Coin collectors need specific tools to preserve their coins from the elements, dirt and other factors that may decrease the coin’s value. Basic supplies such as holders, folders, albums and magnifiers are just a handful of things you need to have for your collection.
Holders
The most important supply you need for your collection is a safe place to store your coins in to protect them from damage. A majority of beginners starts using a ‘cigar box’ to keep their coins safe. However, this is an inadequate holder for coins as it does not prevent them from touching and rubbing against each other. This friction causes damage that reduces the value of your collection.
Get a holder specifically customized to store your coins. Most collectors use cardboard 2x2s as coin holders. These are 2” x 4” pieces of cardboard that has a hole in the center on both sides, and has a Mylar plastic inside. An affordable yet popular alternative is coin flips. These use Mylar plastic and measure 2” x 4”.
Albums and Folders
Another way to store your coin collection is by using a folder or album. Using a folder limits you to one side of the coin when you want to view your collection, but are affordable alternatives for beginners.
A coin album is ideal for advanced coin collectors as they are a bit pricier, but enable you to view both sides of your coin. They also provide extra protection because of the plastic inserts, keeping your coin’s surface safe form scratches and the elements.
Lighting and Magnifiers
You need to have proper lighting and a magnifier to view your coins properly. The best type of lighting is incandescent as it reveals any damage on the coins. Fluorescent lights are too mild and may make it difficult for you to spot any imperfections.
A hand lens with a magnification power of 2X to 3X is ideal for general viewing. For in-depth coin analysis it is best to use a lens with magnifying powers between 10X to 15X.
Padding or Soft Cloth
Collectors often overlook the importance of having a soft cloth or padding for viewing and displaying their coins. A coin is often damaged because it fell on a hard surface. Pads or a soft cloth will reduce the possibility of this happening.
These are some of the basic supplies you must have when you begin collecting coins. These make sure that your coin collection stays persevered over a long time.
Colonial Acres offers a variety coin collection supplies for budding and longtime numismatists.
Tuesday, September 15, 2015
Monday, September 14, 2015
Importance of Getting Your Coins Professionally Appraised
As a coin collector, it is important to know the value of the coins you want to purchase. You might get the short end of the stick because you failed to identify a value of the rare coin. You might pay more or get less for a coin inappropriately appraised. In such situations, a professional coin appraiser is a must-hire.
Determining Coin Value
The untrained eye will not be able to determine if a coin is worth its hefty or cheap price tag. Professional appraisers have the training and experience that developed their keen eye for details. They will help you determine the value of the rare coin you want to add to your collection.
Many new numismatists overpay for coins that are below their assigned grades, and only find out after trying to resell them. Avoid overpaying or underselling the coin in your collection with the help of an appraiser.
Identifying Rare from Common Coins
One of the less obvious mistakes of coin collectors is that they purchase unpopular or common coins that they plan on reselling.
There are coins that are too common or unpopular to have much value outside of your collection. A professional appraiser helps you determine which coins will have value, once you try to sell them to other numismatists. Their experience will help you identify which coins have value from the ones that do not have any. Appraisers can also identify which are rare form common coins that are worth an investment.
Facilitate Trades
Appraisers help you facilitate an exchange with a fellow hobbyist. It helps make the trade as even as possible, especially if it involves complete collections of rare coins or bullion. Some of these trades may cost five, six or seven figure coins, which makes a professional important and beneficial for all the parties involved.
Selling Your Collection
There are certain coins that will sell for a good profit at auctions, while others will not do as well. An appraiser will help you determine and suggest which coins you should sell at an auction and which ones to keep. They also re-analyze coins that you can resubmit for grading. There are rare coins that might increase in value after you resubmit them for grading.
These are some of the advantages of hiring an appraiser for your coin collection. A professional’s eye is different from a collector as they provide you with a detached and unbiased view of your collection.
Determining Coin Value
The untrained eye will not be able to determine if a coin is worth its hefty or cheap price tag. Professional appraisers have the training and experience that developed their keen eye for details. They will help you determine the value of the rare coin you want to add to your collection.
Many new numismatists overpay for coins that are below their assigned grades, and only find out after trying to resell them. Avoid overpaying or underselling the coin in your collection with the help of an appraiser.
