There are many reasons that people get into coin collecting, and if you are thinking about doing so then one of the first things you will need to consider is the area in which you are going to specialize. There are millions of different areas you can specialize and sometimes the choice can be difficult. Other times, of course, the choice can be made for us. Perhaps a friend or relative has given you a coin as a gift (collectible coins make excellent keep sake gifts that a person will treasure for life) and this can be an excellent pointer as to the direction your collection might take. Alternatively you could consider collecting coins all based around one particular theme, such as a naval theme. Military coins make good collections too as do state coins that various US states have produced over the years.
Why State coins?
A great many different states have produced their own silver quarters with their own designs. Obviously this means, from the numismatist point of view, that there are just too many state coins to collect as one collection. Even within each state you may want to consider breaking it down further. Many coin collections start with one single type of coin. If you already have a state coin then you might want to consider getting several of this type of coin. It would be unusual to start your collection with a coin of great value and most collectors find that they start with an adequate coin and essentially work their way up until they eventually get the exact grade of coin they believe they want.
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Attention State Quarter Buyers - Where to Find Them
Every 10 weeks a new State Quarter is released in the order that it was admitted into the Union. Every coin is unique, as is every state's design selection process.
Start your collection of State Quarters with official rolls of legal tender issue quarters from the United States Treasury. Check out this State Quarters dealer.
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Graded State coins
It was very unusual to see any state coins that were graded above a 65 until 1982. In 1982, however, the US mint began to produce collector's packs of state quarters. These were not put into circulation and you could, therefore, be guaranteed of the highest quality of coin to add to your collection. This means that from 1982 it is not as unusual to see state coins with a grading as high as 69. Prior to this date looking for a grading of 65 was the highest target you could usually aim for.
This does of course mean that while modern mint condition coins are easier to get hold of they will also have less value; both numismatic value and monetary value. This can be looked on as a good thing and a bad thing. Collectors who wish to start an inexpensive collection won't go far wrong collecting many of these coins to begin with, but on the other hand the seasoned collector will not be as interested in them as an addition to their collection.
The interest in State quarters
All coins have some history behind them. The design and the legend have been pressed for a reason, and often these are the stories that are associated with them. You can easily find out why state coins have a particular design on them and this is all part of having a collection of state quarters. To find out the story of a particular coin a quick search on the Internet will usually yield beneficial results, and there are numerous publications that can also provide you with very useful information. If you are really struggling consider taking your state coins to a trader or to a coin show or exhibition and ask the opinion of one of the experts there.
Collecting state coins is a hobby that many find enjoyable and because these coins are produced on a regular basis it is a relatively easy and inexpensive hobby to start. Eventually the coins will appreciate in value to a good level and they can easily be considered an investment for your children or your grandchildren in the future.
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