Coin Supply Express

The 49ers and their Legacy

2010-05-24T08:40:00.000-04:00

In 1848, Alta California, the new territory acquired from the Mexican-American War, was very sparsely populated – only about 15,000 people lived there. After thousands of 49ers flocked west, just two years later, California became the 31st state. The huge amounts of money being found required new financial institutions, and President Fillmore signed for a new mint. The Legislature decided in April of 1852 that San Francisco would be the place for the new mint.

The government built a small, inadequate mint. When silver was struck in the mountains of Nevada, it was evident that a new mint was necessary for all coin supplies. Alfred Mullett designed numerous American governmental buildings, and planned the mint in the Greek Revival style. The basement’s outer walls were built with granite for coin storage to keep tunnel digging thieves out and to prevent against earthquakes and natural disasters. Granite was also used in the entrance stairs of the mint, and she was soon dubbed “The Granite Lady.”

In 1873, there was only one mint, in Philadelphia. The others around the country were branch mints. A new law effectively made all of the other mints, in New Orleans, Carson City, and San Francisco, their own mints, as well as abolished the silver dollar in favor of the paper dollar. Later the silver dollar retained a smaller circulation thanks to the silver output in the West and the S.F. mint as the center of silver coin supplies.

Emperor Leopold I and Holy Roman Coinage

2010-05-17T09:00:00.001-04:00

At HR Rauch’s auction of ancient coins, a 10 Dukaten coin featuring Emperor Leopold I is expected to sell for at least €50,000 Euro. The coin, from 1675, features one of the most distinctive portraits of the king, which caricatures his Hapsburg jaw, a classic feature of the Holy Roman Emperors.

The “Hapsburg Lip” as it is sometimes called, was a deformation that was thought to have been caused by successive inbreeding. Charles II was the last Hapsburg king of Spain, and his mother was the niece of his father. Charles couldn’t chew his food, was retarded, and impotent. Consequently, the Hapsburg line ended in Spain. Leopold I, however, was more prolific, and was overshadowed in his time only by the Sun King Louis XIV of France, with whom he waged war almost until his death in 1705. When Charles II’s death led to the War of the Spanish Succession, in an attempt to keep separate Spain and France, Leopold I, along with the other European powers, fought to claim the Spanish Inheritance, due to his Hapsburg relations. The war outlasted Leopold, and eventually the Spanish empire fell.

Part of having a coin collection is learning about the empire under which the coin was produced. Coin collecting is a great way to learn about history. Needless to say, this 10 Dukaten of Leopold I would make a great addition to any coin collection.

1901-S Barber Sells Big!

2010-05-10T09:00:00.002-04:00

The most talked about coin in 2010 is a 1901-S Barber quarter that was originally graded MS-68, and then regraded a MS-68+. Bids for it have reached and exceeded $300,000. Let’s just say that it’s not the kind of coin you keep in coin folders. This bad boy would be the centerpiece of my coin collection, and I would research specialized coin holders to showcase it for all of my friends to see.

There has been contention as to whether this coin was dipped. Dipping, or natural toning, is regarded differently according to different collectors. Some collectors value the “original skin” of a coin, but others don’t mind if it looks a little nicer. But because all older coins develop certain flaws,it is practically impossible for an antique coin to be graded a 70.

The Barber coins are named after Charles E. Barber, chief engraver of the U.S. Mint from 1880 to 1917. His Liberty Head design was very popular and appears on the nickel, dime, quarter and half. This quarter, the rarest of all Barber coins, is impressively graded, a true rarity, since all of the Barbers were in circulation for such a long time. The collector who bought it has surely made a good investment, and a great addition to his coin collection.

A New Addition to the Egyptian Coin Collection

2010-05-03T09:00:00.000-04:00

About 75 miles from Cairo last week there were 383 coins found dating back to the third century B.C. During that time King Ptolemy III, a relative of Cleopatra, was ruling Egypt. Ptolemy I was one of Alexander the Great’s bodyguards, and was appointed king after his death. As a result, Hellenistic culture was fused with Egyptian culture for almost three centuries, until Rome’s conquest of the region in 30 A.D. Cleopatra was the last Ptolemaic ruler.

These coins have the Greek-Egyptian god Amun-Zeus on one side, and an eagle with the words Ptolemy and King on the other. They would be a pretty nice addition to any coin collection, but they probably wouldn’t fit in your penny coin folders or nickel coin holders. They have a diameter of about two centimeters, are made of bronze, and are in excellent condition.

Also found were pieces of a whale skeleton, more than 40 million years old, and necklaces made from an ostrich shell. They will likely be put on display at the new Egyptian museum near the Pyramids at Giza. I wonder how they get their coin holders. Anyway, it’s a great addition to the Egyptian coin collection!

Add the Hot Springs Quarter to Your Coin Collection

2010-04-26T09:00:00.000-04:00

In honor of its 178th anniversary as a Federally protected national site, Hot Springs Park in Hot Springs, Arkansas is getting it’s own quarter.

U.S. Mint director Ed Moy launched the quarter-dollar coin at a ceremony featuring National Park Service Midwest Regional Director Ernie Quintana and Hot Springs National Park Superintendent Josie Fernandez. With the launch of the Hot Springs National Park Quarter, a uniquely American journey begins, a journey through coins in celebration of the beauty, history and impact of national sites in every state and territory," Director Moy said.

