Safe Deposit Center

When you hear the term collector, you may think of persons who collect coins, stamps, or sports memorabilia, but people also collect art. Art collection can involve any form of art, but is most often directed to wall paintings, photos, and other forms of wall art rather than sculptures. If you are interested in compiling your own art collection, here are 9 tips to help you to get started.

1. Find Your Niche

This may be an obvious first step, but it isn’t always easy. Unless you are extremely wealthy, starting a collection can be expensive if you decide to try a little of everything. The best move is to find a category that speaks to you, and then build on it or narrow it down (depending on how you look at it). You can choose your art collection by your favorite artists, era, painting versus photos, material type, region, etc. What you fancy is ultimately up to you, but it’s ideal to have a basic idea of what you are looking for before you start looking. This way, you can focus your search and procurement efforts on getting exactly what appeals to you and spend less time checking out every piece of canvas that calls itself art. You can decide which galleries and art shows to visit based on the niche that you have selected. 

2. Create a Procurement Plan

Not all art is collected the exact same way. The basic concept is to purchase it, but finding it may utilize different processes depending on what you are looking for. For instance, if you are into contemporary art and your artist is alive and still producing, they will most likely have a social media presence or a website. This makes it a bit easier to follow their work and procure their art. However, searching for vintage art pieces may take a bit more finesse. There are websites that focus purely on art and can be a good place to start, but you can also get rare finds from long-established galleries and general eCommerce websites like eBay and Etsy. The problem is figuring our which sellers to trust, so research is essential.

3. Conduct Proper Research

Research will always be a necessary part of any collection process regardless of the item or reason. The fact is, you need to know what to buy and where to get it. If you are collecting for the purpose of investment, you will have to treat it a little like Forex trading where you look at past trends and then try to predict future values. You can look for older, more established artists with a good sales track record, or you can try to find an upcoming artist with tremendous potential. A new artist can be a risky investment, but it can also be rewarding if the artist’s work becomes extremely popular and valuable over time and you have an early, original piece. If you are simply in it to decorate your personal space with beautiful pieces of art, your research may stop at finding a gallery or filter-ready online store which houses a categorized plethora of art.

4. Aesthetics vs. Value

As with any collection, you may choose to do it simply because you love the items you collect, because you know it will be a sound investment, or because you hope to benefit from both reasons. With art especially, the reason for your collection will play a part in which pieces you collect. If the aim is solely for investment, you should conduct extensive research before you make a purchase. If it is just for aesthetics, then it’s almost as simple as finding pieces that you like to look at. How much you spend on art will vary based on your personal taste and affordability, as opposed to investments where you will have to weigh your financial standing against the potential gain.

5. Organize Your Display Space

While art can be treated like any other collection, it is a little more demanding in terms of display. It’s art, it’s main purpose is to be admired. Therefore, before you start an art collection, you need to organize a space to store or display it. It is not just about the location, but also the size of the dedicated area. This will help you to decide how many pieces you can effectively collect to display and/or store. Space consideration is important to avoid hoarding and to facilitate proper placement.

6. Redecorate

You are probably wondering why this step is even included. The fact is, collectors tend to go a little overboard even when they have already organized their space. So you may find yourself with a few more pieces than you can effectively display, or find that some pieces start to lose their appeal after a while. You can either choose to sell them and hope that you made the right choice, or take them down and put up a few new ones. You can change them around annually, by season, or whenever you feel like a new perspective is needed. Either way, redecorating from time to time can help with keeping your eye and mind focused on your niche and reconfirm your preferences.

7. Make the Purchase

You have picked your niche, organized your space, and done your research. The next step is to simply purchase the item. If you like it a lot and can afford it, buy it. Overthinking will lead to hesitation and possibly regret if you miss out on a piece. After you purchase your first piece, you will most likely know if continuing with that particular niche is the right choice for you.

8. Display vs. Storage

This is an important step. As stated in step 5, art likes to be admired. However, if the main purpose of your collection is an investment, you may not want to display all pieces, all the time,  and proper storage should be your next consideration. If you choose to display a value piece, you have to consider proper framing, coverage, and security. If you choose storage, you still have to consider the storage packaging and location to avoid spoiling the piece. 

