Last updated 1 year ago
The ancient Egyptians mummified the richest and most powerful figures of their society after death. The reason these mummies have stayed intact for so long is because of Egypt’s hot and dry climate and the application of natron, an ancient natural drying agent, during the mummification process.
The Egyptians knew the danger moisture posed to preserving what was valuable to their society—and so should you! Moisture can cause your collectable paper money, coins, and other valuables to develop mold and corrosive conditions, reducing the value of your collectibles considerably.
- Fungal Growth
Mold and mildew can stain and completely consume paper collectibles like books, paper money, and autographs. Mold grows when humidity in the atmosphere around your collectables reaches 60%. Another condition that’s brought on by moisture is a dormant fungus known as foxing. This fungus creates rust-colored spots on the paper. Store your valuables in a dry place to avoid these dangers.
- Corrosion
Coins and metals are more likely to deteriorate if stored in damp conditions. For example, if a collectable copper coin was buried in soil for a period of time, it may have absorbed salt from the soil. Any time moisture comes into contact with soil-salted coins, the chemical reaction encourages the corrosive process. However, you shouldn’t try to clean a valuable coin yourself. Instead, you should hire a professional. Improper cleaning can lower your coin’s value significantly.
- Bronze Disease
You may have seen cooper-alloy-based coins with bronze disease, which is a corrosive condition that produces bright powdery green spots on the coin’s surface. Atmospheric moisture inflames this process. The good news is that coin collectors can stabilize this process by storing their collections in a dry area.
Coins of the Realm is your source for paper money, coin, and precious metal appraisals and sales. We also provide legal documentation of your collectable coin, stamp, paper money, and bullion values for insurance purposes. Call us today at (301) 340-1640 if you have any questions.
Last updated 1 year ago
Traders and buyers often seek baseball autographs from classic players. The popularity of the player and whether or not he is still living affect the value of the autograph.
The newer baseball stars rarely sign cards, causing their autograph values to be worth more. However, autographs from players like Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig are always in demand. Cut signatures from these athletes also demand a great price in today’s market.
Having an autograph authenticated is the first step in determining its value. Call Coins of the Realm in Rockville at (301) 340-1640 if you’re looking to have an autograph appraised. We also buy and sell autographs from historical or famous figures, including athletes.
Last updated 1 year ago
U.S. Mint error coins weren’t always so valuable. Prior to the 1960s, for most coin-collecting circles, error coins were nothing more than mistakes. However, each generation of coin collectors has since gained more appreciation for the minting process, because error coins are unique among the millions of coins produced every day by the U.S. Mint.
When an error is spotted in any manufacturing process, the product containing the error is almost always rejected or destroyed. Modern coin minting is an extremely efficient and precise process, and each coining facility has devices to catch any defects. However, accidents happen, and, rarely, some Mint error coins make it into circulation.
- Planchet Errors
Sometimes, a coin’s rim is raised higher than usual. This is known as a planchet error. A coin may be struck with the rim press of a smaller coin, causing the excess coin material to rise on the sides. Another example of a planchet error is when the coin material of a foreign country is struck with a US die.
- Die Errors
The die is what gives the coin its face. When there’s a crack or piece missing from the die, the result is a missing piece on the coin. Coins that are missing a face or other standard feature are considered collectible and valuable.
- Striking Errors
The most dramatic coin errors come from striking malfunctions. Striking is the action of a die hitting a coin and producing an image. Sometimes, a coin gets stuck in the striking chamber and gets hit with the same image twice, producing a very rare coin.
An avid numismatist and coin enthusiast, Peter A. Boyer opened Coins of the Realm in 1974. We’re passionate about coins and offer fair prices whether were buying or selling. Come to us a for all your coin appraisal or coin dealing needs in Rockville. We also gladly buy and sell precious metals. Call us today at (301) 340-1640 for more information.
Last updated 1 year ago
If you found our recent blog posts interesting, please explore the information provided below. To inquire about our appraisal services, call Coins of the Realm at (301) 340-1640.
- For tips on how to document your collectibles, read this article from Antique HQ.
- To read about the increased demand for gold in the market, read this article from Bloomberg.
- To read more about why you should invest in gold, read this article from Investopedia.
- For more information on how the commodities market for gold works, read this article from ITM Trading, Inc.
- For information on how to protect collectibles like maps and letters, read this article from Paul Fraser Collectibles.