Identifying Rare from Common Coins
One of the less obvious mistakes of coin collectors is that they purchase unpopular or common coins that they plan on reselling.
There are coins that are too common or unpopular to have much value outside of your collection. A professional appraiser helps you determine which coins will have value, once you try to sell them to other numismatists. Their experience will help you identify which coins have value from the ones that do not have any. Appraisers can also identify which are rare form common coins that are worth an investment.
Facilitate Trades
Appraisers help you facilitate an exchange with a fellow hobbyist. It helps make the trade as even as possible, especially if it involves complete collections of rare coins or bullion. Some of these trades may cost five, six or seven figure coins, which makes a professional important and beneficial for all the parties involved.
Selling Your Collection
There are certain coins that will sell for a good profit at auctions, while others will not do as well. An appraiser will help you determine and suggest which coins you should sell at an auction and which ones to keep. They also re-analyze coins that you can resubmit for grading. There are rare coins that might increase in value after you resubmit them for grading.
These are some of the advantages of hiring an appraiser for your coin collection. A professional’s eye is different from a collector as they provide you with a detached and unbiased view of your collection.
Increasing the Value of Your Rare Coins
Are you planning on selling your collection or purchasing coins for the purpose of reselling them? It is important to know the value of the coins you purchase and the techniques for proper preservation. Doing so helps you get the ideal price for your collection when you decide to sell them.
Increasing the value of your rare coins also gets you a decent profit once you sell them.
How do you increase the value of your collection?
Avoid Cleaning Rare Coins
A rare coin has higher value when you leave it as it is. When you clean it using an abrasive or cleaning detergent, you remove its natural color, reducing its coin value. A rare coin gets hairlines or scratches and will lose its natural luster when you clean it thoroughly. Cleaning it will cost you more than half its uncleaned original value.
Cleaning a coin and selling it to a collector will not get you the value you want. A keen eye will quickly and easily detect the difference between a cleaned and an uncleaned coin.
Cleaned pennies have an unnatural, orange hue and will have blotches or streaks of color. Silver coins have an unusual and uniform grey color when cleaned. Generally, cleaned coins have a uniform reflectivity that they would normally not have.
Store the Coins Properly
Rare coins retain or increase in value when you store them properly. Scratched, marred and blotched coins lower their value that is why it is important to keep them in a holder.
Holders protect your coins from the elements and from falling. There are different kinds of holders such as 2x2 cardboards, plastic and Mylar holders just to name a few. These holders have their pros and cons, and varying price ranges. Look for one that is within your budget and can store your growing collection.
For advanced collectors there are AirTite, binders, tubes and albums. These storage supplies are pricier, but will preserve a larger collection better. AirTite holders are similar to 2x2 plastic holders but are round instead of square.
Get an Appraiser for Your Collection
There are certain coins that do well in auctions while others do not. With the help of an appraiser, you can find the right buyer and auction to get the most of your collection.
They also help you inspect and authenticate rare coins in your collection. You do not want to find yourself in a situation where you try to sell a counterfeit or severely damaged coin to another collector.
These are some of the ways to increase the coin value of your rare collectibles. Collecting coins can be a profitable hobby, only if you know how to store, authenticate and find the right market.
Increasing the value of your rare coins also gets you a decent profit once you sell them.
How do you increase the value of your collection?
Avoid Cleaning Rare Coins
A rare coin has higher value when you leave it as it is. When you clean it using an abrasive or cleaning detergent, you remove its natural color, reducing its coin value. A rare coin gets hairlines or scratches and will lose its natural luster when you clean it thoroughly. Cleaning it will cost you more than half its uncleaned original value.
Cleaning a coin and selling it to a collector will not get you the value you want. A keen eye will quickly and easily detect the difference between a cleaned and an uncleaned coin.
Cleaned pennies have an unnatural, orange hue and will have blotches or streaks of color. Silver coins have an unusual and uniform grey color when cleaned. Generally, cleaned coins have a uniform reflectivity that they would normally not have.
Store the Coins Properly
Rare coins retain or increase in value when you store them properly. Scratched, marred and blotched coins lower their value that is why it is important to keep them in a holder.