9. To Insure or Not to Insure

Getting insurance is an option to be considered based on a few factors. Are you housing valuable pieces, does your home insurance cover it, and is additional insurance necessary? If your collection is valuable in sentiments and not dollars, you will still want to protect it, but probably not fork out extra dollars for insurance. You should check to see if they are covered under your home insurance. If your collection is extremely valuable in terms of actual money, you may want to get the items appraised an then get them insured separately.

If you are looking for a secure place to store your hard drives or other valuables, Safe Deposit Center can help. At Safe Deposit Center, we offer a variety of safe deposit box sizes as well as open vault storage to accommodate your secure storage needs. For more information about our secure, private storage facility please visit https://safedepositcenterwa.com/.

If you perform a search for the term “collector,” most results will simply state that a collector is someone who collects things. While this is true, the statement itself is a bit reductive because a true collector does more than simply “collects things.” Some people engage in collecting as a hobby, others view collecting as an investment, and there are those who see an endless possibility in doing it for both reasons. 

Whether you are already an avid collector or thinking of becoming one, deciding what to collect and how to store it is an integral part of the aggregating process. Here are several tips to consider when collecting and storing sports vintage memorabilia.

Your Vintage Sports Memorabilia Collection

Establish a Niche – Try to focus your collection on one set, or group of items. For instance, select a sport that you like to play or watch. You can then further pinpoint a collections group by focusing on a team or player. This will allow you to complete a collection more quickly, thus increasing its value and your gratification. You will also prevent overspending as it would definitely be more costly and/or frustrating in attempting to complete multiple collectible sets simultaneously. 

Collecting vs. Hoarding – Some persons confuse collecting with hoarding. The truth is, it’s easy to get carried away when you find something that you are truly interested in. To prevent yourself from crossing that thin line from collector to hoarder, ensure to organize a dedicated storage space for your collectibles. Stick to your niche and only utilize your dedicated space. If you find that you are running out of space, it’s probably time to start pruning. 

Organize – Developing and organizational process serves multiple purposes. Aside from being aesthetically pleasing, a well-organized set of memorabilia makes it easy to see if there are any missing pieces or duplicates. This will make purchasing and pruning simpler. 

Check for Authenticity – It goes without saying that you should ensure the item you are purchasing is authentic. But how can you be sure? The best way to ensure your vintage sports memorabilia is authentic is to purchase from reputable retailers or try purchasing from the sports organizations directly. The NFL, MLB, NBA, NASCAR, FIFA, and other majors organizations will provide authentic merchandise. However, it can often be less expensive to purchase from eBay, dedicated collectible websites, or a fellow collector who has a duplicate. The good news is, even if you purchase from one of these alternatives, you can still ask the seller to furnish a certificate of authenticity from the Memorabilia Evaluation and Research Services (MEARS) or the Professional Sports Authenticators (PSA). This will confirm that you are getting what you pay for. 

Value – Value doesn’t necessarily mean “value for money.” In this case it can also refer to the value that the item holds for you personally. Of course, if you are collecting for the purpose of investing, you will need to check the current monetary value of the item and the projected monetary value. This will help you to decide how to select one memorabilia over another and know when to let go of a specific item in order to get a more lucrative one. On the other hand, the value may refer to the sense of fulfillment that you get from the item. It could be an item that preserves a memory or signifies an achievement. Either way, a collectible shouldn’t be in your set just because it was available, it should have a direct significance to the rest of your collection, thus adding to the collection’s overall value.

Storing your Sports Memorabilia

Types of  Material – The material that makes up the main component of your sports memorabilia will help to determine where and how it is stored. Some materials will hold up fine regardless of where you keep it, while others do not do well in areas where temperatures can go above or below certain degrees. For instance, if your vintage collectible is largely paper-based, such as unlaminated sports cards, pictures, sports magazines, or cardboard cut-outs, you may want to avoid placing them in plastic bags or containers which could sweat if the temperature fluctuates to any extensive degree. You should also try to avoid newspaper where possible. While newspaper is generally abundant and useful in storing items, it has ink that may bleed onto other surfaces, especially if it becomes humid. This could lead to permanent damage and a decrease in value. 

