Collecting is  a very broad and popular topic for hobbies and it is a very easy one for young children to pursue.  Collecting can include: coins, stamps, rocks, dolls, baseball cards, action figures, post cards, comic books, dolls. Barbie dolls, sea shells, rocks, military paraphernalia, movie and/or sports memorabilia and more.  A collection is a great way to learn about people, places and things.

Coin collecting can be an interesting, and educational hobby for kids. Coins can be collected from all over the world and from many different time periods in history.  There are an abundance of books on this subject to help with research.

It can be fascinating to read about different cultures and to find out how currency has played a part in their development. Every coin has a story behind it.  What does the design mean?  What was the original value of the coin?  Why was it made out of the metal selected? Finding out the stories behind a coin can be just as much fun as finding the coins themselves. Your child can also learn about geography by collecting coins from many different parts of the world and tracking it on a map.

It is easy to get started in collecting coins. The first place to look, with parent's permission, is in common places like your piggy bank and mom's change purse. Next let your relatives know of your new adventure. Grandparents, aunts and uncles  may have some old coins saved or may have some from a their trip abroad. You can also check flea markets or the cheap bins at coin shops.  Start with whatever coins strike your interest. For young children you can start with a box or jars for storage.  If you like you can put each coin into a small paper envelope before you store it to keep it from getting damaged.  A great way to start a collection for children is to collect the new coins from the 50 states.  They have all been released into circulation as of 2008 and it will be fun for the kids to search each time you get change to find their treasures.

As your child reaches the teen years and their interest increases or their collection becomes more valuable consider purchasing a good magnifier so you can see the details of your coins.  In addition, a coin reference book containing coin information like dates, prices, grading guidelines, mintmarks, and coin varieties will be helpful.  Next, you will need a place to store and display the coin collection. There are lots of storage items available that will work for most collections. You will want something to protect each individual coin, such as the little paper envelopes or albums designed for a series of coins. If the collection gets large enough, you may want to start some sort of inventory of your collection. It can be as simple as a notebook or index cards, or you could look around for a catalog program. Note that particularly valuable coins will come enclosed in a special airtight holder and you should not remove the coin from the holder.

The combination approach, meaning buying as well as finding coins, is a good way to enhance your collection.  Some sources to investigate are listed below:

• Local Banks

• The United States Mint's catalog. Click here for details  The United States Mint

• Coin Dealers

• Collectors Clubs

• Coin Shows

• Internet Dealers

• Auctions

• Flea Markets

• Antique Shops

• Antique Shows

• Mall Craft Exhibits

Remember the slogan "Buyer Beware"; be sure to use caution and common sense when purchasing your coins.  Do your homework and check prices in shops, mail-order ads and on other Web sites in advance before making your purchase.

Listed below are a few helpful coin collecting links:

• Beginning Coin Collecting
   

• Coin Collecting Guide for Beginners
   

• History of Coin Collecting

• Collecting Banknotes - Geared to Beginners
   

• Glossary of Coin Collecting Terms
   

• Overview of Coin Collecting