TOOLS OF THE TRADE

Luckily, there’s not much you really need in order to collect coins – aside from the coins, of course. Because you might be handling valuable coins, you should have a few specific items to protect their integrity.

Obviously, it will depend on the material being collected and its value as far as what you need to have in order to start out. The very minimum that you will need is a magnifying glass to pick out detail on your coins. All sorts of magnifiers are available. For grading, 4-10 times magnification is sufficient, with 7x magnification considered by many to be ideal. Collectors of die varieties need 10x magnification or more.

You will also need a reference book in order to identify your coins and assess their value. Anyone purchasing coins should own at least one general reference book with information on dates and mintmarks, major varieties, grading guidelines and prices.

Additional references examining topics in more detail (e. g. grading, counterfeit detection or die varieties) are often useful. Periodicals will have more recent pricing information and news. Good reference works can pay for themselves several times over by helping you avoid bad decisions.

Experts consider the five listed below as the top ones in the industry. You may want to pick one of these:

1) Red Book" - A Guide Book of United States Coins

This is the standard catalog of retail prices for U. S. coins including colonial issues. The prices are the most a collector might be expected to pay a dealer for a particular coin. This publication has a wealth of information about the coin collecting hobby and every collector should probably own a copy. It is published annually.

2) Coin Collectors Survival Manual

This book provides many interesting insights into the coin collecting hobby from the perspective of an experienced coin dealer. Many coin collecting topics are covered in an entertaining way

3) Standard Catalog of World Coins

This catalog provides values for 20th century world coins. This is a very comprehensive source of information on world coins.

4) Blue Book - Handbook of United States Coins

This book provides average prices that dealers will buy coins, in a particular grade or condition, from collectors or other dealers. It is published annually as well.

5) A Basic Guide to United States Commemorative Coins

This is a guide to the identification and values of U. S. Commemorative Coins with photos.

These books can be found in most bookstores or at online outlets like Amazon. You can also try looking on an auction site like e-bay for the best prices.

That’s really about it for the bare minimum. You may also want to get some coin holders. A multitude of choices are available when it comes to coin holders. This includes Envelopes, Fold & Staple Holders as well as the popular Coin Flips. For more valuable coins you might consider some of the higher priced plastic holders which are available for single coins and sets.

Coin folders are also a suggestion. Coin Folders, or sometimes refereed to as Coin Boards by the old time collectors, are by far the most economical way to assemble a series of coins into a set. Jake's highly recommends Coin Folders for lower price and circulated coins. Coin Folders are great for youngsters as well as beginners just starting to collect coins.

If you choose coin pages to display your collection, choose quality vinyl pages with plenty of slots for your coins. Most coin pages will fit in a standard three-ring binder.

As you become a more seasoned collector, you will probably find more supplies that will make your job easier like a coin gauge and material to preserve your collection. This a good list for the beginner.

You may be wondering where you’re going to get your coins. There are many sources.

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