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Commemorative coins are something a lot of collectors get into and it is easy to see why. Every time I see an ad for a coin commemorating the release of a film or some historical event or some recently deified religious leader, I get the phone out and start dialing. Before the commercial is even over. I am that guy. My house is literally littered with coin folders and coin holders. At some point, coin collecting became an obsession. If I wasn’t so orderly about my filing system you might even call me a hoarder. But I am not going to be buried under a pile of coin collecting supplies anytime soon, don’t you worry.

I like to catalog my collection from time to time. I comb through my filing system which is based on types of coins. For example, one file is labeled “Legends of Hollywood.” In it I have Star Trek creator Gene Robbenberry coins from when his ashes were shot off into space. There are several coins commemorating the work of child stars The Little Rascals. Next to the “Legends of Hollywood” section I have a series of music related coins. Jazz Greats is my favorite in this set. Louie Armstrong and Coltrane on gold coins, this is a beautiful set.

The largest part of my collection is the “Politics and History” section. I have coins dedicated to the Kennedys, Ronald Reagan and the fall of the Twin Towers. They even made commemorative Richard Nixon coins, though not in his classic “I am not a crook pose.” I have an amazing set dedicated to Nelson Mandela that is actually from Africa! In fact in recent years my foreign acquisitions have outstripped my domestic ones. Which is not to say I prefer those but there are so many countries to explore coin collecting style!

This exploration of other countries through commemorative coins has filled my coin storage and has shown me history I never thought to learn. For example I never knew that the first Prime Minister of Australia was named Edmund Burton. Had absolutely no idea. Why would I know that? Well, he just happens to be the first coin in my Prime Ministers of Australia set that’s how I know that. It is discoveries like these that remind me why I got into coin collecting in the first place. It’s a thrill to discover something through a shiny object, they truly map the terrain of our globe.

Coin Supply Express has all of your coin collecting needs – from coin holders to lock boxes.

When you’re ready to embark into the wonderful world of coin collecting, you’ll need to be equipped with the right kinds of coin collecting supplies. The right supplies will go a long way towards allowing you to make the most of your pursuit, from keeping your coins in pristine condition to helping determine their true value and identity to begin with. Take a look at this quick overview about some of the coin collecting supplies that you should have on hand at all times and you’ll be ready to get started moving in the right direction.

First you’re going to want to think about how you’re going to store and display your coins. There is a huge array of different devices and tools to help you with this, and ultimately you’re going to have to make a decision based on personal preference, as well as the size and scope of your collection. For example, you might have a few items that you’re particularly proud of, and you might want standalone coin holders for them. For one cohesive collection that you want to display together, standup coin albums or coin folders make for an excellent choice.

There are also many different very fancy and classy cases which you can use to display one collection, or a few choice coins that you want to have in view at all times. Meanwhile, for easy but safe storage, large coin boxes or tubes can be great to have on hand, and they will help you stay organized as well. From there you’ll also have vinyl pages, coin slabs, airtight containers, and different storage devices in all sizes and varieties.

Another important area of coin collecting supplies that you may want to look into will be informative books and guides. These will prove to be very helpful as you’re not only sorting through your existing collection, but as you continue on your quest to find new items and make smart pickups, trades and purchases. The right guides will help you to quickly identify true coins from their imposters, and will also help you with the sometimes difficult task of grading and judging coins for their value.

Don’t forget to look into a few different kinds of cleansers or chemical solutions. You want to be able to get your coins looking as good as possible, and you also need to use the right kinds of cleansers that won’t damage the original coin. You’ll find that different classifications of coins should be treated differently from one another in terms of the kinds of coin collecting supplies used to clean and handle them.

Of course, these are only some of the basic coin collecting supplies that you’ll want to have on hand right from the beginning. There are also many other items you may want to look into, ranging from coin cleansers and chemicals to various tools and much more. But if you get started with the right equipment to store your coins and keep them safe, and the right knowledge to help you accurately identify and grade your coins, then you’ll be on your way in no time at all.

For more great information about coin collecting then check out this great Coin Collecting website which has some awesome guides like this American Gold Eagle Coins advice and tips article.

Wondering what to give your child on his next birthday? Give him a gatefold spread that can accommodate up to 50 coins. He may not appreciate the coins, but telling him stories about the coin and how it was made can spark his interest. For each birthday give him the coins minted that year. His collection will grow and so will his interest and by that time, he will be an accomplished numismatist.

History Lessons and Saving Money

The ideal age to start a child on a coin collecting hobby is at six years old. Imagine the number of coins he can amass when he reaches adulthood! But there’s more than just introducing him to coin collecting. You can use this exercise to teach him how to save his pennies in a coin bank plus pique his interest in the country’s history when you start with local coins.

Since you may not have those very old and valuable coins dating back to the 1800s, get a book on coin collecting and show him the pictures of the coins. Add a story or two depicting the era that’ll make any child sit up and listen. Stories add value to the coin collecting hobby and expect your child to be an expert in historical epochs.

If someone gives your child a bag of coins, take out each coin and sort them. Teach your child how to do the sorting. As you go along, tell him a little history on each coin. Probably the bag of coins will yield recent mints so it won’t be hard for you to tell the coin’s story.

If you have saved all the coins circulating in the year of your child’s birth, that would be the best introduction to a lifelong of coin collecting for your child. Help him along with the collection. Learn the tricks yourself so you can teach your child how to collect, clean, and store the coins.

Starting the Hobby

For starters, get magazines on coin collecting, a pair of white gloves, magnifying glasses, and coin albums or folders. Start scouting for coins and learn all about the discontinued coins like the 1965 quarters, dimes, and half-dollars. Subscribe to coin collecting magazines and check out the websites on coin collecting. You’ll be amazed at the wealth of information you can collect and pass on to your child.

Using a magnifying glass to see the fine lines and the details of a coin is an exciting experience for a child. Make sure you are ready to give the information your child may need. Or if you don’t know the answer, you can make it your project to find out online.

Because this is just a starting point for you and your child, don’t buy expensive coins and if you find some dirty old coins, don’t attempt to clean it. Find out its composition and the appropriate way to clean it. You can get help from several websites specializing in coin collection.

Tips for Coin Hunting

This is not referring to a treasure hunt. You can do your hunting online. However, coin collecting is an expensive hobby if you want the rarer and more prized coins. In the meantime, make do with what is available and always get your hands on new mints. Tell your friends you’re helping your child start a coin collecting hobby but be prepared for the avalanche of coins that will start pouring in.

In the future, when he coin collecting bug bites you real hard, you’ll be running after a metal detector to clean out your yard and your grandfather’s house. The hobby meant for your child will be yours too.

It’s never too early or too late to start a new hobby. Consider crafting unique gift baskets or groomsmen gifts, or restoring and designing Zippo lighters. Visit http://www.ExecutiveGiftShoppe.com today.