| p>There are a few coin collecting supplies that | | | | times magnification is ideal. For those who are |
| you will need to get started with your hobby. | | | | collecting different dyes, a magnifier with 10 times |
| Only a minimal investment is needed to get your | | | | magnification is normally recommended. Some |
| coin collecting off the ground, although it is | | | | smaller coins and especially proof coins are best |
| possible to also spend a substantial amount if you | | | | examined using a low power magnifier to see |
| have some money burning a hole in your pocket. | | | | hairline or other tiny imperfections. Using an |
| Our advice is to use those funds towards | | | | excessively high magnification power |
| purchasing actual collectible coins, and limit your | | | | overemphasizes defects which can lead the |
| spending for coin collecting supplies to the basics. | | | | grader to incorrect and inconsistent grading |
| Coin Holders | | | | opinions. |
| Having some way to properly store your coins is | | | | Lighting |
| important. Storing your coins properly will protect | | | | You may have the most expensive magnifying |
| them, keeping them safe from scratches, | | | | glass available, but it certainly will not work |
| smudges, and other environmental elements. | | | | without the aid of the proper light source. For |
| The type of coin holder you choose should | | | | lighting purposes, an incandescent light of about 75 |
| partially be based upon the value of the coin. | | | | watts or higher is recommended. However, the |
| Purchase higher quality folders or albums for more | | | | actual brightness will depend also on the available |
| expensive coins, and you can probably get away | | | | ambient light. The light source should be located |
| with less expensive paper envelopes for storing | | | | within half a meter of where you will examine the |
| less valuable coins. | | | | coins. |
| General Reference Books | | | | Coin Collecting Software |
| A set of good reference books are indispensable | | | | Depending on your type of coin collection and its |
| coin collecting supplies for the budding numismatist. | | | | size, managing all data related to them may |
| A general reference book containing information | | | | become overwhelmingly hard. You may find coin |
| on dates and mintmarks, grading guidelines, major | | | | collecting software a necessary additional |
| varieties and prices is a must have if you want to | | | | investment (together with a computer.) Coin |
| have the necessary information about certain | | | | collecting software is not just for creating a |
| coins. | | | | catalog or inventory. Many commercially available |
| Other references that deal with grading die | | | | software packages do have built in coin |
| varieties or counterfeit detections are also helpful. | | | | inventories to collect modern, ancient and |
| For the most recent pricing information and other | | | | medieval coins and they are also capable of |
| numismatic news, periodicals are the best source. | | | | organizing existing web resources and coin related |
| Good references will give you the details you | | | | links with an option that includes recent coin |
| need to avoid making bad decisions concerning | | | | values updated for the current year. |
| your coin collection, whether you are buying or | | | | It does not take a lot of money or a lot of |
| selling. You can start building your own library now | | | | supplies to begin the hobby of coin collecting. In |
| and reap the benefits as soon as you obtain your | | | | fact, with just a minimal investment in coin |
| first book. | | | | collecting supplies and the purchase of a view |
| Magnifying Glass | | | | coins you can be up and running in no time. A |
| A high-quality magnifying glass is essential so you | | | | good reference book, a good magnifying glass, |
| can examine a coin's tiny details. A magnifier to be | | | | some good lighting, and an option software |
| used for grading should have 4-10 times | | | | program are about all it takes. |
| magnification. Most coin collectors would say 7 | | | | |