Us And World Coins

A collection that includes both US and world coins can be varied and contain many different unique combinations of coins that can be arranged in one of several ways. They can be grouped by country, by people featured on the coins, by the year they were minted, by symbols and animals they feature, and more.

An interest in world coins often starts with an interest in geography. You may wish to live vicariously through your coin collection, collecting one from each country you would like to visit someday. You might collect one coin from each country around the world or you may choose to collect a single coin from each of the countries you have visited if you are able to travel a bit. Or you may just have a thirst for knowledge about geography and think it is interesting to learn geographical facts from the coins you collect.

US coin collections can also vary. A US collection can consist of the state quarters, one coin from each year for a certain denomination, rare coins, or any number of other combinations.

US coins almost always feature a past president or other important person. This is a great place to start building a collection. You could search for the Lincoln pennies, Jefferson nickels, Roosevelt dimes, Washington Quarters, Kennedy half-dollars or Susan B. Anthony dollar coins. These coins can often be overlooked in everyday pocket change, but once you are actively searching for them you will start coming across them one by one.

Other US collectibles include Indian cents, flying eagle cents, the buffalo nickel, the mercury dime, the Eisenhower dollar and the Morgan dollar.

There is no reason why you can't have a collective group of both US and world coins. Visit a local coin show for unique ideas on setting up such a collection in a way that is attractive and preserves the coins.

Coins can be sorted by what they are made of, from copper to nickel to silver. They can also be divided between modern and ancient coins as well as commemorative coins. Your collection can be as diverse as you want it to be.

Coins shows are the best way to buy or sell coins. Well before the show, you should take some time to get organized. Know what you've got, what you need and what you'd like to sell. This is something that a surprising number of collectors don't do. The best way to always be prepared is to keep a running inventory list. Do your homework beforehand, so you know what you want to purchase and have a good understanding of its fair market value. Of course, always leave room in your budget for that spur of the moment purchase, but don't let yourself be overwhelmed by all the choices available.

It pays to prepare yourself before heading to a coin show. The rows of vendors and buyers can be overwhelming if you go in without a plan. The most important thing to bring to a coin show is a list of the coins you have and the ones you need. Learn what prices are considered reasonable for the coins you need and think about how much you're willing to spend on them. Educate yourself on the correct names of your coins and the ones you desire and learn what features to look for in collectible coins.

Be sure to bring cash with you because many dealers will not accept checks or credit cards. A loupe or magnifying glass will help you in choosing which coins to purchase. It's a good idea to carry a notebook and pen so you can take notes while you comparison shop. Visit as many dealers as possible and take notes on who has what, what the prices are and what conditions the coins are in and go back to get the best deals. Don't make the mistake of purchasing the first available coin you find. And don't feel obligated to purchase anything.