The Hot Springs coin is the first to be released from the America the Beautiful Campaign, so it’s time to get your coin collection going. Children who attended the ceremony were given a shiny new Hot Spring quarter for their coin collections.

The tails side of the coin depicts the façade of Hot Springs National Park headquarters building with a thermal spring in the foreground. The head side features a 1932 portrait of George Washington by John Flannigan.

The America the Beautiful Quarters Program is a highly-anticipated, 12-year initiative to honor 56 national parks and national sites.

If you’re in need of supplies to get your American the Beautiful coin collection underway, visit coinsupplyexpress.com.

Coin Collection Rarity: 3 Legged Buffalo Nickel

2010-04-19T09:00:00.000-04:00

For those who are really serious about coin collecting, an authentic 3 Legged Buffalo Nickel is high up on the “must-have” list. The 1937-D “three-legger” has fascinated collectors for nearly 3 generations. The three-legged buffalo was a result of a failed attempt to repair a broken die. These “duds” escaped into circulation before the inspectors at the Denver Mint caught on to the error.

The 3 Legged Buffalo Coin is a unique addition to many coin collections because of the missing leg. The stump and hoove remain, but the right leg is entirely gone. Unlike most high-value coins, finding a 3 Legged Buffalo Nickel in new condition could prove to be difficult since they all reached circulation.

Circulated 3 Legged Buffalo’s are worth anywhere from $400 to $1000. Perfect, uncirculated coins can be worth up to $20,000. Counterfit 3 Legged Buffalos have been seen by appraisers, so if you are thinking of adding one to your collection be sure you know what constitutes as a fake.

Here are the tell-tale signs of an altered Buffalo Nickel:
-There is less metal on the area where the leg should be.
-There are raised dots under the belly of the buffalo
-The P in Pluribus and the U in Unum will be further away from the buffalo’s back than it will be on an authentic

Interesting Coin Collecting Facts

2010-04-12T09:00:00.001-04:00

Coin collecting, also known as Numismatics, has been practiced since the middle ages. Some of the earliest known coin collectors have been Roman Emperors including Julius and Augustus, and grew to be known as “the hobby of kings”. Pontiff Boniface VI and Italian poet Petrarch were also known to have impressive coin collections.

The American Numismatic Association was founded in 1891 and currently has 28,000 members. The group’s goal is to further the study of coins and increase the popularity of coin collections. In 1962, the first international coin collecting convention was held in Detroit and more than 40,000 people attended.

One of the most impressive Numismatics success stories is John J. Pittman’s story. This North Carolina man, despite his modest income spent what he could on rare gold and silver coins, that had a rich history. He was known to be a truly avid collector who did it not for the potential money he could make off his collection, but because he loved the lore behind the coins and truly loved the art of coin collecting. His love is evident when you look at how much he spent on coins--Pittman spent over $100,000 on his collection in his lifetime. But all that hard work, money, and dedication paid off, literally. The collection ended up selling for $30 million.

The Pinnacle of Coin Collecting: The 1933 Gold Double Eagle

2010-04-01T09:00:00.015-04:00

The most sought-after coin in coin collecting history is probably the 1933 Gold Double Eagle. Designed by Augustus Saint-Gaudens, the coin sold in 2002 for the highest price in the world ever paid for a coin. How much? It was sold for a staggering $7.5 million.

But this coin has quite the history behind its hefty price tag. In 1933, 450,000 were minted, but none were actually put into circulation because of the currency law changes made when FDR took America off the Gold Standard to stabilize the economy. Since there would be no more gold currency, the U.S. melted down the 1933 lot of the Gold Double Eagles, and in turn, converted them into gold bullion bars by 1937.

There were a few that escaped the big melt down. A Philadelphia jeweler named Israel Switt somehow came into possession of 19 Gold Double Eagle coins in his coin collection. He ended up selling 9 of the coins to private collectors, including to King Farouk of Egypt. When the secret service found out about these rogue coins, they ordered them to be confiscated, as the coins were seen as stolen property of the U.S. Mint. The king ended up exporting his coin, (legally) before the theft was discovered and the secret service was never able to recover it. After the king was deposed in 1952, his coin appeared on the market and vanished again when someone caught wind that the Secret Service wanted to confiscate it. More than 40 years later, a British coin collector showed up with it in New York and it was recovered thanks to a sting operation.

And who says coin collecting isn’t exciting?

The Lincoln Banner Cent and Its Forerunners

2010-03-22T09:00:00.003-04:00

For coin collections dealing in pennies, it may help to know that the Lincoln penny has undergone some fundamental re-designs lately. Last year, to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Lincoln penny and the bicentennial anniversary of Lincoln’s birth, the U.S. Mint issued a series of four different Lincoln coins.

You have probably seen these four: one depicting the log cabin in Kentucky where Lincoln was born, the next features a young Lincoln at work on a log, the third has Lincoln the statesman in Illinois, and the last displays a picture of the half built Capitol. The variety of these four designs is part of what makes coin collections so interesting. If you have these already, you should also be prepared for the newly released Lincoln cent.