Holders protect your coins from the elements and from falling. There are different kinds of holders such as 2x2 cardboards, plastic and Mylar holders just to name a few. These holders have their pros and cons, and varying price ranges. Look for one that is within your budget and can store your growing collection.
For advanced collectors there are AirTite, binders, tubes and albums. These storage supplies are pricier, but will preserve a larger collection better. AirTite holders are similar to 2x2 plastic holders but are round instead of square.
Get an Appraiser for Your Collection
There are certain coins that do well in auctions while others do not. With the help of an appraiser, you can find the right buyer and auction to get the most of your collection.
They also help you inspect and authenticate rare coins in your collection. You do not want to find yourself in a situation where you try to sell a counterfeit or severely damaged coin to another collector.
These are some of the ways to increase the coin value of your rare collectibles. Collecting coins can be a profitable hobby, only if you know how to store, authenticate and find the right market.
Numismatic Books to Get You Started
Coin collecting is a fun hobby, but it can be daunting as the field is vast and plenty of counterfeits that can fool the untrained eye. Getting started is no easy task, but there are books to help you get information about different coins you want to add to your collection.
100 Greatest United States Coins by Jeff Garrett and Ron Guth
This is a popular book for advanced and beginners alike. There are coins that have high values because of the story behind them. This book tells those stories and provides you with the insight and information as to why they are valuable. Most of the coins found in the book are too pricey for a typical collector, but the stories are interesting enough to get a copy for your reference and fun reading.
The Whitman Guide to Coin Collecting by Kenneth Bressett
This book provides you with an updated and all-inclusive guide explaining everything beginners need to know about collecting coins. It also reveals information about how to get started with collecting, varieties of coins, mint marks and factors that determine a coin’s value. It also provides you with information on how to care for your coins, grading where to find rare coins, and hot you can identify authentic, altered and counterfeit coins.
Numismatic Forgery by Charles M. Larson
This book is a fully illustrated and annotated reference for principles and techniques used in the production of rare and valuable coins. Charles M. Larson creates an enticing story through the eyes of a coin forger and provides information on how to identify a counterfeit coin. It also illustrates the methods and tools used to produce a forged coin. The techniques described are legal, but using them in practice is a violation of the law.
World’s Greatest Mint Errors by Mike Byers
This book provides a comprehensive visual illustration of the most intriguing mint errors in the United States and other parts of the world. It includes more than 30 different errors and comes with hundreds of pictures. More than 300 coins are in the book and each coin comes with detailed information. You also get to read coin valuation and pricing guide summaries at the end of each chapter.
These are only some of the numismatic books you can add to your must-have reading list as you start your new hobby. These books provide you with information and interesting stories about the coins you want to add to your collection.
Find out more about collecting coins and paper money from these books and from articles and other resources published by trusted websites such as Colonial Acres.
100 Greatest United States Coins by Jeff Garrett and Ron Guth
This is a popular book for advanced and beginners alike. There are coins that have high values because of the story behind them. This book tells those stories and provides you with the insight and information as to why they are valuable. Most of the coins found in the book are too pricey for a typical collector, but the stories are interesting enough to get a copy for your reference and fun reading.
The Whitman Guide to Coin Collecting by Kenneth Bressett
This book provides you with an updated and all-inclusive guide explaining everything beginners need to know about collecting coins. It also reveals information about how to get started with collecting, varieties of coins, mint marks and factors that determine a coin’s value. It also provides you with information on how to care for your coins, grading where to find rare coins, and hot you can identify authentic, altered and counterfeit coins.
Numismatic Forgery by Charles M. Larson
This book is a fully illustrated and annotated reference for principles and techniques used in the production of rare and valuable coins. Charles M. Larson creates an enticing story through the eyes of a coin forger and provides information on how to identify a counterfeit coin. It also illustrates the methods and tools used to produce a forged coin. The techniques described are legal, but using them in practice is a violation of the law.
World’s Greatest Mint Errors by Mike Byers
This book provides a comprehensive visual illustration of the most intriguing mint errors in the United States and other parts of the world. It includes more than 30 different errors and comes with hundreds of pictures. More than 300 coins are in the book and each coin comes with detailed information. You also get to read coin valuation and pricing guide summaries at the end of each chapter.
