Everything Needed to Start a Coin Collection for Beginners

Numismatology, or the collection and study of coins, can be one of the most rewarding hobbies. Not only is it a chance to study some beautiful pieces of history, but rare coins hold value beyond what is stamped on them. 

For example, a rare 1792 Birch penny recently sold for $2.6 million at auction. 

If you are taking a shine to this hobby, read on.

This guide will help you pick up coin collecting. Before you go cracking your piggy banks in search of treasure, you need coin collecting tools.

Here is everything needed to start a coin collection for beginners.

Guidebook

The first thing you need to know when you start collecting coins is what to look for. There are hundreds of different variations and nuances to consider with coins. 

As such, you need to invest in a guidebook. There are many options on the market. They will have price guides, photographs of coins, and the information you need to begin. 

The Red Book is a popular option among numismatists and a good starter guide. 

Magnifying Glass

There are many factors that go into grading and categorizing a coin. Some of the aspects are the year, the mint, misprints, materials, etc. 

These details are difficult to pick up on. Therefore, every beginner coin collector needs a magnifying glass. 

The recommended glass is between 10 and 30 times magnification. 

Coin Albums 

Once you think you have spotted some quality coins, you’ll need a place to put them. The first option is coin albums. 

Albums are suited to collecting a certain series of coins. They exist for runs of all types of coins. 

Depending on what coins you focus on, the albums will point you in the right direction for what to look for. 

Coin Flips

Though, not all coins are suited to an album. A second option for storing your coin collection is coin flips. 

Coin flips are individual plastic coin holders that display both sides of the coin. These are better for showing off a quality find. 

Flips are also a good option for non-monetary coins. Souvenir coins, challenge tokens, and police coins are great for coin flips. 

Gloves 

As you develop your knowledge and your collection, you might find you have some truly valuable coins. 

If you are holding on to the next million-dollar penny, you will want to handle it with care. The oils on your hands can contaminate rare coins. 

As such, coin collectors should have a pair of gloves. Soft cotton gloves are the best option to study money. 

Notebook

As your collection grows, it might be hard to keep track of everything you have. The final tool for novice coin collectors is a notebook.

Notes will let you keep track of the coins you have, info on them, and where they are stored. It’s easy to lose track of a coin when you have several hundred. 

Keep notes.

Time to Start a Coin Collection

With these tools on hand, it’s time to start a coin collection. Look in your piggy banks, cup holders, and under the couch. You never know what treasures you will find. Good hunting, numismatists.

If you enjoyed this article, stick around the blog for more lifestyle reads. 

The post Everything Needed to Start a Coin Collection for Beginners first appeared on Weirdomatic. Weirdomatic is the place where all weird things come to life through the amazing world of photographs – a corner of our wild imagination or the whimsical face of the reality?