Trading or collecting of coins has a history that goes back hundreds of years. Collected coins can be in circulation for a brief amount of time, or there are times that coins are made that are a mistake, and they are hurriedly taken out of circulation.
This is a interesting thing, because when that happens it makes these coins very rare, and greatly increases their value. The history of coin collecting is called Numismatics, and it is a hobby that people all around the world participate in. Coin collecting can be differentiated from actual currency numismatics, because that is actually the study of paper money.
Collecting of coins can be done for many reasons. Some people like to collect coins for fun, such as collecting all 50 of the State Quarters that are currently in circulation.
Or, they can be collected as pieces of art. Some people collect specialty coins, such as all of the coins from a specific time period, or from a particular country.
No matter why you collect, coin collecting is one of the most popular hobbies in the world, and it attracts new adherents and fans each year.
The history of coin collecting goes back to the first coins made, thousands of years ago. Modern coin collection is thought to have became in vogue and popular about the 14th century.
In the United States the process of collecting coins began in earnest in the late 1880s with the creation of the American Numismatic Association and the American Numismatic Society, respectively.
Both are non profit groups, each with a little different focus but both are supportive of people and groups who collect coins, currency and medals.
Coin collecting can be a competitive activity, or it can also be something done for economic reasons, old coins increase in value as time goes on and some people get involved for the investment aspects.
No matter why you collect, it can be a rewarding and fun hobby, and it has a lot of educational potential to teach young people about the history and linage of different coins, countries and regions in the world.