At Coins Plus, Cincinnati’s leading rare coin dealer, we understand that the value of a coin collection goes beyond its monetary value. Each coin tells a story and uncovering these stories is half of the fun of collecting. Here are three types of narratives that you will encounter as a coin collector: 

• Uncover Ancient Cultures: Money, in one form or another, has existed for thousands of years. As a coin collector, you will get a small glimpse into the everyday lives of the people that once used those coins. For example, the first official coins were minted in 600 B.C.by Lydia’s King Alyattes and stamped with pictures rather than the emperor or presidential portraits with which we are more familiar. This currency was for public circulation and commonly used in street markets. While you might learn these facts with numismatic literature, coin collecting allows you to hold these pieces of history in your hand.
• Explore Your Own Culture: Not only does coin collecting teach you about foreign and ancient cultures but it also uncovers our own. As you grow your collection, you will also be gathering pieces of our country’s history. For example, the half cent was the smallest denomination of coin ever minted in the United States. Valued at one two-hundredths of a dollar, it was only produced between 1793 and 1857. It featured the portrait of “Miss Liberty.” Half cents were widely used but eventually discontinued due to the increasing price of copper and labor needed to produce them, similar to the current situation with the current cent. Being a coin collector lets you track and explore these historical changes. 
• Discover Your Family History: Many coin collections start as family heirlooms where a parent’s or grandparent’s collection is passed through multiple generations. These particular coins tell a narrative about not only their economic origins but also your family history. Researching your collection can give you an insight into the lives of your family members both living and deceased. You can learn about experiences they had or places they went when collecting their coins. You can also learn about their interests or passions based on what coins they liked to collect, such as foreign coins, or gold bullion, or proof sets. Essentially, the collection gives you a small glimpse into the mind of your ancestor. 

With over 100 years of accumulative experience in the coin buying and selling business, Coins Plus is here to provide you with quality advice and honest appraisals. For tips on how to start your own coin collection or to schedule an appraisal for one of your collectibles, call us at (513) 621-1996. To find the location nearest you, visit us online or on our Facebook.