The history of gold coins dates as far back as 2,700 years ago. The first gold coins in the world were issued in Lydia around 640 B.C. certain internet websites will provide you with a lot of information about the history of gold coins.
Australia reveres its national animal with the Gold Kangaroo, for example, while China has a Gold Panda with a lovely design that changes every year.
This guide will help you recognize a few exceptional American rare coins that you just might have lying around your house, shoved in a change jar, or tucked away into a pocket.
The result is a coin with an unnatural appearance and a lower value. Any cleaning will wear the coin surface, and though it may look brighter for a time, the coin will eventually lose its value to a collector. Learning what to look for, how to identify quality items, how to use the lingo, and how to establish a fair price will make the hunt that much more exciting.
Some people happily collect more common everyday coins, going through their pockets at the end of the day for them is fun, checking dates and mintmarks on their change. Some collectors can spend thousands of dollars on rare silver and gold coins from the 1800's and early 1900's. Some collect coins from different countries. Commemorative coins are a popular form of collection, as are rare minted coins like those which had an error in their stamping. If a certain set of coins doesn’t interest you, it won’t be any fun at all to become a collector.
Because coin dealers are experts in their chosen fields, they will also have better connections than individuals who buy coins on their own will.
Essential Supplies in Coin Collecting
The condition of the coin means everything in coin collecting. In the world of coin collecting, the coins themselves are considered as gold, this is why there is a need to protect them from damage. Having the right supplies will allow a collector to preserve the integrity of his coin collection. The slightest hint of damage can diminish the value of a coin significantly.
Here are some of the supplies which are used in properly handling coin collections:
Gloves
In handling coins, you must be careful not to scratch the coins. The use of gloves (preferably white) will prevent scratches and other kinds of damage to the coin’s surface. Gloves should be made of cotton or plastic.
Coin tweezers
If you not comfortable using gloves, you can use coin tweezers. These are not your ordinary tweezers because their tips are protected with plastic that prevents the tweezers from scratching the coins.
Magnifying glass
In examining coins, you must be able to take a closer look at them. This is where the magnifying glass is most useful. You must be careful in using a magnifying glass when examining the coins. There are magnifying glasses available today that have stands attached to them and the stands allow the collector to use both hands in coin examination to avoid accidents.
Coin collecting for investment purposes can be a tricky endeavor.
But as time goes by, the number of these coins go down. Some get lost and some are damaged beyond recognition.
There were only a few coins with this error, and their scarce nature has made them valuable to collectors.
The American Gold Eagle stands out among other bullion coins because of its lovely design, and because its value is backed by the full strength of the United States government.
At the beginning, coin collecting had a very practical reason - there were no banks in which to store money. For most gold coin collectors, there are the highly coveted rare gold coins and a lot of gold coin collectors are interested in these rare gold coins that they will offer high bids just to be able to get their hands on these.
The best way to get good deals, and avoid the bad ones, is to pick up some standard reference catalogues and study the pricing very carefully. As a rule, it's better to own one high quality coin than a bunch of mediocre ones.
You will need someone to buy the coins from, and it can be difficult to find a reputable coin dealer. Someone who has been coin collecting for years can help you choose a knowledgeable and honest coin dealer. You'll need to learn about the value of different coins. All coin dealers are not created equal, and it is nearly impossible to specialize in every area when it comes to collecting rare coins. Therefore, it's important to know what to look for before you select a professional for your coin collecting needs.
Cleaning materials
A mild soap and a soft high-integrity fiber cloth can be used in cleaning coins.
Mats
When examining or cleaning coins, you must remember to put a soft cloth or a mat on the table where you are working. An accidental dropping of the coin can damage it significantly and reduce its value to literally nothing. A mat or a cloth will absorb the impact of the drop and will prevent the coin from being damaged.
Boards
You must be extra careful in displaying your coin collection. Coin boards are used by many to display their coin collections. In the U.S., the map of the United States of America is very popular among coin collectors to display the different quarters of the different states.
Envelopes
When transporting coins, the use of coin envelopes is very practical. The use of these paper envelopes allows a collector to safely transport his coin and put some information about it in or on the envelope itself.
There are other coin collecting supplies such as boxes, holders, folders, but everything points to the preservation of the coins’ condition. The right kind of supplies will determine whether a coin is priceless or price-less.
The collection of ancient, commemorative, and rare coins is a fun and exacting hobby, and opens up a realm of history that most people never get to see. An avid coin collector will be able to tell you virtually every piece of history that surrounds any coin in their collection both because they tend to specialize and because knowledge is one of the most important factors when it comes to starting and maintaining a collection of any value or worth.
Some people have made a lot of money buying and selling coins, others have lost fortunes. If you are serious about investing in numismatics, first spend a bit of time learning.
A good number of coin collectors collect coins according to themes. The coins they collect all have a common topic.
State coins can appreciate in value if you know what to look for.
American coins have undergone several changes in material. For example, during World War II, pennies were made out of steel, because copper was needed for the war effort.
A lot of people find collecting gold coins as not only an incredibly interesting hobby but a fairly lucrative one as well! Over time, your collection will accure value and parts of it can be sold if you desire. Always be on the lookout for rare gold coins, and have coins appraised by a gold coin expert to avoid large differences in price. You can get a silver locating device or a magnetic pole for finding loose coins in ditches, under cars, or in other hard-to-reach places. Or simply rely on your eyes to identify those gleaming metal circlets of potential wealth.
Coin Collecting in Modern Times Coin collecting has been a favorite pastime of many people with a reverence for history, including U.S. Presidents Thomas Jefferson and John Adams.
