Acquiring Coins

Circulation finds. Pulling coins out of circulation is a time-proven method of getting started. There is a wide variety of coinage in circulation, and the quickest way to become acquainted with it is to go through your change coin by coin.

When you plunk a pocketful of coins on a table, you often see a wide variety of conditions. Cents range from the deep chocolate color of older pieces to a bright coppery red of newly struck coins. Various shades of color can also be detected as the modern nickel, dime and quarter wear.

Studying these coins may not make you rich, but this time is well spent and might someday prevent you from a making a mistake that could make you poorer. Becoming comfortable with the aging process of coins, comparing them side by side, and just plain fingering them for feel and texture helps the collector develop an eye for detecting wear and knowing what it is supposed to look like.

When checking the current coins in circulation, don’t stop at just your change. In the past, searching bank-wrapped rolls almost became an art form with its own rules of etiquette. Conditions vary from place to place, and small towns have