|
1. Rare Coin Values
|
| On the one hand, coin values for generic, common date and grade pieces are often quite easy to determine by reference to a price guide. On the other hand, rare coin values for special coins (e.g., due to rarity, condition, eye appeal, etc.) can be much more difficult to determine for both collecto ...[+] rs and dealers. The process of determining coin values in these circumstances is equal parts art and science. It requires a trained eye and a painstaking attention to detail. Even after an experienced collector has studied every nuance of a given coin, they must then extrapolate a value from the corresponding coin price guides to make certain that their assessment is in line with accepted coin prices for similar quality coins.
At WizardCoinSupply.com, we take coin pricing very seriously. We want to help our customers protect and grow their coin collection value. If you have any doubts about U.S. coin values or the value of any coins in your collection, please contact us today. A member of our staff will be happy to work with you to help you determine the value of your coins.
US Coin Values
Perhaps the best place to start your search for U.S. coin values is in the Red Book, the industry standard publication for determining the value of coins minted in the United States. The Red Book is updated every year and has detailed information and pictures of all U.S. coins. The Red Book will help determine mintage figures and relative rarity, lists the more highly sought after varieties and helps determine typical retail prices in several listed grades.
US Coin Pricing
The most popular price guide for U.S. coin pricing is the Red Book from Whitman Books. Published every year since 1946, it is the coin book of choice for most experienced collectors. The wealth of information available in the Red Book makes it a must for every coin collector.
Coin Collection Value
While coin collecting is primarily a hobby, we realize that many collections appreciate in value over time. This can make an already fun hobby even more enjoyable. If you are unsure of the value of your coin collection, or of specific coins within your collection, WizardCoinSupply.com can help you. Contact us today and a member of our staff will be happy to answer any questions you might have. [-] |
|
2. 7 Biggest Mistakes Coin Collectors Make
|
|
Not acquiring the proper coin education. There’s a maxim about buying the coin book before the coin, yet most beginning collectors buy without the full information necessary to make an informed purchase. As a result, they later find themselves unhappy with the grade or price of their ...[+] coin – and sometimes even the coin itself.
Not adequately protecting their coins and currency. Collectors tend to scrimp on coin collection supplies to save more money for coins. Either they don’t buy coin protecting supplies in the first place or try to save a few cents by going with non-archival holders. As a result, coins get damaged and end up costing far more than proper protection.
Not understanding the components in their supplies. Collectors need to understand which supply items are archival and which ones are not. They need to know when archival quality holders are essential and when it is okay to substitute a lesser quality holder. Perhaps most importantly, collectors need to know how to recognize PVC products and avoid them.
Lacking focus and direction Plan your approach to collecting and pursue your strategy. It is okay to tweak your plan as you learn and grow numismatically. However, ad hoc acquisitions often lead to dissatisfaction with pieces that don’t fit with the rest of the collection. They also reduce funds available for the pursuit of more important goals.
Focusing only on the acquisition/chase. Take time to enjoy your new purchases. This helps maximize pleasure, even when working with a limited budget. Create displays for collectibles so you can show them to friends and relatives and discuss them. Delve into the history surrounding your coins and the current events at the time. Learn how the designs were selected and how they were perceived by contemporary collectors. Use portions of your collection and acquired knowledge to produce a display/exhibit at a club meeting or local show.
Not sharing the hobby with a loved one. Get a youngster involved with a folder, book, coin album or a few “extras” from your collection. This provides good family quality time and sometimes teaching someone else about coins is the best way to expand your own knowledge.
Not planning for the growth of their collection. Supplies and storage systems need to be expandable as collections grow. Otherwise, investment is wasted when a new system is acquired. Collectors like everything the same (matching albums, coin folders, or boxes). Keeping future plans in mind helps assure today’s storage items match those bought in the future.
[-] |
|
3. Selecting a Coin Album
|
| There are five major brands of coin albums that feature a large selection of titles. These album lines are Intercept Shield, Dansco, Whitman, US Mint and Littleton. While similar in many respects, each brand has some unique qualities that can impact a collector’s decision on which to select. In ...[+] addition, there are numerous other brands with a more limited selection of titles (often limited to popular series like the State Quarters and Presidential Dollars). We provide a comparison of the major brands and more popular of the secondary brands below.
