It’s the thought that counts: unique gift ideas

Gifts are always a good thing to get, and if you are thinking of getting someone something, you want it to be special. There are many occasions varying from one person to another that is celebrated with gift giving. While there are so many options to choose from, once in a while, someone may want something that's unique and has a value measured by a lot of factors. If your friend or special someone happens to be into coin-collecting, then you know for sure what kind of gift would bring that light in their eyes.

There are a lot of coins out there, and you can choose from a wide array of them differing in size, beauty, bullion value, date and era, and place of mintage. Coin collectors may prioritize a collection, and you should put this in mind when looking for the ideal gift coins. Know the kinds the recipient likes to collect, and is constantly in the hunt for. Coins aren't always thought of first when thinking of gifts, and this will make yours a special one.

The one you're planning to give gifts to does not necessarily have to be a coin collector for you to choose coins to give. There are many beautiful coins out there that are sure to make non-collectors appreciate them just as much. Ornate old coins are always a good pick, since these kinds seem to carry sentimental value with them. These coins also show elegance to the artistic eye, since the designs and inscriptions are intricately decorated.

There are many coin shops out there as well as private collections from coin collectors. If you have decided to go for coins as a gift, then it is wise to visit reputed and trusted shops. Colonial Acres Coins is one of these shops, and the vast array of coins and friendly staff will assist you in picking just the right coins for your friends and family. We do not just sell coins, but also storage packs and materials to help for easier and safer packaging--- ones that will prevent your chosen gift coins from tarnishing and getting scratches.

Colonial Acres also features gift sets that may appeal to you. So if you have coins in mind, just drop by the Colonial Acres Shop. You are sure to find something valuable you'd want to share with that special friend. Stop and shop at Colonial Acres Coins, and you're guaranteed to have a fun and fulfilling time.

Interesting facts about Canadian decimal coins

Canadian Decimal Coins have been manufactured and minted for a long time. It has a history of its own, and every story has some interesting facts to share. Here are some interesting things about the Canadian Decimal Coins you should know:

• Canadian Decimal Coins started in 1858, and then soon after the Canadian Confederation was given authority in terms of coinage by the British Parliament. Before 1858, Canada adopted the British pound system.
• Also in 1858, Canada (which was still then a province) issued 20-cent coins. In 1867 the British Parliament declared the Dominion of Canada and after this the 1858 20-cent coins were recalled and melted. This happened because it was decided that the official denomination to be used will be the 25-cent.
• In 1871, the Uniform Currency Act dictated that the decimal currency is the official system to be used throughout Canada. It was also by this time that the first Canadian coins struck in the Royal Mint were made.
• From 1870 to 1923, 25-cent bank notes were made in Canada and were known as "shinplasters".
• In 1949, Newfoundland joined the Canadian Confederation. During this time, the first ever $2 22K gold coins struck in 1865 for Newfoundland only, became legal tender.
• In 1954, there were conflicts regarding the early printings of the Bank of Canada issues. These early printings showed a malicious image (devil's head) in the Queen's portrait. The image was seen through the highlights in the queen's tresses. This was a controversy and it led to total redesign of the Queen's portrait. The highlights were darkened and thus the image was removed.
• In 1968, coins minted were in base metal composition. 
• In 1979, the Gold Maple leaf coin was released and had a purity of .999. This was raised to .9999 in 1982 and became the purest of gold bullion coins.
• In 2007, Canadian Five Nines Pure Gold Maple Coins were created. These million dollar worth coins had a mass of 100kg, and only 5 were officially struck as of May 2007.

These are just some facts in the history of Canadian Decimal coins. The Canadian currency system had a rich history, and collectors appreciate this kind of value. Many collectors opt for their very own set of Canadian Decimal coins.

If you are interested in starting your own, you need to have dedication to do a lot of research about the coins you are collecting. Shops like Colonial Acres Coins can help you with their vast numismatic resources. More than that, Colonial Acres features a wide range of Canadian Decimal coins from 1858 one cents to present day $2 coins. Start your journey in coin collection with this set, and let Colonial Acres be the shop that guides and provides you the best of coins.

Canadian Decimal Coins: Where You Can Find Them

Canadian decimal coins known as the Canadian nickels, dimes and quarters are some of the rare coins in history. One- and two-dollar coins are also categorized under Canadian decimal coins. Some of these decimal coins are very rare because of minting quantity limitations and historical events that their value has skyrocketed like the 1936 dot cents. These dot cents were sold in auctions for as much as hundred thousand dollars. The 1936 quarter may not be as rare as the nickel and dime, but it is still very difficult to find.