These are only some of the numismatic books you can add to your must-have reading list as you start your new hobby. These books provide you with information and interesting stories about the coins you want to add to your collection.
Find out more about collecting coins and paper money from these books and from articles and other resources published by trusted websites such as Colonial Acres.
Coin Profile: 1921 Canadian 50-Cent Piece
Coins have been produced in the past and present for public circulation and to address the economic demands of a country. There are different denominations made to ensure trade and everyday transactions become easy. However, there are times when certain denominations are minted at a low quantity because of the rare need of these coins. One of the examples is the Canadian 50-Cent Piece.
How does one identify this coin?
The Canadian 50-Cent Coin features the Canadian Coat of Arms to commemorate the founding nations of Canada: England, Ireland, Scotland and France. There are inscriptions on the coin, one of which is "A Mari usque ad Mare" meaning "from sea to sea" and the other "Desiderantes meliorem patriam" translating to the texts, "They desire a better country". The design used today is the same design used since 1959, and it was designed by Thomas Shingles. Shingles was a former Royal Canadian Mint engraver.
There were several reverse side designs used for the 50-cent piece since 1858. The crossed maple boughs were the featured design in the 1858 to 1936 50-cent coins. In 1937, the Coat of Arms were in the reverse side design, and it was used until 1958. This Coat of Arms was in simplified form, and was used in an attempt to modernize the circulation coins of Canada. In 1959 to the present year, the modified Coat of Arms was used as the main feature of the reverse side design. It is also worth noting that in the year 1967, the coin was redesigned to commemorate the centennial of the Canadian confederation, but in 1968, it returned to the Coat of Arms design.
Because of low production, these coins easily became rare and were valued at a higher amount than what they were made for. One of the variety of the 50-cent coins that have gone extremely rare are those dated in 1921. This is because there was a move done to melt the stock of 1920 and 1921 coins. This event resulted to the scarcity of the 1921 50-cent coins, and only 75 of them are believed to be kept from the melting. In 2010, a Heritage Auction sold one of these coins for $227,546. This value only proves how rare these coins have become.
Rare coins are like needles in a haystack. This is why coin collectors scour these coins, because not only are they hard to find, their values are overwhelmingly high. Getting a hold of one of the few is a coin collector's achievement.
If you are looking for these coins, check out our collection at Colonial Acres. We have a variety of 50-cent coins ranging from 1870 up to the present. These coins will be a great addition to any collection, so check these little treasures.
How does one identify this coin?
The Canadian 50-Cent Coin features the Canadian Coat of Arms to commemorate the founding nations of Canada: England, Ireland, Scotland and France. There are inscriptions on the coin, one of which is "A Mari usque ad Mare" meaning "from sea to sea" and the other "Desiderantes meliorem patriam" translating to the texts, "They desire a better country". The design used today is the same design used since 1959, and it was designed by Thomas Shingles. Shingles was a former Royal Canadian Mint engraver.
There were several reverse side designs used for the 50-cent piece since 1858. The crossed maple boughs were the featured design in the 1858 to 1936 50-cent coins. In 1937, the Coat of Arms were in the reverse side design, and it was used until 1958. This Coat of Arms was in simplified form, and was used in an attempt to modernize the circulation coins of Canada. In 1959 to the present year, the modified Coat of Arms was used as the main feature of the reverse side design. It is also worth noting that in the year 1967, the coin was redesigned to commemorate the centennial of the Canadian confederation, but in 1968, it returned to the Coat of Arms design.
Because of low production, these coins easily became rare and were valued at a higher amount than what they were made for. One of the variety of the 50-cent coins that have gone extremely rare are those dated in 1921. This is because there was a move done to melt the stock of 1920 and 1921 coins. This event resulted to the scarcity of the 1921 50-cent coins, and only 75 of them are believed to be kept from the melting. In 2010, a Heritage Auction sold one of these coins for $227,546. This value only proves how rare these coins have become.
Rare coins are like needles in a haystack. This is why coin collectors scour these coins, because not only are they hard to find, their values are overwhelmingly high. Getting a hold of one of the few is a coin collector's achievement.
