Coin Collecting: The World’s Oldest Hobby
Modern coin collecting is said to have started during the Italian Renaissance in the 14th century, but there’s evidence that it could have begun much earlier. The Italian poet Petrarch is thought to be the one who made coin collecting a trend among European nobility. The rich were the only ones who could afford to collect coins in the Middle Ages, which made collecting known as the “hobby of kings.” Coin collecting may not be as popular today as it once was, but there is a growing fascination with history and collecting coins that commemorate the past.
Why Did People Start Collecting Coins?
Collecting coins for their artistic value probably began with scholars who wanted to catalogue history. Old coins were a form of portable art in early times. Many coins, especially those made of gold or silver, didn’t lose their value. Hoarding coins was a way to preserve wealth, so coin collecting could be considered an investment. It wasn’t until the 1600s or later that coin collecting became more popular with the middle classes.
How Art Drove Coin Collecting
Early coins, just like modern coins, featured beautiful designs. Rulers were immortalized on coins. Mythical beings were depicted on coins. This led to people being fascinated with them. Coins from Asia and Africa did not have images at first, so coin collecting for art was not as popular on these continents. As demand grew for antique coins, the market found ways to meet a dwindling supply. Artists were hired by patrons to recreate antique coins as collectibles. These replicas became collectibles in their own right, often made by artists who were famous or became famous as they got farther in their careers. Modern coins have stunning designs by artists who have studied for years.
Famous Coin Collectors of the Past
- Caesar Augustus, the first Roman Emperor, is often considered to be the first coin collector. He gave coins as gifts during Saturnalia, which was an ancient Roman festival celebrated in the month of December.
- Pope Boniface VIII and Pope Paul II were both avid coin collectors. Pope Paul II was a scholar when it came to coins because he could tell at a glance where an ancient coin came from.
- President Thomas Jefferson collected contemporary European coins when he travelled.
- Many of the English and French kings and queens had extensive coin collections. These coin collections passed to their heirs before ending up in a museum.
- The Smithsonian holds a portion of a collection from Grand Duke George Mikhailovich of Russia.
Some of the more current and familiar coin collectors you might recognize are Johnny Cash, Wayne Gretzky, Nicole Kidman and James Earle Jones.
Fueling the Next Generation of Coin Collectors
Coin collecting has never been the most adrenalin-filled hobby. It certainly doesn’t have the same thrill as playing hockey or rock climbing, but coin collecting does have its own excitement. Just as the rulers of old passed their collections to their heirs, numismatists often pass their collections to their own descendants, who may or may not understand the enjoyment the collection can bring. If you have a collection of coins that you want your children or grandchildren to enjoy, it’s never too late to start explaining the importance of your coins to those you love.
- Share the history of the coins you’ve collected.
- Explain why you chose certain coins.
- Show off the designs and what makes each coin special and unique.
- Take your family to a coin show or convention.
- Help your children or grandchildren find coins that matter to them.
Browse through the selection of coins for sale at Colonial Acres Coins to find coins that reflect special events or connections in your life. Show your family what you’re looking for to complete your collection. Share your passion for coins with the ones you love to pass on the love of coins to the next generation and keep coin collecting strong as a hobby.