Coin Collecting

You are probably already aware of the fact that a coin is simply a metal disc that has been issued by your local government for public consumption as a form of currency. There are a wide variety of different types of coins, however, and not all coins are currently being accepted as being currency that is capable of being spent as a payment for transactions on a day to day basis. One of the things that you can consider when it comes to coin collecting is coin parts and anatomy, and how different coins are made from different materials and made in different ways accordingly.

So what are the main coin parts, and that is the purpose of each part of the coin?

Sides

The coin has two different sides, the head side and the tail side. Technically, the sides of the coin are known as the obverse side and the reverse side of the coin. In general, the bust image or portrait on the coin and the year of the mintage are both engraved on the coin’s obverse side. The face value for the coin is what is pressed on the other side of the coin, the reverse side.

Rim

The rim of the coin is the raised area that runs all the way along the edge of the coin. The rim of the coin can be found both on the obverse side of the coin and the reverse side of the coin as well.

Legend

The legend on the coin is what you call the inscription or any lettering that you find on the coin such as the country where the coin was issued and the face value for the coin.

Field and Relief

The field on the coin is the coin’s flat portion. The relief on the coin is the coin’s raised portion, or any design elements on the coin that are made during the process of stroking. Some examples of the relief portions of the coin include the legend of the coin, the portrait of the coin and the rim of the coin.

Edge

Contrary to the coin’s rim, which runs along the edge of the entire coin, the edge itself is the true actual edge on the coin. The edge could possibly have a number of different decorative types. For example, the edge may be plain, it could be reeded, ornamented or it could be grooved.

Portrait and Date

Finally, the portrait is the image on the obverse side of the coin, which is typically a bust of a person who is significant such as a president or another ruler. The date of the coin also appears on the obverse side of the coin, and it is responsible for indicating when the coin was actually minted.

Photo Credits: pfala

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When you are deciding whether or not you would like to add a specific coin to your collection, one of the things that you are going to want to take into account is rare coin values. The rare coin values that you find will ultimately be determined by availability of the coin, demand on the coin, condition of the coin and also the grading for the coin.

Demand and Availability

The demand on a specific coin is going to be capable of significantly increasing the rare coin values. A common coin which is prized highly by collectors is going to have a much higher value than common coins that are sought by fewer collectors. Rare coin values often come from the fact that rare coins have much higher levels of demand in comparison to other common coins.

For example, despite their age, some older Roman and Greek coins are relatively inexpensive in nature simply because they are so abundant. You should also keep in mind that the current availability of the coin is not indicated by the number of coins that was actually minted, as there are situations where coins are destroyed or become lost, affecting the availability of the coin.

Condition

Just a very small difference in a coin’s condition is capable of making a really large difference in its price. Coins that have been used as currency can become worn naturally, and so uncirculated coins are generally capable of fetching a much higher price in comparison to the coins that have been circulated.

For example, a 1913 Buffalo Nickel that was uncirculated has been known to fetch 10 times more in mint condition than a similar coin that is no longer in mint condition because it was circulated.

There are a number of grading services that evaluate the condition of a coin in order to confirm its authenticity and value. There are four factors that are used to find rare coin values, including:

- Strike – Coins that are well struck are coins that have a distinct impression in their metal.

- Visual Appeal – Some coins have a luster that is soft and satin while others are more reflective in their surface. Some coins are actually colorful while others are plainer. Make sure that you are aware of what appeals specifically to you before you make a purchase.

- Luster - Dull coins are not as appealing as bright and dazzling luster. However, coins that have been doctored or cleaned are generally avoided by many serious collectors. If you find a coin that has a bright luster despite having been circulated, it has more than likely been polished.

- Wear - Deterioration can significantly decrease a coin’s value, including hairlines and contact marks. Wear is going to first occur on the coin’s highest points in most cases.

Photo Credits: gemteck1

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Coins and Paper Money -> Paper Money: US -> Large Size Notes -> Federal Reserve Notes

One of the most interesting collectibles in the field of coins and paper money are federal reserve notes. However, there is quite a bit of confusion out there about what these notes really are. If you are serious about getting into collecting federal reserve notes, there are a few things you need to know before you get started.

