3/2/08 Welcome to my Coins Info Page!
This site is dedicated to distributing information to make the coin collecting hobby more enjoyable.

Coin collecting is such a fun hobby: You hold in your hand little pieces of varying metal from far-flung countries. You inspect and admire the vastly different and beautiful designs. You learn of places you may never visit. You wonder who may have held the coin before you. Collecting coins can be an enjoyable, educational and inexpensive pastime. Great for kids and adults alike.

NUMISMASTER:   YOUR ONLINE WORLD COIN DATABASE

--- My Other Pages Here --- Assorted World Coin Pictures Flipping Coin Photos (Java enabled)   World Coin VaRiEtIeS   World Coin Errors   World Coin Counterfeits Krause "Varieties Exist" Info    Medals, Tokens, Exonumia, etc. Unknown Coins -Take a Guess! ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Info on Coins: Testing for PVC (polyvinyl chloride)  Notgeld Coin and Currency Information Chinese Cash Coin Identification COIN SHOW LISTINGS - Shows around the U.S. and more   Find a Coin Dealer Near You! Historical Exchange Rates and Info Coin Photography Links >1, 2 Money Meanderings  Rulers Of The World

 
 
 

 

Purity: Percent, meaning parts of gold per 100 (ex. 37.5%) Fineness, meaning parts of gold per 1,000 (ex. .375 fine) Karat, meaning parts of gold per 24. (ex. 9 k). Not to be confused with the Carat, equaling a fifth of a gram, which is used to state the weight of a gem stone.    100% =  1000 fine =  24 karat 91.7% =  917 fine =  22 karat 75.0% =  750 fine =  18 karat 58.3% =  583 fine =  14 karat 41.6% =  416 fine =  10 karat*    *The minimum amount of gold that a product can be composed of and carry the label "gold", according to the U.S. Federal Trade Commission "Guides to the Jewelry Industry." ******************************************************* Weight Equivalents:   1 troy ounce = 20 pennyweight 1 troy ounce = 1.097 ordinary ounces 1 troy ounce = 480 grains 1 troy ounce = 31.1 grams 1000 troy ounces = 31.1 kilograms 1 gram = .03215 troy ounces 1 kilogram = 32.15 troy ounces 1 tonne = 32,151 troy ounces 1 avoirdupois (ordinary) ounce = .911 troy ounces 1 avoirdupois (ordinary) pound = 14.58 troy ounces


 

*Collector values depend on denomination, date, mint mark (if any), and condition of a coin, including amount of wear, any dents, scratches or cleaning.  *For info you might also try a library for a copy of the Standard Catalog of World Coins for pictures, values and lots more interesting facts.







CLEANING COINS: DON'T DO IT! Cleaning reduces the value of a coin by 50% or more. Coins can decay due to corrosion from chemical reactions between the metal and  moisture in the air (humidity). Zinc is especially bad for this with its 'white rust'. Keeping it in a pH environment of 8 or lower may inhibit it. Ancient coins can also exhibit 'bronze disease': Link, Link. Keep coins in a dry, non-reactive environment.





Online Coin Groups:  Meet collectors from around the world! < The Best, in my opinion! PCGS Coin Collector's Universe Forums ------------------------------------- NGC Colletor's Society World Coins Forum ------------------------------------- Coin Talk Forum -------------------------------------- Coin People Coins Forum -------------------------------------- Omni Coins Forum     -------------------------------------- World Copper Coins Forum -------------------------------------- Canadian Coin Reference Site Forum -------------------------------------- Royal Australian Mint Forum -------------------------------------- Aussie Coin Varieties Forum -------------------------------------- German Coin Enthusiasts Forum -------------------------------------- Coin Monger Forum -------------------------------------- Join World Coin Collecting      MSN Groups >MSN Groups: World Coin Collecting - Collecting World Coins - Variety Coins - Collecting Foreign Coins - Coin Knowledge - Coin Traders -  Coins & Currency - Paper Money Collectors Unite - Error World --------------------------------------- >Yahoo Groups: Coin Question - Coins Club - Islamic Coins - South Asian Coin Group - World Coin Club - Error World - World Coin Collectors --------------------------------------- ICQ Coin Group --------------------------------------- Member #29 - Coin Masters Group ------------------------------------------   <<< Ask a Coin Expert!                                --------------------------------------------------                          or <<< Ask a Coin Expert!




