A Window on ... Coin Collecting

	Welcome to Coin Collecting
	Collecting coins is like a trip around the world and a journey back in time rolled into one. Every country has a wide selection of coinage and bank notes, current and old, with interesting emblems or pictures of subjects such as animals, transport or sport. Bank notes in particular are often beautifully illustrated and many show historical events, famous people or great achievements connected with that country. People who study and collect coins and paper money are called numismatists. Every numismatist would love to own a rare coin or note but most of their collection is made up of a range of currency that varies in value. Young numismatists start collecting for a variety of reasons but you can soon become hooked as you discover what a fascinating hobby coin collecting can be.
	About Coins and Notes There are many different coins and bank notes in use throughout the world to help you start your collection. Added to these are the millions of old coins that have been used throughout the last 2,000 years! Although these no longer have monetary value, many are prized as collectors items. Some knowledge of the history of coinage and currency explains why coins and notes look the way they do today. See About Coins and Notes.
	Getting Started Although you can pay a great deal for certain coins or notes, getting started on this fascinating hobby costs very little. A shopping list of the basic equipment you need and some useful tips will help you to get started. See Getting Started.
	Getting Organised There are so many different kinds of coins and notes available it is sensible to organise your collection in some way. Getting organised provides suggestions that may help you decide what to collect. Foreign or British currency, themes, dates and special editions are all possibilities. See Getting Organised.
	Sources of information As you get into the hobby of coin collecting, you will find it useful to learn more. This section highlights some sources of information that can help you to develop your knowledge and interests. See Sources of Information.
	Frequently Asked Questions (FAQS) Some common questions that young people ask about the hobby of coin collecting. Use this section as a starting point for finding out what you want to know or as a checklist at the end to review what you have discovered. See FAQs .
About Coins Getting Started Getting Organised Sources of Information FAQs
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Last modified on: Tuesday, July 1, 1997.