| Coin collecting is something that takes time | | | | |
| to learn. The most important thing to | | | | It was in 1932 that the Washington quarter |
| remember is that you are doing it for the | | | | dollar was released as the United States |
| right reason - if it is a passion, then it is | | | | second commemorative coin in its |
| something worth pursuing. | | | | denomination. It was issued for the 200th |
| | | | birth anniversary of George Washington. The |
| Collecting just for profit may work but it | | | | coin also continues its circulation as a |
| usually is not enough in the long run. A | | | | commemorative coin because of its popularity. |
| person really has to think about this since | | | | |
| many people who have tried it for that reason | | | | It was uncharacteristic to circulate a |
| have lost focus and failed. | | | | commemorative coin of the 1892 - 1954 era in |
| | | | the United States because the government had |
| Successful coin collectors take a lot of time | | | | not intentionally put them into circulation, |
| to learn everything there is to know about | | | | (they were not legally approved by the |
| numismatics. Good sources of information are | | | | government for public use) so collectors will |
| magazines, newsletters and brokers who can | | | | not pay the premium costs of these coins that |
| pass on information and news, when it | | | | are still in the market. |
| happens. By using the resources a person can | | | | |
| act fast before other collectors who want the | | | | In 1975, that the Bicentennial quarter was |
| same thing get the information first. | | | | introduced. It became the second circulating |
| | | | commemorative coin in the country, while the |
| If a person tries to collect without knowing | | | | silver dollars and half dollars (1776 to |
| the basics, he will never succeed in this | | | | 1976) were reissued as a special collectors |
| hobby. | | | | edition. |
| | | | |
| Knowing how to grade coins can also help the | | | | Many collectors have different agendas when |
| collector know the true value of the | | | | collecting these coins. Some prefer |
| collection. This knowledge will be valuable | | | | commemorative coins from 1892 - 1954 while |
| if the owner decides to trade for something | | | | most collectors choose the modern editions. |
| of greater value or it can prevent scamming | | | | They know that these coins have different |
| and wasting money for something of little | | | | values depending on the series and/or |
| value. Be vigilant! | | | | editions. |
| | | | |
| One of the virtues that coin collecting can | | | | Although there have been different series |
| teach a person is patience since the | | | | released, a proposal was submitted to |
| collection may take years to complete. Some | | | | congress that would mark the Lincoln cent for |
| of the well-renowned collectors in the world | | | | his birth anniversary. No one knows whether |
| have spent many years before reaping the | | | | or not the 1-cent denomination commemorative |
| benefits. | | | | coin will be minted. |
| | | | |
| Learning to think like a collector is very | | | | The confusing part of these commemoratives |
| important. Being too eager is not good | | | | that are circulating is the pattern of the |
| because the collector could be tempted to | | | | denomination. The 1776-1976 commemoratives |
| purchase or trade the wrong coin which could | | | | half-dollar and silver dollar may not be |
| prove to be costly. Think twice about using | | | | included in collections because of their |
| the information given even if that came from | | | | scarcity. Most of the coins that are |
| a reliable source. | | | | circulating are the quarter dollar coins. It |
| | | | should be an interesting development for the |
| Coin collecting can be difficult especially | | | | proposed circulation of the one cent |
| if the person is just starting. A person, | | | | commemorative coin. |
| more than likely, cant afford to buy items | | | | |
| worth more than $10,000, so it is best to | | | | Some people are born to love money; whether |
| start small and study the market for three to | | | | they spend it or just collect it, they are |
| six months so that he can be comfortable | | | | simply born to love the way money provides |
| before going after bigger prizes. | | | | them the kind of gratification that they |
| | | | need. |
| Coin collecting is similar to sports - it | | | | |
| takes time to excel at it and goals, both | | | | For example those people who are coin |
| short and long term, have to be established. | | | | collectors simply love the sight of coins and |
| By following the rules and using common | | | | many wish to display their collections as |
