One of the most enjoyable parts of coin collecting is learning about coin values. After all, as enjoyable as coin collecting is on its own, seeing the investment potential of a coin collection is also enjoyable. Besides, when you can see your coins increase in value, it makes your hobby feel functional. And, when you can see how many coins your current coins are worth, it is a self-expanding hobby. However, to enjoy this aspect of coin collecting, you are going to need a way to look up coin values.

One of the best places to go for coin values is to a coin dealer. These people are experts in their field and they are likely to stay abreast of prices, auctions, information and news related to coin collecting. And, because they are probably coin collectors themselves, you can sit down with them and discuss coins and how you can improve your collection. And, because dealers buy and sell coins, they can help you sell your coins if and when you want to sell portions of your collection; by either buying the coins directly or connecting you to other buyers they are familiar with.

Another method for determining coin values is through coin blue books. There are several books out there that contain complete lists of almost every coin ever struck and their current values. These books come out every year and they list the market value of coins by year, minting location and condition, as well as any other pertinent information that may affect market value. However, their information is fixed once they are published and, in some cases, the information is already out of date by the time the book hits the stands. But they will, at the very least, give a good idea of how much your coins are worth.

The Internet is also a very good source of information, thanks to several sites that offer lists of coin values. Many of the sites are very up-to-date and stay close to new developments, though it depends on the particular site. Unfortunately, since many things on the Internet are not always reliable, it is best to check a few sites in order to ensure that the information is correct. By looking at a few different sites, you can get averages of several sources and avoid getting bad information from one site that is neglecting to update.

Of course, coin values are not just arbitrary numbers. In fact, the value of a coin is actually the amount that someone would expect to receive upon selling a coin. Which means that it is, essentially, how much someone should be willing to pay for a given coin. So, if you want to figure out what a coin is worth, you should see what people are paying for it. With all the auction sites and coin sale sites out there, you can find the information you need just by researching what other people are asking or paying for a particular coin.

Finding coin values takes a little effort and diligence, but it is certainly worthwhile. It allows you to find out what your collection has been doing for you and it lets you determine how well you have chosen the coins that have gone into your collection. And that has a lot to do with the fact that coin values also determine how many other people want exactly what you have sitting in front of you.

One of the most popular hobbies today is coin collecting. Coin collecting is a fun pastime that can be enjoyed by anyone.

The premise of coin collecting lies in the idea that certain coins are more valuable than others. Amateur collectors often save a coin if they notice it has a date that reaches back several decades.

Many adults and children enjoy coin collecting. For the majority of these people their collections are limited to old coins or coins from other countries. They take pleasure in finding something unusual and keeping it to show others.

There are amateur coin collectors who save a coin from each locale they travel to. They find the currency of other countries interesting and over time and through extended travel, they can compile an impressive collection.

Others only save coins that hold significance for them. This could mean a coin from the year they were born or the year their parents or siblings were born. Coin collecting in this way is a lovely testament to the person’s life and it makes a nice keepsake to pass along to the next generation.

Serious coin collecting is an art form onto itself. There are collectors who invest an incredible amount of time and money in pursuing the perfect collection.

In most cases of serious coin collecting the collector has a specialty that they concentrate on. For some it’s a certain time frame and they are always looking to obtain more coins from those years. For others it is a certain denomination of coin. They only collect quarters or pennies and they focus on finding rare denomination of these coins.

There are many places that a coin collector can go to find a new treasure. There are several auction sites online that cater to coin collecting. Images of coins are posted along with a description of their condition and price.

Many of these sites have hundreds of coins posted and for the avid collector it gives them an opportunity to contribute to their collection.

It’s often thought that in order to go into the hobby of coin collecting a person needs to be wealthy. Although it’s true that some coins are very costly the amateur collector can begin a collection on a relatively low budget.

There are affordable treasures to be found in the coin collecting market. One of the first things every coin collector should do is check their spare change on a daily basis. Although it’s not often that a valuable coin is in circulation it does happen.

Another area of coin collecting that many people are interested in is coins that contain errors. Although it doesn’t happen very often there have been coins placed into circulation that contained errors. The error might be an off-center coin or a coin that has a double mint mark. These coins can be very valuable mainly because they are one of a kind.

Finding these types of coins can be more difficult than general coin collecting but for the people who participate they get their enjoyment when they do find a coin with a mistake on it.

