A word of advice to the new coin, token, and note collector:

Specialize!
Collectors should specialize, not only because of limited budgets but also because it gives them the opportunity to thoroughly study the various types of series collected. Here are some types of collections that might interest you.

For the beginner, try collecting:

• Notes, tokens, or coins with a similar theme such as boats, animals, birds, kings, or flowers
• Items with odd shapes
• Coins with the same metal content. For example, collect only gold, silver, or copper coins.
• Collectables from countries starting with the same letter.
• Notes, tokens, or coins from different countries in alphabetical order; one piece from a country whose name starts with an A, one piece whose name starts with B, etc.

For those looking for a challenge, try collecting:

• By type: a piece of every denomination and sovereign of a given series, including the principal varieties.
• By issue year. You can pick, for example, the year you were born.
• By sovereign: including all pieces bearing the portrait of the same head of state.
• Commemorative pieces: including all pieces issued to commemorate an event, for example, the Olympic Games.