The Coinage History of U.k. Coin Collecting

Money was never been quite so valuable until coin collecting entered the world of the hobbyists.

Since its inception, coin collecting has continuously represented the ancient way of preserving the history of the human race. Coin collecting allows people to protect and conserve their nation’s history. Through this kind of activity, coin collectors allow other people to touch and examine the kinds of coins that ancient people used.

In the United Kingdom, coins are considered one of the most precious relics that the nation has ever produced because most of their coins are considered to be a true representation of the royalty. For instance, U.K. coin collectors would be happy to own the 50-cent coins that were manufactured by the Royal Canadian Mint for the “Golden Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II.”

Facts about UK Coin Collecting

Unlike in the U.S., coin collecting in U.K. uses different terms in categorizing the kinds of coins that are collected. For instance, in the UK coins that were circulated from 1971 to 1981, the term “new pence” was used to differentiate them from the so called “ancient pre-decimal pennies”.

By the year 1982, experts felt the need to change the word “new” into a more concrete characteristic that would denote the value of the coin as well. Therefore, the terms “two” or “thirty” were used as well as other terminologies that would indicate the coins worth.

After a year, the “two pence” or the “2p” coins were so common that the coin collectors had very little demand for them so the Royal Mint continued to issue the “2p” coins but only in sets that were exclusively distributed to coin collectors. There are only 20 “2p” coins that still bear the “new pence” wording on the reverse side in circulation and new coin collectors who wish to collect these coins will have difficulty in finding them.

In line with UK history, the UK coin collecting has undergone many changes. The very first change was the “decimalisation” of the coins. With the inception of the “decimal coinage,” the English coinage system was established on relationships that indicate the new value of the ancient coins. For example, the coin that used to be known as 2 halfpence is now converted into 1 penny, while 20 shillings is equal to 1 pound or £1.

UK coin collecting is, indeed, not just mere realization of a hobby but a concrete representation of what was transcribed in the history of UK.

Design Types of US Coins and Coin Collecting

Coin collecting
is a fun hobby that anyone who has the time can do. A coins history and its development can be learned by collecting them.

At one point in time, between 1838 and 1933, the United States issued gold coins for circulation. The Liberty Head bust was used as the design until 1907. The design was then changed to the Indian Head and Saint Gaudens motifs until 1933 when the Great Depression started. This prompted the recall of the coins which makes it very rare to find any of them today.

The most valuable coin in the world is the 1933 Double Eagle. This was a $20 gold coin that was made in the 1800s after the California gold rush. This coin was not allowed to be used in the 1930s and when this coin was auctioned in 2002, it sold for nearly eight million dollars.

Since gold coins are hard to find, most collectors select other coins.

One type of collection you might consider is the one made up of coins that are flawed when the coin was minted. If you can find a coin with a misspelled word, a wrong date, off-center characteristics, or double-punched marks, these coins are valuable. Such mistakes can increase a coins value from $50 to a $1000.

Coins that were only issued or circulated for short period of time also make good collectibles.

A coin collection is at its best if it is focused on a certain coin. A collector can choose from pennies, nickels, dimes, quarters and dollars.

Another way of collecting is disregarding the types of coins but concentrating on a certain time period. Coins have different mint marks and collecting those that were struck in the same location can also be interesting. The important thing for hobbyists is to stick to the collection until it has been completed.

For a good start subscribe to a coin publication such as Coin World or Coinage Magazine for information on the types of coins that you might want to collect. The internet or a local coin shop can also help expand the search for those coins that cant be found in your locale or out of state.

Building a coin collection will take a long time – months or even years. The United States has produced so many coins that it is hard to keep track of them. By deciding on the coin(s) you want to collect, the challenge to complete that collection begins.

How to Earn your Coin Collecting Merit Badge

Image via WikipediaThere is more to coin collecting than just keeping coins. There is something at stake for those who make an effort to know what they are collecting: the Coin Collector’s Merit Badge.

A person who wants to acquire a merit badge must prove himself to be someone who knows a lot about coins.

Here are some of the things that a coin collector must know in order to earn the Merit Badge.

1. The Grading Scale

Merit badge aspirers must be very knowledgeable about the different grades of coins. They must master how to assess coins and categorize each coin as:

- Poor
- Fair
- Good
- Very good
- Fine
- Very fine
- Extremely fine
- Uncirculated.

They must also present five examples for each of the categories given above.

2. Coin Terminologies

Coin collectors must familiarize themselves to coin terms such as “encapsulated” coins, “proof” coins or legal tender to get the merit badge. They must be able to determine if coins are “buzzed” or “whizzed”.

They must also show competency in explaining the following:

- Clad
- Date set
- Observe
- Reading
- Reverse
- Type set

3. Coin Storage

For a coin collector to achieve a merit badge, it is important that he knows how to take care, store and preserve coins.
Coin collectors must be able to demonstrate thorough knowledge in coin collecting by showing the councilors different methods of coin storage. It is expected that the advantages and disadvantages of the methods will be provided as well.

4. Coin Anatomy

Knowledge of the parts of the coins will give important information. That is why coin collectors who want a merit badge must know where the mint marks are located in various coins and they must also know where to look for the initials of the coin designer.

5. Miscellaneous things about coins

The councilors will be very pleased to hear stories about what you have learned about coins. These recollections may come from reading coin journals, attending workshops or seminars, joining a coin collectors’ club, or visiting mint facilities.

It is also expected that coin collectors know a lot about coins from other countries as well.

6. Counterfeit coins

A coin collector must have a perception of whether a coin is authentic or counterfeit.

Reading coin guides or interviewing personnel from mint facilities will be a help in this situation.

