A Beginner’s Guide to Coin Collecting Accessories

Organise, Protect and Present Your Collection

As you acquire more coins, you will want to protect, care for and display your collection to enjoy it to the fullest. In this article, we will look at the accessories you need to get the most out of your new hobby and ensure your coins remain in premium condition.

Categorise Your Coin Collection

No matter how you get started, whether it is collecting eye-catching designs in your change or buying commemorative or historic coins, it pays to be organised and when it comes to categorising coins, there is a variety of options.

For organising circulating coins, cardboard folders are perfect and we offer a range of simple and themed collector albums to help. As you find the relevant coins in your change, simply pop them in the relevant folder.

Coins with a higher value warrant categorisation in a premium folder and ring binders, containing pages of clear, plastic pouches for secure, visible storage, can help you organise your coins by period or theme, whilst also allowing them to be easily viewed.

Sturdy and reliable, coin display boxes with velour-lined trays offer a great way to view a selection of related coins and also provide a safe mode of transport for your collection should you need it. Similarly, presentation cases, which are usually made from aluminium, offer a secure and stylish solution for organising your growing collection.

You could also consider buying a coin journal to keep track of your inventory along with an illustrated reference book. Armed with more background information on coins you are looking to acquire, along with tips on grading, condition and pricing, you can make more informed decisions when building your collection.

Protect Your Coins

Most collectors do not simply want to lock their coins away in a drawer or a safe once they have categorised them. It is likely that you’ll want to inspect your coins close up as, after all, coins are miniature works of art that are made with and contain extraordinary levels of detail. In order to fully appreciate the designs in your collection, consider buying a professional coin magnifier known as a ‘loupe’ to view your coins with enhanced magnification and lighting, which can add a whole new dimension to your enjoyment of them.

When you are handling and inspecting coins, it is important to exercise caution. Contact with dirt and moisture can cause toning, which are dark spots that ruin a coin’s appearance, so examining any coin of value should be done in the correct way. Coins should only be held by the edges and you will want to invest in a pair of cotton gloves so you do not impair them in any way when you hold them. You also might want to lay them out flat on perhaps a clean velvet cloth or a coin mat, which would also provide a safety net and soft surface were you to drop anything.

As well as taking care of the coins you handle, it’s important to have complete peace of mind before undertaking any serious transaction and you’ll want to protect any investments you make if you choose to buy historic coins. To the untrained eye, it can be difficult to tell if a coin is genuine or not so, it could be useful to invest in scales and callipers to weigh and measure your coins. Dimensions and weight alone do not provide a guarantee of authenticity but they can be referenced against authoritative information, which could indicate a forgery.

Cleaning Your Coins

Some of the coins you acquire might be dirty and although cleaning Proof coins is not recommended, you might want to restore shine to any circulating coins in your collection. The best way to do this is with a finely woven coin-polishing cloth, which will safely remove any dirt and grime that has built up on a coin’s surface when you add a little pressure.

Collector Sets

To give you a head start, we have assembled two Collector Sets containing everything you need to handle, store and catalogue your coins correctly, including gloves, cloths, tweezers and magnifiers that have been carefully selected for their quality and to help you maintain their condition and protect the value of your coins. The standard set is perfect for collectors who are just starting out, whilst the premium set contains everything a seasoned collector could need.