Coin Collecting Hobby

Coin collecting hobby is one of the richest hobbies in the world or it can be said that it’s the emperor of all hobbies. It is one of the oldest hobbies dating back to the ancient period when Romans and Greeks used to admire and collect coins. Today there are more coins to collect than ever before and millions of collectors around the world.

Coin collecting offers a pleasant way to learn about history, geography, economics, archaeology, art, architecture, engineering, and metallurgy.

Coin Collectors –

Numismatists (coin collectors) know no boundaries. Collectors strongly believe that one must learn about coins as well as collect them.
Coin collectors are outgoing, friendly and are always willing to share their knowledge and the joys of their hobby.
Collectors believe that collecting coins is never a loss but more of a future profit.

Meetup of Coins collectors –

Organizations and groups of dedicated collectors at every level – international, national regional and local meet regularly and hold conventions to exchange information, to learn, to enjoy contacts with other collectors and to buy and sell or swap coins.

Young Collectors – 

Young collectors often start their collection without any definite direction. They just collect whatever coins come their way. This unselective stage, in a way, is desirable. In this way, gradually one day they will have hundreds of coins and they start swapping the repeated coins with the one they need in their collection.

Most of the beginners will have copper, nickel and bronze coins. Later they start collecting billion, silver and gold coins.

Some young collectors have their own hobby clubs and coin publications. There are events where they can exhibit their collections and win prizes and appreciation.

Coins Museum – 

Museums all over the world house collections of coins that attract visitors in huge numbers.

The Smithsonian Institution’s Museum of America contains over one million coins. American Numismatic Association is also one of the largest coin collecting organizations in the world.

The Lydian Lion coin of Greece is considered the oldest coin in the world dating back to 7th century BC and is located in the British Museum.

Coin Auctions –

Many organizations hold coin auctions for collectors where collectors show up in huge numbers and buy coins for their collection. Some of the costliest coins sold in the auctions make headlines in the national press.

Numismatics Course –

The study of money is not just a hobby but it is a learned science. A science called numismatics (noo-miz-mat-iks) has developed over the years. Taken from the Greek word – Nomisma, Numismatics is defined as the study, science and collecting coins, medals, paper money, tokens, and similar objects.

Numismatics studies are offered in many universities around the world. Numismatic scholars share their knowledge and research through books, newspaper articles, lectures, and conferences.

How to be a pro collector –

In the first place, you should choose for your collection a theme, or a particular country or a certain period of history that interests you. It would give a definite direction to your collection.
Having chosen your subject, you should now separate your collection according to their themes. This can be done by spreading your collection and sorting it out countrywise or theme-wise and so on.
Some suggested themes for collection are countries and regions or kings and queens or commemorative coins.

One must go about their hobby intelligently and consciously. It will help to collect coins that a collector really want.

So are you a numismatist? Or are you planning to start the hobby anytime soon?
Let us know in the comments section.

Also read about the 10 Unusual, Strange and Unique Currencies Around The World