Coins have been collected for centuries. In fact, the first coin collection dates back to 63 BC. While technology has changed the available coin collection tools, the basics are the same as ever. Each tool is essential to starting and managing a coin collection.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The 15 essential tools you must have to start collecting coins are:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Each of these tools is an asset for any collection. However, if you are on a budget, start with the cheaper items at the beginning and work your way down. As your coin collection grows and becomes more sophisticated you can purchase more technical tools. Below, we discuss the uses of these tools.<\/p>\n\n\n\n There is no set answer to that question, because every coin collector has a different purpose<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n To a child, coins are fun things to collect and interesting to look at. Experienced collectors admire coins, and preserve them and present them<\/strong> in various forms for others to enjoy. A dealer, on the other hand, might do all a collector does to preserve and present coins and more, because the coins are a source of income.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Each of these approaches require different things. Each is also part of a natural progression. A dealer probably started off admiring or collecting coins as a child<\/strong>, and that interest grew into a hobby, which led them to start buying and selling coins. Eventually they ended up as a dealer, skilled in the art of negotiation, coin assessment and pricing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n It all likely started, however, with a child\u2019s interest in coins, which required<\/strong> very little in terms of tools or equipment<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The same concept holds true for adults who are just starting out coin collecting. At first, unless the adult inherited a coin collection, there is not much in the way of coin collecting equipment they need<\/strong>. As the interest takes hold, however, the need for tools starts to grow.<\/p>\n\n\n\n At its most basic level, coin collecting requires<\/strong>:<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you can get the coins, understand what you\u2019ve got, and preserve, present and showcase your collection<\/strong>, then you have everything you need! However, having the proper tools makes each of those requirements more manageable for a serious collector.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The following is a rundown of some essential tools for any coin collector<\/strong>, and some tools that can be of use if your collection grows beyond the hobby stage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The first tool is basic, but essential. This is because the way to procure coins varies<\/strong>, especially depending on the value of the coin in question. There are several ways to get access to collectible coins:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Once you have your coins you need to identify them and assign them a value<\/strong>. If they\u2019re in circulation, the chances are that they\u2019re not worth much more than face value. However, if you have special coins, you want to document them and assign them accurate values. This is why every coin collection needs the following lists, ideally kept in a digital file:<\/p>\n\n\n\n The easiest way to set up a tool for quickly assessing the information on each of those lists is to set up a spreadsheet<\/strong> and use tabs for each list. This way you can quickly access any of the lists, and as your collection becomes more sophisticated you can add other categories as needed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The next part of the essentials is lighting. You need lighting<\/strong> to ensure you can see your coins clearly<\/strong>. Unless all you buy are uncirculated coins in mint condition, you will have to verify what you have in your possession.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Depending on the coin, identification can be hindered by<\/strong>:<\/p>\n\n\n\n In each case, the only way to accurately identify what it is you have is<\/strong> with ample lighting<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Fluorescent lighting is usually too soft and can mask imperfections or smaller features on a coin. The same holds true for lighting that is labeled as \u201cnatural.\u201d The best lighting to have is halogen, specifically a 75 watt incandescent bulb<\/strong>. This gives you enough lighting to see blemishes, ridges, mint characteristics and any damage on the coin.<\/p>\n\n\n\n As important as lighting is, a magnifying glass is equally vital. It helps authenticate coin condition and grade<\/strong>, and identify features not easily seen with the naked eye.<\/p>\n\n\n\n You should have<\/strong> three types of magnifiers<\/strong>. When just starting out with your collection you do not need them all, but keep in mind that if your collection grows you will eventually need to purchase the more expensive options.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The first form is a traditional, handheld magnifying glass. The glass should be 1.5 to 4 inches in diameter<\/strong> and have a second, stronger lens embedded in the main lens. The base lens power should be between 2x to 4x. The secondary lens should be between 5x to 7x.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you can, you should also have a<\/strong> sewer\u2019s magnifier with foundation clamps<\/strong> so you can set up a hands-free way of looking at your coins. This also lets you use both your hands to inspect the coin.