Location, Location, Location – This may be an obvious one, but there are so many things to consider when selecting a location for your collectibles. The main consideration for most collectors is display. They want to know the best place with the best view and the best lighting, and that is perfectly understandable. You want to share your collection with friends and admirers, at a safe no-touch distance of course. However, you must also consider the temperature and humidity of your storage area. Another factor that is sometimes overlooked is how much direct sunlight is shone on the items being displayed. While your card, ball, or T-shirt may gleam and look glorious in the sunlight, you may be slowly causing irreparable damage that may only become visible when it’s already too late. You may not notice the fade in color on your card or shirt, or the small cracks in your ball or plaque until you can no longer do anything about it. If you wish to have your sports memorabilia shine in all its glory, you can choose to give it a dedicated spot with a dedicated light source other than the sun. LED lights staged around the perimeter of a display glass box may do the trick, but even then, it’s best to turn the lights off when it’s not being actively viewed.
Other places to avoid are small rooms with fireplaces that may become too warm, or non-insulated places that may become too cold. Of course, this is all dependent on your overall location and its weather patterns. However, you may want to avoid attics and basements in general.

To Clean or Not to Clean? – This is a question of whether your collectibles are on display or not, and the type of materials they are made from. Obviously, if your collectibles are wrapped properly in a suitable storage material and kept away from humidity, cleaning is probably not necessary. However, if your vintage sports collectible is on glorious display, at some point it may become dusty and needs to be cleaned. It may be difficult but try to resist a clean sweep with your hands, especially on photographs and other paper-based materials. The fact is, our fingers have oils that may help to break down the material over time and shorten its lifespan. If you notice that a certain item needs cleaning, get a pair of gloves and a soft dust cloth or soft bristle brush to gently dust the surface. If the item is made from plastic and requires a slightly deeper clean, you can use a Q-tip with a little alcohol or distilled water. Try to avoid areas with external printed ink just to be safe. 

Insurance – This final tip is not so much about collecting and storing your sports memorabilia, but more about preservation. As with any asset, you are going to want to protect the time, effort, and money you have already invested in it. Therefore, you should ensure that your collection is insured. Some collectibles are already insured within your home-owners insurance, but if your collection has a high monetary value, you should consider a dedicated insurance policy just for them.

If you are looking for a secure place to store your hard drives or other valuables, Safe Deposit Center can help. At Safe Deposit Center, we offer a variety of safe deposit box sizes as well as open vault storage to accommodate your secure storage needs. For more information about our secure, private storage facility please visit https://safedepositcenterwa.com/.

People around the world have different hobbies. Some collect stamps, coins or books. Others collect rare art. Watches also make nice collectibles and there are a lot of people around the world for whom collecting timepieces is a passion in which they invest a lot of time and money. Watches are delicate items, especially when they are expensive and form a part of someone’s collection. Anyone who has a passion for collecting watches would have to take very good care of their timepieces. 

Watches come in a wide range, but the ones that are expensive and rare always make it to the owner’s collectable items. They are the owner’s proud possession and require an equal amount of care and maintenance. It’s said that if a watch can be taken care of properly, it can be handed down from one generation to another. Companies like Omega, Rolex, and Precision have been making watches for decades and their timepieces are extremely expensive. These form the crème luxury collection of any collector. These timepieces are worth a lot of money and require a tremendous amount of care to be handed down the generations. Let’s look at how one can maintain and take care of their luxury watches.

Storage rules

All high end and delicate timepieces are always sold with watch boxes. This box in which the watch has originally been sold has been specially designed, keeping in mind the body and structure of this expensive timepiece. There are specially designed watch boxes that are available in the market nowadays in which you could store all your precious timepieces. You also have an option of getting these watch boxes custom-made to suit your requirements. These delicate collectables have to be kept away from moisture, so you have to make sure that the watch boxes are airtight and moisture-free. It is always said that the original box is the best way to store your timepiece!

Cleaning rules

Any collectable with moving parts requires to be cleaned at regular intervals. A car is a machine and is a collectable, but people who collect vintage cars have to make sure that the cars are cleaned and serviced at regular intervals. It’s the engine that requires servicing and oiling at regular intervals to ensure that the car is smooth and running. Similarly, a watch has an engine which requires to be serviced at regular intervals irrespective of whether it’s being worn or not. There are various watchmakers to whom you should be taking your collectables for servicing. They would check the tiny parts and clean them to ensure that your timepiece stays intact and in perfect condition.  As an extra effort, you should be using a soft cloth to clean your watches from the outside ensuring that all the extra dirt which collects on the outside can be cleaned. Open your watches at regular intervals and check for dust, then wipe them clean. At the same time, take them to a good watchmaker for servicing at regular intervals.

