For centuries, coin collecting has been a popular hobby.  Once only enjoyed by the very wealthy, coin collecting is now found to be a hobby for people from all walks of life.  Today, many people enjoy using coin collecting software to help them keep close track of their coin collections.  You can find many options for software online or at your Michigan coin dealer. People collect coins for a variety of reasons.  Some like the artwork, others enjoy reflecting on the historical events that they represent.  Regardless of the reason, coin collecting is enjoyable for many people and coin collecting software can help to organize any type of collection, small or large. There are coin collecting software programs that have extremely comprehensive database information, documenting coins from all over the world.  Many programs offer options for users to scan coins from their collection and match them with samples from the database to gather various pieces of information.  Some coin collecting software only covers coins from the United States, others will have information about worldwide coins. Coin collecting software can be downloaded for free from a number of websites.  Various versions are available, depending on the type of software you may need

Coins are generally considered to be genuine when they are stamped by a special machine.  Counterfeiters have many ways to duplicate these genuine coins and make them appear extremely authentic.  If you ever have a question about the authenticity of a coin, take it to your Michigan coin dealer to be examined more closely.  Rare coins are especially likely to be counterfeited.  The most common way to counterfeit coins is to use other coins and pour a liquid metal into a mold, which will leave the coin with cracked die marks. Most of the time, counterfeiting will make changes that alter the date markings on the coin.  This is one way that experts can determine the coin’s authenticity.  Comparing it with the same coin that is known to be authentic can be helpful. Anytime the value of a coin is five cents or more, there will be corrugations around the rim or outer edge.  These corrugations are often referred to as “readings.”  Authentic coins have distinct corrugations, and counterfeit ones often have missing or uneven corrugations, making it obvious that the coin is a fake. The following list of characteristics often help to tell if a coin is counterfeit: Determining whether a

Coin grading refers to the process that helps determine the value of a coin, based on several variables related to quality.  Originally, people collected coins that were considered to be only “new” or “used.”  Today, there are several variables that are considered for the purpose of grading.  Learning about grading is not difficult, and you can always contact your Michigan coin dealer for advice regarding the different variables. Grading of coins helps both buyers and sellers find the fairest price for coins.  Unfortunately, coin grading is still somewhat subjective and open to interpretation by some.  Submitting the same exact coin to two different grading services may get you two very different grades.  Learning as much as you can about coin grading can help you know when you are getting the best deals.  Computers are not able to grade coins accurately, but humans do have a certain error of measurement to deal with as well. Coin grading is an evolving science.  With the hobby of coin collecting continually growing, the grading system continues to change.  There are more categories and distinctions identified with which to grade the coins. Work closely with your Michigan coin dealer to learn about coin grading and help develop a terrific

Learning about coin collecting does take some time.  You have to have some motivation to learn about it in order to properly pursue it.  Some people collect coins for profit, others simply collect coins because they enjoy the art and history that is involved.  Many people may start out attempting to build a coin collection, but lose focus and give up the pursuit. To be a successful coin collector takes time.  There is plenty to learn about coin collecting, or numismatics, as it is commonly known.  Gathering information takes time.  The best information about coin collecting will come from your Michigan coin dealer, but other good sources include magazines, newsletters and books dedicated to the hobby of coin collecting. Knowing the basics is critical to success with a coin collecting hobby.  Knowledge is power, with any type of investment, and coin collecting is no different.  Learning about coin collecting can help someone develop more patience, because of the level of detail required to learn about the hobby.  It can take quite a while for you to develop a great coin collection. It is important that you learn to think like a coin collector and evaluate each coin on a variety of

So much can be learned about history by looking at coins.  The images portrayed on coins represent many different eras throughout history, in countries all over the world.  Visit your Michigan coin dealer to find books and other information about coins that will help you learn plenty of interesting information. Coins that are still in circulation tend to be worth less than those coins no longer circulated.  For instance, the United States used to circulate coins made from gold, such as the Liberty Head coins, which were minted between 1838-1933. Once the Great Depression began, the US stopped minting coins out of gold.  Because of this, they are especially valuable today.  Many of the gold coins were recalled, like the Indian Head and St. Gaudins versions, making them difficult to find. Some wonder what the most valuable coin in the world may be.  It is actually a Double Eagle coin, minted in 1933.  Originally a $20 gold coin made in the 1800s, it was not circulated until around 1930.  In 2002, it was auctioned off for $8 million. Because gold coins can be difficult to find and very expensive, many collectors do not try to collect these as a priority.  Instead, many

