Easy Tips for Finding Valuable Coins

Coin collecting can be a fun way to learn about history and invest for the future. Finding the coins can be almost as invigorating as the collection itself. There are many traditional places to find coins, like coin shows or collector shops. The real fun is finding that perfect coin in an unexpected place.

1. Estate sales. These are like yard sales, but typically everything in the home is for sale. Sometimes the company handling the sale has priced everything - but more often than not, they have focused on the larger items (like furniture). You can usually find some surprise deals at these sales.

2. Yard sales/garage sales. You have to get out early and be prepared to shop until noon, but these sales can be a great place for the unexpected find. Search through the boxes and containers for lost or forgotten coins. People often forget to look in old music boxes and trinket holders.

3. Flea markets. These sales are beginning to pop up all over the country. Most vendors specialize in specific items and usually know the value of what they have for sale. Sometimes, they will have bulk bins that could produce a surprise or two.

4. Check Your Change. Sometimes the best coins can be found in your own pocket. Every now and then a rare coin ends up in circulation. Keep an eye out for that special prize.

Buying coins isn't the only way to find an unexpected treasure. A small investment in a metal detector could bring you the prize of your life. Search around old barns or home sites, or even fields that served as battlegrounds or gathering places in the past. Be sure to check with the property owner before you begin your search.

What ever path you take to expand your coin collection, take the time to know a little about coins in general. It would be wise to invest in a book, like U.S. Coins Red Book, to carry around as a guide. It is also important that you know of which coins your current collection exists. Completing years (like 1905 penny, nickel, dime, quarter, etc) and having all the mints will usually make the coins even more valuable.

Coin collecting doesn't just have to be in the box. Thinking outside the box is what makes this hobby a real adventure. With a little effort and a good eye you will be able to build a coin collection that will be the envy of everyone you know.