Do you know how many coins are currently in active circulation around the world? How about how many coins are not in active circulation as valid currency but in the vaults and books of coin collectors?

The answer to both of these questions is: no idea. Although we can have a pretty good estimate for most countries, the very nature of coins means that trying to get an exact figure is near impossible. Coins are lost, coins are found. In the world of coin collection people hope to find more than they lose of course.

Getting Your Start in Numismatics 

In other helpful information – did you know that there is no separate word in the English language that specifically means a person who collects old gold coins? Instead the term for a person who studies currency is used as a blanket term to cover both the more academic pursuit