The Instant Coin Collector (Paperback)

Quick and clear answers to basic coin questions such as how coins are made, which coins are best to collect and why, and the best way to organize a collection, are delivered in this innovative and simply savvy guide. Written in a friendly, supportive tone using 300 color photos to clearly illustrate and instruct, this book also offers a primer on properly handling coins and a historical overview of recommended series of coins for beginning collectors.

About the Author
Arlyn S (more…)

Coin Collecting For Dummies (For Dummies (Sports & Hobbies)) (Paperback)

Can’t make heads or tails out of coin collecting? You need Coin Collecting For Dummies, 2nd Edition, the treasure trove on information on numismatics. This hands-on guide escorts you through the world’s oldest hobby, helping you decide which type of coins you want to collect, keep your collection in mint condition, buy and sell coins on the Internet, find interesting coin shows to attend, and assemble and diversify a great collection. The purpose of this fun, easy-to-acc (more…)

U.S. Presidential Dollars (U.S. Presidential Dollars Delux Coin Collector’s Album) (Hardcover)

To honor those who have served as President of the United States, the US. Mint began issuing four gold-colored $1 coins a year, from 2007 until 2016, featuring classic images of the presidents. Many of the portraits are taken, from presidential medals based on busts, sculpted, in most cases, from life.

The coins will be minted in the order of the presidents’ service, with Washington, Adams, Jefferson, and Madison coins appearing in the inaugural year, 2007.
The flip side of every (more…)

Fifty State (District of Columbia and Territorial) Commemorative Quarter Folder: Deluxe Edition (Official Whitman Coin Folder) (Hardcover)

Whitman Brand folder holds State Series Quarters 1999-2009 both Philadelphia and Denver Mints. 120 openings.

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The Coin Collector’s Survival Manual, 6th Edition (Coin Collectors Survival Manual) (Paperback)

Revised and UpdatedFrom one of the world’s most knowledgeable coin dealers–a former consultant to the Federal Trade Commission who is often quoted by the Wall Street Journal–comes a thorough update of the most-trusted consumer protection handbook to buying and selling rare and valuable coins. Illustrated with black-and-white photographs and a full-color insert, The Coin Collector’s Survival Manual is indispensable for seasoned collectors and novices alike. This substantiall (more…)

Coin World Almanac (5th Edition) (Hardcover)

Buy Coin World Almanac (5th Edition) (Hardcover) at Amazon

The One-Minute Coin Expert, 4th Edition (One Minute Coin Expert) (Mass Market Paperback)

Buy The One-Minute Coin Expert, 4th Edition (One Minute Coin Expert) (Mass Market Paperback) at Amazon

Creating Your Own Coin Collecting Kit

Coin collecting isn’t only about keeping coins, to coin keepers it is about so much more. This hobby requires methodical practice and patience. As a hobbyist you need to adhere to some very specific rules to help you become a successful collector.

Below are some things you will need to have as you develop your own coin collection.

1. A books about coins

Collectors of all skill levels should use guide books to help them identify and price their collection and any additions to their collection.

Coin books also give start up tips and some special instructions on how to grow your collection.

Coin pricing can be tricky so these books can help you figure out an accurate price, by teaching you how to grade them.

You should study from the books before you start your collection to help you steer clear of bad investments.

2. Keep a coin inventory

You must keep a complete record of all of the items in your collection. You should record cost, grade, face value, year, trend and any remarks should be kept for any future needs.

The information in your inventory can also help you determine which coins have gained or lost value and which ones simply are no longer needed.

To help you keep quality records you could either use pen and paper or use the software that has been made for coin collecting.

3. Box for coins

To prevent damage to your coins keep them in boxes or properly protected holders.

Paper made with sulfur or plastic made with pvc shouldn’t be used to store your coins, because they can cause chemical reactions when they come in contact with them.

4. Silica gel

Silica gel will help to lower the humidity level and correct the temperature.

5. Magnifying glasses

Magnifying glasses help you to rank coins by showing all the fine details and blemishes of each coin.

Magnification from 4- 10 x will work, but 7x is the preferred level of magnification.

6. A source of light

Keep your light half a meter from your work surface. An incandescent lamp, 75 watt lamp, or halogen lamp would be the best types of light.

7. Tools

Your fingers can leave marks on your coins that lessen their value. Use surgical gloves and velvet pads to keep from ruining your coins.