There are a lot of Canadian decimal coins, varying in design and composition every minting year or era they were made. Many of the Canadian decimal coins have marked history. In fact, there are so many Canadian coins that have made their own names because of certain highlights in history. These coins mark special dates and represent major changes in economy or society. Some of these coins have become so rare that every collector wanted his/her own hands on them.

Coins have long started even before the forming of the Canadian Confederation back in 1858. But in 1867, the Dominion of Canada was formed by the British Parliament, thus officially starting the era of Canadian Decimal Coins.

Coin designs varied each reigning era and almost every coin featured the king or queen in ruling. Starting with Queen Victoria coinage, to King Edward VII, King George V and VI, to Queen Elizabeth II, the coin's obverse designs featured monarchs to commemorate their reign and to present authority and grace. As it has been from 1953, the Queen Elizabeth II bust is featured in today's coins as well. Special coins falling under the Canadian decimals are the 1936 dot coinage, the 1947 Maple Leaf coinage.

There are many coin shops and collectors that have these coins among their collections. Colonial Acres Coins, for example, has numerous categories for the Canadian decimal coins ranging from 1858 one cents to present day two-dollar coins. If you are looking for a shop which offers these coins then you should stop by Colonial Acres Coins. Their wide collection of Canadian decimal coins will surely give you what you're looking for, and while they may not have thousand dollar worth pieces, they are all in good condition. If you want to start coin collecting and are into these kinds of coins, then Colonial Acres Coins is the shop you're looking for.

Canadian Decimal Coins: Where You Can Find Them

 Canadian decimal coins known as the Canadian nickels, dimes and quarters are some of the rare coins in history. One- and two-dollar coins are also categorized under Canadian decimal coins. Some of these decimal coins are very rare because of minting quantity limitations and historical events that their value has skyrocketed like the 1936 dot cents. These dot cents were sold in auctions for as much as hundred thousand dollars. The 1936 quarter may not be as rare as the nickel and dime, but it is still very difficult to find.

There are a lot of Canadian decimal coins, varying in design and composition every minting year or era they were made. Many of the Canadian decimal coins have marked history. In fact, there are so many Canadian coins that have made their own names because of certain highlights in history. These coins mark special dates and represent major changes in economy or society. Some of these coins have become so rare that every collector wanted his/her own hands on them.

Coins have long started even before the forming of the Canadian Confederation back in 1858. But in 1867, the Dominion of Canada was formed by the British Parliament, thus officially starting the era of Canadian Decimal Coins.

Coin designs varied each reigning era and almost every coin featured the king or queen in ruling. Starting with Queen Victoria coinage, to King Edward VII, King George V and VI, to Queen Elizabeth II, the coin's obverse designs featured monarchs to commemorate their reign and to present authority and grace. As it has been from 1953, the Queen Elizabeth II bust is featured in today's coins as well. Special coins falling under the Canadian decimals are the 1936 dot coinage, the 1947 Maple Leaf coinage.

There are many coin shops and collectors that have these coins among their collections. Colonial Acres Coins, for example, has numerous categories for the Canadian decimal coins ranging from 1858 one cents to present day two-dollar coins. If you are looking for a shop which offers these coins then you should stop by Colonial Acres Coins. Their wide collection of Canadian decimal coins will surely give you what you're looking for, and while they may not have thousand dollar worth pieces, they are all in good condition. If you want to start coin collecting and are into these kinds of coins, then Colonial Acres Coins is the shop you're looking for.

What the letter “H” Stands for on Coins

Numismatics or the study of coin and paper currency is an age-old hobby that has been engaged by many people around the world. At its infancy, only the royalties were able to afford this hobby, as it was not affordable to trade rare and high-value coins.

When coins became common, coin-collecting was extended to the masses and people have started their own collections for many reasons: some for its monetary value; others for the historic significance of certain coins they collect.

If you have already started on coin-collecting, you may have come across coins that bears the letter “H” as one of its mint mark. What does this really stand for?

Digging a little bit into history, mint marks were used to trace the origin of the coins just in case the currency encounters any problem when it begins circulating. If for example the coin had discrepancies in weight, the mintmarks allow the government to trace the mint origin and have it corrected.

So going back to the letter “H”. These coins bearing the letter “H” are actually minted at the Birmingham Mint, which was owned by Ralph Heaton. The Birmingham Mint started producing coins in 1850 in cooperation with the Royal Mint until around 1907.

