4 Must-have Coin Collecting Supplies at Colonial Acres
Serious coin collectors know that this hobby is not just about finding the perfect coin. It’s also about keeping your coins safe, beautifully displayed, free of fingerprints, and having the right tools to inspect and appreciate them. When searching for coin collecting supplies near me, make sure your list includes coin albums, soft cotton gloves, magnifying glasses, and tweezers or coin tongs. Read more below to explore the benefits of each of these must-have collector’s supplies.
1. Coin Albums and Pages
These are very similar to photo albums but custom-made for your coins. Slide your coins gently behind a soft plastic sheath to ensure they don’t get lost, smudged, or out of order. This also makes it easy to show off your albums to others without risking a coin being dropped or damaged. You may be able to find these at a local craft store, or coin shop near me.
Coins need to be stored in a dark, dry place. Sunlight, heat, and moisture can cause their surface to degrade which reduces their value. Organizing coins into albums that can be kept on bookshelves away from windows, or in a closet, is a reliable way to protect them.
2. Soft Cotton Gloves
Fingerprints can significantly dull the sheen of your beautiful coins. Any oils or residue on your hands will show up with surprising starkness on a metal coin. You want the coin to reflect the lights of the surroundings without any blemishes whatsoever. Copper and silver are soft metals that are susceptible to tarnishing over time after contact with different chemicals from your body. (Think of how the Statue of Liberty turned from brilliant bronze to dull green because of exposure to the elements).
Taking the extra step of putting on soft cotton gloves will help your coins retain their lustre for years to come. This avoids any need to clean your coins, which can be risky, and allows you to take your coins out to look at up close without as much fear from handling them. Coins that are handled correctly keep their dollar value for many years.
3. Magnifying Glasses
Many coins have tiny embedded features that are worth seeing up close. The naked eye can see most of a coin’s intricate designs, but a small magnifying glass or loupe can reveal thrilling details. To get a high-contrast view of the background and edges of your coins, place them under a jeweller’s lamp while using the magnifying glass. These small tools can also be stored easily in a velvet pouch or eyeglass case for routine use.
4. Tweezers and Coin Tongs
Another way to protect the delicate chemical balance of your coin’s metallurgy is to only handle them using tweezers or coin tongs. These devices are a good option if you do not have cotton gloves. Grasp the furthest edge of the coin with the tips of the tweezers and hold the coin up to the light. Avoid touching the face of the coin with the tweezers. Precious metals are soft and their center can be marred or scarred by too much handling. Coin tongs are also a popular option. They have silicone rubber sleeves over the pointed ends for an even safer handling experience.
Find Coin Collecting Supplies Near Me at Colonial Acres
In addition to all of the useful supplies above, browse our collection of jewel cases, capsules, storage boxes, and cardboard holders. We also have popular reference books and year-set holders with dates going back to 1935.
Colonial Acres is a one-stop shop for coin collectors. Contact us during regular business hours Monday through Friday (EST) or use our handy online contact form.