The Different Coin Grading Systems for the Different Countries

For a person who collects coins, there is always the need to have good coins in the collection. While it is easy to buy the various coins that you want to have in your coin collection you do need to make sure that these coins are valuable and if you need to sell them they can be sold without much problem. The best way to find out the value of your coins is by the coin grading system.

There is a different coin grading system for coins from various countries but these are for the most part similar. The coins are inspected to see what the condition of the coins are like. These coins will be given a coin grading depending on what the coin dealer, or coin collector’s knowledge of coin grain is like.

As it will take many years before a coin collector or dealer will have gained enough knowledge about coin grading there will always be some uncertainty about the value of the coins. To learn the basics of coin grading there are very excellent coin grading books that deal with this subject. You should read books like this to understand the various coin grading systems that are used.

When you have understood the information that you have found you will need to try this process with some coins that you have in your possession. Using the book as only a reference guide you should try and give a coin grading to the coins that you have with you. This process will help you to understand the various values that have been given for the coins.

The coin grading system is at best the only one in America that is standardized. Even with this coin grading system you will find that no two coin dealers agree on all of the points. Therefore you should always remember what the various letters and symbols in coin grading mean. Uncirculated coins will be given the rating of Mint State. This means this an extremely good find for coin dealers and collectors. You will find that coins are also categorized from the best to the worst.

These are a few of the various coin grading values. Using these and understanding what these various coin grading values are will help you with your coin collection. Unc means Uncirculated or Mint State and there is no sign of wear and tear. AU means Almost Uncirculated, XF means Extremely Fine coins with only a light dusting of wear on the highest points.

From these types of coin grading values and the other coin grading values that you will encounter you will soon know the various prices that are given. Coin grading is just one more tool that you can use to see the prices that various coins can command.
Source: articlesbase.com

Antique Coins

Probably the most popular types of coins that are sought by collectors are the antique coins. Antique coins may be bought from auction sales, coin shows, malls and even in tourist areas that have historical themes. Antique coins are found to vary greatly in price depending on the age of the coin, its history and country or origin.

Here are some tips that may be considered when buying antique coins:

1. The buyer should make sure that the antique coin they are buying is a genuine one. There are many counterfeit coins sold in the market today and a buyer should thoroughly inspect any coin before buying it.
2. Coin collectors should collect the less expensive antique coins when beginning. The more expensive ones can be purchased once their collection becomes larger.
3. Collectors need to consider a purchase carefully before buying antique coins. Always be aware of the scams and fraud that may occur when buying coins. Take extra care in choosing – always determine the authenticity of the coin they are considering
4. A professional coin appraiser should assess the value of the coin before you buy so that the real value of the coin will be correctly assessed. This will prevent buying a coin at an inflated price.
5. When choosing antique coins narrow down the collection of antique coins to those from a specific country or a specific era. This will make the search for collectable coins an easier task.
6. Care is always needed to preserve the value of coins. Antique coins should be given extra care in order to preserve their appearance as well as their value. A collector should be aware that antique coins do not require much cleaning as excessive cleaning will only depreciate their value. The older the antique coin looks the more expensive it becomes.

Antique coins can provide so much entertainment for collectors that anyone might consider making it a hobby. Remember to be patient in searching for these coins since they may be available in limited numbers. You must have the passion for collecting to make antique coin collection a satisfying experience.
Source: globalcoins.net

Canadian Coin Collecting: Pleasures vs. Treasures

In Canada where money the popularity of coins has shown significant increase because the value of the “paper money” tends to deflate as much as 25% to 30% in a short period of time.

For this reason, coin manufacturers in Canada started making different kinds of coins to replace the value that was lost in the depreciation of paper money. Gold continues to thrive in various types of coins and their value continues to increase.

Coins function as solid emblems of a nation’s history. Canada has gained importance by producing Canadian coins serve as a means of monetary exchange and a source of historical enrichment.

Many coin collectors are enticed to try Canadian coin collecting. They know that collecting such Canadian treasures not only offer them remarkable diversion but can also provide them with additional value in the future.

So for those who wanted to start collecting Canadian coins, here is a list of some ways to get you started:

1. Do your homework

Like in any venture you must do your homework before you start collecting coins. Try to research how Canada manufactures their coins.

