Coin Collecting Buying Guide
Need a new hobby? 
Looking to organize all those old coins in your junk drawer? No matter what the reason, taking up coin collecting can be both satisfying and monetarily rewarding. The rarer the coin, the more likely you'll see a significant return in your investment as the coin ages. Plus, every coin can tell a unique story, from its historic origins to its complex construction. You can easily build and share your coin collection by taking a look at a few of these simple tips.
Handling
Coins are subject to damage by the chemicals and dirt present on our skin. When handing old and rare coins of particular worth, try:
- Holding the coin by its edges only. Laying your fingers over the sides can cause pitting on each surface over time.
- Use a high quality pair of cotton gloves for handling proof coins and any others that you want to keep fingerprint free.
- Don't clean a coin yourself, especially if you don't know how much it's worth. Take it to a professional who will not run the risk of causing corrosion, discolouration or other potential damage.
Storage
Since coin collecting can be a significant investment, it's important to protect your coins to keep them in pristine condition. The better maintained your coins are, the more money they may be worth in the future. Plus, placing your coins in a quality holder helps you and others view your collection easily. Take a look at these options to see which holder may best suit your needs:
| Coin Holders |
|
|
|
|
|
2x2 Holders - Made of white cardboard with a clear Mylar pocket to let you view the coin.
- You can write coin descriptions on the cardboard.
- Dimensions in America often measure 2 inches by 2 inches, while in Europe sizes can vary.
|
Safety Flip Holders - Made entirely of plastic.
- Have two basic parts, allowing you to flip up the part of the holder that contains the coin in order to view both sides of the coin.
- Come with one pocket or two, allowing for a paper insert description.
- Allow you to view the edge of the coin.
- Safe for long-term storage, although PVC safety flips may crack or discolour after repeated use. PVC may also damage proof coins after long periods of time, releasing chemicals that can cause damage to the their surfaces.
|
Air Tite Holders - Also known as coin capsules, these holders are considered some of the most attractive.
- You can choose different colour combinations to highlight your coins.
- Made up of an inner acrylic holder that snaps together and fits firmly around each coin.
|
Whitman Holders - Made of polystyrene, these all plastic holders are safe for long-term storage and are inexpensive.
- They snap together to secure the coins, but some coins may slide around, which can result in damage.
|
| Coin Holders Continued |
|
|
|
|
|
Eagle Holders - Made of polystyrene encasing and Mylar windows, these holders are generally safe for long-term storage.
- Come with accessories for a more attractive display.
- Coin inserting can be time consuming, and these holders are often not fit for very large/very small coins.
|
Capital Holders - These Lucite holders can either be screwed or snapped together.
- Since they're rather impressive looking, they can be more expensive than other varieties.
- Inserting and removing coins can be labour intensive.
|
Coin World Holders - New to the scene, these are like slab holders, but are easy to open and close.
- Made of clear acrylic and black polyethylene inserts, they are attractive holders that are safe for long-term storage.
|
Kointain Holders - These holders consist of round shells that fit around the coins, similar to the casing found in AirTire holders.
- Made of non-PVC plastic, they're generally safe for long-term storage.
- May be difficult to put together or take apart.
- May cause distortion while viewing.
|
External Links
