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 Replies: 28 / Views: 2,602 |
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Moderator
 United States
23481 Posts |
I keep certain coins in a safe deposit box.
Others I like to have around the home to admire.
I am looking at purchasing a safe. 
If you use one,
what do you use? 
Why? rggoodie
aka Richard
"catch em doing something right"
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Pillar of the Community
United States
533 Posts |
Yes, I use a Sentry fire safe with reusable dessicant inside to keep down moisture content. I know this has been talked about in the past and I am sure that someone will post a link.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2254 Posts |
I'm in the market myself Richard. I need a place for my rifles, handguns, and coins/documents. I have really only be focusing on fire rating. for the money, it seems Sentry gun safes are pretty nice. They are probably not burglar proof to the experienced thief, but at 300+ pounds bolted to the floor for the ones I'm looking at, they are not going to just cart it away that easy.
I think there was a thread a while back where someone said most of the cheap ones can be hacked into with your own tools you have in your garage. I believe it to a certain extent. I think if you have the bolts going through both sides of the door, it really doesn't matter where the hinges are, they need to move the bolts. Not sure if this is what is meant by "live locking bolts" I see in the descriptions or not. I'm looking to spend about 6-800, so a Ft Knox safe will not be in my future.
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Valued Member
United States
144 Posts |
I'd just make sure you don't use one that can be easily carried away by one person, either because of small size or not being bolted down. Even if it's hard to break into, a dumb thief won't know that. He'll just know that there's valuable stuff inside and run off with it. It won't help you if he can't break into it later.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
6326 Posts |
I was all about looking at safe's for over a year. The fire rating, weight, burgler proof, etc. etc.
There was a thread here a while back.....people had been posting pictures of their $10,000.00 safe's down to some that were $1,000.00 or so and the discussion was back and forth about the choice of safety deposit boxes or safes and which is better or a preferance.
Well, one guy proposed this theory, which really made me think a lot and now I've changed my mind about safes altogether.
What if there is a "home invasion" (you know, the kind where they WAIT UNTIL YOU'RE HOME) And in the home invasion they put a gun to your 9 year old daughters head and say "Open the safe".............. You're going to open it ! Even if you live alone or have no kids..........the circumstance could be the same.
When friends of friends of friends know you have a coin collection........or family inadvertantly tell other people.........the word can and DOES get out......it just really made me re-think about my safe ideas.
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Valued Member
United States
377 Posts |
I chose a loose floor board, under a rug.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
533 Posts |
I have bolted the aforementioned fire safe to the floor. I keep important documents as well as high value coins/bullion. Obviously this is all insured just in case. I guess the only reason I have it is to keep any home invaders from walking away with this stuff. If they want it bad enough, they could get it.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
6326 Posts |
If it's in safety deposit boxes (i have 2 large ones filled) then NO THIEF can steal them from you ! They may break in and take other stuff........but they're not getting my coins........
I'll get a safe this summer for my guns, papers, etc. etc... and small batches of coins that will stay at the house only temporarily........but 98% of "my" coins will be safe at a bank......thief proof, fire proof, and nice and dry !!
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2600 Posts |
The run of the mill stuff goes into a safe. anything of real value goes into the safety deposit box.
