In ancient times, numismatic coin collecting was limited to the upper classes. As such, the hobby garnered the nickname “the hobby of kings.” Today, coin collecting is open to anyone of any background, age or educational level.
In ancient Rome, Ceasar Augustus, the Roman Emperor, was known for distributing all kinds of coins to the people as Saturnalia gifts. In 1355, the Holy Roman Emperor Charles IV was presented a collection of coins by Petrarch. Petrarch, an Italian scholar and poet, is considered the first Renaissance coin collector.
In 1514, approximately 159 years from the time Petrarch presented the collection to Charles IV, Guillaume Bude wrote and published De Asse et Partibus, the first book about coins. Other famous coin collectors include popes, kings and emperors from around the world, including Emperor Maximillian, King Louis XIV of France, Pope Boniface VIII and Ferdinand I.
In the mid-1800s, the first numismatic societies organized. The Royal Numismatic Society started in 1836 and the American Numismatic Society began in 1858. The Royal Society publishes the Numismatic Chronicle and the American Society publishes the American Journal of Numismatics. The largest coin collection with a total of 800,000 coins from all eras, belongs to the American Numismatic Society and is kept in New York City.
Children and adults from all walks of life enjoy numismatics. The great majority of coin collectors are simply involved in the hobby because they like the history, the look and the feel of coins. The professional numismaticians have a much more complex relationship with the coins, including grading and consulting with numismatic societies.
To start a coin collection is very simple. It does not require large sums of money or fancy supplies. Young children can even begin coin collecting with only coins and a cigar box. Any coin store can provide basic coins for a very low price to individuals just getting started with the hobby.
Older children and adults will want to purchase some type of folder or album made for holding coins. In lieu of this, use small envelopes designed to hold and protect coins. Another essential is a magnifying glass with magnification of five to eight times. To identify and price coins, collectors will want to buy a reference book. A number of these are available and are an invaluable resource.
Advanced coin collectors can purchase as many supplies as their budgets allow. The sky is the limit. Advanced coin collectors may want to specialize in collecting coins from a specific era or part of the world. Some coin collectors may want to collect the same coins in each year they were minted. Others may decide to learn how to grade the coins.
From simple to complex, coin collecting makes a fine hobby for people from all different background and all different ages and ability levels. This is one hobby that adapts itself to even those with a cognitive impairment. Numismatic coin collecting is a fun family hobby that will last years and years.
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