Coins were first used in the Iron Age kingdom of Lydia over two thousand years ago. While we
don’t have specific records, it’s likely that the world’s first coin collectors emerged around the
same time. Coin collecting has historically been called the “Hobby of Kings” because only
royalty could afford to pursue it. Today, it’s known as “The King of Hobbies” because now
anyone can enjoy collecting coins.
Coin collecting is a lifelong hobby, offering endless opportunities to find new treasures. With as
many ways to collect as there are collectors, the possibilities are vast. In the United States, coin
collecting reached its height in the 1950s and ’60s, when coin shops could be found in every
neighborhood. The market declined in the 1980s and ’90s due to economic challenges and the
rise of digital entertainment.
Today, collecting coins remains popular and accessible through many channels. Experts estimate
that more than 140 million people collected the 50 State Quarters®. Surprisingly, even some
celebrities are avid collectors—actors like Buddy Ebsen, James Earl Jones, Nicole Kidman, and
Penny Marshall, as well as sports stars like Wayne Gretzky, Dennis Rodman, and Kareem
Abdul-Jabbar, have all ventured into the world of coin collecting.
Below are three reasons to collect rare coins.
Beauty and Art in Coin Design
Each coin begins its journey in the skilled hands of an artist. While many kinds of artists can
design coins, the finest creators are those with a deep understanding of bas-relief sculpture.
Among numismatists, the Saint-Gaudens double eagle, minted from 1907 to 1933, is often
celebrated as the most beautiful U.S. coin ever produced. Other iconic designs include Victor
David Brenner’s Lincoln cent, Bella Lyon Pratt’s sunken-relief Indian Head quarter eagle and
half eagle, and William Wyon’s “The Una and the Lion” on the British £5 gold coin.
In essence, coin collections are collections of art. A collector who has carefully curated their
coins will naturally want to display these cherished works with pride.
treasure coins and coins recovered from shipwrecks from the century gone by. World coins can
introduce you to other countries and cultures from around the world.
History and Education in Coin Collecting
Nearly every coin carries a piece of history. Coins have captured significant events across ages:
from ancient Roman coins commemorating victories in war, to medieval coins marking the
reigns of kings and queens, to modern circulating coins representing each of the fifty U.S. states
and territories.
Colonial coins minted in America before the U.S. Mint’s establishment in 1792 are genuine
artifacts that bring history directly into one’s hands. This connection extends to coins from pirate
treasures and shipwrecks of past centuries, preserving stories from bygone eras. World coins,
meanwhile, offer insights into diverse countries and cultures, making coin collecting a global
educational journey.
Leaving a Legacy
A well-planned, investment-focused coin collection can become a meaningful inheritance for
future generations. While it’s rare for anyone to become wealthy overnight from collecting coins,
a carefully thought-out strategy involving rare and valuable coins can yield substantial
appreciation over time.
Consider sparking an interest in coin collecting with your children or grandchildren. Though they
may drift away from the hobby during their teenage years, they might rediscover it in later years.
One day, they may look back fondly on your legacy captured within the collection, perhaps even
recalling the special moments of acquiring a unique coin with you.