Learn the history of coins and how they may offer great opportunities to earn a profit and at the same time be an enjoyable hobby.

2. Finders keepers

To start the ball rolling, try to get as many coins or tokens as you can obtain without having to spend a great amount of money. Your parents or your grandparents may have some coins that they kept because they did not hold any monetary value at that time.

3. Use some guides

Coin collecting is not a complicated activity but it is not that easy either. You would likely need some references that will guide you in choosing the kinds of Canadian coins to collect.

You can refer to “Haxby’s Coins of Canada” or other brochures that will provide you with adequate information regarding Canadian coin collecting.

4. Enjoy and have fun

The idea of coin collecting is not to get the most expensive and the rarest coins that you can find. What matters most is that you enjoy what you do and that you are amazed by the kinds of coins that you are able to obtain.

Coin collecting may differ from one place to another but Canadian coin collecting is sure to give a hobbyist great pleasure and not just mere treasures.
Source: globalcoins.ne

Pricing Coins and What You Must Know - You May Have Some Real Gems

In this article about coin collecting prices, you will learn about all the factors and considerations that are taken into account when setting prices for collectible coins, coin collections or coin inventories.

Supply and demand is a big factor when pricing collectible coins. Coin prices will decrease when inventories are not able to be moved at current prices. When demand for coins out weighs supply, of course the prices have to rise. Demand of coin inventories usually rests with collectors and investors, with dealers playing a big role in this process also. Making a profit has to be taken into consideration by the dealer of course, to cover all expenses involved, hence, buy low and sell high.

So of course, collectible coins do not have one set price level. Prices can vary every day. In general, they remain constant, but depending on what is going on in the world of coins, they can and do fluctuate. Several pricing tiers do exist though, and have to exist, in order for this profession to be possible and profitable.

Retail prices are what collectors and investors pay to the dealer for coins, and wholesale prices are what the dealers charge one another. Published Pricing Guides are referred to often by investors and collectors to assess what the going rate for any coin currently is. A forecast if you will of where they may go and where they've been, and prices for retail and wholesale transactions. Keep in mind though, this is not law. Just like a weather forecast, they are subject to change.

A coin dealers profit is usually made when they make a purchase from the public, paying less than the wholesale price. That's correct. Profits are usually generated when purchasing a coin versus when selling it. Collectors and investors may sometimes get a better deal if they need to unload their collections, avoiding the middle man altogether. This usually does not happen to frequently though, as the chances of one collector wanting another s inventory is rare indeed. So the dealer is almost a necessity.

Now the pros of purchasing collectible coins from the dealer are important, in that the dealer provides authenticity of the items being sold. The dealer also has a vast knowledge of his profession, enabling him or her to provide accurate assessments of grades and conditions of coins. They can pick up on other factors also, that less experienced may have missed, and will generally share knowledge with the customer and the public coin collector enthusiasts.

If you are in the position of wanting to move some of your coins, and when discussing coin collecting prices with your dealer, if you are at all skeptical or in doubt of the dealers assessment, by all means, bring to another dealer for a second evaluation.

When it comes to pricing coins, many factors have to be taken into consideration, including age, condition, quantity and quality. And of course, what the coin is, tops out this list. Newer coins are valued higher if their grade and condition is above average.

Usually, the older a coin, the higher the value is put to it when being scrutinized, and the grade is of less importance. Another important factor is quantity, how many were manufactured and how many are available.

When you or someone you know has a coin they would like graded and priced, the best option of course is to have it examined by a professional grader or dealer. These necessary services will usually be of no cost if you are determined to deal your coin collection, or a small fee could be asked for if you are just curious about the state of your coin collection.

Now the most important thing you can do to profit from your collection or even just one coin, is to take your time and have it assessed by a professional coin grader. Do your research and by all means, get a second and third opinion if it will make you feel better. Then, and only then can you make an informed decision about the price of your coins.

Regarding coin collecting prices, even if your collections value is pleasing or not, some coins you can't place a value on because of emotional attachment.
Source: ezinearticles.com

Buy Gold Coins as Bullion Gold Coins Gain Favor

In today's world of global uncertainty, one thing remains certain: gold coins. Gold bullion coins continue to outperform traditional vehicles the same way gold coins and bars outperformed everything under the sun during the 1970's. By holding gold coins in one's portfolio, you dramatically reduce the overall risk of your portfolio. Just by having some gold coins as part of your strategy, you also allow the price of gold, as it increases, to bring up the value of your portfolio.

