Numismatic Coin Collecting Is Fun For All Ages
Originally the province of royalty and privileged classes, numismatic coin collecting was known as “the hobby of kings.” Over time, people from lower classes began coin collecting and today it is a hobby anyone of any age or background can participate in and enjoy.
One of the first mentions of coin collecting has to do with Augustus Caesar, Emperor of Rome. He became very well known for passing out coins of all kinds to rank-and-file Roman citizens during the festival of Saturnalia. The man considered the very first “official” coin collector was Petrarch. Petrarch was an Italian scholar who gave Charles IV, Holy Roman Emperor, a collection of coins.
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. Located in New York City, it has 800,000 coins of all kinds.
Over time, more and more people discovered this fascinating hobby. Most are amateur collectors who simply enjoy the coins. Others are professional and grade coins according to the Sheldon Scale. Numismatics has room for every kind of coin collector.
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.
If you have a bit more to spend on supplies you will want to purchase an album and/or small paper envelopes. These things are used to protect the coins. You will also need a magnifying glass between 5x and 8x and a book for identifying and pricing the different 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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