1. Knowing the Difference

There is a big difference between federal reserve notes and federal reserve bank notes. The first term refers to actual paper money, while the second is a specific type of banknote that is only produced by the Federal Reserve. Each one has a different collectible value, and it’s important to be able to tell the difference when you are collecting them. Some will be worth more than others, but generally, regular federal reserve notes are quite collectible.

2. Understanding the Fiat

The fiat, or agreement with a federal reserve note is that the reserve is not obligated to pay the face value of the note in gold or silver. In other words, this type of currency is not backed by a gold or silver standard. This works in both ways for collectors. For example, a $5 note may be worth much more than that, while a $100 note that is not collectible may only be worth $100.

3. The Two Dollar Bill

Surprisingly enough, one of the most collectible federal reserve notes is the $2 bill. All joking aside, these are a lot of fun to collect and many kids get their start with one of these bills. These actually can be spent just like regular money, but if you do find one of these, it’s best to put aside since the overall value may exceed the face value.

4. Condition Matters

As with most collectibles, the overall condition of a federal reserve note will determine its actual value. Ideally, you should look for notes that have not been circulated, but these may be hard to find. You should be able to come across notes that are referred to as “crisp” however. These are in perfect condition and are considered to be the best collectibles.

5. The Older the Better

Anytime you can find a federal reserve note that is at least fifty years old and still in good condition, there is the potential that it could be very valuable. At the very least, it will be worth more than the face value of the note. For example, a $10 federal reserve note that was printed in 1950 in great condition may be worth three times the face value. As notes age, they will become more valuable in many cases, so it is a good idea to keep looking.

If you do decide to collect federal reserve notes, it is important to do your research and stay on top of current trends. You never know – you may just be sitting on a gold mine, even if the note isn’t backed by the gold standard.

Originally posted 2008-09-18 14:00:00. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

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Money -> Small-Cents -> Lincoln-Wheat-1909-1958

Probably one of the easiest coins to acquire for a coin collection is the wheat penny. This coin was a United States penny minted from 1909 to 1958. The coin goes by many names, including the Lincoln Wheat Cent and Wheatie, and was worth 1 cent at the time it was minted. While few are worth more than that today, some uncirculated mintings have gone for thousands of dollars at auction.

Most of us who had grandparents or parents who kept pennies in jars have been able to search through those coins and find at least one wheat penny or two. The front of the penny looks indistinguishable, at first glance at least, from the pennies minted today because they still bear the bust of Lincoln on the front (or obverse) side of the coin. The back of course is different, because the two wheat stalks that were on the reverse of the wheat penny were replaced with the Lincoln memorial in 1959.

The change in the reverse design, however, isn’t the only different between the wheat penny and the modern penny. And there are even variations among wheat pennies, depending on the year the penny was minted. Some of the wheat pennies produced in the beginning featured the initials of the sculptor, Victor David Brenner, on the reverse side of the coin below the wheat stalks.

This was a cause of controversy, however, and in 1918 the initials VDB were moved to the front of the coin. You must look very closely at a wheat penny from those early years and you’ll see the tiny initials on the bottom of Lincoln’s bust, below his shoulder. The coins produced before the change was made in California are more valuable than most other types of these pennies, because less than half a million were produced by that mint before the public complained enough about the prominent initial display to have it changed.

These early pennies are called “VDB” cents due to the placement of the initials. If you happen to find a 1909 wheat penny with those initials on the back below the wheat stalks that was minted in San Francisco, California, even if the coin is in poor condition, it could be worth hundreds of dollars. Mint coins with that configuration can go for much, much more. VDB cents minted in Philadelphia hold much less value, because more were produced. The 1914-D coins are also typically quite valuable.

A wheat penny with a minting error can also be valuable, such as the 1922 penny that looks plain because the die was full and couldn’t imprint the coin, and one produced in 1955 which appears minted twice, known as the doubled die coin.

If you can find lots of wheat pennies for very little money, you might enjoy looking for these different variations. Someone without an interest in the wheat penny who puts several up for auction in a lot might not even be aware that they’re selling a gem.

