Coin Storage and Whatnot

ToddDubya

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I have some coins that my grandparents had collected that came to me by way of my parents. As you might imagine, they were stored in whatever they seemed to fit: harmonica boxes, old watch boxes, envelopes, paper lunch bags, etc. all tucked into a shoe box. It's all been circulated, so I don't need to keep them pristine but I'd like to protect them from further damage. There are some well worn Mercury dimes, Buffalo nickels, some half dollars, dollars, etc.

From what I've found, the Interwebs is full of useful information all provided by people who then refer you to their store. What do you guys use to store coins? Can I just get polyethylene baggies from eBay or should I get the cardboard Mylar flips (do I need a special stapler)?

Bonus question:

I left behind a huge sack of pennies that I'd like to go through the next time I'm out their way. Is a handheld private eye looking magnifier good enough for basic sorting? I'll probably sort through by date and then look closer at individual years once I have a chance to learn some more.

Is there anything else you guys find handy? Loupes? I'm a complete noob when it comes to coins. I'll probably get the 2017 Red Book to help get me started.
 
As a kid I collected coins (over 40 yrs ago). The trick to proper storage is to use products with no sulfer content. In those days there were numerous coin shops in Downtown Boston where I'd buy small envelopes (~2x2") and small glassine holders made special for the task. I don't see the glassine envelopes, but here is some current info.

http://www.wizardcoinsupply.com/product/paper-coin-envelopes.html
http://www.wizardcoinsupply.com/products/poly-bags/
http://www.collectons.com/shop/cat/...ecting-Supplies-Coin-Flips-and-more-Envelopes
http://www.collectons.com/shop/lpc/142/Coin-Collecting-Supplies
https://www.amazon.com/SINGLE-STORA...203&sr=8-95&keywords=coin+collection+supplies
 
I use the flips. I have the special stapler, but you can always use a regular one and then a pair of pliers to flatten out the staple.

for the pennies, as long as you can see the dates and mint marks you don't really need any magnification, that's more for if you are trying to grade the coins.
 
Thanks guys. I'll pick up a simple magnifier to keep me from getting a headache trying to read dates. It looks like the 2x2 flips are specific to the coin, so I'll have to get a rough inventory before I order anything. I shipped it home so it should be here in the next few days. I love looking through old collectible things. I wonder if my grandparents ever thought their grandson would be enjoying them when they stuck them in boxes even before my parents were born.
 
I just had an estate collection professionally appraised. Nothing too valuable, I learned a lot just sitting down and going through the collection with him.
I'll PM the contact information when I'm vertical.
 
For storage of non-valuable coins, you can use the plastic tubes on the pages I linked above.

This.
A LOT of 90% silver coins were hoarded by people when the switchover in 1965 happened. There were almost fifteen pounds of bullion silver (average circulated condition, non-collectible for reasons of rare mintings / years / mints) in the estate I'm working.
With very few exceptions, pre-1965 quarters are only valuable for their 90% silver content, and 1965-1969 valuable at 40% silver content.
The exceptions that I remember are 1932 (first minting year) and a very few war years, and there are always condition issues and which mint stamped the few years that are interesting.

The numismatist I used referenced this website for bullion value of silver US coins. Expand "Other Products" and find your 90% or 40% coins.
Note that the price is less than spot price based on the % silver content, and less Kitco's built in margin (this is their "Sell to Kitco" price.)
Also note that the prices are TROY ounces, which are different than standard ounces... TroyOz=StdOz*1.09714

https://online.kitco.com/sell/gold-silver.html
 
The exceptions that I remember are 1932 (first minting year) and a very few war years, and there are always condition issues and which mint stamped the few years that are interesting
And, of course, the 1916-D Mercury dime. Back in 65 when the switchover occurred, it was common to see Mercurys in circulation.

I was only 7 at the time, but I remember someone who hoarded clads when they came out.
 
What's the best way to go about assessing the value of a coin collection? I guess the first step would be to inventory and photograph everything??? What is anyone using to do this?


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What's the best way to go about assessing the value of a coin collection? I guess the first step would be to inventory and photograph everything??? What is anyone using to do this?
If it's typical collection of coins culled from circulation in the not too distant past, check a coin guide book to see if you have any key date coins with real value. For the most part, such collections are not really different than a bag of "junk silver" coins from Apmex.
 
Thanks Rob, but it's a bit more than that. Some are in proof plastic cases certified by some trusted/certified coin valuing authority. Others are in coin collecting books, and of course many are loose.


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Thanks Rob, but it's a bit more than that.
Excellent.

I have a "coin collection" from a departed relative that is all in little envelopes, identified by date and mint mark. BUT..... none of them are rare, and they are in poor to very poor condition (ie, Junk silver). The collection is kept intact out of respect to the former owner, otherwise, it would be just bulk junk silver.


Some are in proof plastic cases certified by some trusted/certified coin valuing authority
I hope you are referring to either NGC or PCGS as those are the ones most respected by serious collectors. There are others, but those are usually used to certify coins for sale to unsophisticated buyers.
 
What's the best way to go about assessing the value of a coin collection? I guess the first step would be to inventory and photograph everything??? What is anyone using to do this?


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I work security for these coin shows. In 2017 the Westford show will be moving to the Springhill Suites in Devens, MA. You can talk to several dealers about the coins.
One thing about the Red Book, the prices in that book are what you would pay for the coin retail. The coin dealers use a Grey Sheet that list wholesale prices. the Grey sheet is only sold to dealers.
Good Luck no telling what you have. If you decide to sell them use a dealer face to face that you trust.
http://www.ebwpromotions.com/
 
pre-1965 quarters are only valuable for their 90% silver content, and 1965-1969 valuable at 40% silver content.
The exceptions that I remember are 1932 (first minting year) and a very few war years,

Only half dollars from 1965-1969 (and 1970) are 40% silver, not the dimes & quarters. The wartime silver coins you're probably thinking of are the warnickels from 1942-1945, which are 35% silver (not all 1942's, but all 1943-1945's).
 
Only half dollars from 1965-1969 (and 1970) are 40% silver, not the dimes & quarters. The wartime silver coins you're probably thinking of are the warnickels from 1942-1945, which are 35% silver (not all 1942's, but all 1943-1945's).

Actually, the numismatist was looking for very specific war years quarters from specific mints. Apparently some years were substantially lower mintings than other years, and the combination had some numismatic value.

If this table is accurate, the numismatic value is not huge but more than bullion weight, for those specific rare examples:
http://www.coinflation.com/coins/1932-1964-Silver-Washington-Quarter-Value.html
 
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