What Supplies Do I Need For My Coin Collection?What Supplies Do I Need For My Coin Collection?What Supplies Do I Need For My Coin Collection?

What Supplies Do I Need For My Coin Collection?

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Last updated on February 7th, 2018 at 03:30 pm

Last Updated on February 7, 2018 Posted by Colonial Acres Coins

Regardless of whether you are a beginner or experienced coin collector, there are several supplies you need in order to practice your interesting hobby. The purpose of these coin supplies is to help keep your coins in pristine condition and away from damage. Also, they help you to properly display and store your coin collection. Here are the basic supplies you will want to get your hands on:

  • Coin holders
  • Soft cloth/pad
  • Gloves
  • Light & magnifier
  • Coin albums and folders
  • Flat clinch stapler

Coin Holders Are Essential For Your Coin Collection

These serve to store your coins so as to avoid them becoming damaged. Popularity wise, your safest option is cardboard 2x2s. These are basically pieces of cardboard measuring 2” x 4” with a hole in the middle of each side. The inside typically features clear Mylar plastic. You use them by placing the coin on the plastic over the hole. Then you fold the holder in half and staple it shut. Alternatively, you could also opt for coin flips to store your coin collection in. Whichever you choose, make sure the plastic used in the manufacturing DOES NOT contain PVC.

A Soft Cloth Or Pad Also Plays An Important Role

When talking about useful coin supplies, there is a good reason for using pads or soft cloths. You should always handle your coins over either of these, as many coins can get damaged when dropped onto hard surfaces. In addition to cushioning your coin’s impact, it can also prevent the coin from further damage by rolling onto the floor.

Gloves Are One Of The Most Important Coin Supplies

Professional numismatists recommend soft cotton gloves. Alternatively, you can get powder-free nitrile or latex gloves at any drugstore. Interestingly, many coin collectors neglect wearing gloves when handling their coins. This is bad because the delicate surface of any coin can be easily damaged by the acids and oils from your skin. If you happen to have uncirculated coins that have pristine surfaces, the danger is even greater. Remember to always wear gloves!

A Light & Magnifier Should Always Be Present

The reasons for this are rather obvious. You need proper lighting conditions to properly view your coins. Ideally, you want to use a simple desk lamp with a 75-watt incandescent bulb. Why incandescent? Because halogen lights are too harsh and may overstate blemishes on your coin. Similarly, fluorescent light may hide certain imperfections of the coin as it is too mild and soft.

When examining your coin collection, you will also need a magnifying glass to see your coins better. You have a number of options here. Ideally, you can use two different magnifying glasses; one with a 2x to 3x magnifying power, and a jeweler’s loupe with a 10x to 15x magnification power.

Coin Albums And Folders Are Another Method Of Preserving Your Collection Of Coins

There are many options of coin folders and albums to choose from. Ideal for beginning collectors, coin folders are inexpensive and allow observers to view only one side of the coins. If you are an intermediate or advanced collector, coin albums are probably the better option. They allow both sides of the coin to be viewed and use plastic inserts that protect the surfaces of the coin. While they do offer additional protection, they are also more expensive.

Lastly, It Might Also Be A Good Idea To Invest In A Flat Clinch Stapler

Why? Because a standard office stapler will cause a problem. Put simply, if you do opt for traditional 2×2 cardboard coin holders, you will have to staple them shut. Using a standard stapler, in this case, will result in two familiar bumps sticking out from the back of the holder. You could try to flatten these bumps with some pliers, but you risk damaging the coin in the process. Instead, invest in a flat clinch stapler. It does not cause the bumps that a standard stapler does because it presses the staple underneath the holder into the cardboard. This is a much better solution.

If you are interested in getting your hands on good quality coin supplies, make sure to stop by Colonial Acres Coins. They have been in the business for decades and only deal with top-notch products and supplies. They also offer countless interesting and valuable coin pieces as well, so you can check out some nice coins while you’re there.