How to Collect Old Money

Decide what you want to collect. If you want to collect coins, decide if you want silver, copper or other types. Other choices are international coins, paper money, culture coins or period money.

Go to collector shops, fairs, antique stores, thrift stores, Internet sites and other collectors. The amount you pay for each piece depends on condition, age, value and the seller. Some collectors may trade items or offer lower prices than other collectors.

Clean the money with a damp paper towel. Remove rust from coins by covering the coins with ketchup and then wiping it off. Once the coins are cleaned, you can display your collection in a shadow box with glass frame or a coin holder.

Keep a log of the items in your collection. Include the name, serial number and value. A collector's shop or Internet site can provide information on worth. If your coin collection is worth a significant amount, insure it. If stolen or destroyed, it may be impossible to replace the exact pieces, but the claim money allows you to start again.