This design features a star and striped banner with the motto “E Pluribus Unum” to commemorate Lincoln’s preservation of the Union. This design will be used for the foreseeable future, so get your coin folders ready for the switch. While you probably have your Lincoln Wheat and Lincoln Memorial Cent coin folders, now the Lincoln Banner cent will take its place. Stay on the lookout for the issuing of these new coin folders!

Silver Eagles Are Great Additions to Any Coin Collection

2010-03-15T09:00:00.002-04:00

The American Silver Eagle has been around since 1986. Its design is taken from Adolph A. Weinman’s “Liberty Walking” for the half dollar that circulated from 1916 to 1947. She strides towards the sunset, carrying in her arms laurel and oak, symbolic of civil and military peace. Because of the popularity of the design it was revived decades later in the form of the 1 oz. silver dollar. The obverse side of the coin has the heraldic American eagle emblem designed by John Mercanti in 1986. The eagle carries in her talons olive branches and arrows, symbolizing peace and war. The dollar is the official silver bullion coin of the United States and although its face value is $1, it is usually valued around $20. Proof versions usually sell for up to $60 and are a fine addition to any coin collection. Today the Silver Eagles are minted at Westpoint.

These silver dollars usually come in coin holders already because they are most of the time sold in proof condition, but other methods of coin storage are also popular, such as a coin album that prevents against corrosion. These coins are a beautiful addition to any coin collection and work well as gifts or collector’s items.

Presidential Coins of 2010

2010-03-08T09:00:00.000-05:00

The new presidential coins for 2010 feature a few of the lesser known presidents as well as one of the greatest. With your coin collection it helps to have a basic idea of who is on the coins you are collecting. So before you go on out and get these beautiful gold coins to fill your coin album, let’s take a look at who these presidents were.

Millard Fillmore came into office after the short lived presidency of Zachary Taylor who fell ill and died after just 16 months as president. During his presidency, he opened relations with Japan, ending their isolationism with the 1854 Treaty of Kanagawa and he also founded the San Francisco mint, to produce coins from all of the gold being found out west.

Franklin Pierce’s presidency saw the negotiation with Mexico for much of the lands in Arizona and New Mexico. Congress also passed the Kansas-Nebraska Act which opened those territories to the possibility of slavery based on the decision of the territory, repealing the Missouri Compromise. After being denied re-nomination, Pierce retired from politics.

James Buchanan’s presidency had the bad fortune of being on the brink of Civil War. While he opened and secured many Western ports, the Dred Scott decision issued by the Supreme Court legalized slavery in all states, hinting towards the inevitability of war.

By Abraham Lincoln’s presidency 11 states had seceded and formed the Confederate States of America. During his two terms, Lincoln was determined to preserve the Union, and had problems not with slavery, but with the secession of the Southern States.

Now along with these coins in your coin album you will have an idea of how these men got to be on the coins in your coin collection.

“America the Beautiful” Quarters Hit The Street

2010-03-01T09:06:00.001-05:00

If you know anything about coins, then you are probably aware of the success of the state quarter map over the past ten years. And if you’re reading this blog, you probably have all, or at least most, of your state quarter map completely filled! Well the U.S. Mint has decided to follow up the success of those quarters with a new series that will span the next ten years and commemorate the National Parks of the United States.

This exciting new series is a boon for coin collecting, and the beautiful set of 56 has already begun circulation. The first five quarters depict Hot Springs National Park in Arkansas, Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming, Yosemite National Park in California, the Grand Canyon National Park in Arizona, and Mt. Hood National Forest in Oregon. They have begun to be released in the order listed.

Now all you need is a new state quarter map to hold this new coin collection. These quarters are wide ranging in scope and are a reminder of all of the national beauty that our grand country has to offer. So check out www.CoinSupplyExpress.com to see what form of coin storage you want for this new collection!

Dansco Coin Albums: The Superior Choice of the Serious Collector

2010-02-22T09:00:00.002-05:00

One of things I have to remember my great-grandfather by is his incredible coin collection. It’s something that has been passed on through the years in my family, and I was the lucky one to inherit it a few years ago. I was amazed at how well the album held up over years, despite its age and yellowing pages.

For today’s collector, Dansco is considered by many to be the best album on the market for preserving your coin collection for years to come. It’s considered to be the best for good reason—it’s made with the finest materials and craftsmanship.

This sturdy two-post binder is constructed from top-grade simulated leather and is beautifully gold-embossed. The loose-leaf hinged pages are plastic coated and washable, so you can be sure of your precious collections safety when being passed around. The ports are sized to hold the average coin securely and correctly and are imprinted to properly identify coins.

The coins are visible on both sides of the page and are protected with acetate slides. One other distinguishing feature of the Dansco coin album, is the pages. Not only do they have specific information and facts about the coins you are collecting, but they don’t yellow like any other coin album.

If you’re looking to start not just a collection, but an heirloom that can be passed down and carried on for generations to come, you should definitely consider starting a Dansco coin album.

What You Need For A Coin Collection

2010-02-15T06:40:00.000-05:00

Coin collection is a lot of fun for children, teenagers, and adults alike. They are fascinating as they provide a window into the cultures of other countries or of civilizations long ago. Coin collecting is something that millions of people around the world enjoy doing and there are a few good coin supplies items that you should have in order to keep your coin collection organized and in good condition.

