Using the internet as a numismatic reference
Matt Dinger
With the advancement of the internet age great strides have been made in the dissemination of information. Whether it’s researching new recipes for dinner, how the universe was created, or researching your favorite area of numismatics the internet is a wealth of information.
Where to begin?
The greatest references on the internet are those that allow people with similar interest to interact. There are several collecting communities on the internet that allow coin and currency collectors to interact with people who share the same interest. These boards also allow people with varying degrees of experience to interact and learn from each other. It is not uncommon for known numismatic authors and dealers to participate on these collecting boards spreading the knowledge they have gained with their decades of experience.
The major numismatic communities are:
Reference Sites
When numismatic specialists begin placing the result of their works on the internet often great free references are produced. Free reference sites can be found for errors and varieties, grading, specific series, hoard coins, ancient coins, world coins and currency. These sites can also be useful because the authors of the sites often post a way to get in contact with them which may help answer a question(s) you may have. Most experts that put the time and effort into a major website are happy to answer questions that you may have. A simple internet search is all that is required to pull up some fantastic references.
Here are some great reference sites: