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 Replies: 14 / Views: 1,792 |
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Valued Member
United Kingdom
216 Posts |
Any tips please on what accessories I should get (for examining coins)
I am thinking along the lines of magnifying glass, loupe, gloves etc?
Thanks
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
20753 Posts |
 Difficult question. Mostly due to things like how much do you want to spend? How much do you want to get into coin collecting? Are you planning on selling as well as buying? Not being in the USA, also not sure of your availability for coins. However, as a start naturally get a few magnifying glasses of different powers. For now don't go for the expensive ones in case you loose interest in this hobby. Many people rush out and purchase lots of expensive things, then loose interest and it all sits on a shelf. You really don't need special gloves unless your planning on buying special and expensive coins. For normal coins, just make sure your hands are clean and handle by the edges. I would suggest you look into coin supply places for coin flips in several different sizes. Those are those things that are made of cardboard with plastic on one side. Place coins in them and close and seal. Also, being in a different country, I'm not sure about availability of coin Albums there. You might want to check into that. Look into web sites like Whitman Publishing for possible books on coin you may like. Again, don't rush into buying a lot of things for a hobby you may or may not stay with. Get the minimum for now. You can always buy more and more later. |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3486 Posts |
http://www.ebay.com/itm/5x-Bausch-L...em2ed0de19f45X is perfect for looking at a lot of coins. A 30X for examining minute details but not for constant use. Many, MANY dealers use 5X as a first choice. Gloves are overkill. Albums can wait until you have decided on the serie(s) that you wish to collect. Everything just carl said I concur. Go slowly. If all else fails a member in the US can buy what you need and send it should availability be a problem. Oh, and at my age I use the 5X to read fine print on labels. Comes in handy.
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Pillar of the Community
1325 Posts |
got a 20x-40x portable microscope, but I was wanting one for years now, plus my old 3rd-hand tool I use to paint with, and a reading magnifier. recently I bought a loupe that has a watch spring for a headband and an LED for like $8.
how bad are your eyes? the older you get, the more you will need.
IF you can find them there is a microscope LED USB camera from some company for like $80 that is like a child toy/edu-tainment type thing. sadly I can't find them but I want one so I can take coin pics and just see things on a widescreen on the coin.
Edited by shadz
04/15/2014 3:23 pm
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Pillar of the Community
2087 Posts |
 with the other responses. One item I find invaluable. Cheap drug store reading glasses(3 times magnification) I take them with me to shops and coin shows. If I loose them or break them they are cheap to replace and they give just enough magnification to help |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1476 Posts |
Along with the mags and Loupes, You will be 'short changing' your self without the ' Red Book'. I Just got my 2015 addition, ( my first time getting one ), and I don't know why I didn't get it BEFORE anything else. Just my 2 cents.  sorry I couldn't help myself with the puns.  |
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Moderator
 United States
56855 Posts |
I0x for general and 14x for errors/varieties. I have never used gloves in the 40+ years I have been in this hobby/addiction  If you can afford it go with a Hastings triplet but a doublet works good too.A good light source helps also. John1  Edited by John1
04/16/2014 07:36 am
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Valued Member
United States
317 Posts |
I got one of those cheap ink pad sized electric scales, no regrets. Rarely use a magnifying glass but depend really on a loupe. I like the earlier comments of buying something when you actually need it, not before in anticipation.
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
20753 Posts |
Quote:Along with the mags and Loupes, You will be 'short changing' your self without the ' Red Book'. Nice book but he is in the UK. The Red Book is all US coins or mostly. And those computer microscopes are great. I've got one and used it once a year or so ago. Now on a shelf. There is a World Forum here. Might want to check it out. |
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New Member
United States
37 Posts |
Good info here. I still need to pick up a loupe or enlarging lense like rmpsrpms suggested in his Loupe Shootout thread.
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Valued Member
 United Kingdom
216 Posts |
Thank you all very useful tips. I can't seem to find one of those Bausch and Lomb magnifiers over here.
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
20753 Posts |
Quote:
Thank you all very useful tips. I can't seem to find one of those Bausch and Lomb magnifiers over here. As I said about the Red Book, since your in the UK, stores may sell different things that just is not the same as in the USA. You really should just go to stores, hobby shops, etc. and see what they offer over there. |
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Valued Member
United States
179 Posts |
I'd suggest a private credit card and your own post office box so you can buy and sell without your wife knowing anything about it. Trust me, this has proven successful for many coin collectors!
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Valued Member
United States
337 Posts |
If you are collecting new coins, sign up for The Royal Mint emails. Most major mints have such a service. |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
521 Posts |
I think RedBook prices are too high; the people here will tell you that. Even the people in my local coin shop (a year after they sold me one!) told me that. For collectors, the following are good (I think). Dealers use other sources. For US prices check this: http://www.numismedia.com/fmv/fmv.shtmlFor world coins: http://www.ngccoin.com/price-guide/world/For me a 10x loupe works well. After a long lay off, I'm just newly active so I'm learning a lot. My advice is look at a coin at least twice, whether at a show, shop or online. I always see something I missed the first time around. This may be that my eye is still getting tuned to coins or I focus on specific aspects to the exclusion of others. This also helps me decide if I want something. It either looks better or worse when I go back. I make my decision from there. I've made mistakes, though. They usually result from impulse buys, which go against my better judgement. Coins can actually get emotional. Try to keep that out when evaluating a potential purchase. And, when you do make a mistake, don't dwell on it too long and learn something from it. Happy collecting! |
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Replies: 14 / Views: 1,792 |
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Posted 04/15/2014 10:41 am