If you are looking for these coins, check out our collection at Colonial Acres. We have a variety of 50-cent coins ranging from 1870 up to the present. These coins will be a great addition to any collection, so check these little treasures.
Coin Profiles: 1911 Canadian Silver Dollar
Coins were made for circulation and at the same time, commemoration. Mints usually change coin dies every time a successor ascends the throne. From then, the coins will be redesigned to feature the new ruler’s profile and to fit the year of mintage.
The Royal Canadian Mint released the first Canadian Silver Dollar in 1935 to commemorate the Silver Jubilee of King George V. The design portrays a voyageur and a native paddling a canoe. The Northern Lights were also featured via faint lines in the background. This dollar was the first official Canadian Silver Dollar, until Mint Reports stated that a 1911 Canadian Silver Dollar existed.
1911 Canadian Dollar was not struck, but there were 3 minted to serve as examples that time. Because of this, the 1911 Canadian Dollar was considered the Holy Grail of Canadian Coins. It was also named “The Emperor of Canadian Coins” in 1960, when B.A. Seaby, a London coin dealer announced its acquisition. The second specimen of this coin was later known to be in possession of the Royal Mint Museum in London. It was on permanent loan to the Bank of Canada Museum in Ottawa.
The obverse side was designed by Sir E. Bertram Mackennal. His initials B.M. can be seen on the truncation of the bust. Unlike other coins, the other side of the coin has a different designer W.J. Blakemore. He borrowed from a design earlier made by L.C. Wyon, the British coin designer. It featured a circle maple leaves around the coin edges, and a crown at the top. The maple leaves were bounded by a ribbon at the other end, opposite the crown. The coin’s reverse side featured the inscription ONE DOLLAR CANADA and the year 1911 below it. The 1911 coin side designed by Mackennal was later used in the 1936 Canadian Dollar.
It is one of the greatest rarities in world coinage history, rivaling the American 1804 Silver Dollars and 1913 Liberty Nickel. The 1911 coin was in auction in 2003, and it fetched a value nearly a million dollars’ worth. The coin was listed in The Guinness Book of World Records during 1960s and 1970s for being the world’s rarest coin.
This coin is an inspiration to coin collectors everywhere. Which is why, if you are into collecting, make sure you get the best deal anywhere you go. Colonial Acres has accompanied many coin collectors in their journey for more than a decade of service. If it’s good quality coins you seek, Colonial Acres Coins is the shop you’re looking for.
The Royal Canadian Mint released the first Canadian Silver Dollar in 1935 to commemorate the Silver Jubilee of King George V. The design portrays a voyageur and a native paddling a canoe. The Northern Lights were also featured via faint lines in the background. This dollar was the first official Canadian Silver Dollar, until Mint Reports stated that a 1911 Canadian Silver Dollar existed.
1911 Canadian Dollar was not struck, but there were 3 minted to serve as examples that time. Because of this, the 1911 Canadian Dollar was considered the Holy Grail of Canadian Coins. It was also named “The Emperor of Canadian Coins” in 1960, when B.A. Seaby, a London coin dealer announced its acquisition. The second specimen of this coin was later known to be in possession of the Royal Mint Museum in London. It was on permanent loan to the Bank of Canada Museum in Ottawa.
The obverse side was designed by Sir E. Bertram Mackennal. His initials B.M. can be seen on the truncation of the bust. Unlike other coins, the other side of the coin has a different designer W.J. Blakemore. He borrowed from a design earlier made by L.C. Wyon, the British coin designer. It featured a circle maple leaves around the coin edges, and a crown at the top. The maple leaves were bounded by a ribbon at the other end, opposite the crown. The coin’s reverse side featured the inscription ONE DOLLAR CANADA and the year 1911 below it. The 1911 coin side designed by Mackennal was later used in the 1936 Canadian Dollar.
It is one of the greatest rarities in world coinage history, rivaling the American 1804 Silver Dollars and 1913 Liberty Nickel. The 1911 coin was in auction in 2003, and it fetched a value nearly a million dollars’ worth. The coin was listed in The Guinness Book of World Records during 1960s and 1970s for being the world’s rarest coin.
