How To Start A Coin Collection

Hello All! It's been a while since We have written a hub! We took a vacation and now it's back to work! One thing that we started and got hooked on was collecting coins. Silver and gold coins to be exact! We all thoroughly enjoy it and the ones we have acquired are quite interesting. We have a few U.S. coins as well as a few foreign coins as well. If you are considering starting a coin collection there are a few things to consider and buy before starting.

When preparing to start a coin collection, it is important to consider how to organize and look after the coins you collect.  The coins you will be collecting can be from foreign countries, commemorative or special edition, rare and ancient. It is safe to assume that many of these coins will be worth quite a bit of money. It is important that a coin collector know how to store and handle these coins in order for them to retain their worth or, as time goes by, become more valuable.

A very good idea for a beginning coin collector is to obtain the needed accessories to preserve the coins that are collected. These accessories will not only preserve the value of these coins, but will also help to keep them organized and safe. It is important to choose the appropriate accessories that will satisfy the needs of the collection and the collector. The most important factors to consider are durability, cost and effectiveness of the accessories. Here are some accessories that you should consider acquiring prior to starting your collection: Coin boxes; coin albums, coin holders, coin tubes and coin storage boxes. If you are buying coins from a reputable dealer, and you are buying coins that are already graded or are proofs, the coins will come already sealed in a plastic holder. 

First, let's explain what coin boxes are and what they are used for. Coin boxes are the most common accessory used by collectors and experts because of their convenience. The sections of the box provides an easy location for the coins. The sections are also wide and offers easability in handling the coins with care. The boxes are available in: One coin; two coin; three coin; and, four coin sizes.

A coin album is similar to a photo album. The only difference is that the sleeves are designed to hold coins. The sleeves protect the coins from being improperly handles and allows anyone to view and admire them without having to take them out of the protective plastic sleeves. Each side of the coin is also in full view and helps to eliminate any improper handling of the coins.

If you travel, you may want to consider purchasing coin holders. These are perfect for collecting coins when traveling and vacationing. They also permit the transportability  of the coins. In other words, a collector does not have to carry his/her entire collection with them when needing to transport one or more coins from one place to another. They are a good protector from the elements that may lessen the value of the coin or coins. However, when purchasing coins that have already been graded or are proof sets, the seller usually will already have them placed in coin holders. Graded or proof sets will come in plastic holders that are sealed from the elements. There are also cardboard holders that are less expensive and can easily be used for ungraded and circulated coins.

Coin tubes are square plastic containers that are used to store coins. They don't roll, crack or break and are perfect for storing circulated ungraded coins that come in sets. They are available in cent, nickel, dime quarter, half dollar, silver dollar, silver round (medallion), silver eagle and silver dollar. These will also help keep the coins from damaging elements and help keep them from being mishandled.

The last accessory that you may want to consider, depending on what type of coins you wish to start collecting are proof and mint set storage boxes. These sturdy boxes are designed to safely store your proof and mint sets. They will protect the coins from harmful elements and from unsafe handling. This is a good way to keep your collection organized by marking the outside of the boxes with the type and set that is contained inside.

That should just about complete the necessary accessories to start your coin collection. We have found a couple excellent places online for you to purchase these accessories. They are: http://www.brent-krueger.com  and  http://www.coinsupplyexpress.com  and http://shopnumis.com/ils67128  Any one of these online stores will help you get the necessary supplies needed to get your collection off to a great start.

Another good thing to pick up is a good book or two on coins and coin collecting.  A couple of excellent online sources are  http://www.whitmanbooks.com  and  http://www.LittletonCoin.com  and  http://www.Brent-Krueger.com

Always remember to define the major purpose for the accessory and find the best price you can. The less money you spend on unnecessary accessories, the more money you will have to buy the coins that will make your collection a one of a kind!