I sometimes get coin collecting questions from customers, friends, or I run across them on the Web. I wanted to take some time to discuss a couple of recent questions that I think will benefit others who are getting into coin collecting. What are the 2 sides of a coin called? Most people know the
What are Paper Coin Flips? Inside (left) and outside (right) Paper flips (also known as cardboard flips) are flat, rectangular pieces of thin cardboard lined with a clear plastic film on one side. The flip folds in half, forming a square, with the plastic on the inside. Each half of the flip has a hole,
Everyone would love to have a collection of perfect, shiny coins in their binder. Because we’re working with circulated coins, however, we’re going to end up with scratched, dirty, or otherwise imperfect specimens. You may find coins that have actual dirt/grime on them, have been written on, or have tarnish or blemishes from being handled
When you first start acquiring coins, you should find that most can go straight into your collection. As your collection grows, though, you’re going to get coins that you already have. Maybe someone brought you back a handful of coins from their trip, and there are several of the same coin. Or you bought a
Sometimes starting a new collection can be intimidating simply because of the number of different items that are available. Most collectibles can be collected by some kind of theme within the collectible space – baseball cards can be collected by team or year, rocks can be collected by color or type, toy cars can be
Coin collecting has its own lexicon that you’ll find it helpful to become familiar with. These words help collectors accurately discuss coins. If you spend much time around other collectors, looking at coins, reading about coins, or even shopping for coins, you’ve probably run into a few of these. If you haven’t, then learning about
An important factor in the enjoyment of many activities is having the tools to do it properly, and collecting coins is no exception. The right tools allow you to get started sooner, reduce frustration, and have more success with whatever it is you’re trying to do. I’m going to share what I’ve found to be
One of the most common questions I get about collecting world coins is simply “Why?”. Why collect world or foreign coins? In answering this question, I’m going to discuss what I’ve found to be the best aspects of a world coin collection so that you can decide for yourself if it’s something you might like
When I was 9 years old, my uncle gave me a handful of coins from Australia. I had never seen money from another country before, and up to that point it hadn’t even occurred to me that everyone doesn’t use the dollars and cents I was used to. I kept the coins in my desk,