Intercept Shield
Our favorite line of albums is the Intercept Shield series. Thirty titles covering most of the major series from the late 1800s to date are currently available in this gradually expanding series. In addition, Intercept manufacturers a Type album that, in our opinion, is a better layout and mix of coins than that of any other manufacturer. As strong preservation proponents we are sold on the protective qualities of the Intercept Shield line. Intercept Shield albums go beyond just being constructed from archival quality materials. Each album is lined with Corrosion Intercept which traps and neutralizes corrosive gases before they reach the coins inside. The albums are sold with a matching slipcase that is also lined with Intercept Shield providing a second layer of protection. State Quarter and Presidential Dollar albums are available in multiple formats (Date Set, P&D, and P, D and S-proof). However, the other modern series are available in only in the with proofs format. We’d like to see Intercept continue to grow the number of titles available and offer a range of blank albums and pages so collectors could build their own custom albums so any collection could be protected in matching albums.
Dansco
Dansco albums are by far the most widely used albums in the hobby. Part of this is the amount of time they’ve been manufactured. More important though is the wide variety of titles that are offered and the versatility offered through the selection of blank pages and binders. With 83 titles for US coins, virtually any series can be housed in a Dansco album. For modern coin series, Dansco offers albums both with and without the proof only issues. In addition, there are 23 Dansco world coin album titles and fourteen more albums for currency, sports cards, silver bars and rounds, gaming tokens and other collectibles. Unlike Intercept Albums, Dansco albums are not sold with a slip case, however, Dansco does manufacture six sizes of archival slip cases. Six sizes of blank binders are also available that hold up to 8 pages in the largest size. Dansco is aggressive about making update pages available for developing series and also sells a series of 27 titled, but otherwise blank, extra pages and a series of 31 millimeter pages (with holes ranging in size from 16 mm to 55 mm). These pages can be mixed or matched in a blank binder to make a custom album or added to other albums for extra coins in the collection. While most manufacturers have now abandoned use of non-archival materials in their albums, only Dansco’s slip cases are advertised as being manufactured from archival materials. As a result, we frequently see coins stored in these albums developing toning around the rims.
Whitman
The Whitman Classic series of albums is made by the hobby’s supply powerhouse manufacturer and publisher, Whitman Publishing. At 43 album titles, this series exceeds that available in the Intercept Shield line but still falls short of Dansco’s breadth. The attractive deep blue albums are imprinted in gold and are made entirely of archival materials. Whitman offers a blank binder and a line of eight titled but otherwise blank pages and 31 completely blank pages with ports ranging in size from 16 mm to 55 mm. As a result, almost any collection can be housed in a custom combination of pages. Slipcases are not available for the series. While Whitman updates the new albums it sells with pages for the latest issues, update pages are not sold separately for collectors who have older version of the albums (note: Whitman does offer separate Territory quarter update pages for the State Quarter albums). This effectively builds obsolescence into albums for current series.
US Mint
The US Mint brand of albums is also made by Whitman under license from the US Mint. The albums are similar in make although a different color. Fewer selections (38 titles) are available than for the Whitman Classic line and no slipcases, blank binders, or blank pages are available to customize the series to a particular collector’s needs. Still the line is broad enough to cover all the more popular series and would be sufficient for most collections. Whitman has not updated the US Mint albums to include a Presidential Dollar album which is the glaring omission for the series.
Littleton
The Littleton coin album series consists of 50 titles leaving it well short of the Dansco breadth but larger than the other major album lines. Slipcases and corrosion protection inserts are not sold with the albums but are available separately for collectors who want them. Titled but otherwise blank pages are available in eight of sizes and Littleton also offers Territory update pages for the state quarter albums. The most striking difference of the Littleton line is how the pages are held in the albums. Littleton utilizes a three ring system which effectively makes the pages “loose leaf” style in contrast to the other brands covered above which are held in place by pins and look more like a traditionally bound book. This allows the albums and pages to lay flat and makes it easier to study or enjoy the coins in the album. On the other hand, it makes the Littleton albums much thicker on the spin than the other brands of albums. This takes up more space on the book shelf or in the safe and gives the album a wedge shape that can be frustrating when trying to line them up on a shelf. We highly recommend the slip cases to help keep the albums in order on the shelf. In addition to the traditional albums, Littleton also offers a matching line of collection portfolios that hold US and world banknotes, certified coins and coins in the popular 2x2 cardboard holders.
