We all like finding easier, less time-consuming ways to do things. Unfortunately, a swift and sure way for those interested in coin collecting to effortlessly acquire knowledge has yet to be discovered. Which is not to say information can't be rapidly accumulated; I've seen beginners make amazing progress. In every case, these "fast learners" made a serious commitment and totally immersed themselves in the quest. Before you hold your breath and dive in, however, let me offer a few tips on how to conserve your energy:
1) Read books. To begin, concentrate on general references instead of specialized texts. One of the best of these is Walter Breen's Complete Encyclopedia of U. S. and Colonial Coins. You can gain an overview of what is happening in the hobby by devoting equal attention to pure numismatics and commercial aspects. Great coin collections are not assembled from pocket change. You must know how to apply your knowledge in the marketplace.

2) Surf. A dozen years ago I wouldn't have been able to suggest that, in addition to reading all you can find in print, you should spend hours at your computer visiting numismatic websites. Today, I can. Search everywhere. You'll discover nuggets of wisdom where you least expect them. Load your printer and run hard copies of anything you find interesting. Review the information you've collected, make a list of questions, and go exploring again to find the answers.

3) Travel. For coin collectors, I doubt there will ever be a satisfactory substitute for hands-on experience. Field trips are still required if your goal is to gain the broadest and most useful education. It's not a bad idea to leave your wallet at home, at first. Attend coin shows and coin club meetings, two efficient ways to gather huge amounts of knowledge in a hurry. Talk to other collectors and dealers. You'll be surprised at how eager some people are to help beginners and answer questions. I can't stress enough the advantages of the human resources available within our hobby. Not everyone with important knowledge to share has written a book.

4) Resist overconfidence. Remember that a little knowledge is like a little dynamite: Both can do considerable damage when carelessly used. So devise ways to measure your own competence before others do it for you. We all understand that slight, sometimes hardly noticeable, differences in the grade of a coin can result in a huge difference in value. Likewise, minor discrepancies in knowledge often separate the savvy numismatist from others who only appear to be.

5) Be deliberate. The most common and consistent mistake new coin collectors make is buying too quickly without carefully considering their purchases. What's the hurry? Why do so many beginners feel they must rush into a hobby intended to last a lifetime? Every great coin collector I've known has learned patience, often the result of a difficult and costly lesson.

Knowledge is not the same as wisdom, but to fully enjoy your new hobby you'll need plenty of both.