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 Replies: 16 / Views: 2,575 |
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Valued Member
United States
462 Posts |
I could sure use some help here. My father is in the advanced stages of Alzheimers so when I was out in CA, I brought his coin collection back with me to Colorado. It is probably a small collection compared to many of you, but I would like to preserve it better and keep adding to it.
First off, what is a good book to get me started on my coin collecting knowledge? Next, there are several of the "cardboard" type books holding coins, one with a complete penny collection from 1909 to 1965, including 1909S VDB. Would the coins do better if I were to put them into individual holders? a clear plastic type album? Some other type of storage? There are also several silver dollars from the late 1800's and early 1900's, what is the best way to store them? There are also numerous rolls of bicentennial coins. Is storing coins in rolls considered safe and OK?
Most of the coins have been rattled around and have damage. Would it hurt to use a dry dust cloth to clean them.
Also, he has a one dollar bill that is mis cut. Part of the next bill on the sheet shows on this dollar bill and the bottom cut is noticeably crooked.
I guess I am just trying to figure out what to do so that I can pass this collection down to my children and grand children.
Should I try to add coins to complete a set or should I just collect coins as they come and/or as I can?
Last thing, there is five silver eagle coins, 1986-1990. Should I try to complete the set?
Thank you for all the help.
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Moderator
 United States
16677 Posts |
First of all welcome to the Forum and I am sorry to hear about your father. The book I recommend to start out with is the " Red Book of United States coins". Not so much a true value book but a guide as to identification and approx. values. I also use https://www.numismedia.com for prices. Next, storage. I recommend "Mylar" archival safe "flips" to store your coins in. You drop the coin in (holding it's edge always) and staple the top. This will not guarantee the coins won't tone, but will keep them relatively safe long term. Email me and I'd be glad to send you some. I have plenty. There are also plastic "snap together" type holders for the nicer coins you may have. I like the Intercept Shield holders. Different sizes for different coins. You can use albums as well. I like the Dansco type albums that slide out to insert the coin. You can view both sides and again, relatively safe. Storing coins in rolls is okay but I recommend the round plastic coin tubes. They come in different sizes. You can purchase any of these products from various web sites. I use Brent Krueger or there is a site called Wizard coin supply. I know nothing about currency but there are also Mylar sleeves for different bill sizes as well. Hope I helped a little. Feel free to ask anything I left out. There are great members here that I am sure will input some other great ideas to get you on your way. Take care. swcoin.ecrater.com
Edited by vermontensium
11/24/2008 11:52 pm
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Pillar of the Community
Australia
1014 Posts |
MtnCoinMan sorry to hear about that, but you can try to complete the Silver Eagle set.. They are still 'gettable'. Many of them go for a little over bullion value, so its not too expensive a set to complete.. :) Lastly, welcome to the forum... I think regarding storage vermontensium has answered pretty much everything.. Oh and those silver dollars are probably MOrgan and Peace dollars btw.. :) |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2540 Posts |
Welcome to the forum, and perhaps pick up "A Guide Book to US coins" by R S Yeoman. Read it and decide what you would like to collect. |
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
19931 Posts |
Welcome to CC!  Just to add....DO NOT RUB THE COINS WITH ANY CLOTH! Never rub coins with anything or you chance destroying any numismatic value. Never clean coins. Lincoln Cent Lover!VERDI-CARE™ INVENTOR https://verdi.care/
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Pillar of the Community
United States
533 Posts |
Yes you probably should get that set on Lincoln Cents out of the cardboard folder and into an Album. I think most here would suggest Danisco Albums as a solid choice. Check out https://www.WizardCoinSupply.com and pick up some supplies. A couple things to remember: 1. Always wear light cotton gloves when handling coins, if you must handle without gloves, hold them by the edge. 2. NEVER clean your coins. (Well... almost never, but just pretend I said never) 3. There is no such thing as a stupid question. There are many extremely knowledgable members of this forum, and they are all more then willing to share their store of knowledge. Lastly  |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
666 Posts |
I'm so sorry to hear about your father. IMO that's the possibly the worst disease in the entire world for a victims family. You have my heartfelt sympathy.
Everyone here has given excellent advice especially BadThad (Ignore his signature for the time being...)(Feel free to check out mine though)
:)
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Valued Member
 United States
462 Posts |
Thank you for the responses so far. Yes, Alzheimers is very devastating, my dad doesn't even know who I am and we ran a business together for almost 20 years. Along with the Red Book, which I have seen, is there any other good books that I can read to get up to speed? I have read many times about not cleaning coins and I can see the reason. But I am also a metal detector and sometimes you have to clean off mud, grease, paint just so you can see if it is a coin or a washer. Is there a safe way to do that? Also, is it OK to clean clad so you can spend it? Another question. Do I need to inform my Homeowner's Insurance Company that I have a coin collection? Should I buy a large safe? I have a small one for papers only. What other questions should I be asking?] And THANK YOU again! |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1208 Posts |
Get the pennies in a Dansco.