It is much easier to buy gold today than it was 30 years ago. Gold bullion coins are easily bought and sold with the click of a mouse. Not only is it easier to buy gold, but gold investments are exploding onto the investment scene like never before. In fact, gold coin sales by the U.S. mint in recent months have outpaced the gold coin sales of the prosperous-for-gold 1970's. Despite this recent fact, the gold price is just beginning its increase.

As gold coins become more scarce, quite naturally, investors covet the yellow shiny metal at an ever increasing rate. The type of gold coins sought after by investors who follow the price of gold are American Gold Eagles, Canadian Gold Maple Leafs, South African Gold Kruggerands, Australian Gold Kangaroos, Chinese Gold Pandas, and Austrian Gold Philharmonics. These are the most popular gold coins available to investors who want profit potential and protection. The benefit to owning these gold bullion coins is four-fold.
1. You get immediate liquidity. This means you can sell your gold bullion coins at or near the gold price at any time, anywhere in the world.
2. You are in control. A strong gold investment is an investment in certainty. Knowing you have gold coins in your possession that you can rely on makes a world of difference to one's sense of financial well-being.
3. There is tremendous profit potential with gold bullion coins, more so than just about every other vehicle out there. It matters not whether you hold American Eagles, Canadian Maple Leafs, South African Kruugerands, or any other type of these gold bullion coins, they will provide a well positioned investment portfolio an increased probability of profitability.
4. Last but not least, gold bullion coins provide economic safety and stability in a world increasingly plagued with uncertainty and dangers.
Those are some of the "pros" of owning gold bullion coins. There is more that a first-time purchaser of gold coins should be aware of; the "other side of the coin," so to speak. If you own American Eagles, Canadian maple leafs, South African Kruugerands, Austrian Philharmonics, Chinese Pandas, or Australian Kangaroos, they are subject to confiscation by the federal government. In 1933 Franklin Roosevelt issued an executive order which required U.S. citizens to turn in all gold bullion coins produced by the U.S. mint, as well as any gold coins and bars produced by foreign governments. Our country, in that period was in the peak of a crisis: the dollar was in trouble, smart investors were getting out of stocks and bonds, and unemployment was on the rise. This period was the great depression. The consequence of not turning in your gold bullion coins or gold bullion bars was a huge fine and jail. If you buy gold bullion coins today, like the American Eagle, the U.S. mint prints a $50 denomination on the back of the coin. Why? Because if the government were to confiscate gold bullion coins like they did in the 1930's, you would only receive the $50 denomination value, despite the current price of gold in the market, whether that price be $500, $1000, or even $2000. The chance of such Federal government confiscation is universally deemed as unlikely.

Also gold bullion transactions are reportable to the IRS. We will also cover in detail the type of gold transactions that are not reportable, private gold, momentarily.

Also important to recognize is that as the price of gold fluctuates, so does the value of gold bullion coins.

Nevertheless, despite these contingencies, asset managers all over the country are recommending allocating at least some portion of an investment portfolio to gold. Prices are on the rise, in what analysts have termed a long-running bull market which is just in its beginning stages
PRIVATE AND NON-CONFISCATEABLE GOLD COINS

Investors naturally gravitate to gold investment vehicles where they can expect the greatest return with the smallest amount of risk. In the physical gold market certified gold coins reign supreme. Certified gold coins are the gold coins minted by the US Mint befor the year 1933. $20 Saint Gaudens, $20 Liberty, $10 Indian, $10 Liberty, $5 Indian, $5 Liberty and $2.5 Liberty gold coins are all examples of the most profitable gold coins an investor can acquire for several reasons.
1. Certified gold coins have a limited mintage. The government can not go back and mint any more of these gold coins. You want to own gold coins that continue to go up because of this fact year after year regardless of what the gold price does. Because of their limited availability these gold coins can surpass the gains seen by gold bullion 2 to 5 times.
2. Certified gold coins are also one of the last legally private assets the government allows you to acquire. World Financial and goldcoinsgain.com are not required to ask for a social security number when you buy gold coins or when you sell gold coins.
3. Non-confiscatable. Certified gold coins are exempt from confiscation. Certified gold coins are exempt from confiscation if the government decided to confiscate gold like they did in between 1933 and the early 1970s. You were in a world of hurt during those almost 40 years of you were holding the wrong kind of gold coins. So you can rest assured your certified gold will do what its supposed to do under the most strenuous conditions — protect your money.
4. Immediate liquidity. World Financial is a major market maker in certified gold coins and will assist in converting your gold coins back into cash on a moments notice.
In addition to the advantages listed above, certified gold coins are also more stable than bullion gold coins. The value of a certified coin is not solely determined by what the spot price of gold does. In fact, certified gold provides more stability than the stock market, bond market, or just leaving your money in cash. So if you are tired of having to worry about the current economic environment you may want to consider diversifying out of riskier vehicles into an asset that has stood the test of time.

