US Coin Collecting

Coin collecting is a fascinating hobby, favored by young and old alike. You can start a collection of US coins based on one of many factors. Deciding what type of coins you want to collect is a personal choice; all that really matters is that it keeps your interest. You can collect them by the date they were issued, their mint, what they are made of, or by collections like the State Quarters set.

The easier and cheapest way to start such a collection is to look through your own change and any coins you have in a savings jar. You may be surprised at how old and unusual some of these coins can be; in fact there are several US coins still in circulation that are actually collector’s items. So take a close look at those grungy pennies and shiny dimes, and consult a good book on US coin collecting.

After you’ve search your own house (don’t forget the couch cushions) branch out in your collecting efforts. Ask around to see if family and friends can help you find certain coins, or offer to sort through their penny jars for anything unusual. You may get lucky and find a friend who even has an old coin collection; pooling your resources can be a great way to complete each other’s sets.

US coins that are currently in circulation are the easiest to acquire and are a great way to start your coin collection. In fact it’s remarkable how valuable some of those little pennies, nickels and dimes can be!

The state quarters are an easy way to get started; there are plenty in circulation and it is exciting when a new state quarter is released. With new coins released each year, finding the quarters is fun and doable. The state quarters program is especially popular with younger collectors. There are several collecting maps, boards and other accessories to add to the fun.

Other notable US coin collections include those with Kennedy half-dollars, Washington quarters, Roosevelt dimes and Lincoln pennies that commemorate our US Presidents. You can start by collecting one of these and trying to find a series of them made in different years. Soon it becomes a quest to find the remaining year to fill a gap in your coin album. You can find ready-made coin collecting albums at your local or online coin supplier. Using one of these albums is an easy way to organize your collection, and help you fill in the gaps and identify what you need.

If you are ready to move onto finding coins that a little more of a challenge, then it’s time to invest in a good reference book, visit flea markets, join a local club or visit online message boards on the topic of US coin collecting. You’ll want to see what’s available, what’s rare and how much you should expect to pay for the coins.

Another good way to see the kinds of US coins that are available is to go to coin shows. You’ll be able to see complete collections already put together and how they are displayed. It should give you some ideas on how to set up your own collection. Coin shows also offer a great opportunity to meet with and talk to other coin collectors. Meeting fellow coin enthusiasts can inspire your coin collecting habits, and you’ll learn lots of great hints and tips from more experienced collectors. You can also browse the Internet to see what type of collections other people have and which ones are most appealing to you. Just remember to do your homework before you buy anything; it’s important that you understand how much a coin is worth before you make that deal!