Collecting Rare Coins and Currency — Page 1
One of the most exciting aspects of numismatics is the tremendous variety of collecting below illustrates some popular approaches coins and serves as a starting point to stimulate interests and ideas.
Type
A type collection consists of one example of each major change in the design or metal used. For example, a type collection of nickels Would include the Shield nickel (1866-1883), the Liberty nickel (1883-1913), the Buffalo nickel (1913-1938), and the Jefferson nickel (1938-present). Collecting by type is extremely popular due to the wide variety of designs and the long time span represented by the collection.
Series
With a focus on one design type, a complete series collection includes one example from each date and mint. As an example, a Mercury dime series collection would include one coin from each year (1916-1945) and from each of the three mints that struck the coins (Philadelphia, Denver, and San Francisco).
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Commemoratives"Commems" were struck to mark special anniversaries or occasions. They were usually silver half dollars, but dollars and gold coins have been issued. |
Colonials
These were usually copper pieces struck during the 17th and 18th centuries, and served as circulating coins in the years prior to America's independence. Before the first U.S. mint opened in 1793, coins used were issued by the individual states, private coiners, or foreign mints. Two designs are attributed to Benjamin Franklin.
Pioneer Gold and Patterns
During the mid-19th century and throughout the Gold Rush of the I850s and I860s, several private mints issued gold coins. Today, these fascinating relics of Americana are quite rare. Patterns are trial or experimental pieces struck as examples of a proposed design. Most of the designs-or patterns-were never adopted for regular-issue coins and were struck in very limited quantities.
World Coins
Coins have been struck since about 700 BC, and have been issued by almost every nation in the world. People who appreciate history, geography, languages, or culture will find unlimited opportunities in the field of world coins.