Now that we have covered the pros and cons of the major album lines, we turn our attention to the secondary brands. While typically not for collectors that pursue multiple series and have a strong desire to house their collection in a series of matching albums, these albums still have their own appeal for many collectors.
HE Harris
HE Harris is another Whitman Publishing owned brand that has a pair of state quarter albums. While similar in construction to the Whitman and US Mint lines, the Harris coin albums are labeled as “deluxe” and indeed do have a luxurious look to them. For ten years the only album in the line was a 50 State Quarter Date Set album that is very popular with collectors of this series. With the introduction of the DC and Territory Quarters in 2009, Whitman added a second title for P&D versions of the 2009 quarters.
Lighthouse
Lighthouse, a German coin and stamp supply manufacturer, entered the US album market with a State Quarter album and followed with a Presidential Dollar album when that series was introduced. These high quality albums have a rich leather look and come with a matching slipcase. Lighthouse albums provide P and D slots for both series and a Territory page update is available for the state quarter album. The pages are held in place with rings (similar to the Littleton albums described above) so that the pages lie flat to view the coins.
SuperSafe
SuperSafe coin albums differ from all of the albums above by the construction of the page and mechanism to hold coins in the albums. The other albums described above use a heavy cardboard page with holes cut in it for the coins. Clear, acetate slides fit in each side of the page to protect the coins while still leaving both sides visible. SuperSafe albums, instead, utilize clear vinyl pages with pockets that hold the coins. The pages are completely clear allowing for viewing of both sides of the coin (and even the rim). This allows for a much more compact and inexpensive album. The line includes five titles consisting of Date Set and P&D versions for both the State Quarters and Presidential Dollars as well a Sacagawea album.
Armored Brand USA 360
Armored brand albums also differ even more from the broad album lines in the design of their pages. These molded pages have raised ports that hold the coins above the page so one can easily view the rim (making them ideal for rim lettered series). The completely clear pages have a front and back portion that snap together covering the coin from both sides while leaving both sides and the rim clearly visible. Armored Brand albums also differ from the other brands in the design of the outer holder. Rather than a traditional binder, the pages fit inside a plastic case that resembles the type of case used to hold VHS tapes. The series includes albums for the Presidential Dollars (date set, PD and PDS), Anthony Dollars, Sacagawea Dollars (PD and PDS), small dollars, $10 gold, ½ ounce gold eagles, ½ ounce platinum eagles, and gold presidential spouse coins (uncirculated and proof).
[-] |
|
4. Wholesale Coin Supplies
|
| Wholesale Coin Supplies
Wizard Coin Supply: Your Wholesale Coin Supply Specialist
WizardCoinSupply.com is an emerging leader in wholesale coin supplies for dealers and collectors. Our heavily discounted retail prices and price match guarantee mean collectors can shop WizardCoinSupply.com in co ...[+] mfort knowing you are not overpaying for your coin supplies. We also offer wholesale pricing for dealers or collectors buying numismatic supplies in volume quantities. We carry all of the leading brands in the industry, including Intercept Shield, Dansco, Saflip, Whitman and many, many others – and our dedicated staff is always happy to answer all of your questions.
As your coin collecting hobby grows into a passion, you begin to understand the need for a comprehensive approach to coin protection and organization. We take great pride in preserving and protecting our own coin collections and we want to help you do the same.
Your Source for Wholesale Numismatic Supplies
When you think of numismatic supplies, we want you to think of WizardCoinSupply.com. We have one of the largest selections of discount and wholesale coin supplies anywhere and our inventory of coin albums, coin books, coin cases and coin collection accessories speaks for itself. If you don’t see exactly what you are looking for, ask Razi our resident coin supply wizard. A member of our staff will be happy to assist you in finding your coin collection solution.
