Collecting by Year

Eventually I'd like to complete some year sets for the years that are important in our family's life. I want to include a short description with each one as to why it's important to our family (By birth year, year we were married, other family milestones, etc) then save these & pass them on to my son when he's grown...sort of a time capsule for him. I've seen the hard snap together holders for year sets...are these safe for long-term storage? Should I get 2 for each year (1 for each mint mark)? Also, are there any album pages out there to accomodate these types of holders? I want to get the best grade coin for each that I can afford, hopefully it wont be too expensive considering the dates that I'll be looking for.

Also, for general collecting, what albums or types of storage/display is favored by most & considered safest? I may be looking to pursue certain coins (Walking Libs, Morgans, Buffalo nickels) what should I put these in as I accumulate them. I would prefer something more visually appealing (such as an album type) but if that is not the safest option what else would you recommend? PLease be brand-specific in your suggestions, I'm still learning my way around...thanks!
Robin

 

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Well this is a good start. What you want to look for is safe material. Absolutely nothing containing PVC. Many year set containers are sold, and most are good. It is just a matter of taste. Here is a link to a pretty good supply dealer.

http://www.brooklyngallery.com/

Albums fall into the same thing. We each like different ones according to taste. If the coins are valuable, you will want to consider holders such as airtites, kontains, or something simular to protect them. Albums are nice for general collecting, but each coin will have to be placed in by hand, and this leads to fingerprints or rub marks.

Hope that helps

 

Thanks for the link...I'll go check it out. What about coin tubes? I have several loose (state quarters, pennies, etc), are these something I should consider? Are they for short or long term storage? Also, what about bank or mint rolls? Should I leave them in the paper rolls? Or is this bad for them? Will the paper in the roll cause them to tone over time? Am I better off cracking them open or will they accrue more value as they're older if they're still in the original roll?

Sorry for so many questions, I really appreciate everyone's encouragement and patience with this rookie
Robin

 

For me personally, I use the Dansco albums for most of my general collecting, and use a coin safe cotton cloth or gloves to put the coins in the album. For any raw coin that is valuable (your personal opinion determines what is valuable and what isn't) I use the Air-Tite coin holders to make sure the coin is really safe.

The mint packaging that comes in the hard plastic containers is safe and great for long term storage.

Cris

 

Never be sorry for asking questions. I would and have answered many questions over the years, and none were silly or stupid. It is the way that we learn. Take advantage of us. Believe me, we all love talking coins.
Tubes are great. Personally I like square tubes because they are easier to stack. Make sure you label the tubes. Scotch tape works great. Keeps the lid on also. Original rolls are fine if stored properly. If you store your coins in a safe, buy a silica gel pack. They cost about $5 and last next to forever. Read the directions well. Every month or so, you will have to bake the silica gel pack to dry it out. The paper in the rolls will cause them to tone, but unless they are rare rolls, I would not worry about it. Rolls are usually more valuable than singles. So leave them as they are. Especially state quarters. I have never bought a single. Buy rolls each week.

 

Wow, you guys are fast this morning! Thanks for all of the great advoce so far. What about the foam or cardboard inserts I see in the various year holders? Any one option better or worse than the other? Also, are there any album pages that these types of holders will fit in? I'd like to keep them organized in a binder of some sort if possible. Thanks!
Robin

 

Fortunately, or unfortunately (whichever you want to think) there are supplies to do just about anything you can think of.

If you are talking about the mint/proof sets and those hard plastic containers, I haven't seen folders or pages that will hold the package and go into a binder, but I haven't looked. I have most often seen boxes that they are stored in.

 

They make albums to hold mint and proof sets. Brooklyn sells them somewhere on that site.

Cardboard will lead to toning where foam does not. Most of the better holders are now offered with foam. The year sets can be bought either way.

While you are at the show, look for a large supplier. Metro and Capital should both be there. These are firms that dealers use and trust. Great prices during the show. Much better than buying by mail or internet.

 

Thanks for the info...I'll be sure to add Metro & Capital to my notes that I'm preparing to take with me. I'm trying to make sure I go well informed and prepared so I don't just buy anything & everything that tickles my fancy
I'm hoping that I'll be able to assemble the year sets myself with the best grade coins I can afford, hence the need for the empty holders. I/we (my Dad & I) get the mint & proof sets each year from the mint but I wanted to assemble something a little more personal and unique for this little family time capsule project of mine.
Needless to say it's been a busy week researching things & making lists of what I have and/or need so I'm prepared for Saturday. WOW! Sure is a lot of work, but you guys have all been so helpful I can't thank you enough.
Robin

 

A few things that you should have on your list:

The coins you want. Type, date, mint, condition, price.

The books you want.

