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How Collectors Can Safely Store Historic Coins

Coin collection has a rich and profound history, and for collectors to preserve the history there is a need to safely store the coins. When coins are properly stored, their value increases and they will yield more money when your heirs decide to sell them.

The chief material in coins is metal, and apart from gold, many of them negatively react with different environmental conditions like humidity and temperature. Some common metals in coins are silver and copper, which are chemically reactive. There is, therefore, the need to come up with a solid defense mechanism to secure your collection.

Storage Solutions for Historic Coins

The following are methods that will help to store your coin collection safely.

1. Get a Safe Box

Bank safe boxes are among the safest storage for coin collections. However, they are quite expensive. They are fire-proof and constructed in such a way that criminals can hardly break them.

Also, the materials used in constructing the boxes allow water vapor to escape. This helps to lower the temperature inside the boxes if there is a fire outbreak. Since a safe box emits vapor, your collection will stay in a humid environment. You can place silica in the box to absorb the vapor.

Furthermore, you can decide to construct or purchase a safe for your office or home. The advantage is that it is less expensive to purchase and there are no reoccurring yearly fees like that of the bank. However, the construction material will be different. Ensure you also place a pack of silica gel inside it to absorb water vapor and remember to change the pack every year to keep the safe fresh.

Additionally, you need to install an alarm system to protect your collection, as well as you and your family from threats. Examples of these threats are drastic changes in temperature, flood, fire, and intruders. You can read this article to find out other things that can damage your coin.

2. Choose a Suitable Holder

Safely Store Historic Coins Numismatist with his collection of coins

You cannot just store your coin in a jar or box or toss it into your dresser because it will suffer significant damage. You need to make sure that there is appropriate housing for it, such as a folder, album, or holder. This housing does not only protect your collection but also organizes it.

Folders and albums provide spaces for coin placement. Also, you can label them with mint marks, dates, and other information that will assist with cataloging the collection.

3. Bookshelf or Metal Cabinet

As wooden cabinets and bookshelves age, they emit toxic chemicals from the wood, coatings, and adhesives. These are harmful to your collection, hence the need for a metal bookshelf or cabinet. Although it is not very secure like the bank vault, you can lock it up without worrying about your collection.

Before using this method, you should know that metals attract moisture. Hence, you may have issues with condensation and your coins will get damaged if they are exposed to water vapor. To tackle this problem, choose the location of your cabinet wisely.

Location is Everything!

An adage in real estate says, “location is everything.” How you choose to store your coin is as vital as where you store it. Before you choose a location, follow this rule: if you can comfortably stay in the environment, then your coins can stay there.

Try to avoid extremes like the attic where it is too harsh and hot or the basement where it is humid and cold. An ideal location will be the bedroom or the den. Ensure that the room you choose is far from your kitchen to prevent moisture and cooking oils from permeating the album, folder, or coin holder.

Additionally, if you reside close to the sea or ocean, you must take precautions to prevent salt and moisture from damaging your collection. Coins made from copper are very susceptible to damage from salt and mist. You can check out https://nerdable.com/beginners-guide-to-building-a-coin-collection/ to get tips for collecting coins.

Conclusion

Unfortunately, no solution will provide complete protection for your coin collection. However, you can select a suitable environment to protect it against potential damage that it may face while in storage. Storing, preserving, and protecting your collection ensures that your next generations enjoy the benefits of possessing historic coins.

 

One thought on “How Collectors Can Safely Store Historic Coins

  • I like how you mentioned that it is a good idea to use a safe box when storing historic coins. You would want a safe box if you were storing gold coins as well. Gold coins seem like they can be pretty valuable, so you wouldn’t want them to get stolen.

    Reply

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