What does this mean for collectors?

Well, you can now have the same date and denomination coin, but with different mintages. For example, you may have in your collection the 1900 1-cent Plane that are both struck at the Royal Mint and at the Heaton Mint. Both coins would have varying rarity and values as well.

Knowing the history of your coins will help you a lot in determining their values and how you will proceed as an experienced collector. Numismatics is more than just looking for the face value of coins; it is a science that requires research and in-depth study so that you will be able to find the coins that can fit your collection best.

Whether you are a budding collector or an experienced numismatist, it is important to be connected with reliable numismatic firms that can help your source the coins that you need in your collection or to sell the ones that you do not have any penchant for. Colonial Acres Coins provide you with more than two decades of expertise and experience in numismatics and we do not only engage in buy and sell of coins but has the sincere desire of educating collectors like yourself. When it’s coins you seek, Colonial Acres is your best bet!

Coin Profiles: US Twenty Cent Coin

Coin collecting is a hobby that has stood the test of time. Often called as numismatics, people all over the world have fallen in love with collecting coins that tell a story or has more perceived value than what meets the eye.

In old manuscripts about the Roman Empire, it was depicted that Emperor Augustus collected coins that were old and foreign to his land. It can be said that this hobby was only afforded by royalty as it was not cheap to buy and trade these coins.

As years go by, the hobby of collecting coins has gone widespread, reaching almost every nook and cranny. Most beginners would start with affordable coins and once their collection grows, move up to collecting those that has more than just face value.

One of the more interesting coins that numismatists, or people who collect coins, look for is the US Twenty-cent piece. This coin was struck from 1875 to 1878. Quite amusing is the fact that the last two years when these coins are produced were reserved only for coin collectors!

This coin has proven to be quite a failure because it was confused for the already existing quarter dollar coin during that time. The two coins looked identical in size with the twenty-cent piece measuring 22 mm and quarter coin at 24.3 mm. Both coins feature the Liberty Seated design on their obverse or front sides and an almost same eagle on its reverse side. This resulted to poor demand, which prompted the abolishment of this certain coin by 1878.

The US Twenty-cent piece was designed by William Barber and weighed 5 grams. It is composed of 90% silver and 10% copper. More than its metal composition, this coin is more memorable for its history, being one of the coins with the shortest mintages in the history of America.

As you see, there are a lot of things that you can learn about culture, history, and the people behind the minting of coins in different parts of the world. That is the reason why coin-collecting is not only a hobby but a tool on preserving a little piece of history in our hands.

If you want to start on your first coin collection or wanting to grow your current one, it is important to have a reliable partner who can help you expand your hobby further. Colonial Acres Coins has been in the industry for more than two decades of helping people find that prized coin that will complete their collection or to provide resources for those who want to start on the craft. If you want to start on numismatics, visit Colonial Acres today and learn the tricks of the trade the fastest way!

Coin Profiles: The 1930 Australian Proof Penny

Coin collecting has started since coins were first created. People hoarded coins for their bullion value, and it was only later on that collectors started to appreciate coins by their artistic value and design. The coin collecting hobby sprawled worldwide, and Australia has its very own numismatic history.

One of the most prized in Australian coins is the 1930 One Penny. Back in the days when coin collectors started their own collections and noticed that some of the coins are actually hard to come by, the 1930 penny was the rarest. For some time after, it was known to most collectors how rare the 1930 penny was. Some collectors were even willing to pay a large amount just to get it and finally complete their coin sets. Recently, one coin was sold by the owner, Belinda Downie, for an amount higher than $1.5 million.

During the Depression, no 1930 pennies were issued by the Commonwealth of Australia. Some were struck by the Melbourne Mint to test dies in preparation if ever the Commonwealth gave orders to officially produce coins. These "test" coins are the 1930 Australian Proof Penny.

Because of the continuous rise in the value of the 1930 Australian Proof Penny, forgeries have become inevitable. If you happen to have one and are unsure, always ask for professional assistance from a member of the Australian Numismatic Dealers Association. They have enough experience and are of high calibre to help you fault the coin or consider it genuine.

The obverse side is struck with the Indian Obverse Die. Only two 1930 pennies were believed to be struck with the London Die. The final upstroke in the N of the OMN sits in line with an outer rim bead. The colon following the inscriptions IMP is aligned between two beads.

The reverse is struck from the London Master Die. The letters A and L in AUSTRALIA are aligned with the beads of the outer rim, and the letters I and A at the end of the inscription are between the beads of the outer rim.