After knowing these things, you are now equipped with the knowledge needed to be worthy of the coin collectors’ merit badge.

Coin Collecting Goes Online in Unique Coin Trading Forum for Coin Collectors

Image by oceandesetoiles via FlickrToronto, ON May 18, 2007 - As the old saying goes, ‘a penny saved is a penny earned.’ Depending on the age, condition and rarity of that same penny - it could prove to be worth a lot more.

It is generally believed that coin collecting began in the fourteenth century. Today, it is considered a very competitive sport among devote coin collectors and coin traders. Coin collecting has become such a huge industry in the United States, each year one week in April is noted as National Coin Week.

This year’s event ran from April 15 - 21. The American Numismatic Association (ANA) sponsors this annual event as a way to increase general public interest in coin collecting. A coin drop kicks off the week long festivities and collectors are encouraged to put one of their collectables into circulation in the hope that the person who receives it will become a rare coin collector once this treasure has been found.

The art of coin trading is quickly modernizing and is making the move on-line. One unique site, Coin Trading Online, on the web at connects buying collectors and sellers in an Internet forum for discussion and trading of rare and precious coins from around the world.

Each collector has a different approach to coin collecting - some try to collect nickels or pennies from each year as far back as possible while others focus on various special collections issued by the US Mint or other providers of currency. For many coin collectors, coins can become a profitable investment
.

Silver Coin Collecting - Hobby of Kings

It is in human beings nature to accumulate things but only collectors make it their avocation. One man's junk is another man's treasure.

Coin collection is a serious hobby for many people worldwide. silver coin collectors can start in childhood but only in ripe old age they comprehend how profitably they invested their money. There are different reasons for people to start their collections and we call them differently: hoarders, who gather whatever silver coins they can get hold of, investors, whose common reason for coins purchase is an investment; and inheritors, who acquire or inherit coins from another person.

Modern silver coin collecting is generally believed to have begun in the fourteenth century in Italy (known as the “Hobby of Kings”). European princes, kings and nobility used to collect ancient silver coins. They were attracted by the mystery and history of ancient Greece and Rome. The 1st denarius of Ancient Rome was made of silver. Why silver? Throughout the history, silver bullion has served as a primary monetary metal, because it is divisible, durable, convenient, has utility value.

In Russia the collecting of coins began in Peter the Great's reign. Silver money in Old Russia was coined in four counties: Moscow, Tver, Novgorod and Pskov. Nowadays of all this money only 340 Old Russian silver coins are known to collectors.

Coin collectors begin by saving coins they receive in circulation but find interesting. Over time their interest may increase; started as a hobby, their coins can turn out to be an astounding collection.

What Affects the Value of a Coin ?

Image via WikipediaWhen just beginning in coin collecting, often the first question is: “What is the value of my coins?: and the answer is that the coin will cost as much as you are willing to pay for it and the amount can vary greatly. For example, a coin dealer’s offer can be considerably less than a coin collector that really wants your coin badly to add in his or her collection.

Here are some factors that go into finding the true value of a coin.



1. Grade or condition of the coin. Your coin will be worth or valued more when it is in good condition. When in a perfect or unblemished mint condition, an “uncirculated” coin will be worth many times more than a similar coin that has been in circulation.



2. The rarity of a coin is the principal basis for a coins value. Generally, the rarer that a coin is found to be, the higher it is priced. Do keep in mind that rarity has very little influence on the coins age. Chinese coins are a thousand years old normally sell for about ten dollars since there are so many of them; while a “1913 Liberty Head Nickel” can sell for up to or over a million dollars because only five specimens are known to be in existence.



3. What is the Demand? There are coins that are greatly in demand; sought after by many collectors, and if that a particular coin is in great demand the price will be even higher. Even comparatively plentiful coins can mandate higher value when they are popular with coin collectors.



4. Coin Bullion value. A coin's precious metal content can help determine its value. A platinum, gold or silver coin will not, in general sell for less than the coins value when melted.



For example, “1916 D dimes” are much more common than the “1798 dimes” yet in spite of this, “1916 D dimes” sell for so much more because there are many more individuals collecting 20th century dimes than 1700 dimes.

Here’s how you can determine the approximate value of your coin:



1. Properly, accurately, and correctly recognize and classify your coin, and know the to place value on that coin. You can do this successfully by examining your coin in a catalogue or online with the “coin price guide”; this will give you an idea of the going rate and price of your particular coin and you can determine the approximate value of your coin.

Everyday coin values are changing; so you need to use a “coin price guide” that is updated on a daily basis to obtain the current coin value. Look at online sites that offer step by step guidance on how to recognize your coin the proper way.



2. Grade your coin based on your thorough observation and examination of its current condition.



3. Consult coin catalogues for a list of retail prices in or estimates of your coins retail value. “A Guide Book of United States Coins”, popularly known as "The Red Book" to coin dealers and collectors, provides information on retail coin prices for US coins and is available in libraries, coin shops and bookstores. “The Standard Catalog of World Coins” (in volumes) is a guide commonly used by coin dealers and collectors as well, to provide information on world coins and is available in many public libraries.



You can also check current coin prices by basing it on the actual dealer coin price found in magazines and newspapers or online auctions such as Yahoo, Coin World, eBay or Teletrade.

Always keep in mind that you are not collecting coins primarily for money; you collect for enjoyment and self gratification, and profit is to be last consideration. The plain fact that a certain coin does not have a large monetary value, does not necessarily suggest that it is no longer interesting or fascinating or that it must not be included in your collection.

Each coin will have a certain interest in itself, regardless of the condition that it is in and regardless of its monetary value. There will always be a certain characteristic that will draw you to that particular coin; so when it does, then you should have it in your collection. Good luck!