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 Replies: 18 / Views: 2,643 |
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New Member
United States
43 Posts |
Just a few questions.... Thanks in advance for the replies! So as background... I recently got married (for the 1st and hopefully last time after reading the divorce topic) and had to do a lot of clean-up.  I had mainly loose coins in boxes, baggies, etc that I had inherited or collected in my teens and twenties. So the questions... 1) Are Dansco Slip Cases Worth It? As part of all this (and to finance most of the engagement ring - it was when silver was around $40 an ounce  )I went to the local coin store to sell some of the stuff that I wasn't interested and in asking the proprietor on a recommendation he recommended Dansco Albums. Well in the process I "traded" for some and bought others off ebay or from Wizzard Suppy, etc. Now I have 15 of them in various states of completeness (some like my Peace $ and SLQ only have a few coins in it) while others are complete or only lack 2 or 3 key dates (Lincoln Cents, ASE, etc). Do the slip cases offer better protection and are they worth the money? I pretty much have BU cents from '35 onward with a couple of exceptions still... and I'm worried about them becoming spotted, etc but love the way they look in the album and don't want to slab them (and to me not worth the expense for the coins I have)... I also worry about the my ASEs and coins in my 7070. Any input is appreciated. I did a forum search but didn't see the exact answer to this particular question. 2) Safes - any recommendations? I am looking at getting a safe and have researched various posts on this. I'd like to get a gun safe for the versatility but have seen negative comments on the cheaper ones about security and warnings against verdigris growth if humidity isn't well managed. Looking to spend no more than 2K? 3) Safety Deposit Boxes - Are these a good way to store coins? - I have one and its where I store most of my higher value sets now... I know from a security standpoint I do not doubt but any negatives as far as humidity? Mine is in the basement of the bank and the temperature feels right but didn't know if anyone had any negative feedback about humidity, etc. 4) Psychiatrist or support group recommendations? (this one is tongue in cheek ) Something like coinaholics... I was hooked as a kid but once I bought all those albums and seen all the empty holes I've been borderline obsessed trying to find coins to fill them in. Thanks for the help! Edited by AndrewMarek
05/28/2012 11:23 pm
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Moderator
 United States
56855 Posts |
On the safe, make sure it is fire and water proof. I don't know about prices but you should get one that is large enough for now and in the future even if you have to save up a little more then the $2g you have now. A safe will last you a life time, so spend a little more now so you will have a great safe later. IMHO, John1  |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1088 Posts |
Also on the safe topic, do not be afraid to go big. I bought a large gun safe (supposed to house 52 firearms) a few years back. Not only is it filled with guns but is over flowing with coins, important documents, etc. I like some of the newer safes that have a top self for important documents. Look around and see what works for you but if I could go back, I would go as big as I could aford and fit. I also had to worry about the size, couldn't even fit the one I have now in the house (had to put it up on pallets in the garage :() I have had trouble finding a great way to mediate humidity. I have found solutions in silica gel cans and a heating rod. Just my Two Cents |
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
20753 Posts |
I use several safe deposit boxes. A bit on the expensive side and also a little on the not to available side since I have to go there and sometimes wait just to get into one.
As to a safe. I'm sort of on the against one for coins. What so many forget is they too cost a lot. When people see one being delivered, and they do, it is assumed you have a fortune to hide. And if no one sees it being delivered, still a massive paper trail from where you purchased one.
Regardless of fire ratings, you have to remember that they still get hot in a fire. Anything plastic will melt and all over your coins. The heat will do horror stories on a cardboard Album and the plastic slides in them too will just melt. And too remember that every time you open one, you allow new moist air to get inside and it stays there.
And don't forget to have it bolted to the floors and/or walls.
One of the biggest misconseptions about a safe is theft. If it is known you have one, a gun to your head or your wifes head opens them all the time.
If your ingenious, a bit handy, best to try to find a place to make a false wall for a hiding place.
As to any kind of slip cases, just purchase some Zip Lock Plastic bags.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
8516 Posts |
When I bought my house it started weighing heavy on my mind that some of my irreplaceable guns and coins could be stolen. I had lived on a 2nd floor before so I never worried. It bothered me to a point that I told my wife that I was going to get one. She didn't like me spending 1500 for it but it was something I had to do. I couldnt bear losing some of my fathers things he had passed on. I had the safe delivered and never bothered bolting it down after it got here. If you're gonna steal it you better bring one of those electric Dolly's because you're talking a thousand pounds. Probably 2 weeks after I got it, my house was broken into while my wife and I were at work. If I had listened to a Carl I would no longer have my fathers guns etc.. My wife gained a new respect for my judgement and the police that came to my house were so impressed that they wanted to know where they could get a Fort Knox too, lol.
If you decide to get a safe, I would agree with Stud722 and go as big as you can afford. The more space the better.
Oregon coin geek.....*** GO BEAVS ! ! ! ***
Edited by 52Raymo
05/30/2012 12:56 pm
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Pillar of the Community
United States
561 Posts |
While I am certainly more in favor of a safe than not having one I can certainly see just_carl's side of it. 52Raymo's story may be an example of exactly what just_carl was talking about, I often hear stories of home invasions shortly after safe deliveries/installations. I wonder if you would have had your home invaded had you not purchased the safe? We will never know the answer to that but it certainly makes you think.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
8516 Posts |
No, these were 2 guys passing through our area that had no clue. They mostly raided my fridge and got a couple hunting knives. They tried to take a huge bag of pennies but gave up and left em on the kitchen floor.
