At MCI we enjoy spreading the word about numsimatic education. As they say, 'Knowledge is King', and that couldn't be more true in numismatics. The more educated you are in the subject, the better equipped you will be when you purchase coins for your collection.

We have compiled some helpfum information to help you along your way in this great hobby. Enjoy!

The Plan

• Consider picking a specialty instead of collecting "everything". Collecting anything and everything can turn into an expensive, disorganized mess. Choose what you like to collect, and stick with it. If you decide later that you want to change your specialty, you will at least have a well organized partial collection to sell, and finding a buyer will be easier than finding someone willing to take a mess off your hands.
• Have realistic goals. If your budget for collecting is $100 per month, it might not be a good idea to pick one ounce gold coins as your area of specialty. Be reasonable with the number of coins in your completed collection and the cost of obtaining those coins. Your goal will not seem insurmountable and the sense of accomplishment you will get when you finish that goal will keep your excitement in the hobby burning toward the next goal.
• Know the specialty you have picked. You should research and know your area of specialty BEFORE you start buying them. Know how to grade them, know who sells them, know the common counterfeits you might encounter, and know what the keys are to your collection.
• Plan your budget to buy the keys first. Purchasing the key dates prior to working on the bulk of the collection may save you money and will help you match the rest of your collection to the key coins you have already bought.

The All-Important Library

A Web of Learning

• Find links listed on reliable websites. Reliable websites are not likely to post links to questionable sources. Our links page offers a number of links to reputable sources of information.
• Find your information in more than one place. If you seek specific information or have a question you need answered and need to use the web for that information, find the answer posted in at least two reliable websites if you cannot find it in a published book. This helps to avoid faulty information and avoids duplicating the occasional 'tpyograhpical' error that does find its way on the internet that book publishers would normally catch. ;O)
• Use messages posted on forums and message boards with caution. Many users of these boards may think they know their stuff, but often advice given on message boards is worth what it cost to post it. An exception to this is expert sponsored message boards where the experts actually post responses to questions. These can often be a great resource for searching out answers.

The Right Supplies

• Do not use PVC plastics for long term storage. Polyvinylchloride, or PVC, is a smelly, oily softener that keeps plastic from becoming brittle. Some coin supplies contain PCV, espcially flips and plastic pages. Over time plastics with PVC tend to break down allowing the acid in the oils to leech into any metal it happes to touch. The film of slimy green residue that results will eat the surface off any coin.
• Keep coins cool and dry. Hot moist environments are not acceptable places to store coins. The humidity and heat of an attic or garage will speed the process of aging your coins which can aid in development of spots and speed the process of breaking down the plastics in which you store your coins.
• Avoid storing coins in paper that contains acids. Like PVC, the acid in paper can break down and contaminate your coins. While this can sometimes tone coins with an array of beautiful colors, it can also be very dangerous to the coins' surfaces.
• DO NOT CLEAN COINS! One of the most important bits of knowledge you will gain from any resource is not to try washing or treating your coins. We have included this in the supplies section because supplies dealers do carry coin cleaning chemicals for those who refuse this sound advice. Your best method for making your coins look nicer is to let professionals with years of experience in properly conserving coins take care of it for you. Numismatic Conservation Services (NCS), a division of Certified Collectibles Group is the service of choice for thousands of professionals who leave conservation to the pros. Check them out!
• Certify your valuables. Proper certification and authentication of your valuable coins can not only help eliminate the risk of storing coins in improper holders, but it can add confidence and peace of mind in knowing you have exactly what you think you have. Read the next section for more on certifying your coins.

Professional Certification/Grading

• The holders are well sealed which protects the coins inside from damage, however being in a holder is not a substitute for proper storage conditions.
• Reputable grading services such as the Numismatic Guaranty Corporation and the Professional Coin Grading Service (PCGS) go to great expense to hire the best graders and authenticators in the business. When your coin is in a reputable company's holder, it gives greater assurance that the coin is genuine and graded accurately to a high professional standard.
• Certified coins are easier to sell. Valuable coins can be much more difficult to sell if they are not certified because there is no assurance to the buyer that the coin has been professionally reviewed and authenticated. Often it is simple and easy to get offers from dealers through the mail or over the telephone for certified coins, while it is nearly impossible to do the same for uncertified coins. The dealer will understandably need to see the uncertified coins in-hand before making an offer.
• The non-collector aspect - When you leave your collection to heirs who are non-collectors, researching the value of the coins you have left them is much easier if the coins are certified.

• Do they have a web site? Does it look professionally created?
• Do they have a toll free number where you can call them?
• Do they offer any sort of guarantee that their work is legitimate?
• Call a few dealers and ask them if they have heard of the company and whether they buy coins in that company's holders.
• Contact a coin club and ask them about the company.
• Does the company advertise? Generally only bigger, more reputable and solid companies have the capital to advertise.
• If you go to a coin show, look around at the holders offered. Is this company's holder widespread at the show?
• Doe they have a census (AKA population report) that lists all of the coins they have certified?
• Who are their graders/authenticators? Are they top-notch?

Risk Factors