Discount Coin Collecting Supplies to Help Grow Your Collection
Every serious coin collector understands that growing and maintaining a worthwhile collection requires a financial commitment. The cost of coins and coin collection supplies can add up fast, especially as your collection grows in size and value. We know this hobby is not cheap, which is why we offer some of the deepest discounts available on coin collecting supplies and accessories. In fact, our price-matching program guarantees that you will never pay more when buying from WizardCoinSupply.com. [-] |
|
5. How to Clean Coins
|
| STOP! If you have old coins that you think might be valuable, you should probably not be cleaning them for any reason. The natural aging process and oxidation of older coins – often referred to as “toning” – can actually increase the value of your coins. Advanced collectors ...[+] prefer original pieces that have not been altered by cleaning. Yes, that dirty, crusty look is just what they find appealing! More importantly, the process of cleaning coins can damage their delicate surfaces and make your coins less valuable (or even reduce them to face value). Many cleaning solutions actually remove a layer of metal from the coin’s surfaces impacting its luster and thus its value. Even very soft items like cloth and cotton swaps can leave small scratches (called hairlines) on the surfaces of the coins they touch that will reduce their value and frequently make them “body bag” or no-grade at the grading services. Please do not attempt to clean your coins until you have an understanding of when (if ever) and how coins should be cleaned. Wizard Coin Supply offers several educational coin cleaning books that can help educate you on when and how to clean coins. If you are unsure about whether or not you should attempt to clean your coins, please contact us - We will be happy to help you.
When is Cleaning Coins a Good Idea?
Although it is generally a bad idea to clean your coins, there are instances where certain coin cleaning agents and accessories can help you remove contaminants and other impurities without affecting toning and the other natural characteristics of your coins. In these situations, the risk of damaging the coin from cleaning it is outweighed by the certainty of damage from the foreign substance. PVC (polyvinylchloride), an ingredient in many plastic products, is one such substance. PVC-containing plastics were frequently used in older coin supply products (and amazingly still used in many today). PVC leaches out of the plastic and onto the coin. Left on the surface, it will cause haze, green “goo” and ultimately irreversible damage to the coin’s surface. Depending on the nature of the contaminant, the proper cleaning solution could range from simple soap and water to a solvent to an acid. We have several coin cleaning products that will make the process of cleaning your coins very safe for you while remaining gentle on your coins. Our selection of coin cleaning books will help you identify the condition, determine whether a cleaning is appropriate and, if so, advise the proper type of solution and provide instructions for safe removal.
Cleaning Old Coins is Not Recommended
As we stated above, cleaning old coins is almost always a very bad idea. Natural toning is expected and valued in older coins and trying to clean an old coin may forever spoil its original surfaces. New collectors are sometimes unaware of these concepts, believing bright white and shiny equates to more valuable and they end up severely devaluing their collections through cleaning. In short, the best way to clean your coins is usually not to clean them at all. [-] |
|
6. Coin Collecting for Kids
|
| For kids, coin collecting can be a great way to learn about coins while sharing time with adults and other children who also enjoy the hobby. One of the best things about coin collecting for kids is that it is completely accessible to children of all ages, abilities and incomes. A great coin collec ...[+] tion for kids does not necessarily have to include high-priced coins. Coins pulled from circulation (like state quarters and presidential dollars) and coins passed down from parents and grandparents can make for the start of a great coin collection for a child.
At WizardCoinSupply.com, we have introduced our kids to the world of coin collecting and we want to help you do the same. If you have a child in your life who you think might enjoy a coin collection, we can help you get started today. We have an array of coin folders and coin books geared toward kids who are just starting to understand coins and their collection. Take a look around our site and please contact us if you have any questions. We are always happy to help our customers introduce their children to coin collecting.
Coin Collecting for Kids
Is coin collecting for kids? Absolutely! This is especially true under the guidance of a knowledgeable adult who takes the time to introduce a young numismatist to the process of identifying and organizing the coins that they see every day. As children begin to understand that coins have value beyond their face value, they will naturally want to learn more about older coins and why certain coins are worth more than others. Exploring and explaining the fundamentals of numismatics can be great fun for kids and adults alike. Even the most seasoned coin collectors often delight in explaining the simplest concepts to children who are interested in their hobby.
