Some people inherit an interest in coin collecting, and others stumble onto it later in life! No matter how you started your numismatic journey, you may wonder where to start. We’ve broken down the basic steps:

Learn the Key Terms
You’ve probably noticed that coin collectors use a lot of jargon. From words like “grade” and “proof” to references to “obverse” and “reverse”, there are many numismatic-specific words! But with a little studying and a handy glossary (like this one from the U.S. Mint), these key terms will soon become second nature.

Start the Treasure Hunt
Where do people find their coins? You can start with your local bank – for example, if you’re interested in collecting currently minted coins – and soon move onto reputable coin dealers, auctions, and flea markets.

Join a Club
With a little digging, you will soon discover that there are many resources online and in-person for numismatics clubs and forums. The American Numismatic Association keeps a directory of clubs. If you’re in the Midwest, the Central States Numismatic Society is a great resource for local clubs.

Find Your Passion
Some people collect based on a particular country, time period, or mint mark. Other common collection themes include type sets, value, or series. Perhaps one of these themes strikes your fancy? Did you find a particular coin that you were attracted to? Start building off that coin and one of these themes, and before you know it, you have a collection.

Share Your Story!
You may find it interesting to record your coin collecting journey through a journal or blog. At PCE, we also encourage you to share your story with us.

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Now we want to hear from you! What are your tips for coin collectors just starting out?

The team at Preferred Coin Exchange is also here to help you. Give us a call or fill out our online form, and you will speak to one of our experienced experts!