Which supplies are necessary for your collection?

Coin collecting is a popular and rewarding hobby. Also called numismatic, coin collecting is considered by many to be the science of currency. Recognized for its historical importance, coin collecting tells us a great deal about the many countries of the world and about the people ? both past and present ? who inhabit them. For those interested in coin collecting, here is some information on the supplies you’ll need.

Coins

The first thing any coin collector needs is coins. Search through your basement and attic for treasures unfound or ask relatives and friends if they might have any coins of interest they could donate to your collection. Once you start, you will find that coins are available on the Internet as well as in specialty shops and coin catalogs. Join a group online or in-person to establish contacts in the coin-collecting community and multiply the ways in which you find, buy, sell and trade coins.

Coin Holders

It is suggested that coins not be stored in conventional coin holders as they contain polyvinyl chloride (PVC), which ? when mixed with plasticizers ? can cause coins to turn a greenish color. There is much debate about what kind of holder is best for state coin collections, international coin collections, gold coin collections and other types of collections.

Cardboard Sheets With Clear Pockets

One option is cardboard sheets with clear Mylar pockets for viewing. Although these sheets aren’t the most attractive way to display your coins, they are easy to use and relatively inexpensive, especially for the beginning coin collector. You can write notes or descriptions about the coins on the margins in pen or felt marker. These types of holders are called two-by-twos because the holder’s dimensions measure two inches by two inches.

One of the common problems associated with this type of holder is that the dust from the cardboard sheet can, over time, cause spotting. There are however, dust-free versions available. Be careful when using two-by-twos with staples because these can scratch or leak trace amounts of chemicals on your coins.
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All-Plastic Two-Part Holders

All-plastic two-part holders allow you to flip up the part of the holder holding the coin so that you can view both sides of the coin. Often called safety flips for their long-term coin protection qualities, there are two main kinds: generic safety flips and Kointain Saflips. Generic flips are made from low-plasticizer PVC and are therefore considered a much safer option for long-term coin storage. Kointain flips are made of Mylar, which is a polyethylene terephthalate plastic. Mylar is believed to be somewhat safer for coin storage than other materials and is not as prone to cracking ? however, its horizontal lines can interfere with viewing.

Air-Tite Holders

Air-Tite holders are another popular method of coin storage. Probably the most attractive type of holder, the Air-Tite option consists of a snap-together acrylic holder that fits around the coin. More expensive than flips, these holders are considered worthwhile because they are considered to be superior to other storage methods when it comes to preservation.

Boxes or Albums

Other collection items such as coin boxes and albums can be used to store and display your collection.

Handling and Examining Supplies

The natural oils on your hands will wear down and cause damage to coins, so it is important that you wear protective gloves when handling your collection. You will also want to purchase a magnifier so that you can see the details on your finds.

Valuation Supplies

Once you begin collecting, another option to consider when purchasing coin collecting supplies is software that contains information about the value of the coins you’ve collected. How interesting would it be to look up your coins, read about their history and discover their value! Books with this type of information are also available.

This list includes just a few of the coin collecting supplies you’ll need. As your collection grows in size and becomes more sophisticated, additional items will be required. Simply visit your local hobby store or go online to find sources of treasures required to turn your new pastime into your favorite hobby.