Kids Coin Collecting Supplies
Some of the best kids’ coin collecting supplies are those that educate and encourage kids to stick with their new hobby. Many coin folders and coin books for young numismatists come with illustrations and easy-to-read text that makes coin collecting fun and understandable. As a child’s interest in coin collecting grows, they can move on to more advanced coin collecting supplies and coin storage products. [-] |
|
7. Shipping Charges
|
| Promotional Shipping—We currently offer two Flat Rate Promotional Shipping rates:$9.95 for orders of $50.00 or more (before shipping and sales tax)$12.95 for orders of $30.00 to $49.99 (before shipping and sales tax)These rates are being offered for a limited time in addition to our Regular Shipping ...[+] Rates described below. Often these Promotional Shipping rates are below our cost to ship your order and we absorb the additional shipping cost as a thank you for placing a larger order. If your order qualifies for a Promotional Shipping rate you can either select it or one of our Regular Shipping Rates if the Regular Shipping Rates are cheaper or if you prefer a specific method of shipment. If you chose Promotional Shipping we will ship via our choice of shipper (currently either FedEx Ground, FedEx Home Delivery, SmartPost, USPS Priority Mail, USPS Media Mail or (for certain light weight but oversize items) USPS Parcel Post). Promotional shipping rates are valid only for shipments to street addresses (no PO Boxes) in the continental 48 states and Washington DC (no Alaska, Hawaii, Territories, APO or FPO addresses and no shipment to countries other than the United States). Using a PO Box as the shipping address on a Promotional Shipping rate order will delay your order while we contact you for a street address.
Regular Shipping Rates—Our non-Promotional Shipping rates are designed to recoup our cost of shipping your order. We do not profit from these rates nor do we subsidize them. Our shipping and handling charges are made up of two components – the actual cost of shipping charged by the shipping service plus an additional charge of $1.50 to $2.00 per shipment for insurance, packaging and handling. Our website connects with the United States Postal Service and Federal Express to provide real-time shipping quotes based on the weight of the items in your shopping cart, the address to which they are being delivered and the delivery method you choose. To see these shipping quotes just add items to your shopping cart, click View Cart, input your zip code in the shipping estimator and press Enter. This will show you the available shipping options and costs for each method. You can experiment with adding or deleting products to see how shipping charges are impacted.
Tracking Numbers—After your order has been processed and ready to ship, we will email you a shipping confirmation that will include tracking information. Please make sure you enter a correct email address when you place your order.
Flat Rate Boxes—The US Postal Services offers flat rate envelope and small, medium and large flat rate box services. If you choose Priority Mail as your shipping option, we will attempt to fit your order in one of these standard packages if doing so will reduce the cost of shipping. If your order fits in one of these boxes, we will refund excess shipping charges back to your credit card. You do not have to ask for this consideration -- we check it automatically on all orders with Priority Mail as the selected shipping method.
SmartPost—SmartPost is a shipping service for residential delivery that combines FedEx Ground with USPS last-mile delivery. FedEx picks up packages from our distribution center and transports them to your local Post Office. The USPS then delivers the package the last few miles to your home.
Media Mail—Media Mail is a very economical way to ship books and DVDs. Often these rates are lower than any other rate. However, a package is not eligible for Media Mail if it contains items other than books or DVDs. If your order contains only eligible items, you will be offered the Media Mail shipping option. Please note that Media Mail is slow and can take anywhere from one to three weeks. If shipping to the western half of the US, allow up to three weeks for delivery.
Parcel Post—We will occasionally use Parcel Post for shipments of light weight but oversize items. Items subject to shipment by Parcel Post are noted as such in the description. Other than for these items, we only offer Parcel Post shipping on special request. Parcel Post is virtually always more expensive than our FedEx Ground or Home Delivery rates. In addition, Parcel Post can add two to three weeks to the delivery time. As a result, we only offer Parcel Post on special request.
Limitation on Acids and Cleaners—Test acids and many of the coin cleaners we sell may only be shipped by ground transportation per shipping regulations. As a result, only ground shipping methods will be shown for orders that contain any of these restricted products. USPS shipping options are not available for these items. [-] |
