In The Beginning

When did coin collecting really begin?  Some people have the notion that it all began later than sooner, but it’s actually the other way around.  Although they are known around world for their high standards in coin grading services, NGC and PCGS did not start this hobby, but simply added to it. The hobby started around the time of famous kings and scholars such as: Petrarch, Italian poet & scholar of the 14th century; Emperor Maximilian; Pope Boniface VIII of the Roman Empire; Louis XIV and Henry IV of France, to name a few.  Surprisingly, these famous collectors also associated coin collecting with art collecting!

Now, with that said, you don’t need to be a king, queen or President (or have a budget like one…) to start practicing this wonderful hobby. The first two things you will need to do are:  1.) Determine “why” you want to collect coins and 2.) Have the courage to make the move.  Once those two things are established, you are well on your way to becoming a Coin Collector! 

Coins Of The World

“Where do I begin?”  “Which coins should I collect?”  “How much should I pay?”  These are almost always the same questions novice collectors tend to ask. I should know because I did this too! The very first thing that I learned from a seasoned collector is to purchase a coin that has “eye appeal”.  Think about it:  Do we normally gravitate towards things that DON’T catch our eye?  That’s just our nature.  So my question is: What do you like? What is your passion?  Ancient Coins?  History?  Nature?  Science? Most coins were created to share the same passion that you hold dear to your heart.  In essence, your coin collection will reflect the things you love and will enable you to share that love with others. 

Here’s another tip the seasoned Coin Collector told me:  “Purchase coins that have the potential to increase in value over time”.  By no means is this a “get rich quick” industry.  So if you happen to find a rare coin that’s worth millions, great!  But please remember that this doesn’t happen very often, otherwise, we’d all be rich!  Remember, you are purchasing the product, so it is imperative to do your research and what brings you satisfaction. My best advice is to get educated through books and magazines on old and new coins to help determine the types of coins you want to collect. This information is almost priceless due to the years of knowledge and experience each Collector brings to you.  


The next thing you may want to do is talk to local Coin Dealers in your area about your new interest and see what they tell you. Who knows, they may know an expert on the coins or fields that interest you. Trust me, I learned A LOT about coin collecting this way.  You can also join a local coin club and/or visit local Coin Shows to find out “who’s who” and “what’s what” in your area. These are all great ways to learn about coin collecting and possibly meet new friends!  And don’t forget:  “Always have fun”!  Don’t make this a burden like…oh…say…your job! This is a hobby, after all and was intended to bring joy into your life.  So start enjoying!