When I began collecting coins, one of the first goals I set for myself was to construct a twentieth century coin set.

What is that? Quite simply, a 20th century type coin set is a collection of coins which includes one of each design from each denomination the United States produced between 1900 and 1999.

In a previous article I wrote about coin folders and gave some suggestions on how to collect coins using them.

But maybe you found or inherited a folder that's already complete, or you just completed your own.

How much is it worth?

If there's a coin collector in your life -- or a non-collector who is just a little interested in some specific coins -- here's a list of gift ideas that you can bet no one else is going to get them!

These one-of-a-kind coin-related items make great Christmas and Birthday gifts for a friend or relative who has coins, even if they're just a beginner.

Some of these fun gifts can also be personalized in unique ways, too.

Collecting the 50 state quarters is a great way to get started in coin collecting.

The statehood quarters are a set that is fun for everybody -- whether you've been collecting coins for years, or if you've never collected coins before -- because they can be found in everyday pocket change.

Proper coin storage is a necessity if you want to eventually get the most money for the coins in your collection. You don't want those prized coins getting scratched and marred up.

So what's the best way to store coins and keep them safe? Should you use coin holders?... Mylar protectors?... Coin albums?... Coin tubes?... Coin binders?... AirTite holders?... Coin slabs?... or even Zip-type baggies?

Here are some tips for storing the coins in your collection...

Here are some tips and pointers that might come in handy when you're meeting with a coin dealer for the first time -- whether you're buying or selling coins.

The Shield Nickel was our first 5 cent nickel in the United States.

It features the number 5 on the reverse with stars surrounding it.

Now that I've covered the Westward Journey nickels, I might as well cover the rest of the nickels.

Let's start with the more common Jefferson design. These are all the nickels that you find in your everyday change.

There's a lot of talk about "mint" whenever you're discussing coins and coin collections.

Some examples:

First, there's the U.S. Mint, which is the federal agency responsible for the production and distribution of our Nation's coinage.

Then, there are mint coins (or mint condition coins) which refers to a coin that is in practically the same condition as when it left the mint.

And then you have mint sets which are collections of uncirculated coins for a particular year. (It includes one uncirculated coin of each denomination from each mint that produced the denomination during that year.)

And finally, you have mint marks (also spelled mintmarks)...