Scott Gardener-migration

Whee! This coin is my most valuable to date, double the value of my next item down, an MS65 1908 no motto Saint. This is a 1911-D quarter eagle, NGC-graded AU55. It cost me a lot of up-trading, gutting my best Morgans and my other Saint, an MS64 common date. But, it was worth it. I'm going to go stare at it now...

I'm still getting the hang of it myself. One area that has been throwing me is getting it to sort denominations in order, instead of $10s between $1s and $5s, and silver dollars, "S$1," at the bottom, below everything else.

One quick fix that makes it sort any way I want is the ITEM NAME column. I just name items using my own code--say, starting with denomination as dollars. My half cent would be "$00.005 1806 half cent, blah blah leaves and dentacles." Then, I can remove the now redundant DENOMINATION and ITEM DESCRIPTION columns.

I welcome being able to do custom sets, because I'm more interested in simply getting to the finish line than trying to be number one in a set, and some of my set ideas are close to but not exactly in line with the competitive sets.

Thanks for the advice so far; insurance will certainly be an issue once my collection grows.

Most fire-proof safes also are designed to retain a certain amount of moisture as well. To help offset moisture with either safes at home or safety deposit boxes, I'm hanging onto the "do not eat this packet" dessicant packets that come with some electronics and other items; they are designed to absorb moisture. Also, I intend to certify any uncertified coin I have of reasonable value and condition for the added protection of a sealed, airtight container. Certifying fifty or a hundred coins worth $5 to $30 each might not be cost-effective, but coins worth $200 or more, carry personal sentimental value, or could grade exceptionally well are worth sending in. Membership in NGC's or PCGS' clubs can be purchased with five and eight included submissions respectively at a discount, making the cost of certification including mail run about $25 per coin.

I have already pulled all of my moderate value coins out of cardboard and PVC holders, switching them over to mylar flips. Some modern silver eagles I collected in the 1990s have already picked up slight toning, and one--naturally, the 1996, has tarnish spots.