Coin collecting has been a popular hobby around the world for many years. While hoarding coins due to their value goes back to the beginning of coinage, coin collecting as pieces of art was a later development.

Known as the "Hobby of Kings", modern coin collecting is generally believed to have begun in the fourteenth century with Italian scholar, poet and early renaissance humanist Francesco Petrarch. Many of the worlds most famous coin collections, including Petrarch's, are known to have given their owners great pleasure.

For many, coin collecting has even become a competitive sport. Regardless of why people collect coins, there's no doubt that coin collecting is a popular hobby for people of all ages. As a culturally enriching pastime, coin collecting offers six main pleasures, which might be described as "The Six Ls": Looking, Landing, Leering, Learning, Luminating and Liquidating.

In coin collecting the condition of a coin is paramount to its value; a high-quality example is often worth many times as much as a poor example, although there are always exceptions to this general rule. Coin collecting encompasses many different types of coins such as currency, tokens or military challenge coins.

Another niche area of coin collecting is in the area of collecting error coins. Error coin collecting including coins that are double dies, re-punched mint marks, over dates, double strikes, off metal coins, displaced or off center coins and mules (different denominations on either side).

One of the best things about coin collecting as opposed to collecting most other things is that coins are far more often a source of profit than of expense. The coin enthusiast quickly learns to determine the differences between which coins are common and not worth much and those that appear similar but are very rare and valuable. If a coin collector is ever in a position where they need to raise cash fast they can do so by liquidating a few of the valuable coins in their collection.

If you are looking for a rewarding hobby that teaches history, culture, and the growth of civilization, then coin collecting might be for you. Don't be afraid to start your coin collection without knowing which coins are valuable and which coins aren't. Collecting the 50 State Quarters is easy and one of the most enjoyable ways to start your coin collection. No matter where your coin collecting hobby takes you, just remember to have fun!

You are considering collecting ancient coins and would like to know more about this activity before you begin. The following five questions with their answers address the basics of ancient coin collecting before you start to accumulate your coins. This should help you avoid any pitfalls and get the most gratification out of your hobby.

1. Should you collect ancient coins?

The answer depends on why you want to acquire them. If you are looking to make money by investing in ancient coins, there are probably better places to put your money. This is not to say that an experienced collector cannot build a collection that increases in value over time. However, for a beginner this is difficult to do. On the other hand, if you get pleasure from the history or the artistic beauty of the coins, then collecting ancient coins can be an enjoyable and fascinating pursuit.

2. How can you learn about ancient coins?

It is recommended that you do research on the specific coins you have settled on collecting before you actually buy them. Educating yourself about the coins you wish to collect is half the fun and there are many different avenues you can take in your quest for information. There are plenty of coin books, magazines and journals to read. Browsing the Internet to view ancient coin websites can yield an abundance of information and pictures to scrutinize. Attending coin shows and auctions, if you have the opportunity, is especially helpful as you can see and inspect the actual coins you are interested in.

3. How do you know what a coin is worth?

The value of a coin is based on several factors. There is the denomination of the coin. Then what subject is the coin about, for instance, the ruler or city the coin represents. Naturally, the metal that the coin is made of, such as, gold, silver or bronze influences its price. The grade states the wear of the coin ranging from poor to mint. While the condition of the coin refers to how well the coin was originally made and any damages that have occurred subsequently afterwards like cracks. Lastly is the rarity of the particular coin. However, you must guard against dealers who overstate the scarcity and condition of their coins. Books that list coin prices and online ancient coin websites can help you determine values. Of course, there are eBay's ancient coin auctions that can help you research the current worth of these coins.

4. Where should you buy your coins?

You can certainly buy your coins from any reputable ancient coin dealer. Word of mouth is a good way to learn about coin dealers. Go online to coin collecting forums and ask other collectors which dealers they recommend and about their purchasing experiences. Buying at coin shows can be extremely exciting as you go from dealer table to dealer table. Just be careful not to overpay because you feel you must go home with something. While it is always best to be able to examine a coin in person, buying online at coin websites or online auctions like eBay, can grow your collection. However, make sure there are very good picture scans both front and back of the actual coin you intend on buying or bidding on. Checking the feedback rating of the seller at eBay, while not a guarantee, can give you an idea of how other collectors judge this seller's auctions and reputation.

5. Are there any risks associated with collecting ancient coins?

Ancient coin enthusiasts must be aware that while most coins are genuine, there are altered and fake ones being circulated. Modern forgeries are created using one of several various methods. So, identifying a real one from a counterfeit takes knowledge and a lot of experience. To gain expertise in this area, you should handle and examine both genuine and fake coins to learn the differences. You may never be able to flush out every fake, but you will get better with time. Obviously, especially while you are inexperienced, it is best to do business with trusted and reputable ancient coin dealers who will stand behind their coins and allow you to return a suspect coin.

Clearly, ancient coin collecting gives you many options to consider in starting a collection. You have your choice of metals, countries and time periods. You may have a broad interest or only wish to specialize in a particular area. Whatever course you decide to take, it is for certain that this pastime will teach you to appreciate these little pieces of history.

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