Collecting U.S. coins is a popular numismatic pursuit, but deciding exactly how to collect them is not necessarily an easy task. Our nation's rich history and the eclectic artistry of its coinage have inspired many different approaches to collecting, with each option having a distinctive appeal.

Originally published in The Numismatist, Nov. 2003

Numismatics is a world where people will pay millions of dollars for a nickel or a silver dollar. It may not make much sense to those outside our world, but we understand that these small pieces of metal are actually pieces of history. The fascinating stories behind the most expensive coins ever sold demonstrate that that’s what we really value – the.

Originally printed in The Numismatist

Building a collection of coins is a very personal matter. But you don’t have to go it alone. Doing so could lead to costly mistakes. Wouldn’t you rather learn from others and have more fun at the same time?

It is often said that beginning coin collectors should "buy the book before you buy the coin." There are many excellent reasons why new collectors are told this. It is often said that "knowledge is power." That is especially true in numismatics. And acquiring knowledge, especially for novice coin collectors, can help them make smart decisions. Those.

Successful bids and ill-advised purchases help clarify the age-old dilemma.