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How To Begin Numismatic Coin Collecting
Originally the province of royalty and privileged classes, numismatic coin collecting was known as "the hobby of kings." Over time, people from lower classes began coin collecting and today it is a hobby anyone of any age or background can participate in and enjoy.
In ancient Rome, Ceasar Augustus, the Roman Emperor, was known for distributing all kinds of coins to the people as Saturnalia gifts. In 1355, the Holy Roman Emperor Charles IV was presented a collection of coins by Petrarch. Petrarch, an Italian scholar and poet, is considered the first Renaissance coin collector.
In 1514, approximately 159 years from the time Petrarch presented the collection to Charles IV, Guillaume Bude wrote and published De Asse et Partibus, the first book about coins. Other famous coin collectors include popes, kings and emperors from around the world, including Emperor Maximillian, King Louis XIV of France, Pope Boniface VIII and Ferdinand I.
In the early 19th century, coin collecting societies and associations began. The Royal Numismatic Society began in 1836. It still exists today and publishes the Numismatic Chronicle, a journal of coin collecting. The American Numismatic Society began in 1858. In 1866 it began publishing the American Journal of Numismatics. Today the largest coin collection in America is owned by the society.
Over time, more and more people discovered this fascinating hobby. Most are amateur collectors who simply enjoy the coins. Others are professional and grade coins according to the Sheldon Scale. Numismatics has room for every kind of coin collector.
To start a coin collection is very simple. It does not require large sums of money or fancy supplies. Young children can even begin coin collecting with only coins and a cigar box. Any coin store can provide basic coins for a very low price to individuals just getting started with the hobby.
Older children and adults will want to purchase some type of folder or album made for holding coins. In lieu of this, use small envelopes designed to hold and protect coins. Another essential is a magnifying glass with magnification of five to eight times. To identify and price coins, collectors will want to buy a reference book. A number of these are available and are an invaluable resource.
More advanced coin collectors may come to the point where they decide to learn how to grade coins using the Sheldon Scale. Others may decide to collect coins from only one country or from only one period of time in history. Still others may want to collect specific coins from all of the years minted. Coin collectors can delve as deeply into their hobby as they desire.
Numismatic coin collecting is a great hobby for people of all ages. The degree of involvement can be tailored from very simple coin collecting for children all the way up to the level of a professional coin collector. The most important thing when first beginning to collect is to take it slow and have fun with your new hobby and share it with your friends and family. Who knows, maybe you will get them involved in coin collecting, too.
In ancient Rome, Ceasar Augustus, the Roman Emperor, was known for distributing all kinds of coins to the people as Saturnalia gifts. In 1355, the Holy Roman Emperor Charles IV was presented a collection of coins by Petrarch. Petrarch, an Italian scholar and poet, is considered the first Renaissance coin collector.
In 1514, approximately 159 years from the time Petrarch presented the collection to Charles IV, Guillaume Bude wrote and published De Asse et Partibus, the first book about coins. Other famous coin collectors include popes, kings and emperors from around the world, including Emperor Maximillian, King Louis XIV of France, Pope Boniface VIII and Ferdinand I.
In the early 19th century, coin collecting societies and associations began. The Royal Numismatic Society began in 1836. It still exists today and publishes the Numismatic Chronicle, a journal of coin collecting. The American Numismatic Society began in 1858. In 1866 it began publishing the American Journal of Numismatics. Today the largest coin collection in America is owned by the society.
Over time, more and more people discovered this fascinating hobby. Most are amateur collectors who simply enjoy the coins. Others are professional and grade coins according to the Sheldon Scale. Numismatics has room for every kind of coin collector.
To start a coin collection is very simple. It does not require large sums of money or fancy supplies. Young children can even begin coin collecting with only coins and a cigar box. Any coin store can provide basic coins for a very low price to individuals just getting started with the hobby.
Older children and adults will want to purchase some type of folder or album made for holding coins. In lieu of this, use small envelopes designed to hold and protect coins. Another essential is a magnifying glass with magnification of five to eight times. To identify and price coins, collectors will want to buy a reference book. A number of these are available and are an invaluable resource.
More advanced coin collectors may come to the point where they decide to learn how to grade coins using the Sheldon Scale. Others may decide to collect coins from only one country or from only one period of time in history. Still others may want to collect specific coins from all of the years minted. Coin collectors can delve as deeply into their hobby as they desire.
Numismatic coin collecting is a great hobby for people of all ages. The degree of involvement can be tailored from very simple coin collecting for children all the way up to the level of a professional coin collector. The most important thing when first beginning to collect is to take it slow and have fun with your new hobby and share it with your friends and family. Who knows, maybe you will get them involved in coin collecting, too.
