Money makes the world go around - Heard that one before? Sure you have, nearly every day. There have been hundreds of songs written about money. Without money we couldn't purchase many of the things we need for everyday life. We all want more of it, right? But for those of us interested in collecting coins money is more than just a piece of metal. It's a learning experience, a hobby and sometimes a lifelong obsession.

People have been collecting coins since coins were first invented. While there are no hard figures it's estimated that about 1 of every 10,000 people actively collect coins. That's a bunch of people! While coin collecting may have once been the province of kings today people from all walks of life and all ages actively pursue the collection of coins.

Why do people collect coins? For some it's a business, or a means to add extra income. For others it's the history of the coinage itself that is important. Others wish to be able to pass a collection on to future generations. For a few it's about amassing a fortune in collectibles.

No matter what the reason, coin collecting is a highly popular hobby that can be enjoyed by nearly all age groups. How popular? Check the weekend classifieds in most major papers and you'll usually be able to find several coin meets, conventions or auctions in the area. Using your favorite search engine search the term "coin collecting." At last count on Google there were over 888,000 pages devoted to coin collecting!

Numismatics offers collectors many areas to specialize in. There is a wealth of material available for new and experienced coin collectors to follow which makes coin collecting an interesting and diverse hobby.

In the following articles we'll explore the phenomenon of coin collecting and maybe provide you new ways to get started on your own coin collecting journey.