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Getting Started

Welcome to "The Hobby of Kings." Numismatics is a rewarding experience, and offers something for everyone. Whether you are interested in modern U.S. coins, ancient and medieval coinage, paper money or tokens & medals, the ANA wants to help you get started in the hobby.

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Are You a New Collector?
A series of articles for the new collector

• Adding to Your Collection Take the time to follow five, simple suggestions before putting out the welcome mat for new acquisitions.
• Collecting Kennedy Halves The 50-cent coin bearing the former President's Profile was released in 1964 to unprecedented popularity.
• Golden Touch Augustus Saint-Gaudens' coin designs are testimonies to his numismatic talent and artistic creativity.
• Collecting Strategies Type set? Date/mintmark set? How you organize your collection ultimately is up to you.
• Read All About It Expand your hobby education by building a numismatic library.
• References for Beginning Collectors Even the experts will tell you—introductory books on coins and collecting are your best numismatic investment.
• Images on Coins Tell Stories Coins from all centuries share the ability to tell stories through their powerful images.
• The Many Faces of Liberty Whether she’s walking or standing, hair flowing or gathered in a cap, she’s always a lady.
• Up Close and Personal A variety of tools and technology gives numismatists a better appreciation of the beauty of their collections.
• A Collector's Guide to Dating Coins Dates on coinage are not always a reliable indication of age. Sometimes historical, political or religious context is needed.
• Reading America's Coins In the land of E Pluribus Unum, coins and their inscriptions often convey interesting messages.
• The Hunt for World Coins Beginning your collection of foreign coinage can be easy on the eyes as well as the wallet.
• Date/Mintmark Sets Decisions, decisions . . . but rest assured, there are no right or wrong choices.
• Flying Eagles and Indian Head Cents  Pnce familiar images on the common, American "penny," these popular motifs eventually give way to a presidential portrait.
• The Lincoln Memorial Cent Collectors looking for variety and availability will find a lot to like about this common coin.
• Ten Interesting Lincoln Cents This lowly, seemingly insignificant denomination teaches much about history, art and numismatics.
• Interview with the Nickel Constantly circulating, the Jefferson nickel takes time out to comment on his 2004 makeover.
• Assembling a Type Set of Nickels In anticipation of the new 5-cent coins, why not form a simple collection of their predecessors?
• Rounding Up Roosevelt Dimes America’s 10-cent piece, symbolic of our respect for a President’s service during a difficult era, is relatively easy to collect.
• The Washington Quarter In spite of changes, or perhaps because of them, this venerable coin is here to stay.
• An Introduction to State Quarters Pulling quarters from circulation is a great way to explore our nation and build an attractive collection.
• Modern Dollar Coins It’s a great time to collect dollar coins, in spite of their less-than-stellar popularity in the past.
• Collecting Odd Denominations The evolution of the American monetary system led to some useful, but short-lived coins.
• Collecting Coins from Circulation Oh, the anticipation! Patient hobbyists have been known to find treasures in loose or rolled change.
• The Lure of 20th-Century Silver Produced almost 100 years ago, these artistic pieces continue to capture collectors’ hearts and imaginations.
• Money of Latin America Though some coins feature familiar images and themes, many others are unique reflections of the nations that issued them.
• March of the Euro With its diverse designs and continental flair, the euro offers collectors the opportunity to expand their numismatic world.
• A Numismatic Recipe Coins usually are forged of materials more resilient than snips and snails and puppy-dog tails.
• Collecting in the Global Community Coins depicting a wealth of exotic and fascinating topics beckon to collectors from around the world.
• Numismatic Thanksgiving Hobbyists appreciate the many resources that make collecting more accessible.
• Storage Solutions When deciding how to best preserve their coins, collectors have a variety of options to consider.
• Can You Judge a Coin by Its Cover? Whether your concern is safety, appearance or expense, there are storage options for every numismatist.
• The Numismatic Marketplace Shops, shows, ads and auctions—how to find prized pieces that suit your interests and pocketbook.
• The Color of Money With their vibrant, rainbow hues and palettes, coins and currency allow hobbyists to experience the full spectrum of numismatics.