Coin collecting is a very exclusive hobby, requiring a good background and knowledge in coins and their history. Its proper name is actually numismatics, the study and collection not only of coins but also of tokens, medals and even paper money. These forms of legal tender are some of the most sought-after items for a variety of reasons. Many of these coins, especially the old ones, have historical significance. They are also highly prized for their artistic value and still others, such as commemorative releases, are sought after because of the sentimentality attached to them.
If coin collecting is a serious hobby for you, there are several tools and equipment you should obtain in order to make your collecting much more efficient and organized. Here is a list of the tools, equipment and accessories you will need for the proper identification, labeling and storage of your precious coin collection:
A good optical magnifier
A good set of optical magnifiers such as a handheld magnifying lens and a coin collecting microscope can help collectors examine coins more effectively. Much of the value of coin collecting either as a hobby or a business is the ability of the collector to examine a coin, inspect its authenticity, determine its physical characteristics and set its value. More often than not, a well-preserved coin is a much more valued piece of history than a coin that has been badly damaged.
A coin collecting microscope is also an excellent tool to help determine whether a coin is authentic or not. Since a collector will be able to view the coin very closely, certain physical characteristics will be easier to determine. A coin collecting microscope is also helpful in cleaning a worn, dirty coin, something that might be difficult to do using only the naked eye.
A pair of coin tongs
A pair of plastic-tipped tongs will be a very valuable tool for handling coins, especially those that have been badly damaged, worn or those that have already been cleaned and polished. This tool will help prevent contaminating the coin with dirt, grime, sweat or body oils. Although tongs are often reserved for high value coins or those that are being sold to other collectors, a pair will be a good tool to have for any collector. Coin tongs come in pure plastic or metal bodies but the tips are often made of plastic. The plastic material will help prevent scratching the surface of the coin to help it keep its pristine condition.
Coin scales
These are used for weighing coins. Coin scales are a helpful tool in coin collecting because they also help determine the metal content of the coin. Although a small but reliable scale should suffice, there are also handy digital scales that offer a much more convenient way to determine a coin’s weight. These are battery powered scales, equipped with an LCD display window and can weigh coins from 0.01 gram to 50 grams. Accuracy is usually at 0.1 gram.
Coin caliper
The coin caliper is an essential addition to a coin collection list of tools and equipment. A coin caliper measures the size of the coin, such as its inside and outside diameter and its thickness. Choose a scale range with 1mm increments of 1/16″ increments, depending on the type of collection you have. Some calipers, however, offer a much more flexible way to measure coins by offering dual increments in one instrument. For a much more convenient way to measure coins, a digital coin caliper may also be used.
Coin holder
Coin holders come in a variety of sizes, shapes and quantity. They are an excellent way to contain coins either for display or for storage. Coin displays feature fabric-lined (usually velvet) bases which are helpful for preventing coin slippage. They also have clear plastic or glass covers to protect the collection.
Computer software
A computer software can function as a digital database of a coin collection. Simply enter information about a coin and the software will store this along with other supplied data regarding the particular piece, such as its image, date of acquisition, source, value, etc. There are also computer programs that have built-in databases that are comprehensive enough to cover thousands of coins that are listed as collectibles. Current coin values in the market and the type of demand for a particular coin are also included. The advantage of this type of software is that a collector simply has to enter basic data about the coin (denomination, country, year) and a more detailed data will be provided from the database. As digital storage for coin collecting, computer software offers a much more efficient means to keep records of the materials in a particular collection.
