Is It Illegal To Hoard Coins?

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Written By Natasha Jones
I'm Natasha Jones, an avid collector of coins, stamps, and paper money.My passion drives me to seek unique finds, from antique shops to international exchanges.I enjoy connecting with fellow collectors through forums and meet-ups, sharing discoveries and insights.

Have you ever wondered if it’s illegal to hoard coins in your house?

I know I have! Have you ever wondered if coin hoarding is a real thing?

Are you curious about the legal implications of keeping a stash of loose change at home?

Look no further! This article has some fascinating insights that could provide the answers you seek.

Is it Illegal to Hoard Coins?

Difference between Collecting and Hoarding:

Collecting Coins

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Are you a coin collector? If so, you know that building sets are a crucial part of the hobby.

Whether you’re into ancient or modern coins, assembling a complete set is a thrilling experience.

It’s like putting together a puzzle but with the added excitement of finding rare and valuable pieces.

So, what type of sets do you enjoy building? Why? Did you know that coin collectors have a unique goal of putting together complete sets of coins?

It’s fascinating how they strive to find and acquire every coin in a particular series. Completing a set of coins is not always guaranteed.

Imagine being a coin collector and embarking on a thrilling quest to gather a set of coins with similar designs!

You scour the depths of your collection, searching high and low for every last coin that fits the bill.

It’s a challenge, but the thrill of the hunt keeps you going. With each new addition, you feel a rush of excitement and satisfaction.

Imagine having a collection that never truly ends! That’s the beauty of coin collecting – there’s always the possibility of new coins being made that could belong in your collection.

So, even if you’ve been collecting for years, there’s still the thrill of the hunt and the excitement of discovering new additions to your treasured collection.

Have you ever considered the thrill of coin collecting? It’s all about setting your sights on a specific goal – assembling a set (or sets) of coins that represent something significant to the world of numismatics.

Hoarding Coins

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The real distinction between coin collecting and hoarding coins, even though some may perceive building sets of coins as hoarding.

As previously mentioned, coin collecting often entails curating complete sets of coins. Unfortunately, coin hoarders often overlook the idea of building sets.

Coin hoarders typically accumulate coins without considering the possibility of creating sets from them.

A coin hoard refers to a collection of coins acquired through purchase or removal from circulation for various reasons.

  • The coins are composed of valuable metals.
  • The numismatic designs present on the amassed coins have become obsolete.
  • Additional factors could exist not typically associated with the phenomenon of coin hoards.

Coin hoards are typically considered valuable, but they do not qualify as coin collections, according to most numismatists.

This is because hoards are not assembled to complete or enhance a set of coins. Notably, most coin collectors possess additional coins that do not fit into any specific coin set.

The coins mentioned do not qualify as a coin hoard based on their value or quantity.

A coin hoard is a collection of coins accumulated without any intention of building a numismatic set.

The coins are typically thrown into a container such as a box, jar, or drawer, and the collection grows over time.

The statement emphasizes the value of coin hoards, suggesting they can be equally or more valuable than traditional coin collections.

Takeaway:

While it’s not illegal to hoard coins, there are some things you should know. First, you may be charged with theft if you’re hoarding coins and actively trying to stop circulation. 

Additionally, if you’re hoarding coins and attempting to sell them at a higher price than their actual value to make a profit, that could be considered fraud.

Finally, if your hoarding of coins is done with the intent of laundering money or evading taxes on those transactions, then that would be tax evasion—two more offenses that can land someone in hot water.

Before you go…

When distinguishing between a coin collector and a coin hoarder, it is crucial to remember that: As a dedicated coin collector, your ultimate goal is to curate a complete and comprehensive collection of coins. Unfortunately, while coin collectors are passionate about building sets, coin hoarders spend their time simply stashing away coins without any intention of creating a collection.

Check out my next article: “Is it Illegal to Scrap Coins?

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