Portability is also something you should keep in mind when selecting which type of gold coins are right for you. To put things in perspective, you could carry one million dollars worth of certified gold coins in an attaché case. This should give you a sense of comfort knowing that you have acquired an asset that is completely portable and discreetly portable.
IRA AND 401's BACKED BY GOLD COINS

Gold Coins backing your IRA or 401k rollover makes the perfect diversification asset in today's uncertain economic environment. Gold coins can be added to your retirement strategy in just a few easy steps.

Step 1. Determine what portion of your retirement account you would like to convert over into gold coins.

Step 2. Print out the one page Gold Coin IRA Setup Form and fill out to the best of your ability. Fax the form into our retirement account department at (818) 506-6597.

Step 3. A Gold Coin Customer Service representative will contact you in a very short amount of time to confirm and guarantee the availability of your gold coins. We then work with your existing custodian to get the appropriate funds transferred over into your new self-directed IRA, backed by physical gold coins.

American eagle bullion gold coins are one of the most popular gold coins allowed by the IRS for your precious metal IRA. American eagle bullion gold coins come in 1 ounce, 1/2 ounce, 1/4 ounce, and 1/10 ounce denominations. These gold bullion coins are guaranteed by the US Mint for purity, weight and size. The Gold American Eagle bears the "W" mint mark reflecting the gold coin was struck at the US Mint at West Point. The obverse of the American eagle bullion gold coin features Augustus Saint-Gaudens' full-length figure of Liberty with flowing hair, holding a torch in her hand and an olive branch in her other hand. On the other side of the gold coin a male eagle carries an olive branch as he flies above a nest containing a female eagle and her eaglets. Each gold coin is encapsulated in plastic and comes with a custom designated Certificate of Authenticity.

American Eagle Proof gold coins are also available. The proof gold coins are more desired because each year they are produced by the US Mint in a limited quantity. Each proof gold coin is struck several times with a special die to create a more lustrous finish. Because of the limited quantity, investors will typically prefer these gold coins for their retirement accounts. Weather we are talking about gold coins or widgets whenever there is a limited amount naturally prices increase faster and become more valuable. The American Eagle Proof gold coins are also exempt from confiscation. A lot of investors like knowing they have the type of gold coins backing their retirement account that are not subject to confiscation by the Federal government.
Source: articlesbase.com

Coin Collecting: Tips On Quarter Collecting

Anyone and everyone could make collecting coins one s hobby. However it is believed that at present 106 million Americans are into the hobby of collecting quarters. Collecting quarters involves men, women, and children of all ages.

The question is that what it is regarding these quarters that millions of people go crazy about. Essentially the collection is an easy task as quarters can be found nearly anywhere, and the cost of these collectible coins is also very meager.

How should you go about collecting or starting to collect these quarters which are so highly in demand?

For the budget conscious coin collector

Many quarters can be procured as change from purchases if the collector is bothered with his or her budget. This method of obtaining quarters is very much suitable and less of a lifestyle-invasive method. Bags of these coins can be bought from coin dealers, if the collector is serious. Remember that those quarters that were not circulated should be chosen.

How to store those quarters

Coins are generally kept inside a large glass jar or bowl, by those just venturing into a coin collecting hobby; which is absolutely okay. Coin storage devices particularly made for coins that are available in coin shops and from coin dealers are favored by serious collectors.