Coin folders, coin holders, a coin album, or some other efficient method of coin storage is always a must! You will want to keep your coins free from dirt and grime, especially if they are valuable antique coins. You may find that you need a number of coin folders if your collection is quite large, or if you want to separate different kinds of coins, either by “age”, or where they are from.

Dansco coin albums are a good option as they make quite a wide variety and at a good price as well. If you are particularly interested in American coins then getting a State Quarter Map is a good idea; you can get one either with or without the state quarters included.

If you want to get your coin collection going on the right direction, visit us at www.CoinSupplyExpress.com

Your Coin Collecting Starter Kit

2010-02-08T12:19:00.000-05:00

Coin collecting has long been a popular hobby, which attracts people for a variety of reasons. Some collectors are interested in the history of the coins, for example, while others are hoping to amass a valuable collection to sell off at a later date. Still others might just enjoy spending time with their children through a shared hobby. But no matter why you start, every budding collector needs a few basic coin supplies.

First on your list should be a couple of coin holders. These items will both protect your coins and allow you to show them off — and that's the whole point, isn't it?

Next, coin folders are great for beginning collectors, as they typically involve only two to three pages, which is a lot easier to fill than a whole album. These are also often only made for one specific type of coin (i.e. quarters), which can help to narrow your search.

Of course, if you think you're ready for the real deal, you should look no further than the classic coin album, the best way to truly showcase a collection. If you don't know where to start, consider the extremely popular Dansco coin album collection.

How Can I Use Coin Collecting As A Future Investment?

2010-02-02T15:26:00.000-05:00

Over the last few years, the price of precious metals has sky rocketed and this is great news for coin collections! Firstly, if you are using a gold coin collection option as a major gold investment in your portfolio, bullion's are usually the best way to go. It's always best to keep ANY kind of gold - have it be bars or coins, in a safe deposit box. Try not to keep these at home, especially if they are worth something. Peace of mind is the important thing here. Be sure to use coin folders or coin holders for your coins. This is going to keep the authenticity and condition to the max.

The better condition they are the more they will be worth. You can also use a coin album or other kinds of coin storage for them as well. Next, you should start coin collecting with coins that are Numismatic. These are coins that are rare - and are rated rare by their date, condition, rarity, etc. You really need to learn all you can about coins. How much is each piece worth? How can you maximize the price? Does it matter if you have a whole coin collection? Also, look into a few different manufacturers that either sell coin collections or that offer coin products - one of the better manufacturers is Dansco Coin collectors.

They offer everything from US or Indian to Lincoln cents, but they also have slipcases and albums which are considered the top in the industry. Lastly, if you do plan on selling these - you need someone TO sell them to. Make sure you network and find groups that do coin collecting near you - this is also great for other things besides selling coins, but for things like tips, tricks and advice on your collection. Make sure you get all your coins and supposed from a company you can trust and one that can provide you with everything you need from beginning to end!

For all your coin collection needs visit www.coinsupplyexpress.com!

Serious About Coin Collecting? You Need a Pocket Scale

2010-01-25T06:48:00.000-05:00

Many people hate to see the number on the scale, but coin collectors know better. If you have a coin collection, you know that a coin scale is a great way to verify the authenticity of the coins you are selling and buying.

Even if you’ve had experience with coin scales in the past, you still might be impressed with some of the modern options. For example, pocket scales are called so called because they literally fit in your pocket—most are about the size of a checkbook.

Other features to look for:

Easy to read LCD display
Elegant stainless steel surface
Modes to measure ounces, grams, carat, grain, and taring
A wide scale of measurement from 0.01 of a gram to 100 grams or more

Plus, if you’re interested in splitting the expense or just sharing the love, pocket scales are great for a number of other uses, like weighing gemstones or even calculating postage price.

That being said, pocket scales are extremely affordable at coin collecting supply websites like www.CoinSupplyExpress.com. One popular model, the 250 gram pocket scale from American Weight, is only $22.02.

How can you maintain your coin collection?

2010-01-20T14:09:00.000-05:00

We’re sure that your coin collection has a great personal and historical value. We’re also sure that you’ll do anything possible in order to keep your precious collection in the best shape possible, right? Well, if you are starting out collecting coins, and don’t exactly know how to take care of your collection, here are a few pointers to help you out!

First and foremost – don’t clean your coins! Yup. You heard us right. Cleaning your coins is not a good idea. You actually want to avoid even getting to the point where the coins are dirty, because frankly, coins, especially copper ones, just don't like liquids.

So you need to make sure that your coins will not get dirty and you should do so by keeping them in an album! Not your local Walmart $1.99 photography album of course. You need a special coin collection album made of quality plastic that is chemical free and will not damage your coins on the long run. There are many types of albums available and one of the most popular brands are the Dansco coin albums, which been around since 1937. Now that’s a name you can trust.

Once your coin finds its place in the album, you should never touch it again. I know. Heartbreaking. But your fingers are oily and can damage the coins. If you really must clean your coin collection, consider talking to a professional.

And if you’re looking for the perfect coin albums, coin folders, coin display boxes and everything coin collection related, visit us at www.CoinSupplyExpress.com today!

