| Coin collecting, or numismatics is a hobby as old as | | | | and even the abnormalities in its design. Ironically, some |
| time. As a hobby, it has been around for more than | | | | of the most expensive coins are those with the |
| 2,500 years. This is surprising since the use of coins | | | | strangest abnormalities. This is because this type of |
| has been around for pretty much that same amount | | | | coin is hard to come by. |
| of time too. Man has always had a fixation for small, | | | | For example, there could be a coin in existence that |
| round, shiny things. And throughout the ages, coin | | | | differs from other coins in its batch. For some |
| collectors have always been on the prowl for the | | | | unknown reason, it lacks some of the required |
| oldest, rarest, most attractive coins around. | | | | markings. Such coins are deemed more valuable than |
| Numismatics comes from the Greek word nomisma, | | | | the normal coins of its type. |
| meaning 'currency,' or coin. It is also related to the | | | | A good number of coin collectors collect coins |
| study of banknotes, tokens, and other early forms of | | | | according to themes. The coins they collect all have a |
| money. | | | | common topic. Some collect coins related to kings and |
| Coins and other forms of money are issued by | | | | queens. Some collect those related to plants and |
| governments and other monetary agencies. Billions of | | | | animals. |
| these flood the market yearly. But as time goes by, | | | | The price for a coin is determined by the demand for |
| the number of these coins go down. Some get lost | | | | this coin. Many factors affect this demand. If a coin is |
| and some are damaged beyond recognition. | | | | rare, chances are, it is in great demand. However, |
| This goes to show that the older the coin, the rarer it | | | | there are some coins that are rare, or exotic, yet the |
| must be. And for coin collectors, this is prime stuff. | | | | demand for them remains low. If this is the case, then |
| Coin collectors and hobbyists number millions around | | | | its market value will remain in the low end. |
| the world. This hobby is taken so seriously that there | | | | Before purchasing coins, one must do much research |
| are even professional dealers and investors who ply | | | | about that coin. He must assess its current market |
| their trade in this fashion. | | | | value and make sure that the coin is genuine. He |
| The lure of coins lies in its power to draw people into | | | | should also consider how much he could earn if he |
| the era it belonged to. These coins show many | | | | resells the coin. |
| aspects of everyday life during those times. By | | | | The American Numismatic Association is the largest |
| examining a coin, one comes to know the geography, | | | | numismatic organization in the world. It was founded in |
| philosophy, sociology, artistry and other aspects of the | | | | 1891 and was chartered by the Congress of the |
| culture they existed in. | | | | United States 21 years later. This group has the largest |
| Ancient kings (and even today's leaders) had a telling | | | | library of coins available. Collectors would love to visit |
| habit of having their faces imprinted on their currency. | | | | their headquarters, the World Money Museum, which is |
| Some historians have been able to put together clues | | | | one of the largest coin museums in the world. |
| regarding the ancient civilizations using these coins. | | | | Another organization, the American Numismatic |
| Sometimes, coins would tell of a leader or prominent | | | | Society, is the most active and respected nonprofit |
| figure that would have been forgotten by time if it | | | | numismatic publisher in the world. They maintain a |
| were not for these coins. | | | | museum that contains more than a million objects. |
| Hobbyists usually start collecting coins from their own | | | | They also have a library that has one of the most |
| locality. This makes sense because they are the | | | | comprehensive in coin collecting knowledge. |
| easiest to collect. These hobbyists then expand their | | | | Whether you are a hobbyist or a serious collector, coin |
| collection to coins from increasingly farther and earlier | | | | collecting will always bring a sense of fulfillment and |
| origins. | | | | history to your life. It is never too late to start collecting |
| Coin collectors regard every single coin as a unique | | | | today. You can't lose! Your collection can only grow in |
| specimen. They take note of the date, the mint marks, | | | | value as the time passes by! |