Editing Coin collecting (section)

== Motivations ==
[[File:Two 20kr gold coins.png|thumb|Two 20 kronor [[gold]] coins from the [[Scandinavian Monetary Union|Scandinavian]]

[[Scandinavian Monetary Union|Monetary Union]]]]

The motivations for collecting vary. Possibly the most common type of collectors are the hobbyists, who amass a collection primarily for the pleasure of it without the intention of making a profit.

Another frequent reason for purchasing coins is as an investment. As with [[Philatelic investment|stamps]], [[precious metal]]s, or other commodities, coin prices vary based on [[supply and demand]]. Prices drop for coins that are not in long-term demand, and increase along with a coin's perceived or intrinsic [[value (economics)|value]].  Investors buy with the expectation that the value of their purchase will increase over the long term. As with all types of investment, the principle of ''[[caveat emptor]]'' applies, and study is recommended before buying. Likewise, as with most collectibles, a coin collection does not produce income until it is sold, and may even incur costs (for example, the cost of [[safe deposit box]] storage) in the interim.<ref name="Collecting And Investing in Coins">{{cite web |title= Collecting And Investing in Coins|url= http://www.oldandsold.com/articles02/coincollecting15.shtml|work=oldandsold.com |access-date=26 August 2009}}</ref>

[[File:A little collection of precious coins, coin slab, fountain pen, and silver box, photographed in West Bengal, India, December 24, 2023.jpg|thumb|A collection of various collectible coins, including several Indian silver coins and an [[American Innovation dollars|American Innovation dollar]] graded by [[Numismatic Guaranty Company|NGC]], alongside a vintage [[sterling silver]] case.]]
Some people collect coins for patriotic reasons and mints from various countries create coins specifically for patriotic collectors.  One example of a patriotic coin was minted in 1813 by the [[United Provinces of the Rio de la Plata]].  One of the first pieces of legislation the new country enacted (after the revolution that freed it from Spanish rule) was to mint coins to replace the Spanish currency that had been in use.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://artsandculture.google.com/story/first-patriotic-coins-museo-historico-y-numismatico-hector-carlos-janson/GwWB7KYbIQ2wJQ?hl=en | title=First patriotic coins }}</ref> Another example is the U.S. 2022 Purple Heart Commemorative Coin Program.<ref>{{Cite web |title=National Purple Heart Hall of Honor Commemorative Coins {{!}} U.S. Mint |url=https://www.usmint.gov/learn/coin-and-medal-programs/commemorative-coins/national-purple-heart-hall-of-honor |access-date=2022-09-28 |website=usmint.gov|date=11 November 2021 }}</ref>