"Money makes the world go 'round." We always want more of it, it starts wars, it buys freedom, and for some, it's a fantastic hobby. For coin collectors, money is much more than a piece of metal or paper. It's a hobby, a learning experience, and a lifelong obsession.

There are no hard statistics on the number of people who collect coins, but it's been estimated that 1 out of every 10,000 people is an avid coin collector.

People have been collecting coins for years. At one time, it was called the hobby of kings, but today people from all walks of life and of all ages are maintaining coin collections.

Their reasons are varied. Some like the history behind coinage. Some do it to amass a collection worthy of handing down to future generations. Still others are simply businesspeople buying and selling coins to make a living. Collecting coins can be somewhat of a treasure hunt. The quest for that one coin to complete a collection can be an obsession.

The practice of numismatics, the collection and study of coins, paper money, tokens and medals, offers the collector many different areas to specialize in.