If you own a stash of valuable coins these items are thief magnets as they are small, portable and are easily sold for cash. To avoid having your collection stolen there are a few common sense measures you can take.
- Firstly you should be careful who you tell, so try to avoid discussing your collection in public.
- When sending a package containing coins avoid references to coins on the packaging and obtain recorded delivery in case the package does not reach its destination.
- Hide your coins somewhere where a thief will not find them if they broke into your home.
- Store your coins in a safe-deposit box in a bank rather than at home. Things to consider are access restrictions, terms of agreement, climate inside vault, insurance and the size of the deposit box.
- Buy a home safe – Regular safe, wall safe, fire safe or floor safe
Many coin collectors prefer to keep a valuable collection of coins at home where they can admire them and keep them close by. This may be important if you have a rapidly growing and changing collection where quick access to your coin collection is important. If that is you then you should consider buying a safe. There are a number of different types of safe for sale today. These come in a variety of sizes and types and can protect your coins not just against burglary but also fire.
Regular safes
Regular safes come in a range of sizes and weights with the heaviest safes giving you the greatest protection and buying you the most time should a burglar enter your home. Remember that unless your safe is heavier enough that 2 or 3 strong men couldn’t possibly move it then it’s not worth bothering with.
Wall safes
Wall safes are great if they are reinforced properly by the surrounding wall. Unless your safe is properly embedded in concrete then don’t bother buying a wall safe. A thief can use a crowbar to yank them out of the wall and carry them away.
Fire safes
Fire safes or fireproof safes offer protection mainly against fire but can also offer protection against burglars if they require secure access and are heavy enough that they cannot be carried away. A house fire can reduce your precious collection to nothing more than junk metal if exposed to extreme heat. By a fire safe if you live in a high risk area for fires.
Floor safes
The advantage of floor safes is that they are hidden from view and are difficult for thieves to find. This alone can be the best prevention against burglary. The disadvantage is that they can be more difficult to access than other safes because they may require removal of carpets or rugs. As with wall safes these they should be embedded in concrete to prevent removal using a crowbar.