Top 5 Items A Coin Collector Needs?

But which one cleans coins the best?

I'm new to this too....2 questions:

- why do you need a scale...what do you use it for?

- can you post a link to the type of microscope that a coin collector would use? Why would you use a microscope instead of a good set of loupes?


Thanks in advance for the answers....

I totally agree that booze (red wine is my poison) makes the whole experience a bit more random => I've made some pretty bad and/or bold purchases that I never would have made if I'd been sober (but those are consistently the winners!) => come big, or stay at home!

... anyway (kinda joking) ... the other major thing I've found interesting/important is:

=> man, I wish that I'd been more patient and that I'd decided to buy "nicer, more valuable" coins, rather than scurrying-out and buying-up as many mediocre coins as possible, just to fill as many album-slots as possible ...

... yah, I realize that it's a learning experience, but I really wish that someone had told me that I'd eventually be up-grading all of the "mediocre coins" (my "spare coin" collection is now almost as big as my primary coin-collection!)

=> regardless => the fun is figuring-it-out yourself (good luck, young dude!)

My five would be
1 time
2 patiance
3 A thirst for knowlage
4 A few dollars
5 An understading wife ( Most Imprtant)

My history of collecting coins from the past 30 years: Collected everything from foreign coins to paper money. If I could go back in time, I would do things totally different.

#1 FOCUS on one type of coin or a small group of coins. Learn everything you can about them.

#2 Buy supplies and then document them and store them in an orderly fashion.

#3 Then expand to include other type of coins. Slow and steady.

Otherwise you will end up like me. Got a gazillion coins and paper money from everywhere all in sleeves and have no clue what they are.

Now, once my ordered supplies come in, I will be sorting them and organizing them for months! Then after they are sorted, I will try to really look close at each one of them for what I REALLY HAVE. What a mess!

I do have several reference books (which I will not try to grade them myself) but only for variations, etc. I also have a strong bendable lamp and a magnifier. I am not intending on selling any of them but I do enjoy looking at them for personal satisfaction.

So, I guess my point is, don't go crazy like I did getting everything you could get your hands on. Be more focused on a few types and then expand. But, be organized as you go.

Some may disagree with me, but if I could go back in time, my money would have been better spent.