Jim
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
20753 Posts |
eaglefoot is completely correct. Way to many instances like he mentions. For one thing always remember people talk. And they just have to compound the story each time it is told. If anyone sees a safe being delivered the story will be you have millions in jewlery, guns, coins, etc. If you have a safe and it can be seen by people anywhere in your home, again, the story will be told and blown up out of proportion. Example. A neighbor had a safe and let it be known to his family he had Gold coins in there. The story grew and was repeated enough. He went on vacation. A moving van pulled up, emptied his house and the safe went also. It was supposed to weigh many hundreds of pounds. Some nosy neighbors even asked the so called movers what was going on and they said while on vacation the people that lived there decided to move. Guess what? He wasn't moving. And another neighbor didn't want to open it for some home invaders. He was in the hospital for many weeks. He did eventually open the thing. Remember also, as noted, the more people know of a safe the more they will tell about your millions. A gun to your head will not keep any safe closed. Then there is the constant maintenance to keep moisture out. What is in the safe when you close it stays in the safe. Then there is the heat problem. Yes fire proof but not heat proof. During a fire the safe will get hot. Your plastic Encased Coins, coin albums with plastic slides, holders, etc will all melt over the coins. AHHH, yes to own a safe. |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1130 Posts |
Anything over a few hundred dollars goes into the bank box.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
7123 Posts |
I have news for those afraid of home invasion ,, they will hold your family hostage until the bank opens just as easily ! How long do want these guys to be in your home ? People talk about safety deposit boxes just as much as safes in their homes . the simple truth is if the thief thinks the rewards are high enough there is nothing they won't do to get it . I take certain precautions every time I leave the house to prepare for when I return , and certain things that are available to me when I'm home . Having said that RG see if you can find one of these .  Metalman |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2602 Posts |
I had a safe in my house and the entire thing was stolen, with a subtantial portion of my collection. But I still think a safe is a good idea. Safety deposit boxes are great, but your access is limited. What if you want to take something out on Saturday monring to go to a coin show. Banks are closed 9at least in my area) on the weekends and nights.
I do recommend a security system with cameras. If your stuff gets stolen, at least you can provide evidence to the police that will likely lead to their capture.
You guys talk about home invasions as if they are commonplace. I don't get that sense. I think they are very rare, probably rarer than getting killed in a plane crash. It happens, yes, but they are rare.
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Valued Member
United States
193 Posts |
A few words on safes. Sentry Fire safes are rated for protection from FIRE damage and NOT designed to secure the contents from theft by a burglar. And the nature of the fire protection (High Moisture content in the insulation) is not the best for coins. Gun Safes are excellent for securing firearms from casual theft or unauthorized use, but someone with burglar's tools will be able to open it in short order and get at your firearms. . UL Underwriters' Laboratories (UL) - UL is a non-profit, non-bias agency that tests and rates the safety and performance of consumer products. Safes that have earned specific UL ratings will carry a UL label which designates the product's security and fire-protection ratings. Residential Security Container rating (RSC) - This UL rating is based on testing conducted for a net working time of five minutes, on all sides, with a range of tools. The better gun safes have the Residential Security Container rating. Note the 5 Minute rating. This is not with high tech tools like angle grinders and drills. It is with crude tools, Like a large hammer and a 3-6 foot pry bar (or tire iron). Just because it looks pretty with the high gloss paint.A burglar resistant safe is not built of 10 or 12 gauge steel but is built with one half inch steel or better and is bolted down. (12 ga. that's only 1/8 inch) This took less than 20 minuets in and out. (no it is not my safe) Note the tools from the garage. Trailer hitch hammer and a couple pry tools. Image Insert: Edited by 7070
01/04/2008 4:01 pm
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Moderator
 United States
23481 Posts |
OK I did it
this is what I got
FIRE PROTECTION
Factory fire certified 1200°F/30 minutes
Entry level fire & heat protection (One layer of 5/8" fireboard)
SECURITY
Awarded UL Residential Security Container burglary classification
Triple case hardened steel plates protect lock from drill attack
Defensive barrier of up to five active 1" diameter bolts
Cam-drive bolt locking mechanism with slip clutch handle
UL Listed S&G Group II lock
STYLE & FUNCTION
Satin black or brass Single Spoke handle and lock
Upholstered 3-in-1 Flex interior
17 Cubic Foot size
Shelves have cut out for rifles/Shotguns or additional shelves are just flat
Now the price
$100 US
rggoodie
aka Richard
"catch em doing something right"
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Pillar of the Community
United States
6326 Posts |
Good point Metalman...... but I prefer to take my chances that way....it at least makes it "harder" and more time consuming and more complex of a robbery attempt. Thieves like "easy"........ but you never know.
Okay .......I have the solution !
I'll move to Alaska and surround my cabin with a mine field ! I'll just have to travel that much further to coin shows and such ! Heck ! Most of the time Kansas feels like a million miles from everywhere anyway ! LoL Ha aahh Ha Ha
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Replies: 28 / Views: 2,602 |
Posted 01/04/2008 09:03 am