Ways to make quarter-collecting fun and interesting

The ideal people to start a hobby like coin collecting, particularly quarters are children. The excitement of a new quarter in one s pocket is unbeatable. They can enquire and research about the coin s origin regarding which state it came from, when they find a new coin. This is an appropriate method of mixing learning with fun.

Coin history 101

Believe it or not, the order of the States is the basis of the sequence of how the coins are minted. According to essential U.S history as Delaware was the first state, the first quarter to be minted was therefore this. The schedule from 1999 to 2008 of the U.S mint should be checked for the sequence of other states.

There are many benefits which accrue from the hobby of collecting quarters and it is a valuable hobby. It teaches you to be appreciative of history and the value of big and small things in life as well as patient and resourceful.

English Coins And English Coin Collecting

English coins are used in England since ancient times. English coins nowadays are British coins. The British coins are used by the English, Scots, Welsh and Irish of the Northern Ireland. These people comprise the sovereign nation of the United Kingdom or Great Britain.

The number of coins produced by England would have too many then since the time of its first ruler. The uses of silver and gold were common then. Many kings of the English history ordered for the use of gold coins and silver coins for any dealings.

The English coins have engravings on their faces, the common characteristic of a coin.

There were many evolutions on the name, faces, and content of the English coins. The first English coin minted in quantity is the Noble coin.

The popularity of the coin minted in gold was dominant during the 14th and 15th centuries England. Its derivatives, the half and quarter Noble also held the same remark.

There were other English coins produced that preceded the Noble such as the Florin and the Twenty pence coins. The Unite and Laurel were the subsequent coins of the Noble.

The English coins were produced before the creation of the United Kingdom. England was once the popular figure in Europe. These coins can still be found: however, in the hands of the collectors and some archaeologists.

Historians and some coin collectors are into English coin collecting. English coin collecting may refer to the collection of coins produced by England before the creation of the United Kingdom.

However, there are coins that have existed during England and the United Kingdom times. The British crown coin, for instance is the coin that was introduced in 1526 England.

The production of the crown, as it is popularly called ceased in 1981, the present reign of Queen Elizabeth II. Many of this English coin collecting still exist; nevertheless, their usage is not for trading.

Many hobbyists who are into English coin collecting has the opportunity to know the history of England and its grandeur. The English coin collecting which are nowadays being coveted was made out of either pure gold or silver.

Some of these coins don’t have the face values. The existence of these English coin collecting was for the purpose of trading within England and with other countries, particularly Europe.

If you are into the hobby of English coin collecting, you may find to appreciate the colorful golden days of England.

The English coin collecting is a limited kind of hobby for some of the English coin collecting is now in the hands of serious collectors. There are some pieces of English coins sold in some auction houses at a very high value.
Source: lifeinfozone.com

Cleaning coins - Should you do it?

Allow me to guide through the aspects of Cleaning Coins.

As a coin collector you have in all probability come across coins that look like they were filthy. You probably decided that the coins needed to be cleaned to give them back their full value but did you know that cleaning your coins can truly damage certain valuable characteristics that are required for coin valuing?

You see your coins contain a certain patina about them, like antiques, the patina should never be removed. The patina is a chemical process caused by oxygen in the air.

For this reason you may want to leave the coins more or less in the condition that you have found them in. Once you have found a good place to store them you will need to find a reputed coin dealer. This individual should be able to inform you of the price that these coins you have are worth. Once you have gotten at least several coin appraisals carried out you can ask the coin expert how you should go about cleaning coins without causing any damage. This is very important to find out as these people will have the knowledge and the experience in handling coins for various collection purposes. With all of this information they can tell you the best methods for cleaning coins without losing the diverse characterizing marks. When the process of cleaning coins has been finished you should look to making sure that you have a protective coin folder handy so that you can place the coins inside quickly.

Holding your coins inside of a coin folder will ensure that they are in good condition. Since cleaning coins can hurt the coins' value you should find out from the coin shops what the various items are, that you can use to keep your coins in mint condition. You must remember that many cleaning solutions will be harmful to the coins. Thus you should truly see what are the simplest ways of cleaning coins that do not involve any cleaning solutions.

