Coin Safe

Discussion in 'Coin Chat' started by Oysterk, Jul 7, 2016.

  1. tradernick

    tradernick Coin Hoarder

    This video is a testament to why you should buy a real safe, if you have valuables. No way to just tip it over like that, and even if that happened, and IF they were somehow able to get into it, the door is too heavy to just lift up like they did at the end of the video...
    If you're considering insuring your coins, talk with your insurance agent and see what their requirements are before you buy a safe.
     
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  3. Jaelus

    Jaelus The Hungarian Antiquarian Supporter

    Does anyone have any advice regarding the placement of a safe in terms of structural support from the room it is in, including what type of surface it is on?
     
  4. Speedbump

    Speedbump Not a New Member

    Anchored to the concrete slab is always best and is required for larger gun vaults that may weight a couple 1,000lbs. Be mindful of possible post tension cables within your slab when anchoring.

    Locating a safe over a wood floor structure is more complicated. Simple residential home construction is not meant to carry significant concentrated live loads. Smaller cube safes that weigh several 100lbs are typically ok, but larger gun vaults that approach or exceed 1,000lbs become problematic. Even if a floor system could technically support the weight of a large safe, you may end up cracking drywall on the ceiling below, or damaging the finished floor in areas adjacent to the safe if you have tile/stone or wood flooring. Also, your home's structural warranty and your insurance company may not cover damages if they discover you put in a super heavy safe that damaged your home. If your home has a wood floor structure on the first floor, you could put in a concrete footing below the safe's location to support it independently from the floor structure.

    If you are putting a smaller safe over a wood floor, make sure it is anchored to the floor joist and not just the sub-floor. Don't bolt a safe down over tile/stone or wood flooring as you may damage the floor when you tighten the anchor bolts. You will want to remove finish flooring (including carpet) from the spot the safe will go, and then reinstall up to the safe's edges. Having the safe's bottom edge below the finish flooring will also help block prying of the safe from the floor. If you don't have tile/stone flooring, you could also install a concrete board sub-floor around where the safe will go to limit the ability of a burglar to simply cut the floor to remove the safe. If you are locating the safe on the second floor, you will want to find a place near or over load bearing walls below, or along an exterior wall preferably in the corner of two exterior walls. Exterior walls tend to be load bearing. This will help transfer the weight down instead of out across the floor.
     
    Jaelus likes this.
  5. PugLife711

    PugLife711 New Member

    I agree on all the posts about water problems with fire safes. You might want to keep 1/3 in a fire safe, 1/3 in diversion safes (fake shaving cream bottles), and 1/3 in a private safe deposit box.
     
  6. Oysterk

    Oysterk Active Member

    Thanks for all the replies people. I think disguising a bolted down safe will eventually be my go to here. A cardboard box or something over the safe.
     
  7. Speedbump

    Speedbump Not a New Member

    Disguising the safe is not a bad idea. Just make sure its not in a place burglars are known to rummage around in as they will likely find it. This includes the master bedroom and closet, and home office and closet.
     
  8. calcol

    calcol Supporter! Supporter

    Coin security in the home is a topic I've researched over the years. I categorize theft losses by type of criminal.

    1. Opportunistic amateur larcenists. These are folks who will snatch something of value if given the opportunity and if it can be done quickly with little effort. Dishonest repairmen, house cleaners, party attendees, maintenance people, house guests, etc. are in this category. A relatively inexpensive fire safe will usually deter these folks.

    2. Amateur burglars. Usually young males. Probably don't know you are a collector. They will not enter if they think someone is home and will usually flee rather than confront someone. May set-off burglar alarms. Given enough time they can penetrate most fire safes and cheaper security safes. Medium to high priced security safes are probably going to defeat them. "Honey pot" will probably fool them. A honey pot is a cheap safe with cheap coins and not well hidden and acts as decoy for better safe that is well hidden.

    3. Pro burglars. Young or middle age males. May have come to your home because they know you are a collector. They will not enter if they think someone is home and will usually flee rather than confront someone. Will detect most alarm systems and disable or fool them. Can quickly enter any fire safe and cheap security safes. Medium priced security safes require more time but will usually yield to them. The most expensive security safes may prevent them from getting in. Less likely to stop with just a honey pot.

    4. Robbers. Usually young males, but some are middle aged. Many will prefer not to encounter anyone, but will use force or the threat of it if confronted. Some will use force or threat of it up front. A safe will be of little use. If a gun is put to your head, you will open the safe ... ask Willis DuPont. Your own gun will be of zero or negative use. Robber(s) will probably be younger than you, and will be prepared and have element of surprise.

    I have a cheap fire safe and keep a few cheap coins in it along with passports, SS cards, etc. Expensive coins stay in the bank, and I content myself with pics.

    Cal
     
    -jeffB likes this.
  9. Oysterk

    Oysterk Active Member

    Thanks @calcol and @Speedbump. I'm not too worried about location. I'm a YN, so I doubt a kid's bedroom closet would be the first place a burglar would look, although I suppose if they somehow figured out I was a collector it would be more likely.
     
  10. Santinidollar

    Santinidollar Supporter! Supporter

    And another security tip: Keep your coin collecting to yourself. Don't advertise it. And tell your parents and siblings to please keep quiet about it as well.
     
    PugLife711 and Vroomer2 like this.
  11. Vroomer2

    Vroomer2 Active Member

  12. PugLife711

    PugLife711 New Member

    I completely agree, keep it secret. You never know when a family member will go down a dark path and remember you have something they can take to feed an addiction.
     
    Vroomer2 likes this.
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