Protection rules

Any watch has a pre-defined resistance towards various forces of nature. There are sports or mechanical watches that are water-resistant, heat resistant and dust resistant. But these resistance levels are informed or are written in the user manual of our luxury watches. All have pre-defined levels of resistance; if it is said that you can use your watch in 50 meters of water, then don’t try taking your watch deeper while swimming. The watch’s parts may not be able to withstand the load. Some rules of thumb are that these delicate pieces should always be kept away from direct sunlight and extremely dusty places. The dirt and the heat would harm your timepiece. Another thing which harms the machinery is chemicals, especially the type that are alcohol-based – like perfumes, cleaning supplies, colognes and oils. You have to keep your watches away from these chemicals as they end up spoiling the look of the watch, have a harsh effect on the leather or the crystal dial of the watch.  Be careful not to bang the watch against the walls, which may lead to scratches and cracks in the crystal. Use a soft and a dry toothbrush to clean off the dust and dirt which gets accumulated over some time. 

Educate yourself

When you are investing money in a delicate collectable, you should spare some time and understand your precious watch’s nuances and features. Who would be a better person to do that than the person who is selling you the timepiece? Salesperson aside, it’s worth putting in the extra effort to at least peruse the user manual that comes with the watch, to double-check just in case if the seller has missed out on any information. Never try opening the machine of the watch on your own. It’s prudent and practical to ake it to a watchmaker to get it checked. Read the cleaning instructions on how to clean your watch rather than applying your remedies.

Usage rules

There are mechanical watches that require winding regularly. Some basic rules of winding include removal of your watch from the wrist before winding. In case there is a resistance when winding, definitely stop because it would lead to over-winding. There are watches that require to be winded daily, in particular the luxury mechanical watches. Avoid wearing these delicate timepieces when doing strenuous jobs and in harsh weather conditions.

Insure your collectibles

The way any individual would seek to insure his life or his house, your luxury watch collection should also be insured. Look for companies that specialize in these insurance policies and ask them to evaluate the luxury or historical timepiece and take up an insurance cover for the same. Make a list of all the vintage watches you have and along with their photos, prepare an Index of all the information about your watch collection. This information comes handy by the insurance company in cases of theft. It’s rightly said that these luxury collectables should be kept in a bank vault.

All the people who like watches are passionate about adding new timepieces to their collection periodically, but maintaining these delicate watches also takes up a lot of time and patience. There are world-renowned brands that have been making watches for over decades and have managed to carve a name for them in the watch industry. A little discipline and some love can help you maintain this unique and expensive collection for a lifetime and more. As it is rightfully said, “time does not wait for anyone – wear a watch to chase it.”

If you are looking for a secure place to store your hard drives or other valuables, Safe Deposit Center can help. At Safe Deposit Center, we offer a variety of safe deposit box sizes as well as open vault storage to accommodate your secure storage needs. For more information about our secure, private storage facility please visit https://safedepositcenterwa.com/.

Toys can take you back to your childhood days. Your parents probably still remember your shrieks of joy as you played with a toy. You must have always fancied yourself to be a warrior or a hero while making your friend a villain. Over the years, toys have been a central part of our lives, able to whisk us away to a fantasy world  full of fun and excitement.

These days,  collecting vintage toys is not an atypical hobby. Keeping this trend and interest in mind, collector-oriented retail shops are thriving in cities and towns. Enthusiasts can add on as many vintage toys to their collection as they can. We grow old and our areas of interest move to other stuff like clothes, shoes, or even art, but whenever passing by a toy shop, it’s inevitable to get that nostalgic feeling. For all those who have been looking to grow their collection of vintage toys, here are a few tips to consider to keep your collection’s value high.

1. Set aside a budget

First and foremost, before going out to look for vintage toys, it’s wise to set a budget. Once you will go on collecting vintage toys, you will be expecting to find something different from what you already have. It may cost you a lot. Your hobby of collecting vintage toys can become an impulsive and addictive habit. You don’t want to overspending on vintage toys and lose track of other priorities. So, it is important to allocate your budget accordingly.

