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 Replies: 21 / Views: 3,112 |
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Pillar of the Community
Philippines
1156 Posts |
Coin collecting can be costly and hazardous to one's pocket LoL So I got an early lesson after buying some fake coins to gear up with the necessities for the hobby Suggestions that came my way were: 1. a book - Krause ! for pricing refs 2. a digital weigher - for avoiding fakes!  3. a camera - for uploading help! or just showing off  4. a computer for the internet 5. coin flips ? 6. & join a coin internet org,CCF!,nothing beats having friends with the same interests!  anything in the list that I missed out?  |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1795 Posts |
Sounds about right...maybe some different choices in equipment but the list is pretty complete. All depends on what you are willing to spend on your hobby.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1200 Posts |
How about ...... Some kind of relatively air/water-tight storage containers (like govt surplus ammo cans) for your stuff? A good secure hideout-type storage place for your stuff? Insurance on your stuff? A complete and totally current inventory of your stuff along with a complete and totally current set of color photos of your stuff (so you're adequately prepared and armed if you ever have to do battle with insurance company claims vampires)?
Don't just use your computer for the internet and don't just use your camera for showing off - use them both for documentation and record-keeping, too.
Security and self-protection should be important components of any coin/PM collector's bag of tricks. Sorry to be such a PITA, but failure to do the safety - security - self-protection thing can lead to FAR more pain than the pain you experience when buy a couple fakes.
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Bedrock of the Community
13014 Posts |
A magnet is great too to make sure silver coins are actually silver
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Pillar of the Community
Thailand
1509 Posts |
Something for magification. Loupe, magnifying glass, electronic microscope (with photographic capability). Well, perhaps not the last!
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
17884 Posts |
Money. Without which you are not going to have any coins to look up in the book, weigh, take pictures of, post on the internet, store in flips, or talk about on CCF.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1088 Posts |
I would say your list looks about right. if you use 2x2s I would invest in a flat clinch stapler as well.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
863 Posts |
I agree with baseball a magnet is great. I used one the other day for two old large liberty dollars? I'm not sure exactly what they were. I don't know too much past organs because it is often too expensive. He would have sold them to me for 15 each though
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1721 Posts |
This may be your most important tool:
A loupe or good magnifying glass.
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Pillar of the Community
Australia
2830 Posts |
caliper to measure coins, for comparison to your sources of information.
I've seen calipers, sometimes* called a Vernier (* although I'm not sure that that is correct),
with a digital read-out for over $100, but I picked up a plastic caliper, non-digital, for two dollars.
I think a digital camera is very useful: take a pic; upload it; and view it on the screen of your PC or Lap-top.
But the most powerful tool in your kit, is undoubtedly KNOWLEDGE.
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Pillar of the Community
 Philippines
1156 Posts |
Thanks guys! 7. Storage air tight containers - by Fat Freddy 8. a magnet! - by basebal21 & silvercoinrn 9. Magnification tools, loupes etc - by thai-vic & mds308 10. a flat clinch stapler ! for flipping out! by stud722 11. Vernier Caliper!& knowledge on how to use it- by Peter THOMAS 12. & of course as Conder101 & BadToTheBone suggested - Cash! That's 12 items a coin collector must have access to!, we sure covered it.. ..unless we missed out on something? |
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Pillar of the Community
Philippines
1156 Posts |
now to get a flat clinch stapler..
I usually use pliers to pin down the stapler wire
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Moderator
 United States
56855 Posts |
Don't forget about a good light source for using your loupe, (at least a 10x Hastings triplet) and a good light source for your usb scope. John1 |
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Pillar of the Community
Philippines
1156 Posts |
I just remembered one more item. which I got now an ultrasonic cleaner unit great for ancients & encrusted verdigree! |
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Bedrock of the Community
Australia
21786 Posts |
If it is fake coins that are your concern, scan all of the threads here in the CCF, as an education.
There are a lot of comments on this subject, and lots of tests that can be considered when examining for fake coins.
Lots of other interesting things to consider, of course, such as the current market value of a coin, relevant to it's grade and rarity.
Always good to share your experiences with other collectors to learn and have fun, here in the CCF.
I have had the very good fortune to count as a good friend over four decades, one of the most professional and experienced coin dealers in Australia.
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
20753 Posts |
.357 S&W, .357 Colt or .45 semi auto.
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Replies: 21 / Views: 3,112 |
Posted 11/06/2012 12:02 am
