Help Newbie Create/Expand Supply List

I recently purchased the Red Book along with a Whitman 1909-1995 penny album. I am mostly searching pennies in detail and nickels and dimes for silver.

My method right now is to just unroll a few rolls and spread them over the table. I flip everything to heads and then divide into a few piles. My divisions are: 1970-1981, 1982, 1983, 1960's, 1950's, pre-1950's and foreign. I set aside all pre-82 coins that are in good condition.

As a newbie these piles worked fine the first few times I coin roll hunted. However, I am now realizing I need to find small and large dated coins and varieties to complete the Whitman album. That is where I think the loupe will come in.

I also noticed I am handling some of the better conditioned coins a lot when I have to put them in the album and read that the handling will show up over time. So I figured it would be best to use the cotton gloves.

When I get a scale I will weigh all the '82 and '83's (some say there are '83 copper pennies).

Is there a more efficient method for searching? Should I be making more "piles"?

Thanks.

First off, !I agree with nathanase. you can get a very inexpensive loupe off of ebay that will do just about the same job for a lot lower price. I have bought many loupes that were about $2 shipping off of ebay (10x21mm, 15x21mm,20x21mm,etc) there are also many deals that you can get a combo pack. The flat clinch stapler, if you are using 2x2's is a must if you ask me. I would also suggest getting quality album pages for a three ring binder or 2x2 boxes to keep them in. I do use tubes for duplicates or bulk silver etc. I would highly suggest getting some literature. if you are only going to collect US coins, Red Book is great. If you are going to collect world coins, I suggest a krause. if you search the supplies forum for scales, I think you should find a forum that I posted about a month or two ago about pocket scales on ebay. I bought one for under $10 and it has worked great for every need I have had thus far. I would suggest getting yourself a good system of organization going as well. there is a thread about this going in the main coin forum I believe. if you have any questions about collecting CC is an awesome resource. everyone here is always willing to help out. good luck with everything and let us know if you need anything else

One area of collecting that gets over-looked is a GOOD light source. Also a grading book would be very helpful

if you widen your collecting, a magnet will be handy.
And calipers - $2 at my local automotive discount store.

I center the coin over the slot and use the plastic slide to push it in.
This keeps my finger off of the coin.

You've got quite a list there!

I'm a big fan of Saflips. If you decide to use those, don't forget the inserts and the red boxes. (I think JP's Corner has the best price on a set -- 100 Saflips with inserts and a box for ?...$14 or $15)

I would also recommend getting a bunch of little baggies or envelopes -- good ones from a coin collecting supplier -- because as you search and search, you will end up setting things aside and you can group them according to what you plan to do next, like 'to be weighed' or 'look up online' or 'photograph for CCF'.

Also, I prefer the square tubes. It's not as much fun for the cat but I don't have to look under furniture and fight the dust bunnies to retrieve my coins.


Happy hunting!

I like Wizard coin supply site. I would also suggest getting a nice piece of felt for all of the coins to lay on. Sooner or later your going to end up doing photos of some of your coins. I'm a bit OCD, so the ability to use the same background for the entire collection is a must for me. You will also want to look at either a nice record book to keep track of your collection, an excel doc, or one of the programs to track what you have and what you need. You'll find times when you go to a LCS, coin show, or even just find some pocket change and start asking yourself if you need that one specific coin for your collection. I love the software where I can update a copy to my phone so that I've always got an up to date idea of what I already have and what I need.

For literature needs you may also want to check local second hand book stores sometimes you can be lucky. Online book websites like Amazon and cheapbooks can be a good source to get literature too.