There are myriad reasons that one might think of for beginning their own coin collection. A person may become a collector to find those that are rare and commemorative, the ones that might one day help to pad a retirement fund. They may also start collecting because a friend or loved one passed their collection on to them, and it took their breath away. Or, one may even become a collector because they love the stories that a particular coin can tell. Whatever the reasons, coin collecting is a great way to spend free time.

If someone is out searching for those rare coins, the ones that all of the online collectors and books talk about, they are sure to have an adventure. They will see others that they never thought to look for, coins just as rare as what they are looking for, with or without great financial value. These are worth something as well. Each coin carries two stories; one for a person in their search, and one for itself.

Depending on the minting date and history of the coin, one can find out all sorts of things about the people that were around when it was made, and the culture that chose to make it. All the way back from ancient Egyptian coins to the pennies, nickels, and dimes that circulate today, these artifacts all have a rich and detailed history that you can follow.

The first coins in the United States were copper cents, which were made in Philadelphia, way back in 1793. Imagine what society could learn if a person had been around even half as long. Back then, a coin was made by itself, with lots of hard, manual labor behind it. Today, several hundred coins can be made in the span of one minute. This is quite a difference.

A commemorative coin can be just as exciting. Even back in the Roman Empire, commemorative coins were issued with war scenes, highlighting the victory of their forces over their enemies. The 1892 Columbian Exposition Half Dollar was the first of such to be created and circulated throughout the United States. The coins were released to mark the 400 year anniversary of Columbus' first exploration of the New World.

As late as 1982, the United States began its new commemorative coin program. The first one issued under this program was the George Washington 250th Anniversary Half Dollar. Since 1982, the US mint has issued at least two commemorative coins every year.

So whatever the reason to become a collector, start soon, and join in on the adventure. Someone's may have started more than a thousand years ago.