How To Put Coins Into Albums

2009-05-04T10:14:00.001-04:00

"I just received my coin album but how do I put my coins in it?" That is a frequent question and the answer is obvious once you know it but if you aren't quite sure what you are looking for it can be a little bit confusing.

Coin albums have pages that are made up of five parts that are layered together like a sandwich. They have a top coat, a top acetate, a middle board, a bottom acetate and a bottom coat. The top and bottom coats are adhered to the middle board in rows between the coin openings. The trick to loading a coin album is that the acetate slides to the right of the page and is between the coatings and the middle board. To load a coin you simply slide the top acetate to the right edge of the page, place your coin in the appropriate opening and slide the acetate back into place. The acetate sheets hold your coin into place while the top and bottom page coatings hold the acetates in place.

Here is a quick 45 second video that shows you exactly how to add coins to any album.

This video can also be seen at Coin Supply Express at our Information and Education page.

Starting a Coin Collection

2009-04-22T21:34:00.000-04:00

By: Jeff Ambio, ANA, NLG

Coin collecting has grown steadily in popularity since the end of World War II. Periods of particularly substantial growth in the number of collectors in the United States have been noted for the early-to-mid 1960s during the run-up in silver prices, the early 1980s as people began to realize the investment potential of rare coins and the early years of the 21st century thanks to new designs for circulating coins such as Westward Journey Nickels and Statehood Quarters. Over the years the most successful collectors—those that have had the best chance of staying with the hobby and protecting the financial investment that they have made in coins—follow a few basic guidelines handed down by seasoned collectors and professional rare coin experts. These guidelines are free to all who invest the time and interest in learning about the hobby of coin collecting before rushing into their first rare coin acquisitions.

1. Buy the Book before the Coin. There is a wealth of knowledge out there about rare coins and the market in which they trade—certainly much more than was available to collectors in the 1950s and 1960s. Take advantage of this knowledge by investing in a few basic books about coins and coin collecting. What you learn could prevent you from making costly mistakes when buying and selling coins.

2. Find a Reputable Dealer and/or Auctioneer. The firms or individuals that you choose to do business with can seriously impact your commitment to coin collecting. Work with an honest, reputable and knowledgeable dealer or auctioneer and you are likely to remain a happy collector. Get a dishonest individual or firm that sells you problem-ridden or overvalued coins and chances are good that you will soon be moving on to another hobby. Always do thorough research on any dealer or auctioneer to determine their levels of professionalism and integrity. And remember that finding a reputable dealers or auctioneer also has other benefits, such as the knowledge that they can share about coins and coin collecting in general.

3. Start Small. Never rush into making an expensive purchase. For starters, you might not know enough about what you are buying to determine whether that $1,000 coins is really worth $1,000. Second, it would be a shame to spend large amounts of money making initial purchase only to find out within a short while that coin collecting is not really your cup of tea. For these and other reasons, I recommend getting started by collecting coins out of circulation. Lincoln Cents, Westward Journey Nickels and Statehood Quarters are particularly popular for this purpose as they are readily obtainable and cost only face value. If you want more of a challenge, however, you can also consider Kennedy Half Dollars and Presidential Dollars—coins that still worth only face value but will probably require you to make special trips to your bank to obtain examples in quantity. Focusing on coins such as these allows you to dive right into collecting while you amass the knowledge and experience required to move on to more costly acquisitions.

Start Collecting With State Quarters

2009-03-12T16:26:00.000-04:00

Coin collecting should be fun, especially when you’re just getting started. Of course everybody hopes to crack open the old piggy bank and find a long lost rare coin that will more than pay for a family vacation to Hawaii but that’s probably not going to happen.

If you’re new to coin collecting and just not sure where to start then I suggest that you consider state quarters. Will your state quarter collection be worth anything? Probably not more than $12.50 (maybe $14 after you collect the 2009 territory quarters) but that’s not a reason to overlook state quarters.

First off, you are new to collecting. You don’t know what to collect and you certainly don’t know what has any value. Before you consider jumping into rare coins with a wad of cash you should start with something that is relatively free, impressive in size and a challenge, but not impossible, to complete. State Quarters are all of those things.

Collecting state quarters can also teach you how to revalue your collection. For example, when you raid your coin jar and find quarters you’ll find some that look pretty nice and some that look like they’ve been run through the vending machine a few hundred times. You’ll put the best into your collection and the rest back into circulation but you’ll know that the ugly one has to go. You’ll watch your collection change over time as you replace old coins for newer, better looking coins. In the end, if there ever is an end, you’ll have a state quarter collection that you can be proud of. Once you’ve got your collection together you can store it in a Dansco quarter album, Whitman quarter album or in a colorful state quarter map.

The keys to collecting coins are to enjoy the hunt and to be proud of your prize. Once you get started with the “free” quarters that are in circulation you’ll learn what you like in a coin and what you don’t like in a coin. By the time you’re wrapping up your first state quarter collection you’ll be doing new research for your next conquest. The experience of state quarters will teach how to search for coins that are impressive to you as you find example that are more rare and more expensive than where you started.

See this article at Coin Supply Express.