Originally posted 2008-11-17 14:00:16. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

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Coin collecting is an industry that has grown to encompass billions of dollars in sales. The earliest hobby of coin collecting is capable of being traced as far back as 1300 AD, which is when an Italian scholar known by the name of Fracesco Petrarca began to save coins and realized that his hobby collecting coins was growing in value. Collecting coins differs from the concept of numismatics in that numismatics specifically focuses on the study of currency like coins, monetary objects and notes, while coin collecting focuses on collecting those types of money for fun as well as profit.

People who make hobbies out of collecting coins tend to specialize in different specific types of collections. This is often determined by their financial resources and whatever they can invest, as well as the ease of availability for the type of coins. Collections can vary significantly including coin collections that focus on specific countries, coin collections that focus on certain eras and so on.

• Coin collections focusing on a certain country are the most common type of coin collection because accumulating coins from a single country is generally a lot easier and more straight forward.
• Coin collections that focus on a certain era in history may include Russian Revolutionary coins, United States Colonial coins and so on.
• There are other obscure types of coin collections including collecting exonumia or error coins that are created improperly as a result die errors, designs that are uneven and double strikes, as these coins are generally in a high amount of demand. Another specialized form of coin collection is to focus on coins that come from one specialized civilization such as Roman coins, Aryan coins, Celtic coins or coins from the Goth era.

People who are interested in collecting coins can find hundreds of different coin collecting groups and clubs around the United States and around the world. Here, people who are serious about coin collecting gather so that they can discuss trends in coin collecting as well as numismatics. In the United States, a good option worth checking out is the American Numismatic Association which has a constantly growing roster of collectors that are all over the country. This organization was founded in 1891 and highly encourages the research and the collection of a myriad of different types of coins and currencies.

The American Numismatic association brings out a magazine every month that is known as the Numismatist. This is a virtual treasure trove of information for any collector, regardless of whether they are new to the art of have been collecting for years. If you are interested in collecting coins, it would be wise to check out the publication offered by this group of coin collectors, as it is a great place to jump start your understanding of the subject.

Photo Credits: Roger Smith

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The unique thing about coin collections is that there is a myriad of different ways to start a coin collection, and you can collect a wide variety of different coins or a small variety of very special coins depending on your interest. One of the options for coin collecting that you may want to consider if you enjoy unique coins is the art of collecting proof coins and uncirculated coins, which are coins that are not or have never been in actual use as currency in this country or any other country in the world for that matter. If the idea of proof coins and uncirculated coins seems worthwhile to you, the following information will prove useful.

There are a number of coins out there that never ended up being placed in circulation to be used for the purpose of commerce. This coin grade never had any wear or any defects meaning that these coins can be close to mint in condition. If you store these coins improperly, however, they can be worn and will no longer be in perfect condition any longer. Even if the wear is quite minor in nature, it will not allow the coin to have an “uncirculated” grade any longer.

When coins are first produced at the mint, they are placed into large canvas bags so that they can be transported. During the handling and transport phase, they can receive some small nicks and marks from rubbing and bumping along one another in the bags, and these marks are specifically known as bag marks. Bag marks tend to appear much more noticeable when the coin is larger in sized, such as a dollar or a half dollar coin. Typical bag marks will not prevent a coin from keeping the uncirculated grade. Light bag marks will not keep a coin from being considered to be uncirculated, but they may change the value that the coin receives if they are more noticeable bag marks.

Uncirculated coins are also capable of showing spotting, tarnish and discoloration while still maintaining the uncirculated grade when it comes to coin conditions. You should never clean a coin that has become tarnished as many methods of cleaning are actually capable of causing further wear on a coin, and this wear will upset the “uncirculated” grade of the coin.

There are also coins known as proof coins that were minted with the use of highly polished dies and never saw the light of day in terms of circulation. Just like with uncirculated coins, these proof coins are capable of experiencing darkening or tarnishing. Because labor and production costs went into producing proof coins beyond average coins, the mints that produce them quite often will sell them at a higher premium price, and often in much more limited numbers as well.

Photo Credits: Adamcha

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