| sense, the person can become one of many | | | | art. |
| other successful coin collectors. | | | | |
| | | | In the United States, coin collecting started |
| Commemorative coins have become very popular. | | | | as early as 1652. During this period, |
| Many people want to have different kinds of | | | | business people and individuals alike, were |
| coins in their collections or for souvenirs. | | | | known to engrave and distribute their |
| Many times they are used as traditional gifts | | | | personal coins. |
| for special occasions. These coins are not | | | | |
| considered to be practical gifts, bur are | | | | Some people are so interested in coin |
| commemorative items that can be kept for | | | | collecting that they are more willing to |
| years as special souvenirs when received by a | | | | combine various forms and categories. The |
| special friend or loved one. | | | | reason for this fascination for these coins |
| | | | is the very nature of U.S. coins. |
| There is a strong demand for these coins | | | | |
| among people who are collectors as they may | | | | The U.S. Mint carefully crafts U.S coins and |
| have significant meaning to them. Others will | | | | over the past 30 years it has minted nearly |
| want them to remember an important day or | | | | 300 billion coins. |
| occasion. The mint date and the event | | | | |
| celebrated by the coin could be one factor | | | | When the Articles of Confederation gave |
| people consider them collectible items. | | | | consent for the different states to create or |
| | | | manufacture their own coins, the U.S. coin |
| Since the 1970s, the individual coins were | | | | collections grew at an unparalleled rate. |
| available in the market every year, but are | | | | That is why in the middle of 1780's, states |
| now available as sets in packages or in | | | | like Connecticut, Vermont, New Jersey, New |
| special displays. Many collectors say that | | | | York, and Massachusetts started creating |
| one reason they are marketed this way was the | | | | various coins unique to their states. This |
| depreciation of their value starting in 1971. | | | | prompted the start of "rare coin collection." |
| The introduction of the euro may also be a | | | | |
| factor. | | | | To know more about U.S. coin collecting, here |
| | | | are some of the basic facts that you must |
| There are countries that have produce | | | | know: |
| commemorative coins and used these coins for | | | | |
| propaganda. There were monarchs who issued | | | | 1. It was on 1787 that the primary |
| coins to commemorate past or current events | | | | "federally" approved coin of the U.S. was |
| and/or celebrations that recognized their | | | | first made. It was in New Haven, Connecticut |
| authority. | | | | where the "Fugio Cent," the name of the coin, |
| | | | was secretly manufactured. |
| The half dollar was produced in 1892 to | | | | |
| commemorate the Columbian Exposition in | | | | 2. The U.S. Mint is responsible for |
| Chicago. This was a celebration to mark the | | | | manufacturing the U.S. coins. The agency uses |
| 400th anniversary of the expedition of | | | | bands of metal that are rolled into loops, |
| Christopher Columbus and his discoveries in | | | | with the right breadth and measurements. Each |
| the world. | | | | kind of coin uses a particular kind of metal. |
| | | | For instance, metal strips that are made of |
| During the following year, the first quarter | | | | zinc are used to manufacture pennies, while |
| dollar commemorative was introduced to | | | | nickels are made of a 25% "nickel metal |
| signify the Exposition as well, but it also | | | | alloy" and 75% copper. |
| gave honor to queen Isabella of Spain. She | | | | |
| was the one who back-pedaled the political | | | | For this reason, U.S. coin collecting is |
| agendas on Women Rights. | | | | further subdivided into categories such as |
| | | | the U.S cent, U.S. nickel, U.S. dime, etc. |
| The first commemorative coins that were made | | | | |
| of silver were introduced in the 1900s. The | | | | People who would like to start collecting |
| coins were minted in honor of Lafayette and | | | | U.S. coins, should learn the intricacies or |
| George Washington. In the following years, | | | | the hobby and find ways to acquire their |
| the half dollar coin was denominated, and the | | | | first coins. |
| legal tender commemorative coins were created | | | | |
| to mark celebrations rather than historical | | | | The hobby of U.S. coin collecting is not just |
| events. These coins are recognized today as | | | | a wonderful hobby but also a great way to |
| classical sets of special coins of historical | | | | preserve the nation's culture and history. |
| events between the years1892 - 1954. | | | | |