Coin collecting is a very popular hobby for people of many ages. It is also one of the oldest hobbies dating back to when coins were first invented. Coin collecting has been referred to as the "Hobby of Kings" because in the olden days, the only people who could afford to collect them were wealthy people and people of nobility. Some notable collectors of days gone by have been Louis the XIV, Emperor Maximilian and an Italian scholar by the name of Petrarch, who some believe to be the first true collector in the 14th Century. Today, there are many different reasons why people choose to collect.

There are several different types of collectors. Some people collect coins based on the artwork or designs while others like to collect complete sets. Others may want reminders from their travels to foreign countries. Many coins increase in value as they age. With coin values increasing over time, a collector can find their hobby has turned into a valuable investment. Because it has the potential to be lucrative, some people collect as a way of having something to pass down to future generations.

One of the unique aspects of collecting is the ability to personalize the collection. What makes this a hobby that truly can be enjoyed by all ages is the ability to set individual goals. For example, a younger child starting out with collecting might be interested in collecting all the coins from the year they were born. The thrill of locating and finding part of their collection is a satisfying feeling. It can provide a sense of fulfillment and accomplishment.

The limits in collecting are endless and depend on individual resources and the time a person wants to dedicate to their collection. There are many benefits to this hobby. It opens the door to learn about foreign countries and cultures. Many collectors have a love for history and base their collections on certain time periods or countries. Holding a piece of history and studying it can be like taking a journey to the past. They can learn many fascinating details about how life was at that time.

Some of the popular ones to collect are ancient, ones with errors, series, those from foreign countries and gold coins. There are many different resources and books available to help when trying to decide what type of collection is right. With a little research and a goal, one can easily start off on a small scale and watch their collection grow from there. With this form of currency having been around for a long time, the possibilities are endless.