The supplies you need.

Be very specific in your list. Don't buy something that is close to what you want. Buy exactly what you want. This way you will be happy with your purchase.

When you are at the dealers table and have chosen a specific coin, be sure to ask them what the greysheet "ask" is for that coin. The greysheet is what we (dealers) use to buy and sell coins. Almost every dealer will be willing to show you their greysheet. Now this will NOT be the price you can buy it for, please understand that, but try to buy as close to that value as possible. If you can stay within 10 percent of dealer ask price, that will be good.

 

Thanks for the heads up on the greysheet prices. I'll be sure to do that. My list is growing the more I read on here. I plan on sitting down this afternoon once my little guy is off to kindergarten & trying to figure out how many airtities I need as well. I'd really like to put a few of the older pieces in something a little more substantial than 2x2s.

Also, are there normally services at these shows that will do on-site grading? I have just a handfull of coins that upon my preliminary research I think might require having a professional look at them & possibly have it graded & slabbed. I'm assuming it's ok/safe to bring these items with me? There are some Morgans that I'd like to have someone look at as well as a 1916D mercury dime. At least I'm about 90% certain it's a D...the mint mark is worn a bit but I really need a professional's opinion on it.

 

I don't know if any grading services will be in attendance or not. Since this is a local show, I would think the odds were against it. Even if they are, Anacs is the only one that does free evaluations. For the others, you must submit like everyone else. There are plenty of dealers at the show, that would be able to assist you in determining if any of your coins warrant slabbing. Don't sell them, just have them looked at.

 

Thanks for the info. I'll bring the few that I have questions on & see if they think I should submit them. I don't plan on selling ANY of my Dad's collection. It is far too dear to me and will be passed on to Joe someday. I know that is why my Dad left it to me...he knew I would, and did, appreciate and will take care of it.
Robin

 

It is nice to hear that you are enjoying the coins. I certainly hope that your son picks up your good habit. Have a great day!

 

One more thing.....

I think you were talking about mint and proof set here (If I'm wrong sorry) If your thinking about taking your mint/proof sets apart let me try to tell you not too.....I don't know how many times I wished that I could see a 1936 proof set in the original packing and box but I never have and have never heard of one or anybody seeing one but people would take them apart cause the packing wasn't the best---so I would not take apart any mint/proof set.

I have found a way to store mint sets in a 3-ring binder and clear pockets that DO NOT have PVC and are great for viewing.---cheap too only about $13 at the most......if any of ya'll want to know how to do it and see a photo you can PM me.
Speedy

 

speedy,

There are plenty of albums specifically designed to house mint/proof sets without removing them from the mint packaging.

It sounds like joesmom has a good start on this collecting thing.

 

Speedy - I'm not thinking of starting with Mint or Proof sets and breaking them open. I'm talking about buying the empty year set holders & filling them myself with some really nice coins. I know this will probably seem redundant to some, but I think that when Joe is older & gets these (probably after my husband & I are gone) it will mean more to him that I hunted these down & put everything together in such a way as to convey great meaning. I already have a pretty comprehensive Mint & Proof collection that DO cover the years that I'll be pursuing (with the exception of a few) but wanted to do something a little more personal for my little 'time capsule' idea. Also, I'd love to see/hear about how you store your sets in that binder. More info would be great.

National Dealer - Thanks for the vote of confidence, I hope I can live up to it Sure wish you live down here, I'd love to be able to pop into your shop & pick your brain as I'm sure I'll have many questions as time goes on. It seems like the more I learn, the more questions I have.
Robin

 

That is the way it is supposed to be. I still have many questions. Granted, mine are geared more towards the little things, like pressures of various minting presses, or the people that created the California gold coins, but they are still questions.
I am available for answers everyday. Feel free to post questions here, or drop me an email. While I don't get to Texas often, don't let that stop you. I am only a point and click away.
Have you had the opportunity to look through the Brooklyn website?
If anything there tempted you, write it down and look for this weekend at the show. Show prices are often the best prices.
Make sure you pick up a couple of storage boxes. They can hold 2x2's, Mint/Proof sets, and any other configuration.

 

high robin isnt it a blessing to have these crazy machines...lol

 

Sure is pog...don't know what I'd do without all of you guys.

One part of my previous question wasn't answered...
I'm sure that my flood of MANY newbie questions didn't overwhelm everyone at all(sarcasm)
As I'm putting together these year sets, should I just do one for each year, or 2 (1 for each mint mark)? If 1, is there a preference of 1 mint over another, or a mix of any..just concentrating on getting the best coins I can regardless of mint mark?
Hope this isn't too confusing, almost confused me a I re-read it...lol
Thanks again for everyone's help!
Robin