(ARA) – For being a country on the leading edge of modernity, America has a fascination with history. Bookstore shelves are lined with volumes about the great events of the past, museums draw crowds with exhibitions of historic artifacts, and an entire TV channel is devoted to history, in addition to all the history-oriented programming available on other stations.

But how often are we able to hold history in our hands? These days, we’re more likely to be hanging onto a high-tech gadget, but something as small as a coin can bring the past to life in the palm of your hand. Looking at the prices that coin collectors pay for rare specimens is a good indication of how exciting these beautiful fragments of history are.

Coin collecting is sometimes called “the hobby of kings,” but it shouldn’t put anyone off from starting a collection. By seeking out museum-quality reproductions of rare coins you can add the allure of the world’s most valued coins to your collection without spending a fortune.

Rare and ancient coins are often priced in the thousands of dollars on the low end, with the most in-demand examples selling for stratospheric prices. During a recent event at Heritage Auctions in Boston, a 1652 New England Shilling, the first coin struck in British Colonial America, sold for $416,875. The coin, simply marked with “NE” on one side and the Roman numeral XII on the other, wasn’t in production too long, making it extremely rare. However, a precisely crafted replica of that coin can be found at www.coinreplicas.com for about $20.

While collections can include coins of all vintages and from countries across the globe, adding a historic element is important. It helps to give context to later coins, which makes your collection tell a story. For instance, the 1652 New England Shilling that sold for more than $400,000 was quickly replaced by a more intricate coin because the sides of the original could be clipped off. However, historic coins can also be appreciated simply for their aesthetics.

It’s been said that the intricate designs on many ancient coins would be almost impossible to replicate today when using the same tools and resources that were used by the cultures that made them. The adept artistry displayed in this tiny format can often turn art lovers into coin collectors, too.

Whether you want to add replicas of ancient and rare coins to your own collection or help a friend or loved one expand theirs, it’s important to find the most accurate examples available. Coin Replicas, Inc. is one great source. They have been reproducing ancient Greek, Roman, Biblical and colonial and early American coins since 1955 and are highly regarded by collectors, art historians and numismatists.

Coin collecting is a lifelong hobby that is still quietly going strong, attracting enthusiasts by giving them a fascinating and beautiful way to connect to the past. Getting young people started by giving them the gift of a historic replica coin can spark their imaginations, or even supplement what they’re learning in school. For more information about collecting coins and how museum-quality replicas fit into any collection – as a starting point or as a way to expand – visit www.coinreplicas.com.