Starting a Coin Collection

Starting a coin collection is easy, start by checking the change you get.  Once you find something unusual, even if it is not valuable, you have a good chance of becoming a coin collector, called a numismatist.  And, if you tire of the hobby, you can simply spend it.

The saving of one each of each year and mint mark from the change you find is also no risk.  And, replacing coins with coins from the same year and mint with better ones still risks nothing.

Of course, most people get very little change, especially in the time of credit cards, so you would move on to getting change from a bank.  Getting rolls of change from a bank you normally do business, opening and checking them, and increasing your collection costs nothing but time, and an occasional trip to get more coins from he bank.  And you may have to look around for a bank equipped to accept the checked coins.

The first purchase you make should be a Coin Book, so you will know if you find a valuable coin.

The Official 2014 Red Book - Guide to U.S. Coin Values - Spiral Bound



Now you are almost there.  Organizing your finds so you know what you have should be the next step.

Lincoln Cents Folder #1, 1909-1940






Fifty State (District of Columbia and Territorial) Commemorative Quarter Folder: Deluxe Edition (Official Whitman Coin Folder)





In fact, there are folders for whatever denomination you collect!