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STORING YOUR COINS  The best environment is dry with low humidity and low dust levels.  You might try using 2x2's, a 2" square cardboard holder (above) with clear windows, to house your coins.  There are also 2x2 clear plastic flips, 2x2 paper envelopes and clear polyethylene slips 2x3, etc  that can be used for short term storage.  These can then be stored in plastic pages suitable for a notebook or stored in a row in an aluminum foil box which is also about 2 inches wide.  From left to right above: Envelopes, 2x2, flip. Choices in coin holders include but aren't limited to the following, in order of estimated popularity: * 2x2s. Consists of white cardboard with clear Mylar pocket to allow viewing of coin. Can attribute and describe coins on cardboard with pen or pencil. Called 2x2s because holder's dimensions measure 2 inches by 2 inches, though most coin holders are this size as well. (In Europe larger sizes are available along with plastic shells into which you place the cardboard holder.) Paper dust from cardboard can cause spotting over time, though some holders advertise that they're dust free. Staples on staple-type can scratch coins if you're not careful when removing them. Glue on glue-type 2x2s may damage coins over time. Somewhat chintzy looking but inexpensive and relatively safe. * Safety flips. All-plastic two-part holder -- you flip up part holding coin to view coin's reverse. Can choose flips with one pocket (for coin) or two pockets (for coin and for paper insert on which you can attribute and describe coin, optionally using computer). Called "safety flips" because safe for long-term coin storage. Two kinds: generic safety flips and Kointain Saflips. Generic safety flips made from low-plasticizer PVC. Often mistakenly called non-PVC flips, PVC-free flips, or unplasticized flips. Much safer than PVC flips for long-term coin storage because of low levels of plasticizers. Can view edge of the coin. Hard edges may scratch coins when inserting and removing if you're not careful. May crack with repeated opening and closing, forcing you to replace the holder. May turn pale color over time, also forcing you to replace them. Shouldn't be used with proof coins because they can outgas small quantities of hydrogen chloride gas (hydrochloric acid), which can cause microscopic pitting, leading to hazing. Generic safety flips relatively inexpensive. Generic safety flips include: Super Safe brand (sometimes called Madison coin flips -- made by Frame-A-Coin of Madison, NJ) available at many coin shows and through Brent-Krueger Group, http://www.brent-krueger.com. Come in sheets -- you tear off individual flips. Generic safety flips (made by International Plastics of Altadena, CA) available from Jake's Marketplace, http://www.jakesmp.net. Thicker and sturdier (they make nice mini-coin stands) than Super Safe flips but crack more easily and not as good for largest coins. Brooklyn Gallery Coins & Stamps (http://www.brooklyngallery.com) sells generic safety flips that it buys from various manufacturers in China. Kointain Saflips made from Mylar, one brand name for polyethylene terephthalate. Mylar is probably safer over the very long term than low-plasticizer vinyl. Also, not as prone to cracking. Horizontal striations, however, are unsightly and may interfere with viewing of coin inside. Sharp corners. More expensive than generic safety flips. * Flips (also called soft vinyl flips). Consist of PVC (polyvinylchloride, also known as vinyl), stabilizers (to prolong life), and plasticizers (to soften the plastic). Plasticizers can damage coins over time (causes "PVC damage," which looks like green goo), with damage occurring faster when flips are exposed to heat, humidity, or sunlight. Soft vinyl flips are used by sellers and in submitting coins to grading services because they make it easy to insert and remove coins and because they're inexpensive. Coins bought in soft vinyl flips should be removed and placed in other storage media. * Air-Tite holders. Acrylic and polyethylene. Safe for long-term storage. Larger than standard 2x2 format (2-3/4 x 2-3/4 with display card). Most impressive looking holders next to slabs. Expensive. http://www.airtiteholders.com. * Intercept Shield holders. Made with material that's designed to intercept and neutralize sulfur and other contaminants, preventing toning. Can be difficult to place coins inside flexible gasket. Expensive. Can buy separate Intercept Shield boxes to use with other 2x2-size holders or with slabs. http://www.interceptshield.com/products.html. * CoinEdge holders (formerly called CoinSafe). All plastic -- Mylar (polyethylene terephthalate). Safe for long-term storage. Can view edge of the coin. Chintzy look and feel. http://www.coinedge.com. * Whitman (or Gallery) holders. All plastic (polystyrene). Safe for long-term storage. Coins slide and bang around inside, potentially causing damage. Inexpensive. * Eagle holders. Polystyrene encasing with Mylar (polyethylene terephthalate) windows. Safe for long-term storage. Time consuming to insert coins. Small coins don't always remain in position within holder. Large coins can cause the holder to pop open. http://www.eaglecoinholders.com. * Capital holders. Plastic (Lucite) holder that you screw shut. Inserting and removing coins can be labor intensive. Coins can slide or bang around inside, potentially causing damage. Expensive. http://www.capitalplastics.com/coins. * Kointain holders. Round shell that fits snugly around coin. Non-PVC plastic and safe for long-term storage. Can be used alone or inside other holders or albums. Used by some museums. Other coin storage options include slabs, slab-like holders, coin albums, coin folders, paper envelopes, poly bags, coin cabinets, coin cases, coin frames, coin tubes ... and pockets and purses. Recommended coin supply dealers: Brent-Krueger Group http://www.brent-krueger.com Jake's Marketplace http://www.jakesmp.net Brooklyn Gallery Coins & Stamps http://www.brooklyngallery.com Kelgory Coin & Currency Supply www.coin-supplies.com Stanton Books & Supplies http://www.stantonbooks.com Roy Reynolds Coins http://www.royreynoldscoins.com *The above, thanks to Reid Goldsborough*