You finally finished building your coin collecting kit. Use it and enjoy collecting your coins.

Supplies For Coin Collecting

Collected coins must be kept safe from damage as their overall value depends on it and even the smallest amount of damage can significantly lower the its value. Certain supplies will help collectors preserve their coins without damaging them.

Gloves

The dirt and oils on your hands can scratch your coins. Gloves will provide a barrier between that dirt and the coins to prevent scratches or other forms of damage. Use cotton, plastic, or surgical gloves.

Coin tweezers

If gloves pose a problem for you, then try using a pair of coin tweezers. The tips of these specialized tweezers are coated in plastic to prevent scratching.

Magnifying glass

You need to see all of the fine details of your gold coins that may not be visible to the naked eye. A magnifying glass will aid you in this process, but be careful when using them to avoid doing damage to your coins.

Guide Books

To help you find quality coins at good prices use a guide book. Take your time and allow this resource to lead you to higher quality finds after all just one quality coin is worth far more than a collection full of okay ones.

Quality Dealer

You should buy from a dealer with a good reputation and that is known well amongst collectors. If a dealer has been around for years and very few people know of them it is most likely because they aren’t as good as other dealers, so take the time to find out why. No dealer can know every type of coin, so find one that specializes in your type of coin. If the dealer seems to know too much about too many coins listen to your instincts and run.

Cleaning materials

Use a very strong and soft fiber cloth and a mild soap to clean your coins.

Mats

Always use a mat on the table you work on with your coin. If you drop the coin you don’t want to damage it and reduce it value. The mat or soft cloth if you don’t have a mat can keep the coin from being damaged if it is dropped.

Boards

Many people opt to use coin boards to display their coins, but be careful not scratch the coins putting them in the boards. Also the boards may not have a film to cover the coin allowing it to be damaged by the air around it. If you use boards find one that fully protects the coins from being touched and from the dangerous oxidation caused by the air.

Envelopes

Use coin envelopes when you take your coins to different places to protect them from damage. You can also put some specific details about the coin in the envelope. Be careful not to drop the coins or allow them to bang up against anything as the envelope will offer no protection form impact.

Other Supplies

There are other supplies you can use like coin holders, coin folders, and coin boxes. Most of these things will be for the protection of the coins. Be careful how you use them and don’t buy anything that will damage your coins. As time goes on you may develop your unique way to protect your coins. Remember your coins are only valuable as long as they are not damaged.

Protect Your Coin Collection With An Album

If you are a numismatist (coin collector), one of the most important parts of your hobby is to find a place to store your coins. Proper storage ensures that your coins retain their quality and value. Without proper storage, even a mint condition coin can become scratched and worn, thus losing value.

While there are many types of storage for coins, most collectors find the best and easiest is with albums. Albums make display quick and easy, but plastic holders or tubes and folders are good methods for storing your coins.

Following are some of the advantages of displaying your coin collection in albums:

1. Both sides of the coin are visible.
Many of the other methods of storage, while protecting the coin, only allow you to see the display side. Removal is necessary to view the opposite side of the coin. With an album, both sides of the coin are revealed.

2. Less chance of damage to the coin
Damage to the coin is the collector’s nightmare. The plastic pages of the album protect the coin, not only form wear and abrasion but also from spills and exposure to the air. Proper use of an album preserves the value of your collection.

3. Coins stay in place
Albums provide pockets for coin storage. Folders depend upon coins being of standard size. A coin that has been used for many years naturally wears, especially around the edges. The wear may cause to diameter of the coin to be reduced in such a matter that it will not fit tightly into the folder and thus the coin falls out each time the folder is opened. This adds the risk of a coin being lost or damaged each time it drops.

4. Price
A good coin collecting album may cost up to $40. While this seems expensive, consider the cost of losing or damaging one of your favorite coins. In comparison, the cost of an album seems small to pay for the protection that is offered.

5. Information Centers
Many times albums will provide a place to record information about the coins being collected such as pictures of mint coins. Albums make collecting coins an easy and fun task. A coin that is of modest value today may have great value in twenty years, simply because it has been protected with a good coin-collecting album.

In addition, the organization provided by good coin collecting albums makes your hobby more enjoyable. Finding that rare coin is made simple, as it has its own special place.

The best place to keep your coins is in an album.

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