Caring for your Coin Collection

Caring for your coin collection begins with obtaining the proper supplies. Coin collecting enthusiasts have come up with scores of inventions to help you organize, care for, and display your coins. After all, you can’t care for a coin that you lost or ruin beyond repair. Here are some of the basic numismatic supplies:

 

·        Coin Sorters/Coin Counters: Drop your loose change into the funnel, and watch as these machines quickly separate and stack your coins according to their types. Sorters and counters are primarily used with circulating coins, but if you have a large collection of inexpensive coins, they can help you quickly sort and count.

·        Coin Tubes/Coin Wrappers: Banks use tubes and wrappers to package rolls of coins, but you can also buy them for personal use. You will not use tubes or wrappers for your rare coins, but if you simply want to store certain sets of coins (and not display them), you might want these items.

·        Coin Folders: Coin folders, which are usually made of cardboard, have slots into which you set your coins. You can purchase set-specific folders or general folders. Set-specific folders have labeled slots for each coin in a set; thus, it is easy to track your progress. An alternative is a coin album, which has sheets made of plastic so that you can see both sides of the coin without removing the coin.

·        Coin Holders: Coin holders allow you to protect and display your most valuable coins. Basic 2x2s are simply cardboard squares with a plastic cover, but there are also snapping, air-tight holders that neutralize tarnishing effects of coins and display both sides of the coin at once.

 

However you store your coins, be very careful in cleaning them. Never polish or rub coins, and obtain specific instruction before attempting to clean proof and uncirculated coins. You can remove the dirt on circulated coins by hand or using just a touch of lighter fluid, but even then, you should be very careful. When you have finished cleaning a coin, air dry it and then re-store it.