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My COINS FOR SALE My PAPER MONEY FOR SALE

Some of the  COINS  I  NEED:

ANGOLA:  1 Kwanza             BELGIAN CONGO: 2c 1910 or 1919            BHUTAN: 1 Rupee 1966             BRAZIL: 5 Cr 1942            COMORO IS.: 10 Fr 1964             CZECHOSLOVAKIA: 1, 5 haler 1991 or '92            FR.SOMALILAND: 20 Fr 1965             GREECE: 2 Lepta 1878            GUINEA: 5 Fr 1962             HAITI: 10c 1995            HONDURAS:  50c 1967             INDIA: 1/12a & 1/2p 1903-06            IRELAND: 6d 1935             JAMAICA:  1f 1937; 1/2d 1969            JORDAN:  1f 1978-85, 10f 1968-75, 20f 1964-65             LIBYA:  1 Dirham 1975            MAURITIUS:  10c 1947, 1952             MOROCCO:  20 Fr 1366 (1947)            POLAND:  5 gr 1939, 1949             PORTUGAL:  5 reis 1910            RUSSIA: 3 & 5 K 1935 or 36             SPAIN: 1c 1911, 12 or 13            SWEDEN:  10 ore 1969; 25 ore 1952, 1955, others A Printer Friendly list of other coins I need are HERE Please email me if you have any of these for sale or trade! 1/05

Online Coin Collector Web Pages Links: Aethelred's Coin Site - Your online home for coins, currency and other collectables. Alison Keroack's Site - Coin Collecting for Beginners cOIN cRAZY.com: - Piotr's Excellent Interactive Coin Site All Around Africa  - Paul Baker's great Coins of Africa website Steven Gibbs' Guernsey Numismatics Home Page: - Flipping Java Coin Bitmaps Tony Clayton's Coins of England & Great Britain: - English Coin Info            Wayne's International Coins  - Ship Coins         World Mints and Other Coin Web Sites - World mints Wybrit's British Coins Site:  - British Coins Info           Other Kool Koin Links: - Lots more Links Please let me know of any bad links or problems: E-MAIL ME: tbirde@psknet.com<  ALL comments appreciated!

The U.S. Mint's 50 State Quarters Program <

 U.S. Mint's Web Page >

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