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<p>[QUOTE=&quot;Vess1, post: 761881, member: 13650&quot;]It&#039;s good that you have a copy of the Red book coming.&nbsp; Everybody from beginners to experts will consult that book from time to time for various information.&nbsp;&nbsp; It will do a good job of showing you everything that is out there and mintages, and give you rough ideas on pricing.&nbsp;&nbsp; But, there is much more to learn than what is printed in that book alone.&nbsp;&nbsp; For example, after you do some studying, you will learn of the Pittman Act which ordered by law, to have millions of Morgan dollars melted down and nobody knows exactly what all got melted down.&nbsp;&nbsp; So the original mintage figures listed are way off from what actually still exists.&nbsp;&nbsp; Stuff like that.</p><p><br /></p><p>&nbsp;&nbsp; For a loupe, I wouldn&#039;t go much more than a 5x.&nbsp;&nbsp; The higher number isn&#039;t necessarily better in this case.&nbsp;&nbsp; The professional grading services grade everything by eye and occasionally will use a 5x loupe.&nbsp;&nbsp; So to me, what&#039;s the use of having much more?&nbsp;&nbsp; It isn&#039;t necessary and something only seen under an eletronic microscope, will not affect grade one way or the other.&nbsp;&nbsp; But may assist in authenticating something.</p><p><br /></p><p>&nbsp; The Red book should help you pick out what&#039;s valuable.&nbsp;&nbsp; You will recognize the stand outs right away.&nbsp;&nbsp; Eye appeal trumps everything though and can affect prices wildly.</p><p><br /></p><p>&nbsp;&nbsp; As for storage, socks would obviously not be the best way to go if you want to take care of things properly.&nbsp; &nbsp; I got back into collecting in 2008 and since then have invested several hundred dollars into various storage supplies.&nbsp; It isn&#039;t hard to do.&nbsp;&nbsp; It basically comes down to a $10 box here, $25 album or two there, $8 worth of plastic 2x2&#039;s there...etc, etc..&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; There are excellent storage methods available for the entire spectrum of coins that exist.</p><p>&nbsp;&nbsp; More common stuff can be stored together in appropriate sized plastic tubes.&nbsp;&nbsp; Higher quality coins you will probably want good plastic 2x2s like Intercept shield or air-tite capsules for.&nbsp; &nbsp; There are high quality albums and nice storage boxes for graded/slabbed stuff.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; It&#039;s just a matter of getting online and ordering what you need.&nbsp;&nbsp; The better the coin, the better the storage you should pursue for it.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; I&#039;ve got a completely worn out 1838-O dime in it&#039;s own airtite capsule just because they are somewhat rare and I felt like keeping it separate.&nbsp; &nbsp; Just as an example.</p><p><br /></p><p>&nbsp; I (and many others) keep spread sheets on the computer in order to keep track of the collection.&nbsp;&nbsp; I really have no need to label everything.&nbsp; Graded coins in slabs are already labeled by the grading company.&nbsp; I don&#039;t use cardboard 2x2s for anything.&nbsp; To me they are temporary holders to get coins to and from somewhere.&nbsp; Actually, I hate them.&nbsp;&nbsp; The cardboard can be bad for coins and you always run the risk of scraping a coin on a staple or scraping a nice coin with a tool you&#039;re using to get a staple out! </p><p><br /></p><p>&nbsp; The spread sheet idea is something you want to start early if you&#039;re really planning on getting into it.&nbsp; Can become quite a task down the road.&nbsp; Just plan it out and be smart about it based on what you&#039;re doing.&nbsp;&nbsp; To me, the higher dollar stuff warrants better documentation than say a $2.00 value coin unless it&#039;s for a set I&#039;m keeping track of.&nbsp; I have many coins that don&#039;t make it onto the spreadsheet.</p><p>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; You may want to add columns for date of purchase and price paid too.&nbsp;&nbsp; It&#039;s easy to update if you keep up with it.&nbsp;&nbsp; Just some ideas for you.</p><p>&nbsp; Hope this helps.[/QUOTE]</p><p><br /></p>

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