2. Save up, then spend wisely

A simple DIY jar can be a great way to set aside a certain amount of money  each month for spending on vintage toys. By doing this, you will able to make use of your money effectively and efficiently. Other than this, you can also limit your spending on things other than your areas of interest. So, perhaps you can cut down spending on clothes, shoes or other hobbies?

3. Analyze your collection

If you try to buy everything and too quickly, then ultimately your collection will become clumsy and you’ll overspend without knowing what you’ve bought.  The best route is to hone in on your collection. For instance, you could choose an era for your vintage toy collection. You can simply start buying the toys from your favorite movie or series. Analyzing your collection will make things go easy and will allow it to grow organically and keep you interested. Focusing on a particular area at a time can be of great help. For instance, one can pick a specific movie and start collecting toys accordingly. Once you have collected all the toys from that particular movie, you will feel a sense of fulfillment and gratification. When you will be done with this era you can move on to another.

4. Outline and prioritize, then go after it

Collectors  may have a hard time identifying what they want. They end up putting questions on social networking sites asking, “I am thinking to buy this vintage toy.” Or “which one do you think would be the best and rare?” Instead of inquiring on social platforms and asking for other people’s advice, you can watch videos and browse for toys on hobby websites. You can simply head out,  discover and peruse the  shops that specialize in vintage toys. You can’t let others influence you to buy a particular toy when you don’t want it. Prioritizing plays a vital role when you are growing your collection. Another alternative can be making a checklist: You can prioritize what you are looking for and desire to have you in your collection. This way, everything will be clear in your head and you will be able to save money accordingly, by not spending it on other things.

5. Widen your search

Limiting the collection will always be an obstacle in the way of its growth. So, you need to explore and come up with novel sources from which you can collect vintage toys because buying vintage toys from a particular shop or website will not do any your collection any justice. A particular shop might have an ultimate collection in itself but you need to do research and explore new things. Exploring should always be the key element.

6. Patience is a virtue

Rushing is not always the way. You can wait for auctions to come up so that they can invest your money in the right manner. It’s very hard to find vintage toys and one should explore it with enthusiasm and zeal. The collection takes time, so you need to have patience and try to go with the flow. You can’t just end up buying toys just because they are available. If you are eagerly waiting for a specific toy, then by all means – exercise patience! The best way is to save money and keep it stashed, so that you can spend it on the vintage toys that are soon going to launch in the market.

7. Get bargains at auctions – but don’t overpay

People tend to look for individuals who would come and buy things in the auction. It gives everyone opportunities to prioritize their needs. Generally, if you do go to an auction where toys are sold you, will find a lot of people giving away vintage toys. By all means, do grab the deal if you think it’s worth it. It helps to have done research beforehand to avoid paying a premium for an item you can get for less somewhere else.

8. Consider ‘new’ and ‘open box’ vintage toys

When you visit a collector shop in search of vintage toys, you’ll likely come across two types: As new, sealed in original packaging and usually in mint condition; and out-of-the-box. Whether to spend on either the original toy or the open box variety depends on your budget. Here is a pro tip if you do decide to go with a new or mint vintage toy: Double-check that it’s authentic and not a fake or repackaged to look brand new.

9. Cost vs. space consideration

It may be possible that you will end up buying a vintage toy just because it’s a little bit cheaper but you need to ensure whether there is any need to buy it or not. You might not desire to have that toy and soon you will end up trading it or selling it.  Even if you keep it, the vintage toy will inevitably take up space in your collection. Space is the biggest concern with collectors – as in, running out of it. You can’t always put your vintage toys in boxes. You should have an area to display and assemble toys. Presentation matters, of course, so one alternative can be to build or buy glass cabinets and display your collection at a place where it will be protected from dust. If you have a large collection, you may have to pare it down to pieces you want to display or rotate.

If you are looking for a secure place to store your hard drives or other valuables, Safe Deposit Center can help. At Safe Deposit Center, we offer a variety of safe deposit box sizes as well as open vault storage to accommodate your secure storage needs. For more information about our secure, private storage facility please visit https://safedepositcenterwa.com/.