There is no real need for you to clean your coins as this will in all probability reduce the value. Therefore you will be better off if you keep these coins in a safe place and leave cleaning coins for the professionals, and only when you really need it cleaned. Cleaning coins is not necessary for every coin you come across, but if you've been treasure hunting and have only recently dug up your coins, you might want to look into cleaning coins with mud and grit on them. Even then, the best recommended course of action would be for you to give your coins cleaned professionally.

But if you are cleaning coins on your own, then you're probably better off starting with a coin that isn't of value first. This way you can see the effect that your cleaning methods will have on them. After that you can graduate to cleaning coins that aren't worth a fortune, but which might conceivably fetch a handsome sum for you. Or you could just leave cleaning coins to the experts and hand it all over to a trusted professional service.

Small tip: Never wrap your coins in paper. Paper contains trace amounts of sulphuric acid, which can damage your coins. Also never use a brush of a mild abrasive cleaner when cleaning you coins.

Finally, I'd like to thank you for reading this article and I hope it was helpful information.
Source: thisoldhippie.com

Lead Curse on a Roman Emperor

Some 1,650 years ago someone was so comprehensively fed up with the state of the Roman empire that they committed an act of treason, blasphemy and probably criminal defacing of the coinage. They cursed the emperor Valens by hammering a coin with his image into lead, then folding the lead over his face.

The battered scraps of metal discovered by Tom Redmayne, an amateur metal detector, in a muddy field in Lincolnshire are a unique find.

The mid-fourth century was a time of turmoil in Roman Britain. A Roman aristocrat, Valentinus, had been exiled to Britain where he was stirring up trouble.

Thousands of Roman cursing charms survive, scrawled on pieces of lead with a hole punched to hang them up. Many were found thrown into the hot springs in Bath, demanding revenge on those guilty of petty theft.

Nothing as audacious as cursing an emperor has ever been found before. However, Sam Moorhead, a coins expert at the British Museum and expert adviser to the Portable Antiquities Scheme, which encourages voluntary reporting of finds, is convinced it is the only explanation.

Redmayne’s find is unprecedented, but is just one of a torrent of 300,000 valuable, fascinating or downright weird object finds reported by amateurs in the 10 years

Exceptional’ Roman coins hoard

Nearly 6,000 copper alloy coins were found buried in two pots in a field at Sully, Vale of Glamorgan by a local metal detector enthusiast in April. After the ruling by the Cardiff coroner, a reward is likely to be paid to the finder and landowner. It is hoped the coins will be donated to National Museum Wales, which has called the find “exceptional”. Two separate hoards were found by the metal detectorist on successive days, one involving 2,366 coins and the other 3,547 coins, 3m away. The 1,700-year-old coins dated from the reigns of numerous emperors, notably Constantine I (the Great, AD 307-37), during whose time Christianity was first recognised as a state religion. Edward Besly, the museum’s coin specialist called it an “exceptional find”. He said: “The coins provide further evidence for local wealth at the time. They also reflect the complex imperial politics of the early fourth century.” ‘Time of danger’ It is thought the two hoards were buried by the same person, possibly two years apart. A similar find was uncovered in the area in 1899. “There was quite a bit of Roman activity in the area at the time, southwards from Cardiff Castle, where there was a Roman fort, to the Knap at Barry where there was an administrative building and there were farms in the Sully area,” said Mr Besly. “There’s a human story there somewhere but it’s intangible, we can’t really get to it but certainly somebody buried two pots of coins.” “It could have been they were buried for safe keeping, possibly at a time of danger.” It is hoped the coins will be given over to the museum for further study and to go on public display. Also declared treasure by the coroner were two bronze axes from Llancarfan, Vale of Glamorgan. Discovered in June 2008, they were buried together as a small hoard. The two complete bronze socketed axes have ribbed decoration and are examples of the south Wales type, dating to the late bronze age (1000-800 BC).
Source: coinlink.com

What Kind Of Coin Collector Are You?

Casual coin collecting

The most ordinary type of coin collector is the casual collector. Casual collectors are both kids and adults. They collect random coins because they like the fun of it. The casual coin collector does not spend as much money on buying and preserving coins as a more advanced coin collector. Casual coin collectors usually have interest in coins with a special meaning to them, like for instance a coin minted in their year of their birth. Casual collectors often get hold of more interesting pieces as gifts from friends or family members. The gift of a rare coin has transformed many casual collectors to curious collectors instead.