Although coin collecting was once a hobby reserved for only the wealthy, today anyone can enjoy this fun and interesting pastime.  Coins are representations of history and are pieces of art.  You certainly do not have to be wealthy to enjoy coin collecting.  Getting started is simple, all you have to do to begin is to go through the coins that you probably already have laying around your house or in coin jars.  You are likely to come across something interesting there.  Take your interesting finds to a Michigan coin dealer to learn more about the coins you find, and learn how to build your collection from there. Coins like wheat pennies are still in circulation, so you may occasionally come across these in your travels.  Always hang onto them—there are certain varieties that are worth something, and all of them are usually worth more than face value.  Other coins that you might have sitting in your jewelry box or coin jar might be Buffalo nickels.  Most people have a couple of foreign coins laying around somewhere, left over from trips or accidentally received as change from a purchase.  These are not only interesting to look at, but they might be worth

Whenever you are trying to determine the appropriate price for coins, it is important to consult multiple sources. Checking with your Michigan coin dealer before you buy and sell coins is smart. Avoid being ripped off or taken advantage of by arming yourself with the best information possible. There are several popular guidebooks that coin collectors get information from. These include “The Red Book” and “The Blue Book,” which can be found at most libraries or coin shops. Plenty of information is also available online for numismatics. In a pricing guide, there will be a listing for coins based on the values of each type of coin (e.g., penny, nickel, dime, quarter) that is on the market. Values will vary widely depending on coin condition, whether or not it was circulated, and rarity. One type of special penny that has become quite valuable is the United States wheat penny. Those that were in circulation prior to 1940 are worth a few dollars. Those minted prior to 1958 are still worth more than face value, but probably more like a few cents. Wheat pennies are very popular for coin collectors. Silver dollars that were minted prior to 1935 contain nearly a full ounce

Many coin collectors start their collection after receiving a gift of a valuable coin.  Perhaps your grandfather came across a special coin that he has been hanging onto for decades and decided to pass it along to you.  If you find it interesting, you may take it to a Michigan coin dealer to find out more about it, and you may end up becoming very interested in coin collecting. Coins are interesting to different people for different reasons.  Some enjoy the history of it, some enjoy the investment, and still some others enjoy coin collecting for the artistry of the coins.  There are definitely many different reasons that people collect coins. There is a substantial profit potential to collecting coins.  Many are very valuable, and will continue to grow in value as they age.  You don’t have to start with expensive coins, many collectors begin with inexpensive but interesting coins and build up a collection from there. Those who enjoy collecting coins to learn about history will enjoy visiting a Michigan coin dealer.  There they will find a treasure trove of information about every aspect of the coin, the country of origin, the symbols and the artwork on the coin. Coin collecting is

People collect coins for a variety of reasons.  Some people want an interesting hobby, others are looking for a potential investment.  Still another group enjoys coin collecting for the historical and artistic value.  Coins are wonderful treasures, and learning how to buy and sell coins can be very interesting and rewarding. Coins have stories to share with us about history.  If you want to know more about a certain coin, you can visit a Michigan coin dealer to learn about it.  Having a coin collection can be very expensive, or very inexpensive, depending on how you choose to approach it. People of different ages may approach coin collecting differently.  Kids may enjoy collecting coins that have certain pictures on them.  Teens and young adults may enjoy coin collecting as a way to explore the world.  Adults often choose to buy and sell coins as an investment, but also as a way to explore history and geography. A child collecting coins will usually have a small budget, or no budget at all for coins.  The good news is that you do not need a great deal of money to start a coin collection; all you really need is an awareness to notice special coins on the ground,

Coin collecting has been known for centuries as the “Hobby of Kings.”  This is mainly because hundreds of years ago, only the wealthiest could afford to buy and sell coins.  Today, coin collecting is enjoyed by people of all ages and all walks of life.  So many people take pleasure in this hobby, whether they collect coins for fun or as an investment. For those who may be interested in learning how to buy and sell coins and begin a coin collection, a great way to start is by making a visit to a Michigan coin dealer.  Most dealers are set up to not only deal with serious collectors, but interested beginners as well. Informal coin collectors far outnumber the pros.  Most who enjoy coin collecting do so for fun, rather than serious investing.  These people generally enjoy collecting coins from certain eras or particular geographical areas.   Informal investors tend to be the inquisitive type of person.  While this type of investor does not typically spend loads of money on coin collecting, they definitely enjoy it and will probably spend plenty of time caring for, appreciating and displaying their precious treasures. Advanced coin collectors usually have specific goals related to coin collecting.  They