Coin gathering is one of the most timeless and aplauded hobbies, the planet over. With mint coins having played a major role in everyday life for the majority of recorded history, there is a literally endless stock from which individuals can base their collections. Generally, collectors fall into one of two categories. The first are simple hobbyists who collect for the sheer fun and enjoyment of having and maintaining coin collections, while others are more serious collectors, looking to profit from the acquisition and sale of their coins. Collectors have any number of various themes on which to base their collections.

Often one will collect coins from a specific country, time period, mint, or even coins that have similar metallurgical composition. While once rated as merely, good, fine, or uncirculated, today coins are rated on a far more complex scale from 1-70, where a 70 represents a perfect coin and a 1 represents a piece that has been badly damaged and is nearly unidentifiable. Ratings–and accordingly values–of coins and coin collections are based on a number of factors, including but not limited to: overall appearance and appeal, dents or dings on or along the rim, surface scratches, luster and tone, and general detail retention. Generally, particularly unique specimens such as coins with mint errors or particular historical significance are highly sought after and quite valuable. Regardless of your motivation for collecting, coin collections can be amongst the most rewarding and satisfying of any hobby.

Coin collecting also can be a very financially rewarding activity.  Many coins are worth many times more than their face value. Some coins can be valued at thousands of dollars, make sure to check the value of the coins in your collectiion to make sure you know what they are worth.  Fortunes can be had with the right collection.