Fun For The Whole Family: Numismatic Coin Collecting


by John E Stone - Date: 2010-03-19 - Word Count: 433 Share This!

In ancient times, numismatic coin collecting was limited to the upper classes. As such, the hobby garnered the nickname "the hobby of kings." Today, coin collecting is open to anyone of any background, age or educational level.

Long ago in ancient Rome, the Emperor Caesar Augustus was well known for handing out coins to the general public during the feast of Saturnalia. Aside from this, the man considered to be the first Renaissance coin collector was Petrarch. He was an Italian man, a poet and a scholar. It was he who presented Holy Roman Emperor Charles IV with a collection of coins in 1355.

The first book having to do with coins was written by Guillaume Bude in 1514, De Asse et Partibus. King Louis XIV of France, King Ferdinand I, Pope Boniface VIII and Maximillian, Holy Roman Emperor, were all avid collectors of coins.

In the early 19th century, coin collecting societies and associations began. The Royal Numismatic Society began in 1836. It still exists today and publishes the Numismatic Chronicle, a journal of coin collecting. The American Numismatic Society began in 1858. In 1866 it began publishing the American Journal of Numismatics. Today the largest coin collection in America is owned by the society.

Children and adults from all walks of life enjoy numismatics. The great majority of coin collectors are simply involved in the hobby because they like the history, the look and the feel of coins. The professional numismaticians have a much more complex relationship with the coins, including grading and consulting with numismatic societies.

One of the most attractive things about starting a coin collection is that it is not expensive. Even children can begin collecting coins, just keeping them in a box. A book about coins written especially for children would also be helpful, but is not required to enjoy the hobby.

As the collection and the collector grows more involved with the hobby, will need to spend some money on a 5-8x magnifying glass, folders in which to keep the coins and a reference book to aide identification of coins.

Some advanced coin collectors have developed collections based on a specific coin, collecting one coin for each year it was minted. Other collectors collect coins from specific countries or specific time periods. Most advanced coin collectors eventually learn to grade coins themselves.

From simple to complex, coin collecting makes a fine hobby for people from all different background and all different ages and ability levels. This is one hobby that adapts itself to even those with a cognitive impairment. Numismatic coin collecting is a fun family hobby that will last years and years.

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