If you're one of the lucky few who have realized the thrill of coin collecting, you might be interested in learning a little about the history of US coins. Many rare coins are out there, waiting to be collected, and understanding where they came from will help you identify a genuine rare coin when you see it.
What is the origin of US coins?
When the settlers first came to what would become the United States, there was no standard currency. Many different types of currency floated around, and people bartered for goods and services.
The first national mint was started in 1792. The mint was located in Philadelphia, which was the nation's capitol at the time, and it was run by scientist David Rittenhouse. In its first year of production the mint produced 11, 178 copper pennies as well as many silver and gold pieces. The coins were circulated among all of the states of the new nation.
What types of coins have been popular?
Although many rare and old coins are prized by collectors, some are recognized and loved by everyone. The first presidential profile on a coin didn't arrive until 1899 with George Washington's profile being featured on the Lafayette dollar. However, the dollar was for commemorative purposes only and was not put into circulation.
The Lincoln head penny was the first coin featuring a president's image to be widely used. Prior to Lincoln's portrait, a woman symbolizing liberty or an eagle were on the front of the penny. The Lincoln penny appeared in 1909, the 100th anniversary of Lincoln's birth.
Franklin D. Roosevelt was also honored with his own coin in 1946. The Mercury dime was replaced with Roosevelt's profile to recognize the president's contribution to the nation and his support of the March of Dimes.
In addition to Roosevelt, Washington and Lincoln, Jefferson, Kennedy and Eisenhower have also been honored on the face of coins.
What are the recent changes to collectible coins?
Coin collecting got a huge boost in 1999 when the 50 state quarter series started. Each year for 10 years, five new quarters were released with custom backs. The back designs honored each of the 50 states. Starting in 2007, the US Mint began releasing the Presidential Dollars. For the next 10 years, each non-living president will be honored in the order in which they served.
 | Beginning coin collecting can be daunting for the newbie, but a little hand-holding will get you through the terrifying early stages. |
Coin grade can be tricky. The differences between two grades of coins can be so subtle that it may be difficult for you to determine what grade of coin you possess until you have it evaluated by a third party. |
When working with coin collecting dealers, you can either work with a local coin dealer, or you can work with an online coin dealer. Either way, you'll want to research your coin dealers before you trust anyone with your collectable coins. |
Finding an online coin price guide has become a lot easier thanks to the Web. If you want to put a value on your collection or sell off some pieces, you'll need to know how to price your items. An online price guide can give you a rough estimate. |
If you want to learn how to start collecting coins but aren't sure where to start, take some time to learn about the hobby. Then build your collection slowly and steadily, searching for the kinds of coins that truly excite you. |