Curious coin collecting

When a collector goes further than just circulation finds and getting gifts. He develops more of an interest in coins and becomes more a curious collector. The curious collector will buy some inexpensive coins, maybe look around coin shops or look at coins on eBay or other related internet sites. That way a survey of potentially interesting areas of coin collecting is made, and as the curious coin collector interacts with more seasoned collectors, he is bit by bit learning the trade of buying or selling coins. Like for instance studying coin books before making any serious decisions about buying expensive coins. At a point most curious collectors learn enough to become an advanced coin collector.

Advanced coin collecting

Every advanced coin collector is a unique coin collector. Some are dedicated generalists looking for a few examples of all kinds of coins. If they do have enough resources, this can result in an astounding collection, as that of King Farouk of Egypt, who collected everything he could get his hands on.

Many coin collectors are completists who want an example of everything within a certain set. For instance Louis Eliasberg was the only coin collector thus far to assemble a complete set of known coins of the United States. Other coin collectors focus on coins of a certain nation or historic period. And some collect coins from various nations or settle on error coins or exonumia like tokens and medals. As you can see, it can vary a lot.

At the highest levels of coin collecting, it is a highly competitive sport. It can lead to astronomical prices as enthusiastic collectors struggle for the very best examples of each date and mint mark combination.

Historical coin collecting

Coin collectors of ancient and medieval coins are more interested in historical significance than other coin collectors. The coins of Byzantine, Roman, Indian, Greek, Celtic, Merovingian, Parthian, Ostrogothic and ancient Israelite origin are among the most popular ancient coins collected. Specialties tend to vary a lot, but the common approach is collecting coins minted during a particular emperor's time in power. A completist would for example strive for a representative coin from each emperor.
National coin collecting

Usually coin collectors of national coins specialize in the coins of their own country. A common way to collect national coins includes collecting one of every date and mint mark for a particular series. This is termed collecting by type. For instance a date set in Britain may include one Queen Victoria large penny for each year, 1837 1901. In another example a U.S. type set might include an example of each variety of each denomination produced. Most coin collectors of national coins create unique combinations of date, mint mark and type sets.

Error coin collecting

Collecting error coins is a modern development made doable through the automation of coin manufacturing processes. Coin collectors of ancient and medieval coins; accept coins with errors because manual coin manufacturing processes lend unique features to each coin struck.

Examples of coin errors could be repunched mint marks, doubled dies, double strikes, overdates, off metal coins, clipped coins, displaced or off center coins, and different denominations on two sides of one coin.

World coin collecting

World coins are collections of relatively recent modern coins from nations around the world. Geography is often the engine for this type of collector; he can travel around the world through his coin collection. Many collect by subject, for instance collecting coins from around the world featuring animals.

World coins are usually inexpensive and may be a good starting point for children. Most children find foreign coins by looking under change-to-cash machines, where customers throw away assorted coins found in their penny jars. It is possible to find coins from all over the world, ranging from Canada, to South Africa, to Korea.
Source: thisoldhippie.com

Why Finding the Right Coin Price Guide is Important

If you're new at coin collecting, you might find yourself overly excited at the prospect of finding or holding a coin that's priceless. Some coins are worth more than others, while other coins are not worth anything at all. To help you figure out if what you have is treasure or trash, you should seek a reliable coin price guide. These days, you can find several coin price guides in the Internet. Like coins, some of these coin price guides are genuine and reliable, while others are inaccurate and misleading. It's best if you ask the help of a coin expert in determining the value of the coin or coins in your possession.

In the meantime, you'll do well with settling on a credible source that provides an accurate chart of coin prices of values. You can find several websites that contain coin price guides. The value of a coin depends upon several factors, including the demand for it, its scarcity or rarity, its quality, and its bullion value. One other important coin characteristic or trait that can help influence or determine its value is its grade, which is basically where coin price guides base their prices.

First of all, you should learn the common coins that coin collectors seek for. These coins are the Mercury dimes, Buffalo nickels, Liberty Head v-nickels, Indian Head pennies, Draped Bust dollar, Flowing Hair dollar, Peace dollar, Ike dollar, Barber dime, and Wheat pennies, among many others. A coin price guide will no doubt include the prices for these coins. What is great about certified coin price guides is that they tell you how much your coins are really worth or at least average dealer asking prices, as opposed to the lower retail prices that most coin dealers are willing to give you for them.