So if you ever come across a 1930 Australian Penny and are unsure whether or not it is genuine, check the obverse and reverse side if they coincide with the standards above. Also, it is a good practice to ask for people specialized in faulting coins and also sending it to a trusted coin grading company.

Coin collecting is a fun and rewarding hobby, especially if you have the diligence to search through the many coin shops and events. A trusted coin shop is a good partner as you grow into a professional collector, and one coin shop with a trusted reputation such as Colonial Acres is a helping hand to assist you in achieving your ideal collection.

Understanding Coin Toning

Toning might make your coins look better, but there is a chance that it may lose value despite its new sheen. Valuing a coin based on its toning presents problems for the collector.

Is the coin more valuable or not after toning?

What is coin toning?

Toning describes the light patina or discoloration that appears on the surface of a coin because of the oxygenation of the chemicals in the air. The level of the tone depends on the metal. This process may take months or years; you shouldn’t worry about it if you stored your collection properly.

Toning is a natural process, especially if the coin is decades old. It may take centuries for a coin to reach its least attractive and darkest look.

Will toning add value to your coin collection?

Several factors affect the value of a coin, but the highest value goes to coins that retained their surface appeal. If a coin is unattractive, unless very rare, no one will likely purchase them and their value low; an attractive and toned coin will be worth more.

As the cliché goes, beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Coins with a natural shine to them will always be worth more, but there is also a market for naturally toned coins. Always remember that the value of a coin will rely on its natural look, especially if it is a rare or old coin with limited mint.

What are the toned coins you will likely see?

The toning of a coin will depend on the type of metal. Older coins will display more color variation because of the less pure metal and multiple blends to produce it. Some metals also react faster and tone easier when exposed to certain environments.

1. Copper – the tone you will likely see is an orange to reddish-brown sheen to a full brown to almost black.
2. Gold – the coin will be bright yellow to orange, in some cases, the coin will look reddish.
3. Silver – the tone will be bright silver to brown or black. In some cases, you will see rainbow-style colors on the surface of the coin, which add to its value.
4. Nickel – the coin will have a silvery appearance to a grayish tone.

Toning is a natural process, but there are “coin doctors” who artificially tone a coin to increase its value. Watch out for these types of coins to avoid a scam. A coin that is artificially toned will not be as valuable as a naturally toned coin.

Find out more about coin toning and other essential tips for your coin collecting at Colonial Acres.

Cataloguing Your Coin Collection

Coin collectors are different from accumulators because the former keep a catalogue of their collection.

A written record of your coin collection allows you to monitor what you currently have, track its value and set future goals. A catalogued collection also makes it easier for your heirs to sell if they do not want to keep it. The records must contain the details of each coin, how much you bought them for and their current value. This makes sure that your heirs are paid properly when they decide to liquidate it.

Ways to Catalogue Your Collection

Coin cataloguing is not difficult, but it can be tedious, as you have to be detailed about your recording. There are several ways to catalogue your collection for your reference.

Notebooks

Notebooks are an old-fashioned way to catalogue your coin collection. Using a pen and ruler, start making columns to jot down detailed information about your coins. Here are some of the basics that your catalogue must have if you use a notebook:

1. Country
2. Variety
3. Year
4. Mintmark
5. Grade
6. Purchase date
7. Purchase price
8. Date sold
9. Sale price
10. Quantity

Checklist

A checklist is a simple way to catalogue your coin collection while you plan on which coins to add. Notebooks allow you to get creative, but a checklist is more organized. It has a type, denomination, year and mintmark for United States series coins. You can add more sections to your checklist to make it comprehensive, especially for tax purposes.

Spreadsheets

Simple programs such as Microsoft Excel let you monitor your coin collection and transactions. This program makes it easy for you to delete and add lines to each column and row, sort your coins and lets you calculate their value. It is also easy to add information using Excel.

Cataloguing Software

For enthusiasts, you can get software specifically for cataloguing your coin collection.

Some are free, some are at an affordable $20-$30 and others are pricier with more features. Its ease of use, user-friendly screens and a feature to allow you to organize your collection, pricing information and coin revaluation based on current prices are some of the things you should look for in software you buy.

You get what you pay for when you purchase coin-cataloguing software. Look for a product that has a free trial version or a refund guarantee if you do not like it.

These different coin-cataloguing methods will help you monitor and update your collection. Find out more about coin cataloguing at Colonial Acres Coins.