CoinVac
The Journal
Starting a Coin Collection the Right Way
Most new collectors start by buying whatever looks interesting and end up with a random pile. A few decisions made early make the difference between a pile and a collection.
Mint Marks Explained: How to Read Where Your Coin Was Struck
A single small letter on a coin can tell you exactly which mint struck it -- and sometimes make the difference between a common coin and a genuinely scarce one.
Ancient Coins 101: What Survives From Rome, Greece, and Beyond
Coins over two thousand years old are more accessible to collectors than most people assume. Here's a real introduction to what's out there, and why so much of it survived.
Authenticating a Coin: Weight, the Ring Test, and When to Call a Professional
Counterfeits exist at every price point in numismatics. A few simple checks catch the obvious fakes -- and knowing their limits tells you when it's time for a real expert.
How Much Is My Coin Collection Worth for Insurance Purposes?
Standard home insurance rarely covers a coin collection properly. Here's how to build a defensible replacement-cost valuation an insurer will actually accept.
Common Coin Cleaning Mistakes That Destroy Value
The instinct to clean a tarnished coin is one of the most common and most costly mistakes in numismatics. Here's why -- and what's actually safe to do instead.
World Mints Worth Knowing, Beyond the U.S. Mint
A tour of the major national mints beyond the U.S. Mint -- the Royal Mint, the Perth Mint, the Paris Mint, and the historic short-lived American mints collectors specifically chase.
The Morgan Dollar: America's Most Collected Silver Coin
Struck under political pressure from silver interests, melted by the millions during World War I, and collected more than any other U.S. coin since -- the real story behind the Morgan dollar.
Coin Cleaning Supplies: Professional Insights and Tips
A practical guide to coin cleaning supplies: which tools are safe for which metals, common cleaning mistakes that destroy value, and how to protect a collection long-term.
Understanding the Purpose Behind Coin Display Cases
What makes a good coin display case: materials, UV protection, humidity control, and how to choose a case that protects value while actually showing your coins off.
Origins and Evolution of Ancient Coins
How ancient coinage began in 7th-century-BCE Lydia and spread through Greece, Rome, and beyond — the origins, materials, and evolution of the coins collectors chase today.
The Royal Mint: Behind the Modern-Day Gold Rush
The Royal Mint, located in the Welsh town of Llantrisant, has become a hub for the modern-day gold rush. This has led to a significant increase in gold bullion coin […]