1Numismatics is the official term for coin collecting. Apart from coins, it also refers to the collection and study of paper currency and tokens. A coin collector can be called a numismatist. 2What we call the ‘penny’ is actually a misnomer which is really named the cent. Don’t let a true collector hear you say the word ‘penny’! 3From the years 1850 – 1873, the US minted a 3 cent silver piece.