Coin collecting can be a fun and profitable hobby. You can start out small and once you begin to build a collection the sky is the limit.

You only have to look at how busy the coins section is on Ebay to know that coin collecting is an incredibly popular activity. It’s one of the most popular hobbies around and one of the most profitable too.

Finding coins to collect is easy but finding ones that are actually valuable to collect is the challenge faced by most collectors. As a rule of thumb, the older the coins is the more collectible it becomes as often they are more rare than more modern coins.

The best place to find Antique coins include auction houses, coin shows, coin fairs and malls. But if you are more serious you should visit historical sites where antique coins are more likely to be found. You should bear in mind that the value of Antique coins depends on where it from as well as the age and historical background of its origin. Therefore buying at the historical location gives you a very good advantage over other collectors.

There are a few other pointers you might want to consider when buying an antique coin.

Firstly make sure the coin you wish to purchase is original. This goes without saying but there are many replicas and even counterfeit coins flooding the market, so close inspection to validate their authenticity is a must.

When you start off your coin collecting hobby, start slowly if you are on a low budget. Then as your portfolio of coins increases in value you could re-sell some of it at a profit and buy more valuable ones. If you find a coin that you think is a valuable addition to your collection make sure that you find an appraiser that can determine the value so that you do not get ripped off. So don’t try to value it yourself unless you are quite experienced, and seek the help of professionals when the circumstances dictate like when the coin is quite expensive.

You need to specialize when you start collecting Antique coins so choose one particular era or country to focus on. This will make it easier for you to become an expert. You must also take good care of the coins to ensure you preserve their appearance and thus their value. And be careful not to clean Antique coins to excess otherwise you might actually depreciate their value.

Coin collecting can really be a source of great fun and taking it up as a hobby is probably one of the best decision you can make. As long as you remain patient it will be a long term hobby bringing you plenty of satisfaction for years to come as well as a very profitable investment.

How to Select a Coin Dealer for Your Coin Collection

Why do I Need a Coin Dealer?

It is very difficult to build a collection of rare coins without a connection to a good coin dealer. If you are an investor hoping to make a profit with your collection of rare coins, building relationships with good coin dealers is vital to your success. If you are interested in making the highest profits possible with your coin collection, you will need to find a merchant partner who is experienced in the specific rare coins that interest you, and who will sell them to you at a good price. Most coin dealers will charge a lower premium on the sale of coins to their best customers. After all, it makes good business sense to get the most profit possible from a person who will do business with you only once. If you have a long-term relationship, however, the margin does not need to be as high for the coin dealer to make a good profit.

Because coin dealers are experts in their chosen fields, they will also have better connections than individuals who buy coins on their own will. Finding the right vendor or wholesaler can be a long and difficult task for someone new to the coin collecting trade. Coin dealers will also be more likely to recognize a counterfeit coin, have a higher chance of hearing about the sale of the specific rare coins that interest you, and will recognize an asking price that is over- or undervalued. As an investor, these are all critically important points for your success.

Building a long-term relationship with a knowledgeable coin dealer is the best way to protect the money that you invest into rare coins. All too often, new coin collectors who try to go it on their own without professional help end up being scammed out of hundreds or thousands of dollars.

What Do I Look For in a Coin Dealer?

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.

The first vital piece of information that you’ll need when considering coin dealers is his or her professional qualifications. Some important questions to ask include, does the coin dealer belong to any professional groups? How long has he or she been in business? Can the coin merchant provide references from other satisfied customers? One of the best indications that a vendor has a high level of professionalism is a membership in the Professional Numismatists Guild (PNG). This group includes the most reputable coin dealers in the business thanks to an emphasis on ethics.

The second most important question to put to a prospective coin dealer is the area in which he or she specializes. There are so many different kinds of rare coins to collect, ranging from gold bullion coins to ancient Roman coins, that it is impossible to be a true expert in all of them. You’ll want to find a merchant that specializes in the particular area that is of interest to you. A trader might be able to recognize every rare American coin at a glance, but that won’t do you a lot of good if you really want to collect legal tender from medieval times.

Finally, you should consider the motivation of the coin dealers you are considering. A highly motivated coin merchant will go to shows and retailer auctions, keep abreast of current prices and trends, and will generally keep up-to-date with the current coin market. Any investor will recognize the impact of current information on profit levels. A coin trader who is highly motivated will also be more likely to provide you with excellent service and the best rare coins.

