Jimmy King, age 12, of Burkeville, Va., for his question:
WHAT ARE MINT MARKS ON COINS IN MY COLLECTION?
A person who collects coins is called a numismatist, and the hobby of collecting or studying coins is called numismatics. The words come from the Greek nomisma and the Latin numisma. Both mean piece of money or coin. Coin collecting is one of the world's most popular hobbies.
Many people collect coins as an investment. The value of coins always seems to go up as the coins get older. There are a number of different ways of saving coins. Some people specialize in certain types of coins, hoping to get one of every date. Others collect all types of coins from their own and other countries.
Lots of people specialize in proof coins. These have mirrorlike surfaces and are struck at a coin making mint especially for collectors.
Uncirculated coins are those which have been struck for general circulation but which collectors set aside before they have been used.
Collectors call some coins "extremely fine,'' meaning they have been in circulation but show very slight signs of wear, and others "very fine," meaning some of the original shine is still showing. A classification of ''fine'' means the coin has no shine, while others are rated "very good'' and "good, " meaning they have some wear but the entire design is still clear.
In your collection you'll find mint marks on some of your United States coins. If the coin has been struck in either Denver or San Francisco you'll find a small D or S stamped on one side. The coins without mint marks come from Philadelphia since all of the country's coins come from mints in one of these three cities.
Some older coins contain marks from mints no longer in operation. Carson City used " cc " , an " o " appeared on coins from New Orleans and a mint in Charlotte, N.C., used " c. " A mintmark of " d" was used on gold coins made from 1838 until 1861 in Dahlonega, Ga.
Before 1965, all United States half dollars, quarters and dimes contained 90 percent silver. Then the government made a reduction of the silver on dimes and quarters, adding a core of nickel and copper. Half dollars joined the reduction in 1971. All silver coins are now rare.
Among the most difficult of the mass circulated coins to obtain in the United States are the buffalo nickel and the Indian head penny. You can find them in circulation occasionally, but not too often.
Experts in the field of coin collecting give a few rules on how to handle your coins. They say coins should be protected from dust and moisture and should be touched as little as possible. If they have to be handled, they should be held by the edges and not with a finger on the face of the coin. Also, they should never be put on the palm of your hand. Moisture from your skin can stain a coin.