Collecting those quarters

Collecting those quarters

Collecting coins is a hobby that anyone and everyone could do. But collecting quarters is a hobby that - currently – it is estimated that one hundred six million Americans do. Men, women, and children of all ages are involved in collecting quarters.

What is it with these quarters that millions of people seem to go “gaga” about? Primarily, doing it is easy as quarters can be found almost anywhere and the collectible coins do not cost much more than face value.

So how should one collect (or start collecting) start collecting the very much in-demand quarters?

For the budget-conscious coin collector

If the collector is concerned with his or her budget, many quarters may be obtained as change from purchases. This is a very convenient and less lifestyle-invasive method of procuring quarters. If the collector is serious, bags of these coins can be purchased from coin dealers. Do not forget to choose those quarters that were not circulated!

How to store those quarters

For those just starting a coin collecting hobby, coins they collect are usually placed inside a large glass jar or bowl. This is perfectly fine. Serious collectors prefer coin storage devices especially made for coins that are available in coin shops and from coin dealers.

How to make quarter-collecting fun and interesting

Children are the perfect people to start a hobby such as coin collecting, quarters most specifically. Nothing beats the excitement of a new quarter in one’s pocket. Quarters are a unique, as well as a very inexpensive, way to get children interested in history. When they find a new coin, they can research it to find out the details of the state from which the coin came, etc. It is an effective way to have fun while learning.

Coin history101

The sequence of how the coins are minted, believe it or not, is based on the order of the states. Basic US history tells us that Delaware was the first state; therefore, this was the first quarter minted. For the sequence of the other states, check the schedule from 1999 to the 2008 of the US Mint.

Collecting quarters is a valuable hobby that has many benefits. It trains one to be patient, resourceful and appreciative of history and the value of the big and little things in life.

Starting a Coin Collection for Kids

Starting a Coin Collection for Kids

The best time to mould a child (kid) is when he/she is still young. By getting the curious minds involved in something educational, there is a very good chance that they will become responsible adults.

Some parents can start by teaching how to cook or baking at a young age. If the child enjoys and does well with it, then perhaps in the future, this person could become a chef. Giving a child a hobby can also teach that child how to stay focused or to pay particular attention to a certain subject. A good example of this is starting a coin collection.

For most adults coins are just petty cash. They are used to buy a newspaper or used to pay for a ride on the subway etc. For children, coins are more than that. Some children save the coins placed in their piggy bank to make a special purchase or save them to use for their college tuition.

To start a coin collection the parent and child can start by opening the piggy bank and examining the coins together. Coins were manufactured during different years and each has its own history. By explaining the significance of each, the child’s interest will grow and this in turn will encourage growth of the coin collection.

Both the parent and child could get lucky if they should find that a coin has missing letters or numbers or a misprint is seen on the coin. Since such things don’t happen often, the value of the coin is much higher than the original face value.

Coins can that are to be part of a collection should be kept inside a small box separated from the coins used for savings. When this collection has grown larger, then it is time to buy a plastic folder in which to store the coins. There are two kinds or folders currently on the market: the first can hold the coins individually and the other is a sheet which can hold a number of coins per page.

By using folders the child and take the collection to school for “show and tell” and would improve the child’s self-confidence in achieving something on his own - without the help of the parents.

Coins can teach the child about saving for a special purchase or project and encourage the child to work hard to achieve that goal without always asking for money from mom or dad.

Coin collecting started in the early years will pay off later in life by teaching responsibility.

Keeping Coins Clean Using a Folder

Keeping Coins Clean Using a Folder

The price of an antique item goes up if it is kept in good condition. By having it stored in a safe place, one can be sure that it will not be damaged by the elements or by negligence that will reduce its value in the market.

Coins are easy to take care off. For those who have been doing this for years, such collections are usually framed or under glass and are often seen in places such as a large museum. But to individuals who are just starting out, putting it in an old shoe box or jar will do.

Later, when the collection is larger, it is time to invest in a coin folder that would better protect and hold the coins. These folders can be bought in different sizes depending on the type of coins the individual is collecting. The coins can be stored in individual plastic pockets or in sheets that make up the album. They are available at the local coin store or can be ordered from the web. The advantage of using these is that they are handy to carry around make it easy for the person to show. These can be brought to exhibits and other venues where the coins can be traded, sold or exchanged with coins that other people may have.

Keeping the coins in mint condition does not only mean storing them in a folder. Whenever the person adds a new coin to the collection, it is ideal to first have it cleaned before putting it in with the others.

This can be done by taking it to a coin shop and paying for the services, or if you prefer to do it yourself, is by soaking it in a liquid such as vinegar, rubbing alcohol, lemon juice or ammonia which is sure to remove any dirt or encrustation that are present when it was acquired.
They should then be air-dried or patted dry with a soft cloth. It is not a good idea to rub or polish the coins since scratches can occur that may decrease its value in the market.

Serious coin collectors value the importance of storing these valuables in a safe and secure area. By investing in a coin folder, the person can be sure that the value of the coins will go up either when the demand calls for it or when there is a need to part with them.