Coin Collecting Information

Lance asked:


Toronto, ON May 18, 2007 - As the old saying goes, ‘a penny saved is a penny earned.’ Depending on the age, condition and rarity of that same penny - it could prove to be worth a lot more.

It is generally believed that coin collecting began in the fourteenth century. Today, it is considered a very competitive sport among devote coin collectors and coin traders. Coin collecting has become such a huge industry in the United States, each year one week in April is noted as National Coin Week.

This year’s event ran from April 15 - 21. The American Numismatic Association (ANA) sponsors this annual event as a way to increase general public interest in coin collecting. A coin drop kicks off the week long festivities and collectors are encouraged to put one of their collectables into circulation in the hope that the person who receives it will become a rare coin collector once this treasure has been found.

The art of coin trading is quickly modernizing and is making the move on-line. One unique site, Coin Trading Online, on the web at connects buying collectors and sellers in an Internet forum for discussion and trading of rare and precious coins from around the world.

Each collector has a different approach to coin collecting - some try to collect nickels or pennies from each year as far back as possible while others focus on various special collections issued by the US Mint or other providers of currency. For many coin collectors, coins can become a profitable investment.

Christina Goldman asked:


The Hungarian 20 Korona gold coin has known an illustrious history since it was first minted in 1892. With a .900 fineness in actual gold content of .1960 Troy ounces, the coin was meant to commemorate the crowning of Emperor Francis Joseph the First of Austria in 1848.

Emperor Franz Joseph the First reunited Hungry in Austria as an empire in 1867, but his history is riddled with unfortunate incidents and tragedies. Brother Maximilian was executed in 1867 by Mexican firing squad, his son Rudolf died in 1889 after committing suicide, and Karl Ludwig, his brother died in 1896. Italian anarchists assassinated his wife in 1898.His nephew, Franz Ferdinand is most well known for his assassination in Sarajevo in 1914, which for all intents and purposes, propelled the world into the Great War.

Hungarian gold coins were minted with the same denomination as Austrian coins and the Hungarian 20 korona, the most well known of Hungarian coins, offers a likeness of Emperor Francis Joseph facing right.

Hungarian gold coins offer high collector, investor value, the most sought after being minted between 1879 and 1908. The popular 1893 Hungarian 10 Korona and the 1908 Hungarian 100 Korona re-strike are favorites. With exquisitely detailed renditions of angels, crests, and renditions of Franz Joseph, Hungarian gold coins are available in various denominations, grades, and mintage.

Price ranges for Hungarian gold coins may range from $200 to nearly $1,000 depending on the year struck as well as availability, grade, and coin denominations. For collectors and investors looking for unique pieces that stand the test of time, Hungarian gold coins will remain popular favorites.