Archival Quality Dansco Slipcases

2009-03-11T18:17:00.000-04:00

Dansco slipcases are an inexpensive way to maximize the protective benefits of your Dansco coin albums. Each slipcase is produced with the corrosion-inhibiting protection of Silver-Guard, which is a military specification material that permanently neutralizes corrosive gasses in the air that can cause toning and discoloration. Silver-Guard works with silver, gold copper and nickel coins as well as medals, medallions, bars and ferrous metals. While a Dansco slipcase won’t remove existing toning on your coins, it will minimize air-flow within your album. Remember, it is best to store your coins in a cool, dry place that is way from extreme temperature and humidity changes. In other words, your closet shelf is a better choice than your garage attic.

Dansco Slipcases

A full 2-mil coating for years of protection
Military spec Silver-Guard
Six-Sizes - a slipcase for every Dansco Album

Dansco Slipcase and the Dansco Album models they serve:

5/8” Dansco Slipcase
For all Dansco albums with 5/8” binders:
6108, 6109, 6110, 6151 v.2, 6170, 6172, 7061, 7063, 7094, 7095 v.1, 7095 v.2, 7101, 7107, 7111, 7112, 7117, 7121, 7123, 7127, 7130, 7132, 7137, 7144, 7146, 7150, 7157, 7160, 7161, 7165, 7171, 7175, 7176, 7177, 7178, 7179, 7180, 7183, 7371, 7372, 7373, 8145, 8176, 8180, 8182, 8183

3/4" Dansco Slipcase
For all Dansco albums with ¾” binders:
6121, 6141 ,7062, 7065, 7066, 7091, 7092, 7098, 7102, 7103, 7125, 7172, 7173, 7174, 7181, 7215, 7229, 7232

7/8” Dansco Slipcase
For all Dansco albums with 7/8” binders:
6122, 6142, 6171, 7003, 7005, 7007, 7010, 7011, 7080, 7084, 7085, 7086, 7113, 7143, 7166, 7350, 8102, 8125, 8143, 8144, 8181

1” Dansco Slipcase
For all Dansco albums with 1” binders:
6120, 7070, 7184, 7186, 8113, 8184, 8185

1 1/8” Dansco Slipcase
For all Dansco albums with 1 1/8” binders:
6152, 7000, 7004, 7006, 7008, 7015, 7016, 7017, 7018, 7030, 7099, 7140, 7400

1 1/4” Dansco Slipcase
For all Dansco albums with 1 ¼” binders:
7100, 8100, 8140, 8166

Collecting Sports Legends Collector's Guide

2009-02-20T18:34:00.000-05:00

Collecting Sports Legends: The Ultimate Hobby Guide by Joe Orlando

A coffee-table book that spans every major sport and takes the reader on a journey through the treasured memorabilia of America's famous and beloved icons.

Composed by the leading experts in the field, including PSA President, Joe Orlando, Collecting Sports Legends covers the best of the best. Never before has one book featured such a variety of hobby subjects. From Babe Ruth's baseball cards and game-used bats to autographs from the likes of Arnold Palmer, every major sport, sports legend and sports collectible is featured.

Designed to appeal to fans of all ages, this visually stunning book is rich with vibrant images of hundreds of players and includes facts and trivia on each of their accomplishments and achievements. Whether you are a hardcore collector or just an avid sports fan, this book not only brings the legends of sports to live, but also provides crucial tips on how to assemble a world class collection.

You can read more about the author, Joe Orlando, and his comments about writing this book at the Professional Sports Authenticator website.

Air-Tite Holders Purchasing & Packaging (part 3 of 3)

2009-01-16T21:21:00.001-05:00

The previous posts focused on what Air-Tite holders actually are and choosing the correct Air-Tite Holder for your coin collection. This section will wrap up how to purchase them.

RETAIL vs BULK vs RE-PACKING
Air-Tite Holders are sold by Air-Tite to its distributors in retail blister packs and in bulk packs. Bulk packs are 250 piece boxes with each layer separated by foam to prevent scratching while in transit.

Direct Fit Air-Tites are easy to purchase in bulk. You simply specify which item you need to order, for example, H39.

Air-Tite Holders with Rings are a bit more complicated. Buying Holders with Rings requires two bulk purchases - the capsules and the rings. To do this you need to determine the correct model (A, T, H, I, X or Y) and the correct ring size (example, 18mm). Keep in mind that you are buying 250 of a model and 250 of a ring size.

The sound of “bulk pack” and a commitment to 250 pieces can be intimidating but you need to do a little bit of math before you decide that it’s not for you. You don’t need to use all 250 pieces to save money over individual blister packs. If you have a collection of 100 nickels and 100 quarters, both of which fit in model T capsules, you can purchase a bulk pack of capsules and two bulk packs of different size rings and still come out far ahead. While prices will vary among resellers, Air-Tite points out that bulk packaging can be beneficial if you are purchasing more than 100 of a particular size holder.

Most Air-Tite resellers offer both retail and blister packaging for Direct Fit Holders. Because of the extra component of stocking rings some, but not all, will also sell Holders With Rings in bulk.

You will also find that there are some Air-Tite dealers that offer an improvised third style – Re-packing. If you visit the Air-Tite website you will see a note on the Holders with Rings page that reads: “One other thing you need to know! Our product is factory-sealed directly by Air-Tite Holders, Inc with blister packaging, not re-packed from bulk product, thrown loose in a bag, which you’ll find sold by many of our coin supply dealers at discount. The advantage of original Air-Tite Holders blister packaging is that you won’t receive scratched, finger-smudged holders or rings, or product that has collected dust and moisture, which ultimately ends up on your coin surfaces.”