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Eventually, if your collection grows enough, you will want to invest in a jeweler\u2019s loupe<\/strong> that has a magnification power between 10x to 15x.<\/p>\n\n\n\n While they are made of metal, coin surfaces are extremely susceptible to dirt and the oils and acids on your hands<\/strong>. Gloves help protect your coins. You should always be wearing them whenever you are handling coins that:<\/p>\n\n\n\n There are a few types of gloves or finger protections that are recommended. In order of suitability, they are<\/strong>:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Soft cotton gloves are self-explanatory, as are powder-free latex gloves \u2013 a non-reactive covering for your fingers that is easily washable or disposable<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Nitrile gloves are a form of rubber that is<\/strong> highly flexible and sensitive<\/strong>, as well as resistant to chemicals. They are typically blue in color.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Finger cots coverone or more fingers and are made from latex, nitrile rubber or vinyl. You should only use finger cots if you have no other choice, as you cannot let the coin touch uncovered parts of your hands<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Many people might understand the need for hand protection for mint condition or uncirculated coins, but will not understand why it is also best practice to take these precautions with less valuable coins too<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n However, the oils and acids on your hands leave deposits on the surface of anything they touch, regardless of value. These deposits can discolor and even damage coin faces<\/strong>. They also make it easier for dirt and debris to accumulate on coins and build up.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A coin is tough, but not invulnerable to damage. If it is dropped on a hard surface, it can scratch or dull<\/strong>. While that does not matter so much with coins in circulation, it matters a great deal with coins that are no longer produced.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Uncirculated and mint edition coins have such polished face plates that something as simple as dropping it on a table can diminish its value<\/strong> and sliding it across a table could scar it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Whenever you are examining coins, it is best to place it flat on a soft surface<\/strong>, like a cotton pad or soft washcloth. The cushioning will ensure that the coin is protected and prevent the coin from rolling or sliding on a hard surface. This is particularly important if you are showing the coins outside of any casing to multiple people.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Two types of books are invaluable resources for a new coin collector. First is the \u2018US Coins Red Book,\u2019<\/strong> which is a comprehensive guide to coins minted by the US government. The other is the \u2018Official American Numismatic Association Grading Standards\u2019<\/strong> (also known as an ANA Grading Guide).<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Red Book provides information on and values of all American coins<\/strong>. It is the official pricing guide for US coin mintages. Each entry also covers a coin\u2019s history and a description of its physical characteristics.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The ANA Grading Guide<\/strong> describes how a coin\u2019s grade is determined<\/strong>. It possesses a detailed description of every US coin ever minted. You can use it to assess your collection \u2013 or a coin you are thinking about selling or buying \u2013 and get an idea of what you can expect in terms of value.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Most coin collectors start off with a box or drawer and put their valued coins in one container for safe-keeping. Obviously, as their collection grows and becomes more valuable, they will want to store their coins in a way that protects the coins, provides information about them and allows them to be displayed and reviewed<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The most important function a holder plays is to protect a coin from<\/strong> impacts, sliding, scraping, rubbing against other coins or being dropped and dented<\/strong>. Another benefit of a coin holder is that it makes it easy to locate coins you want to present. There are many different types of coin holders.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Different types of coin holders include<\/strong>:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Any of these are adequate to protect your coins. Many collectors develop preferences for one over the others, so the best approach is to sample each type and see what you like<\/strong>. Most collectors and dealers use coin tubes to store circulated, ungraded coins. Coin booklets typically display one side of the coin and a bit of information about the coin underneath.<\/p>\n\n\n\nWhat Do You Need To Start Coin Collecting?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
15 Essential Coin Collecting Tools<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
1. Databases<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
2. Lighting<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Specifications For The Light Source<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
3. Magnifying Glass<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
4. Gloves<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Why This Matters<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
5. Viewing Pad<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
6. Coin Books<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
7. Coin Holders<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n