Collecting coins is a popular hobby for many people across the country. It takes a lot of time and dedication to become an experienced coin collector. One of the easiest ways to develop your collecting prowess is to form a relationship with a coin dealer in your area.

Here are three tips that you can use to help identify a trustworthy dealer in your area.

1. Visit Coin Shops

The best place to start looking for a coin dealer is in your neighborhood. Find a coin shop near you, then visit the shop in person. Face-to-face interaction with a coin dealer will give you the opportunity to ask questions and learn about the coins that you are interested in collecting. A local dealer will have many coins available in their shop for you to inspect and evaluate. This physical inspection can help you learn to spot the differences between a desirable coin and a coin of lesser quality.

2. Ask for Recommendations

One of the best ways to find a good coin dealer in your area is to ask another collector for a recommendation. Find an experienced coin collector in your area, then ask this person which coin dealers they work with on a regular basis. Most experienced collectors are more than willing to share their contacts with novice collectors.

Not only does asking for recommendations help you find coin dealers to work with as you build your collection, but it can also help you establish a network of like-minded collectors that you can learn from in the future.

3. Check With Professional Organizations

There is a range of professional organizations that coin dealers can join. It can be helpful to check with professional organizations when you are trying to find a coin dealer to work with as you build your collection.

Some of the largest organizations in the country include the American Numismatic Association and the Professional Numismatists Guild. Each of these organizations can provide you with a list of coin dealers that have a proven track record within the numismatic industry. You will be able to refer to this list when you need a coin dealer, making it easy for you to establish the connections you need to advance your collection.

Coin collecting requires that you understand a wide range of nuances. Being able to find a dealer that you can trust will help you expand your knowledge base and source coins that will be valuable additions to your collection.

Contact a local coin collection dealer to learn more.