lower price. Be careful of this and related schemes. It's sometimes worth it to get the opinion of multiple people; someone once sold a coin for $5 when it was actually worth $150 because she failed to ask someone else.

Since old coins are now becoming more and more in demand, you must take care when finding the value of old coins. There are guides here and there on roughly how much each quirk about the coin is worth, but only an expert with market experience can give you a straight answer on how much that coin of yours is worth. Most experts won't charge you anything, either, so it's safe to ask them.

You can shop US coins for sale like the Draped Bust half cent at our website.

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Believe it or not, coin collecting is actually becoming a very popular hobby. It's definitely not as popular as sports like basketball and football, but coin collecting has actually managed to create a subculture of sorts among the American population and around the world. In fact, collectors prefer some coins to others, sometimes because of price, sometimes because of ease. The most popular US coins to collect tend to be the ones we see most often and last the longest.

By far, US dollars are the most popular among collectors. The rarest US dollars also double as the world's most valuable coins. Morgan dollars, dated 1878 to 1921, are some of the most sought after coins that are still at a reasonable price range. The oldest US dollars collectors look for are called Early Dollars, and they are dated 1794 to 1804. Needless to say, these coins are some of the most expensive. They can cost over $100 without any problem. Some reach around $1000 with competition in the bidding process, and a select few rise up to over $50000. The most common US dollars we will see are Sacagawea dollars, which were first issued starting at the turn of the 21st century.

US quarters happen to be a popular place to start among the younger coin collectors. It's easy to collect these quarters, because these collections start with the 50 states and then move into other quarters. US quarter collections also have a considerable amount of depth because they don't stop at just the 50 states. They can then move into categorizing by year and then by different errors and marks like regular coins. The US Mint released commemorative quarters for five states every year from 1999 to 2008. US territories received commemorative quarters in 2009.

Surprisingly, nickels are also quite popular. Jefferson nickels, which were issued by the US Mint starting in 1938, are the most popular nickels to collect. Jefferson nickels last a very long time, unlike other coins, so they are also great ways to start for younger coin collectors. Currently, every single year's Jefferson nickel from 1938 to present day, with the exception of 1943 to 1945 (war nickels were issued during this time), can be found in regular circulation. You can begin collecting Jefferson nickels simply by checking circulated nickels that you come across every day. Collectors value uncirculated Jefferson nickels (usually found supplied from banks) rarely above or below face value.

As you can see, collecting US coins is a great way to start before moving into international currency and other sorts of coins. The interesting history of the US Mint makes it captivating to learn about the various coins of the United States and its history during those times.

You can buy US coins for sale like the Peace Silver Dollar at our website.

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Keeping coins safe and in good condition is just as important as finding and/or buying them in the first place. Most of the time, coins aren't just a straight piece of a metal. They are nearly always a combination of multiple metals (the amount of metals like gold and silver can affect the overall value of the coin) and are composed a way that might be hard to maintain. For example, pennies aren't straight pieces of copper, nor are they straight pieces of a combination. Pennies starting from 1982 are actually a zinc core with a covering of copper. Meaning, if mix an acid that only corrodes zinc, you will be left with a shell of copper. This change was made because of the varying prices of zinc and copper.

One of the most important things to remember is to not wash coins too many times. Really the only time a wash is appropriate is when you give a light wash when first examining the coin, as circulated coins have passed through many hands and come in contact with a large variety of different objects and places. Not surprisingly, many diseases can be transferred by coins if care is not taken. Washing coins excessively will slowly wear away at the outside, subsequently rubbing away at the design as well. Most of the time, rusts, tarnishes, and other changes to the metal itself will not be able to be washed off, and any attempts to do so will be detrimental to the coin itself. If anything seems to be washable, it is probably removable without the use of water.

To store your coins, you can either make your own display, which at best will allow contact with mere tape and cardboard, or you can purchase coin folders. Coin sleeves are also designed to keep coins safe and sound. These guys are made of vinyl and also make great coin displays. When handling coins, be careful, as excessive contact will damage the coin. It is suggested that you wear cotton gloves while handling coins and keep any contact to the coin limited to softer surfaces. Rougher surfaces will obviously scratch the coin (don't want this).

In general, keep your coins exactly the way that they looked when you first received them. Chances are that any sort of change will not be a good one (it doesn't seem possible that you can improve the state of a coin). Make sure any surface that comes in contact with the coin is softer. If you're not sure, you can try to scratch a coin that has little or no extra value beyond face value; the metallic composition should have no drastic deviation from the coin at stake.

You can find US coins for sale like the Draped Bust dime at our website.

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