What is numismatics?
Numismatic is a collection and study of money. While numismatics are most closely linked to the collection of coins, in fact it includes all forms of currency, including paper, coins, chips and other items such as wampum and beads that were used as money. Any commodity used by any culture at any time in history as a means of exchange can be found in the collections of numismatics. The collection and study of commemorative medals is also considered part of numismatics.
Most numismaticists specialize in a subset of numismatics. Numismatics of coins are most common because coins are durable, often made of valuable materials, are widely available and often beautiful. Many coins are embossed with images of leaders, important buildings, gods or plants and animals issuing countries. A study of coins can usually tell a lot about what is valued by culture. Old Greek and Roman, medieval, colonial American or modern. Modern numismatic collections usually include coins with stamp, checks and equipment ATM. In general, the modern period is considered to be all currency created since the mid -seventeenth century. Other nusmatic collections are geographically based.
Some travelers collect the currency of all countries they visit. Other numismatics intensively collect one country or region. Specialization in odd denomination is another option. For example, two-Penny coins and a valuable double eagle-20-dollar gold piece-a valuable item in the collections of museums. Although the 1933 Double Eagle has a nominal value of $ 20 in USD (USD), its collector's value is more than $ 7 million.
The collection of tokens and medals is called exonumia and represents the smallest subgroup of numismatics. The tokens are objectycters are value but are not standard currency. Some often collected tokens include wooden nickels and transit tokens. Wooden nickels were issued by banks or shops and could be redeemed for a specified položky. Some stores, especially those owned by trading companies in Colonial America, have released wooden nickels that can only be spent in the company's business.
Railways and metro systems often sold packages of small metal tokens that could be used to pay the way. Medals were not used as a currency, but rather resembled individuals, events or place. While most forms of the collected currencies have relatively known market values, the value of chips and medals is much less firm and is often based on what the buyer pays.