A hobby is something that any individual is passionate about; the person can be fond of music, playing a sport, travelling to new places, cooking, eating etc. You can have a variety of likes, one of which can be collecting things. Some individuals collect cars, stamps, dolls, phones, watches etc.

And, of course, there are those who have a passion for collecting coins. Are you one of them? In case you have this affinity for coins and want to start collecting them, read on for a few tips on how you can start your coin collection.

Hobby 

Coin collection generally starts as a hobby for quite a few, which turns into a passion over a while. You could start by collecting all kinds of coins, and over some time you’ll discover which coins you like most and what kind of coins would you want to collect.

You may like to collect coins based on the metal they are made of, their shape, colour, size, period etc. There are almost as many types of coin collections as their are coins. A little patience will help you find your niche in this unique hobby.

Learn the Coin Language

Like any other hobby, coin collecting also has its language. You have to get yourself acquainted with the terms which are used when speaking about coins. The study of coins is called “Numismatics” and a person who collects or studies them is called a “Numismatist”. Learning the language and terms specific to coin collecting can help you understand your passion better.

An Investment Option

A coin collection can also be a long term investment option for an individual. Coin collecting as an investment works simply by holding on to coins of gold, silver, copper and platinum, and, as the value of these coins increases the value of your investment multiplies. These coins have a higher intrinsic value and look very appealing to collect too. One downside to this kind of collection is that you may have to spend a lot of money to amass a sizeable collection.

Channel your Interest

Once you take up coin collecting as a hobby, you’ll learn about the various kinds of coins that a collector can have. There are various kinds of coins that one can collect; coins based on their intrinsic value, coins belonging to a particular period, circulation coins, uncirculated coins, coins of different shapes and sizes etc.

You can choose what kind of coins you would want to collect. You could start collecting all coins initially and after a while channel your collection according to which coins excite you the most.

Patience is a Virtue

“A mountain cannot be climbed in a day”; as a beginner, you have to be patient with this hobby. You should educate yourself on Numismatics and do thorough research on what is required to start a collection. Contact senior coin collectors and speak to them to know more about how you might go about starting your collection.

Start by collecting the small coins, maybe the ones which are not very expensive. Beginner coin sets are readily available in the market.

Structure of a Coin

Before you get your first coin, learn about the body of a coin. A coin, like any other collectible, has various parts which any coin collector should know about. The coin usually has two sides: obverse (heads) and reverse (tails). The other parts of a coin are the date, denomination, motto, mintmark, and the field. This is basic knowledge that will help you take your collection from a basic collection to a specialized collection as you progress.  

Evaluation Process of a Coin

Once you have learned about the history, intrinsic value, and parts of a coin, grading of the coin is next on the agenda. You have to learn how to evaluate or grade a coin. Grading depends on how well the coin has been preserved over the years. Initially, this system was the same as the school grading system, but over the years it has changed and has become more honed and specific. The 70-point Sheldon Scale is used to grade coins. 

Upkeep of your Coins

Preserving your coins is the most important aspect which has a direct effect on the intrinsic value of the coin. It has been mentioned earlier that grading of the coin depends on how well the coins have been preserved over the years.

You have to be very careful when it comes to handling coins; they should never be touched with bare hands and you should always wear cotton gloves to handle your coins. Avoid using rubber or latex gloves to handle your coins as their emollients can damage the surface of the coin.

A coin should always be picked up by its edges and never by its obverse and reverse sides. The surfaces of the coins are very delicate. One coin should be cleaned at one time; you cannot clean a bunch of coins together.

Storing your Coins

Your coin collection requires being stored properly, unlike your piggy bank savings. There are various coin holders in which you can store and safely display your coin collection. You can organize your coin holder according to your convenience.

For beginners, you can store the coins in acid-free paper envelopes, folders and albums. Once you have a decent collection in place you can upgrade the storage to moisture-free envelopes or PVC cases which are specially made to store and display your coins.

Protecting your Coins

You have already learned how to protect and clean your coins to the best of your control, but in the event that your coins are damaged due to extenuating circumstances (like a fire), you would have no back up to make up for your losses. You should always take an insurance cover for your coins and paper currency covering their intrinsic value against fire, theft and water.

Additional Tools 

There are various kinds of tools which are available in the market to help you study the intrinsic value of your coins and keep them protected. There are available magnifying glasses to help you study your collection. Additionally, there are coin holders, index books, cotton gloves which a collector should always have. The index books are used for keeping physical records of your coin collection. The coin holders help you in efficiently storing your coins.

