Rare coin collecting and investing is a fantastic and worthwhile investment, but there is a lot to know. We look at a few steps you can take to help you become a better coin collector and investor

1. How Can You Become a Better Coin Collector and Investor?
www.southcapecoins.co.za

2. Ask any numismatic fan and they’ll probably tell you that there’s an ‘art’ or even a ‘science’ to coin collecting. If you’re a
hobbyist or newbie collector you might think it far-fetched, but if you’re serious about your collection (as in it’s a family
heirloom or major coin investment), then you’ll know they’re right. It takes considerable industry knowledge and years of
experience to be able to determine what’s really good, what’s bad, which coins are worth investing more in and which
should be passed up.
Bear in mind, coin collecting is one of the oldest hobbies known to man, and it often becomes a life-long hobby for those
who are passionate about it. You learn as you go, sometimes by trial and error. Having said that, here are a few pointers
that could help you become a ‘better coin collector’, and hopefully help you avoid any costly mistakes.
1.) Find a coin dealer you trust:
This is one of the best things you can do when first starting out. By developing a ‘relationship’ with an established and
respected coin dealer, you’re setting yourself up for a win-win situation. You’ll have a direct contact for genuine, graded
coins you’re interested in, and you’ll have an expert to consult with if you have any questions about rare coins or gold
coins (especially those they specialise in.)
2.) Don’t spread yourself too thin:
We’ve said this before but it’s worth mentioning again.Your options are virtually limitless when it comes to deciding what
coins you want to collect, but that doesn’t mean you have to go wild, in which case you’re likely to end up with a large,
messy collection of odds and ends. You’ve heard the saying ‘jack of all trades master of none’, it’s relevant here too.
Choose a series or type that you’re a) really interested in and b) is easy and affordable for you to collect.

3. 3.) ‘Good coins aren’t cheap and cheap coins aren’t good’:
(Thank you Coin Week for putting it so perfectly) As with most material things in life, if you want quality, then you
need to be prepared to put in a bit of extra time and money into finding the rightcoin. What do you get in return?
Peace of mind that you’ve invested in a high performance, officially graded coin that is guaranteed to be
profitable. It’s as simple as that.
4.) Know the value of your collection:
Do your homework and find out as much as you can about the market performance, supply and demand and
previous selling prices your coin has realised. It’ll help you ascertain the current value of the coin, as well as what
you could expect to get for it in the future. If you buy a rare coin that is already graded then it will be much easier
to find out this information. If your coin isn’t graded, then you can get an idea of what grade it is by reading our
blog post on an amateurs guide to coin grading.
5.) Don’t buy ugly coins as investment coins:
It’s superficial, but true. Eye appeal is an important factor when it comes to assessing rare coins. Think about the
most popular rare and gold coins. They all have beautiful designs and are great to look at. If you don’t want to
look at it, hold it and marvel over it, then don’t expect anyone else to either. Beautiful coins sell, period.
While these steps will undoubtedly help you to make key decisions along the way,if you’re still unsure then make
sure you speak to a numismatic expert or registered coin dealer, who will be able to advise you.

4. SOUTH CAPE COINS AUTHOR BIO:
Georgia Christian is an e-marketing specialist with Lima Bean and is responsible for the online marketing of
South Cape Coins, a premier dealer in rare South African coins. For more information on rare coin
investments visit www.southcapecoins.co.za or email info@southcapecoins.co.za or
georgia@limabean.co.za. You can also join our growing numismatic community on Facebook.