Oregon coin geek.....*** GO BEAVS ! ! ! ***
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Pillar of the Community
United States
8516 Posts |
....and besides, if I were a thief and I saw a humongous safe going in....well, I would probably pass on that house as one that I wouldn't be able to steal any valuable items from. Would be a waste of time versus risking prison time.
Oregon coin geek.....*** GO BEAVS ! ! ! ***
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Pillar of the Community
United States
561 Posts |
I guess there are 2 ways of looking at it, not that I really give much thought to burglary. If I were going to risk going to prison I would want to make sure the house I was breaking into had something worth stealing. How stupid would you feel getting arrested for attempting to rob a house with very little if anything of value. Sure, if you own a safe that tells me that you probably locked up certain really valuable items but it also tells me you have the means to afford really valuable items. How many people put EVERYTHING of value in their safe? I know that I have friends who keep their guns and documents in a safe but their wives multiple thousand dollars worth of jewelry isn't regularly locked up because it is inconvenient. Who is likely to have a nicer TV, Stereo, other Electronics and household goods to steal? The guy that you know has a huge safe in his house or the guy who you aren't sure?
Like I said, it isn't like I don't see the point in having a safe. I have one and it is smaller and fairly well hidden. I just know of multiple cases where people have purchased a safe and were burglarized within 60 days of having it installed/delivered after having no attempted break ins ever before. Too many to all be coincidence, but that is just my experience.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
8516 Posts |
Bottom line......I still have all my guns, coins, etc.. It's possible a couple guys staked out my house for a couple weeks and watched our habits hoping to break in and gather up anything I didn't put in the safe. Either way, I still have all my valuable irreplaceable items that I most certainly would no longer have if the thieves just happened to pick my house at random and hadn't seen the safe delivered.
Oregon coin geek.....*** GO BEAVS ! ! ! ***
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Pillar of the Community
United States
561 Posts |
Agreed 52Raymo, that is the important thing.  |
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Rest in Peace
United States
7075 Posts |
I am not a fan of really huge safes. We have a couple of regular household-sized ones that are not 'attention grabbers'. Guns in one, ammo in another, different stuff on different floors, and pretty much tucked away.
I have a few of those little fire-proof lock boxes. They are easy for me to manage (I'm a middle-aged woman) and they are easy to hide away. I know that a burglar could easily take them but the real reason I have them is because we have company over from time to time.
The safest thing to do, in my opinion, is keep quiet about your collection, buy insurance and document (photographs and receipts) what you have and protect your documentation somewhere off-site.
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New Member
 United States
43 Posts |
Thanks for the excellent replies everyone! Its is sincerely appreciated! I lurked on this site for a while but glad I joined. Looking at the replies I'll probably go with a hybrid approach. Keep the higher value stuff in my Safety Deposit Box and keep the stuff I am actively working on locally. Just Carl - We are looking at moving soon and I may try to get a safe that will fit in an unobtrusive nook or the back of a closet for the new place and do a build around myslef (I am pretty handy). I've seen a few of those and seems like a good way to arrive at a couple of your suggestions. And I hear you on the gun to the head. I have nothing that is worth that. Not so worried about break-ins while I'm home but rather when we're gone. Thanks Again! |
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Valued Member
United States
73 Posts |
this might not be funny to you but I had an uncle who bought a nice gun safe for his weapons and sure enought he was robbed no surprise but when one of the thieves pushed against the wall the safe fell on his friend and broke both of his legs and pinned him to the floor to they came home  so I guess for a dumb and unfortunate thief they could become a trap Edited by 1inamillion15
06/01/2012 02:35 am
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
20753 Posts |
Quote:
and besides, if I were a thief and I saw a humongous safe going in....well, I would probably pass on that house as one that I wouldn't be able to steal any valuable items from. Would be a waste of time versus risking prison time. Not always the case. Could well be your lucky you weren't home. As I said before, a gun to you or your families heads opens a safe every time. And with many, best make sure you can open it fast. They do get nervous. For a fire, if in the vacinity of the safe, also like I mentioned they do get hot and melt plastics. Houses that do get robbed may or may not be due to seeing a safe brought in. Crooks just don't go around braging as to why they choose a certain place. My favorite safe story is a neighbor of mine went away on a vacation. While gone a moving van pulled up during the day. Neighbors being nosey asked the movers what was going on and they replied that the people that lived there decided to stay where they were and purchased a house there. During this the phone rang. It was a security agency and the so called movers answered he phone and said sorry, it was an accident. When the vacationers returned to a completely empty house they found the safe, bolted to a floor, the security system, all furnature, everything gone. When it comes to crime, criminals too are not always dumb. |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
8516 Posts |
A gun to the head will also make your significant other go to the bank to clean out your account/safe deposit box. Most break ins occur while there is no one home. I STILL HAVE ALL MY COIN COLLECTION AND ALL MY OLD GUNS. I most definitely would not have them if I had listened to you. I did lose a couple hunting knives that I foolishly left out of the safe.
Oh, I do leave a couple pistols out of the safe in case a thief wants to visit with me. If you wanna put a gun to my head you had better be quick. If you don't break in the door with one kick, you're in bad trouble.
Oregon coin geek.....*** GO BEAVS ! ! ! ***
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Replies: 18 / Views: 2,643 |
Posted 05/29/2012 10:27 pm
