Coin collecting is both a popular hobby and an investment. Coins are usually not a short term investment, as some experts recommend a holding period of three to five years, and preferably five to ten. The supply of coins is fixed, since only a given number of coins are minted per year, adding to the potential value of coins.

                              Unlike securities markets, the market for coins is unregulated. Consequently, discerning     decision-making is critical to avoid purchasing overvalued coins and, in some cases, counterfeit coins.

                                      Buy what you like, buy what you can afford, and buy at a reasonable price. Follow this advice and you'll enjoy your coins more, you won't pay too much for them and you won't go bankrupt. Your collection should be fun to own, not a burden on the family finances. The best way to get good deals, and avoid the bad ones, is to pick up some standard reference catalogues and study the pricing very carefully. As a rule, it's better to own one high quality coin than a bunch of mediocre ones.

As for when to buy, coin collecting represents a wonderful way to commemorate great events in your life; you could buy a coin to celebrate your child's graduation, or a new baby. You can also buy coins to mark historic events such as the Golden Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II.