Once you have selected a coin dealer, it is important to reward him or her with your loyalty. You are likely to get the best prices and service from coin dealers who know that you are working exclusively with them.

WASHINGTON – The United States Mint is moving its products to a new fulfillment center and will use the opportunity to clear its shelves and offer several coins, coin sets, bags and rolls for the last time to customers.  Additionally, the United States Mint is discontinuing several products that will be offered for the last time.  Sales of these products begin Saturday, November 15, 2008, at 12:01 a.m. (ET).  Many of these products will never be available again from the United States Mint.  The sale will end at 5 p.m. (ET) on December 19, 2008.

WASHINGTON – Presidential $1 Coins struck in honor of Martin Van Buren will go on sale November 13, 2008, at noon Eastern Time.  Dubbed “The Red Fox of Kinderhook” for his red hair, political acumen and birthplace in New York, Martin Van Buren is the eighth President honored in the multi-year program.  Produced at the United States Mint facilities in Denver and Philadelphia, the Presidential $1 Coins are intended for use in routine financial transactions.

Things you should know about coin collecting
by Ian Niven

People take part in hobbies for several reasons.  Some do it for pure pleasure, while others do it for profit.  This carries across all sorts of hobbies and types of people, including those who collect gold coins.  Why would someone choose to collect gold coins as a hobby?  Again, some people choose their hobbies based on pleasure, while others aim to make a profit.

Of course, most gold coins don’t fetch anywhere near that much, and most would not sell for more than face value alone.  However, having a complete set of a certain edition can up the value of each individual coin.  Also, there is always the chance that you’ll run across one of those gold coins that is worth a great deal.  Even if you don’t, having an extensive collection of gold coins that includes several important era pieces can draw in some extra cash as well.

One thing that is very important to do when you are collecting gold coins is to make a periodic trip to a knowledgeable individual and have some of the rarer individual coins as well as the entire set of gold coins appraised to see if you are gaining or losing value over time.  Obviously, if you continue adding gold coins, the value will increase, but by how much?  How do you know that you are collecting valuable coins or scrap metal?

There is a key to knowing when it might be worthwhile to purchase gold coins.  First of all, never sit in awe of a commercial for commemorative issue gold coins in limited quantities.  Obviously, these gold coins are still mass produced and could not be considered rare, regardless of what the commercial says.  Also, it is better to verify the sale and purchase are through some kind of authorized vendor who has been proven to sell only authentic gold coins.

While you may only be collecting gold coins as a hobby and are not interested in selling your set for profit, it is still a good idea to periodically have your collection of gold coins appraised.  Why this is necessary if there has been no addition or change to your collection, and what is involved in the appraisal process?

Getting your gold coins evaluated is something that should be done at least every six months.  This allows you to keep track of changing values of individual gold coins, verifying the net worth of your collection.  This is important partially because there may come a time that you do wish to sell your collection of gold coins.  However, even if you don’t, you really should have an inventory of your collection, complete with values so that you can quote someone intelligently should they ask how much your gold coins are actually worth.

Also, having your gold coins appraised gives you a solid number that you can take to an agent and have your gold coins insured for a specific amount.  Knowing exactly what they are worth will give the adjuster a better idea of where to begin with your insurance quote in terms of value.  If your collection is worth $50,000, you obviously don’t want to purchase a $5,000 insurance policy on your collection.  On the other hand, you don’t want to overpay, so getting an appraisal for your gold coins can be of great assistance to you.

Putting together such a collection is also one way that many collectors of gold coins assure that they have a family heirloom to pass on to their children and grandchildren.  Not everyone has a long history of heirlooms in their family, especially if the family was not always financially secure or if things were lost in the past in some sort of disaster.  However, starting a collection of gold coins can offer something to the future generations that they can inherit and hold dear as items once owned by ancestors.

Because many hobbies can become expensive, few people follow through to the point of having a marketable collection.  This could be for show in a museum or art gallery, or it could be for sale purposes.  The rule holds true especially for gold coins.  However, there are investors out there who have spent a lot of time and money building up an incredible collection of gold coins in order to profit from the rising value of such coins.

My name is Ian Niven, I hope you found my article informative. For more information on <a href=”http://coincollectoronline.info”>coin collecting supply</a> please visit http://coincollectoronline.info

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