The coin market, unlike other commercial markets out there, is comparatively volatile and not heavily capitalized. Moreover, important short-term price swings are always just around the corner waiting to pounce at the most opportune moment. This is why most online businesses in the coin pricing industry do not guarantee profit and security against loss for any coin that you buy or sell (or buy and sell) according to the information you gather from such sites. Moreover, you can find several additional output or information regarding coin prices from time to time which should help you arrive at a wise decision.

The prices in some coin price guides are compiled from a variety of sources, such as dealer advertisements found in trade papers, dealer fixed price lists, vital auctions, and trading activity and coin impression that takes place in major coin shows. Based on all these things, prices for coins are updated on a regular basis, especially those of the most actively traded coins.

In general, a coin price guide should serve as a guide and assist the buying public in identifying the values of coins. It is most useful to coin collectors of all ages from all places.

Coin collecting is the collecting of coins and/or some other form of legally minted currency whether still in circulation or has been in circulation for some time.
Source: articlesbase.com

Handling and Storing Your Bullion Coin

Bullion coins are some of the most beautiful objects to collect. Since all bullion coins are minted from precious metals that are easily susceptible to tarnish or markings from mishandling or exposure to the environment, proper storing and handling of bullion coins are important to preserve their beauty and collectible (some say resale) value. We can even went as far as to surmise that collecting bullion coins requires skills, knowledge and investment
far more advanced than normal coin collecting as proper know how in acquisition, storage method and handling is essential to preserve the value of your coin portfolio. Because bullion coins are generally high priced, a single tarnish, scratch mark or even thumb print could devalue the coin very substantially, in the case of Proofs or Brilliant Uncirculated(BU) coins, to less than half of its original value.

The first and foremost rule in handling bullion coins is to handle them as less often as possible, better yet, never at all. Gold bullion coins can easily show dent marks or scratch even from the slightest "accidents" as gold are very soft and malleable metal, this is more prevalent with coins that have exceptionally high purity like the Canadian Gold Maple Leaf (.9999 fineness). Silver on the other hand is notorious for being easily tarnished when exposed to even minute amounts of moisture in air or even human skin. Therefore if you must handle your coin, there is a few guidelines that should be taken into consideration:

1. Hold your coin by its edges, never touch the surface of the coin with your bare fingers as the acidity of human skin would result in color change or wear marks that would tarnish the surface of the coin. Preferably, wear a soft cotton glove when handling bullion coins.

2. Be very careful not to drop, bump or rub your coin against hard surfaces as this might easily result in dents or scratch marks, place foam or soft pads on the table when you are examining the coin to prevent the coin from scratches, ensure that the environment that the coin comes into contact with is dry, clean and free of contaminants.

3. Never breath onto the coin surface, the moisture from human breaths can cause discoloration which would be hard to remove if ever possible at all.

There are many solution offered in the market in storing and displaying your coin collection, in fact nowadays many fresh-out-of-the-mint bullion coins comes in plastic containers that does an excellent job in protecting your investment.

1. For display and short term storage purposes for lower value coins, coin albums and flips provide adequate protection and effective display for large selection of coin, however since albums and flips are not fully air tight, the coins might suffer discoloration from air moisture and contaminant after long periods of time. Therefore this method cannot be applied for the more valuable coins of your collection. One should also take note that the coin albums and flips should not be made of PVC as PVC decompose when reacting the heat and light , the resulting chemical reaction releases hydrochloric acid which will slowly render your coins worthless!!!

2. The most common and economical solution is to use 2x2 cardboard containers lined with Mylar plastics, the coin can be placed on the Mylar and the container can be fold over to enclose the coin and snapped shut. This provide a high level of protection at an affordable price for the majority of your coin collection.

3. For the most valuable coins in your collection, a coin slab provides maximum protection against the elements albeit at a steeper investment, they are made from hermetically sealed hard plastic holders in which individual coins are encased.

Practicing proper care in handling and storing bullion coins is very similar to learning how to protect your financial investment, which in the long run can insure you against disappointment and protection from serious financial losses due to deterioration of your coin collection, therefore making your coin collecting experience much more rewarding.
Source: articlesbase.com