While that is an interesting commentary from Air-Tite it does open the door to several questions. Is blister packaging done in a dust free clean room? Is there a moisture barrier in the packaging? If the bulk pack isn’t blister sealed does that make its contents susceptible to the same moisture problems that the blister packaging prevents? I’m certainly not trying to bash Air-Tite. I think that the benefit of manufacturer packaging is a good thing to point out. But, I think that as an educated consumer you need to consider that re-packing in itself is not necessarily bad. If the items are thrown loose into a bag so that they can be scratched before you get your coins into them then, of course, re-packing is bad. On the other hand, if an Air-Tite dealer takes the time to carefully re-pack a 250 piece bulk container into smaller lots then you might find the savings to be beneficial. Before you purchase a re-packed product you need to ask how the items are packed and protected so that they are not scratched while in transit.

IN CONCLUSION
You now know everything that you need to know about Air-Tite Coin Holders. In this article you have learned:

Air-Tite Capsules protect a coin by encasing it between a non-yellowing plastic top and base.

Air-Tites can be stored in boxes or taken out and handled without damaging the coin inside.

Air-Tite Holders With Rings have six basic sizes and use a flexible ring to snugly hold a coin in place.

Air-Tite Direct Fit holders are molded for specific mint condition coins and bars.

The best way to find the correct Air-Tite capsule for your coin is to shop with a company that links directly from a chart to the model that you need to purchase.

Bulk purchases of Air-Tite holders can be cost effective for 100+ piece collections of same size coins.

Re-packed Air-Tites into less than 250 piece lots are not necessarily bad – but you need to be careful.

Please be sure to visit Coin Supply Express when you are ready to purchase Air-Tite Holders for your coin collection. There you will find Air-Tites in Retail Packs and Air-Tites in Bulk Packs.

Air-Tite Holders Ending The Confusion (part 2 of 3)

2009-01-16T21:09:00.000-05:00

The first part of this article focused on Air-Tite Holders in general. This part will explain specific sizes.

WHAT MAKES PURCHASING AIR-TITES SO CONFUSING?
Air-Tites are actually pretty easy to understand. The problem is that most companies go right for the sale which means that you get a huge list of products but very little or confusing information. It is usually quite difficult to determine what size you need for your prized 1837 dime (note that you’ll a 19mm for 1796 to 1837 dimes instead of the 18mm used for all other dimes).

Some companies, including Air-Tite, do publish Sizing Charts but you still need to pay close attention to the various sizes available for specific coins. Coin Supply Express also provides several excellent charts with direct links from coins and sizes to the item that you will need to purchase.

AIR-TITE HOLDERS WITH RINGS MODELS AND SIZES
The basics of the Air-Tite holder with rings system are that there are just six plastic capsule models – A, T, H, I, X & Y – and each model holds a range of ring sizes. The outside diameter of the rings for a particular model are all the same size and fit to the inside diameter of the plastic case. It is the inside die cut of each ring that separates one size holder from the next. Remember, it is the ring that holds the coin and it is the combination of the ring and the coin that fill the space of the capsule. In other words, all of the rings for model A have an outside diameter of 28.85mm but the center circles range from 10mm to 19mm across. The border created by the ring will be larger for a 10mm coin than for a 19mm coin and will have a range in width between the coin and capsule from 9.425mm to 4.925mm, respectively. Note that larger coins have smaller borders because they take up more space in the capsule.

What makes Air-Tites most confusing is the fact that the particular model usually doesn’t matter unless you’re buying bulk packs which is explained in the last section. If you have a 25mm coin you have no other choice but to use a model T because model A only goes up to 19mm and Model H starts at 26mm. But, there are 6 ring sizes for model T, each available with black or white rings for a total of 12 different model T capsules that you would need to choose from.

Unless you are purchasing in bulk, the easiest way to search for Air-Tites holders with rings is to ignore the model and search by coin size since the only time that there appears to be a crossover in Air-Tite sizes is with a 39mm coin which is available in two depths (thicknesses). However, because this is written for the purpose of making you an expert in regard to Air-Tite holders the model specifics are outline below:

Air-Tite Model A – fits coin diameters 10mm – 19mm
MSRP - $0.95 (on January 14, 2009)
Capsule Inside Diameter 1.018” (28.85mm)
Capsule Outside Diameter 1.218” (30.93mm)
Capsule Depth 0.062” (1.57mm)
Air-Tite Model T – fits coin diameters 20mm – 25mm
MSRP - $0.99 (on January 14, 2009)
Capsule Inside Diameter 1.237” (31.41mm)
Capsule Outside Diameter 1.437” (34.49mm)
Capsule Depth 0.08” (2.03mm)

