Collectibles - Stamps and Coins

Numismatics is the study or collection of money, coins, medals, tokens, exonumia and banknotes.

Exonumia are numismatic items other than coins and paper money. Examples include as tokens, medals, and scrip.
The definition has been extended it to include non-coins which may or may not be legal tenders (e.g., checks and credit cards}. These can also be considered notaphily or scripophily.

Money is anything (paper, coin, or otherwise) that is generally accepted as payment for goods and services and repayment of debts. It is principally a medium of exchange that is really an abstraction. Physical bills (paper money) and coins provide the tangible representation of the concept for the purpose of trade and accounting.

A coin is usually a piece of metal, metallic material or synthetic materials in the shape of a disc the represents some amount of money. Coins most often are issued by a government. In present day, coins and banknotes make up the cash forms of all modern money systems.

A banknote is a piece of paper the represents a promissory note made by the issuer and payable to the bearer on demand. In modern times it is unclear what "payable on demand" means since government issued banknotes, bills, or money tends to be backed only by the good faith of the issuing entity.

Finally, tokens are coin-like objects used instead of coins, usually for specific purposes. Foe example, tokens were issued for use on the New York City subway system facilitating a means for the mechanical collection of fares. The field of tokens is part of exonumia.

Philately is the collection and study of postage stamps in many varieties and postal history.

A postage stamp is adhesive paper that can be affixed to a postal cover (e.g., envelope) indicating that the postage has been paid. Alternatives include postal stationery such as prepaid-postage envelopes, post cards, lettercards, aerogrammes and newspaper wrappers. Other possibilities include printed postal impressions and postage meters.

Postal history is the study of postal systems and how they operate. Postal history has become a philatelic collecting specialty often looking at stamps as historical documents as well as postmarks, postcards, envelopes and the letters they contain.