Cool Coins: Creating Fun and Fascinating Collections

Children's Literature - Laura Ruttig

Beginning collectors and numismatists alike may enjoy this excellent introduction to coin collecting, as it covers everything from a brief history of the origin of coins up to how coins are made currently in the United States. One page even provides a visual glossary of the parts of the coin labeling—the mint mark, date, rim, artist/designer initials, and inscription. Colorful and unusual photos, including some close-ups of the U.S. mint production of coins, help illustrate the variety of possibilities in coin collecting. Well-researched and appealingly designed, the book offers suggestions on how to start a collection, how to evaluate the worth of a coin and research its history, and how to store and preserve one's collection. As an example of one type of collection, the "Fifty State Quarters" program is explained and the dates of release are given, as well as visual examples of some of the coins. Far more than a cursory introduction, this book offers a serious look at the art of coin collecting and its appeal.