Many people have a general interest in coins and a desire to establish a coin collection, but they aren’t sure how to get started. Collecting coins can be a great leisurely hobby, but it can also develop into a serious and profitable pastime. When you reach a point where you want to sell coins from your coin collection, you’ll officially be transformed from a novice into a veteran coin collector!
When it comes to starting a coin collection, it’s important to realize that there are no official rules. In other words, you should collect coins you like and find interesting. You don’t have to limit yourself to any one type or category of coin unless you want to. The decision on whether to sell coins from your collection is completely up to you. In order to be a successful coin collector, you should be knowledgeable about collectible coins, you should find coin collecting to be engaging and fun, and you should know when it’s a good idea to sell valuable coins and/or when to keep them as part of your collection.
Tips on Starting a Coin Collection:
Start with a few coins that interest you. Some people decide to start a coin collection when they discover an old coin in their pocket. The old coin sparks their interest, they do a bit of research on the coin and learn more about it, and suddenly they realize they have an interest in collecting rare and unusual coins. Other people travel to other countries and decide they like the idea of collecting foreign coins. Regardless of what initially peaks your interest, it’s recommended that you start small and don’t buy and sell rare and expensive coins until you really know what you’re doing.
Learn as much as you can about coins that interest you. If you’re going to become a serious coin collector, it’s important to learn as much as you can about the specific categories of coins that grab your attention. You can learn about coins by reading books on coin collecting, talking to other coin collectors, joining coin collecting clubs, attending coin trade shows, and meeting with coin dealers who specialize in buying and selling coins.
Understand the best way to handle and clean your coins. Rare and collectible coins should always be handled carefully. If you want to maintain the value of your coin collection, you should get into the habit of holding your coins by their rims and by not by pinching the coin’s face and back between your fingers. Also, rare and collectible coins should not be cleaned because it can diminish their value. If you want to maintain the value of your coin collection because you hope to sell your coins for a significant amount of money, make sure to keep them in their original condition.
