What kind of safes are most practical for the home collector with a modest collection?

I had a friend who put a shell of an old top loading washing machine over his safe.

 

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Also, if you do get a safe, KEEP IT LOCKED -I was shocked to hear people say that they keep the door closed, but unlocked to avoid the necessity of using the combination every time. This is the equivalent of not having a safe. You're only making it more convenient for a thief.
An alarm system with radio signal - no wires to cut.

 

I like the "shell" that has been mentioned. Now all I need to do is find something big enough to fit over the coin boxes.

 

Some suggest getting a safety deposit box for collection storage. Many banks and credit unions have free ones for customers/members, but I like having my coins/collection available to view often, and at any time of the day or night, so I have a safe.
I think having a safe, for me, is more about fire safety than security. My safe is rated for 2 hours at 1000º, which may not be much time, but gives me a better feeling of security.
I'm not sure if all Harbor Freight stores carry them, but I saw inexpensive floor and wall safes there on my last visit. Other than that, do some online research before deciding.

 

Safes are one of those products where you really do get what you pay for, although it is possible to pay a lot for something that won't work for your needs. I think it is important, as @Mountain Man says, to identify your actual needs before you go shopping.

Here are some very general thoughts:

1) Most gun safes are worthless for coin security or fire protection.
2) You can buy a safe that is burglary rated or one that is fire-rated or both. It is important to know what's what and what the ratings mean.
3) Any safe that can be lifted and transported by one or two men is nothing more than a burglar's suitcase, unless it is securely anchored.
4) Conversely, it is harder to break into a small safe than a large safe, assuming the two are roughly equal in quality. So, a strategy of buying more and smaller safes can work and allow an expansion strategy in stages as you need more space.
5) It is far more important to your security against thieves that the safe is hidden from casual eyes. Don't just think about a thief in your house but also about visitors/tradesmen in your home (cable guy, plumber, etc.) that might mention what they saw to someone who told their cousin, etc. So, when you are considering a safe, figure out ahead of time how you can hide it and size your circumstances can accomodate.
6) And finally, if anyone knows you keep valuables in your home now, then forget about a safe and put them in a SDB. The cat is out of the bag.

Here's link to reviews of some smaller safes that look like they might be suitable for an apartment.

https://securitynerd.com/best-home-safes/

And here is a video from of the better manufacturers that is downright scary.
How Safe Is You Safe? Watch Theives Break Into A Cheap Safe! - YouTube

 

Why do I have a nagging mistrust of electronic locks vs. combination locks?

 

Unfortunately a crowbar will pull out the screws from wood or concrete quite easily even if bolted to the floor. I'd say the small safe idea is a good one for protecting from a fire etc. But the more important thing to prevent theft is to get creative with a place that would be overlooked entirely. Cut out a piece of drywall (they make safes that will fit for that application). Good luck.

 

The best idea in my opinion is this: If you have a garage (if in an apartment just forget this). BUT IF YOU OWN YOUR HOME? This requires a bit of work, but it's not terrible.

Get a concrete cutting device of some type, lots of options. Cut out a square slightly larger than your safe or container. Lift out the piece of concrete you just cut carefully so it does not break or crack (I admit this might be a bit difficult, but if that happens, there are other solutions for a trap door). > and you want a safe or box that is sealed from humidity and any potential water intrusion.

Slip in the coin box and pull your car back in. When you are going to be gone for some time simply put some junk on top nobody would want. The coins will be safe from heat and most thieves except the the really top level crooks that have a lot of time (and what thief searches a garage thoroughly)? Not many I'd say.

Oh, don't spray your garage out with water, also if you live in a cold climate and bring snow and ice in with the vehicle, find a location not likely to be intruded upon by any liquid. This will work for some, not all people have all the boxes checked for success, but many will.

A great solution for Nevada, Arizona, New Mexico and the like.

 

Another possible place to store ones collection is in a diaper pail. Although it depends on ones age.

 

AT!!!

 

For some coins why not in the back of your refrigeratorgenius!!!!.

 

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Bowake-N...ifts-Toy-For-Kids-Baby/728490153?athbdg=L1700

 

I can buy one to store my binky collection.

 

Are there recommended sources for used safes?

 

My first recommendation is look on craigslist (especially the free section) and at local swap meets. I bought a big fire safe filing cabinet (that the lock had been cored out of) for $150 on craigslist - I bought a locking bar set on Amazon and it's in a place no one would think to look, so I love it ($1800 new) heavy as a beast though. Second recommendation I've noticed that Lowes, Home Depot and Staples all occasionally have safes and lock boxes on clearance, the small ones, but still, good deals to be had. You can watch a site like Slickdeals with an alert for those. You may want to screw it to the floor or wall - I had one in my linen closet in a prior house that was bolted to a beam in the wall and behind the guest towels - no one knew it was there except me and the Mrs.

 

I don't know about "recommended" but since you live in Harlem in a metro area of about 10 million, there must be dozens if not hundreds of locksmith shops around. I'd make friends with an employee and tell him/her you're in the market. He/she might be able to steer you to an opportunity. OTOH, once you do that you've informed someone you don't know that you have valuables to secure.

Maybe also check estate sales.

 

The most important thing to remember when buying a safe is how much it weighs. If one person can pick it up and walk away with it don't buy it. What you want is a safe that would require a few people to move it. ideally, any safe under 300 lbs can easily be stolen. Don't waste your money on a cheap light weigh safe. All it requires is a hand truck and two guys and it's gone. Many of the better safes come with a way to bolt it to the floor. If your safe can be bolted to the floor do it. Second thing to look at is the fire rating. Fire rating is important because of what you have in the safe. As for a fire rating you need to consider where you plan on putting the safe. If you live in a ranch style home the chance of your safe being exposed to an intense fire for a long period of time isn't very high. If your house burns down your safe should end up in your basement and the contents should be ok. If you live on the 4th floor in an apartment building and the building burns down your safe could be exposed to high heat for a long time which means the temperature inside the safe could get very high. If your coins are in slabs the slabs can melt. Personally, if you live in a apartment building get a safe deposit box and put your valuable coins in it.

One thing to remember is most people that break into a home are looking for drug money. They won't stay in your house any longer than they have too. Generally, less than 30 minutes. Also what they want is either money they can use to buy drugs or items they can easily sell and get money. Generally, they have no idea what your coins are worth all they know is they can get money for them or just spend them. They will take anything they can quickly sell. If your safe is to heavy to take they won't bother. Remember if they can't pick it up and run with it they won't touch it.

I've heard stories where a safe was stolen only to find it not far from a house because it was to heavy to steal. A safe with a weight over over 300 lbs won't get taken by your average thief.

 

Folks seem to ignore the facts about small fire safes. They are made to retain humidity as part of the fire protection. That's great for paper storage but really bad for coin storage. They make a gadget you can track the humidity and temp. inside the safe.

 

I have a small Sentry safe for important papers. The paperwork said to open the safe every few days and allow it to air out. The safe came with some type of thick paper laying in the bottom of the safe. The instructions said to not throw it away. It was there to absorb moisture. All this told me the safe was not a good choice for coin storage. I'll find the paperwork this evening and post what else it had to say.
If someone has a newer one, please check and post what the paperwork has to say.

 

with a GPS transmitter in it