5 key steps for starting your collection
Is the idea of owning an object which has existed for a thousand years, five hundred years, or a hundred years and holding it in the palm of your hand something which sends a shiver of excitement coursing through your veins?
Are you thrilled by the possibility of exploring history through a certain aspect? Do you dream of creating your own personal museum? Are you enthusiastic about investing for the future and conserving a part of the past?
Opposite photo: A mysian stater from 480-450 BC
Then look no further – numismatics (coin collecting) was made for you!
However, before you dive in head first, here are a few indispensable tips to open the doors of numismatics wide for you!
1 – Focus: Choose one type of currency
A good starting point is to choose your favorite type of currency.
Are you more someone who pays back in their own coin or bets their bottom dollar bill that numismatics is your passion? Are you more a fan of ancient history or a modern Europhile? Medals or tokens?
Choosing the type of currency you want to collect will allow you to begin establishing the form and general direction with which you hope to define your collection...
You can always start another later if you are still unsure.
2 – Discover your world: Choose a theme
Define your field of interest and research.
Once you have decided what you are most interested in, applying a “guiding” direction to your collection will allow you to focus your efforts on starting...and ultimately completing it.
To draw a parallel, it’s a little like decorating your home: Choose a style you feel comfortable with or feel like trying out and it’ll be just right for you.
Perhaps there’s a period of time you would have loved to live in or would like to explore?
We are not interested in influencing your decision; the choice here is entirely yours... Some people decide to try and collect all the $1 bills issued in the 20th century, others prefer to choose a specific country, and others still pick a specific theme such as owls or the 1900s, and so on and so forth...
The only restriction you have is your imagination!
3 – Refer to a guide
Collecting coins and other types of currency is like walking into a museum:
Good reference guides help you to find your way and make sure you don’t miss anything essential.
Just like an exhibition catalog, a well-documented reference work will provide you with useful tips on making good choices as well as allowing you to explore and get to know your subject like the back of your hand!
And should you need some more personalized assistance, don’t hesitate to call on MyDetective! This expert service is totally free.
4 – Whip crack-away! Be prepared
For a well-equipped collection, you need to be well equipped too.
The first thing is a magnifying glass because “the devil is in the detail” and because you’ll probably want to take a closer look too.
Next comes a system for displaying and storing your collection. This allows you to consult them, categorize them, display them, protect them, admire them...
At the end of this article you can find a number of essential items as well as a complete list here.
5 – Dive in! With passion and curiosity
You’re not merely acquiring an object, but rather a witness to an entire period in time.
Each coin, each banknote, each medal added to your collection comes with its own history and context... In each coin, banknote, and medal you possess a fragment of history which can reveal secrets about the past...
Furthermore, you may also need to enjoy the thrill of the chase if you want to hunt down and uncover rare treasures.
So, there you are, all ready and with the keys to success in your hand.
Throw open the door and be on the lookout for our catalog!
