Coin Collecting Information

Mike Taylor asked:


Nothing in recent years has done more to popularize coin collecting than the 50 State Quarter Program Act of 1997. This unique Act runs from 1998 until 2008 is easily the most popular minted coin series in the history of the U.S. Mint.

Beginning in 1998, five new state quarters are released each year for a ten year period with a new quarter released approximately every ten weeks. The quarters are minted for a ten week period and are never issued to the public again.

Borrowing a page from history a unique method of issuing the coins was devised. Each state quarter is issued according to when they became a part of the United States.

Each of the state quarters is minted with the image of George Washington on the front, or obverse, side of the coin but on the back, or reverse, side is a design based on something noteworthy about that particular state. Once the program is over in 2008 the normal eagle design will once again be on the reverse side of the quarter.

What makes this coin series different from all others in the past is that each state gets to select the design for their own state’s quarter with the Governor of each state determining the selection process. While some states appoint design committees other states like Michigan and Vermont have contests that any resident can enter.

In Missouri people voted via the Internet for their favorite design with almost 180,000 people voting while other states had the Governor making the final choice based on several designs.

Since these coins are in great demand and will never be minted again prices of the state quarters have been increasing and some of the early state coins are worth $1.00 or more depending on condition. A specialty area of coin collecting known as error coins has also been able to participate with some flawed coins going for up to $500.

A whole new business has cropped up revolving around the state quarters program with many products like specialty coin holders enjoying immense popularity. Probably the most familiar example of this would be the United States map quarter holder. These holders are in the shape of a map of the U.S. and have places in each state for that state’s quarter to proudly reside. They also usually have little state facts printed by them which make for a great learning experience.

The State Quarters Program is an ideal way for anyone wanting to start collecting coins to get their feet wet, especially youngsters. It’s easy, inexpensive and you get a little dose of history as well.

Gareth Bray asked:


If you have kids who are into coin collecting, you can help them realize the full potential of their interest by teaching them more about the matter and explaining to them the implications, as well as the many wonders, of coin collecting both as an art and a possible money-making hobby. Coin collecting for kids should be fun and exciting - a learning experience that your kid could enjoy in many ways.

Like adults that are new at coin collecting, kids should be taught some of the basic FAQs and their corresponding answers. This way, they’ll have at least a relatively solid idea about what coin collecting is all about. A kid who embarks on coin collecting without spending any time or effort to study the hobby and the market is just like any other lazy and ignorant coin collector who is sure to end up wasting precious money on problem, counterfeit, or overly graded coins. Of course, you’d want to spare your kid from that kind of heartbreak, so pile up the questions and explain on the answers well.

Perhaps one of the first things your kid will ask you regarding his newfound hobby - coin collecting for kids - is where to start. These days, you can find several coin clubs that have kids as members. You can have your kid join one coin club where he can learn about coin collecting and where to get material for his own coin collection. The great thing about it is, your kid is sure to make new friends who will share his interest and with whom he can develop his hobby.

The first coins your kid can have for his coin collection are those in circulation. This will make getting started easier; however, you should remind him to avoid spending his coins. The next coins he can collect may come from a variety of sources, including coin shops, coin shows, flea markets, bazaars, craft fairs, mail order, and from sites on the Internet. If your kid’s coin collection is growing steadily and impressively, you could take him to auctions - the most elite source of collectible coins even to this day.

Major specialty auction firms put the rarest and most expensive coins up for grabs. You can even find some auctions being conducted online, making attendance easier and more convenient. Before placing your bid, you should make sure that the auction you’re joining is credible and that you check first the record of the seller. Bids can be pretty steep in auctions, so don’t join them if you don’t have the budget, your kid’s coin collection is not yet that noteworthy, or your kid has not yet shown his commitment to the hobby. Furthermore, once your kid shows genuine interest in the hobby, you can encourage him to trade or buy coins from other coin collectors. From the start, coin collecting for kids can be an adventure you and your kid can go through together.

Naturally, in coin collecting for kids, the proper handling of coins should be taught.