This question could be rephrased in different ways. Consider the following: When does one become interested in the hobby? Or, How does someone become engaged in the hobby? Or maybe, What causes the coin collecting bug? In other words, what I'm trying to get at is that there is something that specifically occurs to incite one to start collecting coins in a serious manner. I had a small collection of coins many years ago, and I might have peered at them from time to time, but one day when I was older I became aware for the first time that I was enamored by coins. This realization might come about over a period of weeks or even months, one might argue. I think for me it was at most the former, ie weeks.
I began selling some coins my grandfather gave me on eBay. I couldn't believe how fast and how much my coins were selling for in comparison to other household items I had listed. What really sparked my interest was the fact that US coins were composed of a silver alloy in the past. I couldn't believe it! And this lasted up until the mid and late 1960s. I quickly thought of all the silver coins that may have graced my hands, without me knowing it. I had an old Red Book and studied the price guide somewhat, moved on to current magazines at the book store, and then purchased a whole slew of books to feed my growing appetite for coins! The rest is history, as they say.
There also came a point where I knew this hobby would be lifelong. That perhaps took a little longer to come forth in my mind but only because I was so busy learning and collecting coins! So, if you haven't started collecting coins with a passion, I suggest you give it a try. The easiest way might be to read a beginner's guide, like Alan Hubert's book (I forgot the name), a Dummies/Idiots guide, and so on. There's a cliché in the hobby that needs to be stated once again: Buy the book before the coin (or something like that). This is very sound advice. I want to emphasize that you should buy dozens of books because I still make mistakes occasionally when I'm out there collecting. In any case, depending on your personality type, the spark that gets you going might be a book, friend, family member, club, or the internet. Whatever it is, get going and have fun! If you've read this far, please share and let me know what got you interested in coins. Thanks.
