Coin Parts and Anatomy

coinsYou 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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Colonial Money

Coins and Paper Money -> Paper Money: US -> Colonial Currency

If you are interested in collecting paper money, Colonial money is one of the hottest tickets going right now. When the first US colonies were formed, the nation and its currency system were still in their infancy. It was decided that paper money would be used, and gradually, currency was printed and distributed for use. Today, colonial money is usually worth much more than its face value, provided that it is original and not a reproduction. Here are some tips on how to tell whether or not you have an authentic piece of colonial history.

1. Check the Signature

Colonial money was always designed to have at least one signature on the note. You may need to look carefully to determine whether or not a signature is present, but if you can’t find even one, chances are you may be dealing with a reproduction. The color of the signature should be in red ink.

2. Is it Numbered?

Colonial money was always numbered to help them keep track of how many bills were in circulation. Once again, if you are dealing with an authentic note the ink color will be red and the number will be very noticeable. Age made have faded the note slightly, but you should be able to tell that the ink was once a red color.

3. Look at the Writing

Typically, colonial money featured a handwritten signature, and some bills may have other handwriting on them as well. This is actually quite important, and is a big clue to the authenticity of the note. If the handwriting is the in the same color as the rest of the bill, there is a very high chance that you are in fact dealing with a reproduction.

4. Look for the Stamp

In most cases, reproductions that are intended merely for home use will carry a stamp that says “facsimile.” This is done to help people get a better idea of the colonial money that was used, but they are not intended to be collector items. While some reproductions may not have this stamp, the majority should.

5. Find the Watermark

Even in the height of the colonial period, when technology still was struggling, watermarks were added to bills to help determine whether or not they were authentic. You can use that same watermark to help you determine whether or not you have authentic colonial money on hand. Hold the bill up to a light source to see if you can spot the watermark. If you can’t chances are you have a reproduction.

6. Take it to an Expert

If you plan on investing in a colonial money note, it is best to have it examined by an expert to determine the authenticity of the note. They will be well versed in the different types of ink, the different plates that were used, as well as how real colonial money should look. There is no substitute for getting an expert’s opinion, especially if you will be investing in colonial money.

Originally posted 2008-09-11 14:00:01. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

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Federal Reserve Notes

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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Canadian Coins

Coins and Paper Money -> Coins: Canada -> Commemorative

Whether you are from Canada, or just interested in collecting Canadian coins, there are plenty of options out there and many of these coins are actually quite valuable. Before you get started with your collection, it’s a good idea to know what is out there and which coins will be the best investment. Here’s a quick guide to Canadian coins to get you started.

1. Gold and Platinum Coins

By far, the most valuable Canadian coins are the ones that are made from platinum or gold. You’ll find many commemorative coins made of these materials and some are worth more than the actual face value of the coin. If you’re looking for a solid investment with a history of growth, these coins are a great option. While not all are incredibly valuable, the majority will be worth at the very least their face value.

2. Loonies and Twoonies

Loonies are a very popular Canadian coin, so called due to the design on the coin. This is a dollar coin and it can be a bit harder to find the older ones. If you happen across a Loonie, it’s a great idea to keep it since it may be worth quite a lot of money. Twoonies are also popular and this is a two dollar coin that is a real collector’s item. Not many people actually use these, so it is possible to get your hands on one that has not been circulated.

3. Province Coins

Just like the US and the state quarters, there are province specific Canadian coins that are very valuable. It’s a lot of fun to see if you can get all the provinces and this is also a fun hobby for kids that combines geography with stamp collecting. The commemorative ones are going to be the most valuable in these coins, but there is still a lot of demand for these on the market.

4. Collections, Lots

If you want a jump start towards building your collection of Canadian coins, one of the best ways to do that is to get an entire collection in one fell swoop. You can usually find these at auction and in many cases, there will be at least one or two very rare stamps in the collection. Even if you already have a large personal collection, this is usually a very economical way to add to and even discover some new stamps along the way.

5. Proof Sets

These are probably the rarest and hardest to find in Canadian coins, but if you do come across a proof, you can almost guarantee that it will be worth quite a bit of money. These are the proofs that are used when they are minting coins, and there are many antique ones that are very popular right now.

No matter what kind of Canadian coins you are interested in collecting, you can find them at auction, online and even from private dealers. Give collecting these coins a try and see what rare finds you can come across.

Originally posted 2008-09-23 05:00:22. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

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