Saturday 25th May 2013

Coin collecting comes in many different shapes. If you have the idea that there is only one way to collect coins then we need to expand your horizons. We will start by listing a few ways that some people collect coins. But, don't let this partial list restrict your imagination. There are many other kinds of collections.

• One of the most common styles of collecting is by denomination of coins: one cent, five cent, ten cent, etc.
• Some collectors seek obsolete coins: half cent, two cent, half dime, etc.
• Some collectors goal is to collect one of each type of coin (there may be more than twenty or thirty different types of a single denomination of coin)
• Some collectors collect "circulation" coins, while others collect "uncirculated" coins, while others collect "proof" coins.
• One group of collectors restricts their collections to copper coins.
• Another group collects mint errors.

This list could be much longer, but by now you understand that only your imagination limits your collecting, and it is you that must determine which your way of "coin collecting" is right for you.

When making your choice, some of the factors you should consider are: the time and financial commitment you are willing to invest in your hobby. Another factor is the availability of the items you wish to collect. If you collect coins that are easy to find, and don't cost much, chances are your collection may never be worth much. On the other hand, if you choose coins that are extremely rare, the likelihood of completing your collection becomes extremely small if not impossible.

If you are new to coin collecting, or if you are trying to decide on which coins to collect, the best place to start is with education. The "Coin" section of this site will give you a graphic overview of the circulating coins that have been produced by the United States mint. Coins from other countries may be added at some future date.

The Knave of Coins

Coin Manager

This program provides coin enthusiasts with a comprehensive and informative solution for managing their collections ... the software has detailed information and images for almost 18,000 coins, as well as a large listing of coin-collecting Web sites.

If the database doesn't contain a listing for a coin you own, you can add your own data and images. CoinManage lets you search for an entry by keyword, and you can sort the database by parameters such as year, grade, quantity, amount paid etc.