Air-Tite Model H – fits coin diameters 26mm – 32mm
MSRP - $1.05 (on January 14, 2009)
Capsule Inside Diameter 1.55” (39.37mm)
Capsule Outside Diameter 1.75” (44.45mm)
Capsule Depth 0.125” (3.17mm)
Air-Tite Model I – fits coin diameters 33mm – 42mm
MSRP - $1.09 (on January 14, 2009)
Capsule Inside Diameter 1.818” (46.17mm)
Capsule Outside Diameter 2.031” (51.58mm)
Capsule Depth 0.115” (2.92mm)
Air-Tite Model X – fits coin diameters 39mm, 43mm & 44mm
MSRP - $1.29 (on January 14, 2009)
Capsule Inside Diameter 1.875” (47.63mm)
Capsule Outside Diameter 2.118” (53.79mm)
Capsule Depth 0.156” (3.96mm)
Air-Tite Model Y – fits coin diameters 47mm & 50.8mm
MSRP - $1.89 (on January 14, 2009)
Capsule Inside Diameter 2.559” (65mm)
Capsule Outside Diameter 2.81” (71.37mm)
Capsule Depth 0.216” (5.48mm)

AIR-TITE DIRECT FIT HOLDERS MODELS AND SIZES
Direct Fit holders are based on the same concept as holders with rings. There are 7 models but instead of sizing rings each model has several sub-models that are molded to perfectly contain a specific mint condition coin. The ordering number for the type of Direct Fit that you need is a combination of the model and size. For example, A16 is model A in 16mm. Again, the models are basically irrelevant to you as a collector. While you can memorize the fact that an Air-Tite Direct Fit US Half Dollar (excluding years 1794-1836) is a model T all you really need to know is that you need Air-Tite item T30 to encase your coin. To make it even more simple, you can search websites for Air-Tite 30mm and you should be shown a black and a white holder with rings along with the T30 direct fit from which you can make your purchase selection.

One important difference between Direct Fit and Holders with Rings - Direct Fit holders have also been molded to hold silver bars and other round sizes.

You can refer to the sizing chart at the Air-Tite Holders web site for the correct direct fit sizes for your coin collection. You can also find this same information in several charts at Coin Supply Express.

Air-Tite Direct Fit Model A
MSRP - $0.89 for all sizes (on January 14, 2009)
A16 - American Eagle 1/10oz Gold or Platinum
A18 - US Dime
A19 - US Small Cent
A21 - US Nickel
A22 - American Eagle 1/4oz Gold or Platinum
A24 - US Quarter
A26 - US SBA, Sacagawea & Presidential Dollar
Air-Tite Direct Fit Model T
MSRP - $0.95 (on January 14, 2009)
T30 – US Half Dollar
Air-Tite Direct Fit Model H
MSRP - $0.89 for all sizes (on January 14, 2009)
H27 - American Eagle 1/2oz Gold or Platinum
H32 - American Eagle 1oz Gold or Platinum & Buffalo $50 Gold
H38 - Us Dollar (Morgan, Peace, Trade, Eisenhower)
H39 - 1oz Silver Round
H40 - American Eagle Silver Dollar
Air-Tite Direct Fit Model BAR
MSRP - $1.19 for all sizes (on January 14, 2009)
BAR – 1oz Silver Bar
Capsule Inside Dimensions – 1.158”x 2.0” (29.41mm x 50.8mm)
Capsule Outside Dimensions – 1.357”x 2.197” (34.46mm x 55.8mm)
Capsule Depth – 0.098” (2.49mm)

Model X
MSRP - $1.19 for all sizes (on January 14, 2009)
X3 – Uncommon 2oz Silver Round
Capsule Inside Diameter 1.855” (47.12mm)
Capsule Outside Diameter 2.118” (53.79mm)
Capsule Depth 0.156” (3.96mm)
X6 – Common 2oz Silver Round
Capsule Inside Diameter 1.875” (47.63mm)
Capsule Outside Diameter 2.118” (53.79mm)
Capsule Depth 0.156” (3.96mm)
X43.6 – Casino $10 Silver Strike
Capsule Inside Diameter 1.716” (43.6mm)
Capsule Outside Diameter 2.118” (53.79mm)
Capsule Depth 0.156” (3.96mm)
X1.75 – Uncommon 2oz Silver Round
Capsule Inside Diameter 1.75” (44.5mm)
Capsule Outside Diameter 2.118” (53.79mm)
Capsule Depth 0.156” (3.96mm)
Model Y
MSRP - $1.75 for all sizes (on January 14, 2009)
Y63 – Uncommon 5oz Silver Round
Capsule Inside Diameter 2.48” (63.00mm)
Capsule Outside Diameter 2.81” (71.37mm)
Capsule Depth 0.216” (5.48mm)
Y63 – Uncommon 5oz Silver Round
Capsule Inside Diameter 2.48” (63.00mm)
Capsule Outside Diameter 2.81” (71.37mm)
Capsule Depth 0.216” (5.48mm)
Model Z
MSRP - $1.99 for all sizes (on January 14, 2009)
Z5 – Uncommon 3inch 5oz Silver Round
Capsule Inside Diameter 3.024” (76.8mm)
Capsule Outside Diameter 3.264” (82.91mm)
Capsule Depth 0.151” (3.84mm)
Z10 – 3inch 10oz Silver Round
Capsule Inside Diameter 3.024” (76.8mm)
Capsule Outside Diameter 3.264” (82.91mm)
Capsule Depth 0.286” (7.26mm)

The next part will conclude with purchasing Air-Tite Coin Holders.