This coin is an inspiration to coin collectors everywhere. Which is why, if you are into collecting, make sure you get the best deal anywhere you go. Colonial Acres has accompanied many coin collectors in their journey for more than a decade of service. If it’s good quality coins you seek, Colonial Acres Coins is the shop you’re looking for.
Coin Profiles: 1936 Canadian “Dot” Penny
In every collecting hobby or profession, one thing holds true: the rarer an item is, the more valuable it becomes. Serious collectors always look for rare collectibles, because scarce items, especially when they are intricately designed or hold a historical value, require serious work and effort to find. Rare items also skyrocket in value once the number reduces to less than a handful. This is also true in coin collecting. Rare coins are hard to find of course, especially since there are fakes circulating around.
If you are a coin collector and are eager to find rare and legit coins, you must be equipped with proper knowledge of the coins you are searching for. This way you can avoid fake coins and rip off deals. If you are in the lookout for rare coins, then the 1936 Canadian “Dot Penny” is one that should be on your list. It’s extremely rare, that only 3 are believed to exist by 2010. The value of this coin has multiplied by 25 million times its face value, and has been in auction for about $400,000 in 2010 in a coin auction.
Only three of these pennies are known to exist. The Dot Penny has a dot below the date to indicate that it was actually made in the year 1937, instead of the minting date 1936 inscription on the coin. This dot was related to King Edward VIII’s abdication in the same year he ascended the throne. Because of his sudden abdication, the Royal Canadian Mint encountered problems regarding coin dies with the new king’s effigy, and thus resorted to produce a small number of coins with a tiny dot below the date to denote that this batch of coins were struck in 1937.
There were only 3 denominations struck with the dot. There were 25-cent, 10-cent and 1-cent pieces, but the rarest is the 1-cent coin. There were only 3 examples known to exist, and because of this, the value of the coin went higher over time. The legendary coin collector, John Jay Pittman, collected the three coins in 1954. After his death in 1996, the coins were auctioned off.
It is hard to distinguish the rare coins because there are only 3 to compare with. Coins shops are always available to help collectors appraise and verify their coins. The 1936 Dot Penny has a very tiny dot below the 1936 inscription, somewhere between the numbers 9 and 3. The dot is almost in line with the start of the number 3 and is found halfway between the date and the coin edge.
Coin shops are open for appraising coins and educating collectors with the characteristics of the coins they seek. Colonial Acres Coins provide free appraisals that can help you determine the value of your coins, whether they be rare collectibles or not.
If you are a coin collector and are eager to find rare and legit coins, you must be equipped with proper knowledge of the coins you are searching for. This way you can avoid fake coins and rip off deals. If you are in the lookout for rare coins, then the 1936 Canadian “Dot Penny” is one that should be on your list. It’s extremely rare, that only 3 are believed to exist by 2010. The value of this coin has multiplied by 25 million times its face value, and has been in auction for about $400,000 in 2010 in a coin auction.
Only three of these pennies are known to exist. The Dot Penny has a dot below the date to indicate that it was actually made in the year 1937, instead of the minting date 1936 inscription on the coin. This dot was related to King Edward VIII’s abdication in the same year he ascended the throne. Because of his sudden abdication, the Royal Canadian Mint encountered problems regarding coin dies with the new king’s effigy, and thus resorted to produce a small number of coins with a tiny dot below the date to denote that this batch of coins were struck in 1937.
There were only 3 denominations struck with the dot. There were 25-cent, 10-cent and 1-cent pieces, but the rarest is the 1-cent coin. There were only 3 examples known to exist, and because of this, the value of the coin went higher over time. The legendary coin collector, John Jay Pittman, collected the three coins in 1954. After his death in 1996, the coins were auctioned off.
It is hard to distinguish the rare coins because there are only 3 to compare with. Coins shops are always available to help collectors appraise and verify their coins. The 1936 Dot Penny has a very tiny dot below the 1936 inscription, somewhere between the numbers 9 and 3. The dot is almost in line with the start of the number 3 and is found halfway between the date and the coin edge.
Coin shops are open for appraising coins and educating collectors with the characteristics of the coins they seek. Colonial Acres Coins provide free appraisals that can help you determine the value of your coins, whether they be rare collectibles or not.
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