Sorry about your Dad. Mine just passed after taking 6
years to slowly die of congestive heart failure. He had
collected stamps, which I knew nothing about, and now I
am a stamp collector by default. I am enjoying it, but
coins are still my first love.
Good luck!
Stick around here and you will learn much.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1179 Posts |
For mud and gunk you can always try to soak them in distilled water or even acetone (be careful with it). Do not rub the dirt off, a good soaking should take off what is meant to be taken off.
Sorry for your loss. You will find this forum to be your best friend when learning about coins.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3294 Posts |
I think acetone might be flammable, just a heads up.
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Moderator
United States
16677 Posts |
Quote:
Should I buy a large safe? I have a small one for papers only.
I keep the vast majority of my collection in a bank safe deposit box. That's the best way to go. That way, the coins are out of your house in case of burglary. I also have a safe at home. It is a Sentry fire retardant safe I bought for $150 at Kmart. It is sufficient for paperwork or not too expensive coins. Mine is bolted to the ground and the door opens away from the wall to avoid someone using a pry bar to force it open. If it is not bolted to the ground, 2 people could easily carry it out. Homeowners insurance is also a wise idea. swcoin.ecrater.com
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Pillar of the Community
United States
666 Posts |
There are lots and lots of great books out there to read however, if you have the RedBook I think you've got all you need for right now between the RedBook and this forum. If there comes a time that you decide to specialize in one series then I might suggest looking into books specific to that series. But until that time most of your questions can (and will) be answered here if you ask. Dug coins are a different story (in my book at least) when it comes to cleaning coins. If I have a coin which I can't determine what is I generally proceed cautiously until such point as I have an idea of what type of coin it is. If it's something other than a modern it goes in the pile with the other nasty dug coins which I know what are and they all go in the rock tumbler for a while until such point as they can be rolled up. If it's something that might be special it depends on what type of coin it might be and what type of filth and nastiness is involved. The first step though is to let the thing sit in distilled water for a very long while. Badly encrusted coins sometimes get zapped for a couple of minutes, but usually I try a peroxide bath before zapping. You'll see a lot of talk about letting coins sit in mineral oil, but this is usually my last resort as it precludes most other forms of cleaning. As to informing your homeowners insurance... I don't know. I haven't, but I do take quality pictures of my better pieces and have a rough inventory of what my collection consists of. And as someone else said, I keep my keys and major sets in a safety deposit box. |
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Moderator
United States
16677 Posts |
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but I do take quality pictures of my better pieces and have a rough inventory of what my collection consists of. Excellent advice springcypress. I do that on all my better pieces as well, then keep the pics on a flashdrive. swcoin.ecrater.com
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
20753 Posts |
Your in the right place to get advise. As to acquiring Dansco albums, OK but there are other brands also available. With me I use Whitman Classic Albums and there are many more out there. If I were you I wouldn't go running all over the place attempting to find a certain brand of album. If you find a dealer or book store that sells a certain brand, try it out. The main thing is to get those coins out of the cardboard folders. In the rear of the slots as you take out the coins you'll notice the rear of those slots are shinny from glue. OK for young kids but not for coins of any value. Do not clean any of the coins, handle all carefully and by the edges if possible. Don't go out and purchase any coin cleaning substances including Acetone unless you really know how to use that stuff and have a well ventilated area. As to coins safety, the best method is to keep your mouth shut about them. Presently all info given to an insurance organization goes into a computer system and someone that has just lost a job there may well have all your personal info. If they need money, your house may be next. The safe place as already noted is a safe deposit box in a bank. Having a safe at home is OK but if someone holds a gun to you or a family member, that safe is quickly opened anyway. Just don't spread the word about those coins. It's amazing how if you tell someone you have $10 in coins at home, someone will be saying you have millions. |
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Rest in Peace
United States
9104 Posts |
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In the rear of the slots as you take out the coins you'll notice the rear of those slots are shinny from glue. You can tell you're an old-time collector. Whitman hasn't glued paper to codbod for 30 years, at least. Now they glue to codbod to the paper. The old type did leave some interesting striped toning, tho. |
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Replies: 16 / Views: 2,575 |
Posted 11/24/2008 11:53 pm