Grow your Collection

Once you have started your coin collection, you should be looking for a trustworthy and senior coin dealer whose help you can seek in case of any grading issues. They can also help you in your purchases as a new collector. The local coin shows which happen from time to time are a must-attend just to gain knowledge about coins. There are books too which help you increase your knowledge about coins. There is a coins club; becoming a member of such a club helps you meet like-minded people.

Set up Goals

When you start a hobby, it does not take time for this hobby to become a passion. To be successful in any kind of endeavour you have to begin by setting small goals which can be achieved and then progress towards the bigger goals. The history behind each coin is unique; once you decide on the kind of coin collection, you are subject to a whole new world of knowledge which helps you know more about world history.

If you are looking for a secure place to store your hard drives or other valuables, Safe Deposit Center can help. At Safe Deposit Center, we offer a variety of safe deposit box sizes as well as open vault storage to accommodate your secure storage needs. For more information about our secure, private storage facility please visit https://safedepositcenterwa.com/.

If you live in the U.S., you’re likely accustomed to always seeing the same currency notes circulating, with an exception of some minor changes intended to hinder counterfeiters. But even as recently as during the last few decades, there have been various currencies in circulation for a short time that are no longer in print. The coins and paper currency which we are currently using have come after a long process of trial and error by our government over the last century or so.

These out-of-print denominations are rare to find but may still floating around out there. These rare printed notes are still considered to be legal tender, but their actual worth is, in fact, higher than their printed value. Should you be lucky enough to come across one, you may be able to offer them to a collector who would be willing to pay more for your rare U.S. currency note.

Before you run and check your cash on hand, read on for a list of U.S. currencies which were once printed but have been discontinued by the government.

$2 Bill

The $2 note has a picture of Thomas Jefferson on one side and the other side has the famous painting by John Trumbull named the “Declaration of Independence”. This note is still recognised as legal tender by the government, and although you would rarely come across the note in your daily business, they have been known to delight younger Americans by making their way into many a birthday card.

Silver Currency Notes

During their printing run of 1878-1964, these silver certificates could be exchanged for their equivalent value of silver coins. These silver certificates of $1 are truly one of a kind in U.S. paper currency, as they are to this day the only bills to display the picture of a woman. Silver currency notes feature the influential Martha Washington, wife of the President of United States of America George Washington (who is represented on the $1 bill we still use today).

These old silver certificates are rare now and have been replaced by silver bonds which come with a memo stating “One dollar in silver payable to the bearer on demand.”

$ 500 Bill

The last $500 bill was printed in 1945. This bill had quite a few versions with our President William McKinley’s face printed on one side. Though these notes are still considered to be legal tender, you would only find it with collectors and currency dealers. The face value of this $500 bill is way more than the denomination printed on it, making it a rare addition to any collection.

Continental Currency

During the American Revolutionary War in 1775, the rebellious 13 Colonies started issuing their own paper currency to fund the military expenses. These colonies would soon become independent states. Realizing that, the highest political Continental Congress started issuing Continental currency in June 1775, as a single currency for all the 13 colonies.

The Congress did not keep a tab on the notes which were issued and soon these were being counterfeited en masse, causing their depreciation in value. Towards the end of the American Revolutionary War, there was a huge debt on the government’s head due to the discontinuation of this currency in May 1781.

$ 1,000 Bill

It may seem ironic that our country issued $1,000 bills in 1945, whereas today this denomination would be handier to use. These bills were issued with the face of our President Grover Cleveland on one side, and were taken out of circulation along with the $500 bills. It is said that these notes are rare to come by and only seen in collections of exhibitors and by the Numismatic Society.

$ 100,000 Bill

There was a time during the Great Depression when Americans were hoarding gold in all forms. The people were refusing to accept paper currency and were collecting gold coins, gold bullion, and gold certificates.

Franklin Roosevelt, then President, issued an order and made all such Americans hand over the gold to the Government. Paper money began to circulate and gained popularity. This was the time when the highest denomination $100,000 bill was issued so that large federal transactions could be completed easily.

This note features Woodrow Wilson, the 28th President of America, and cannot be legally held by any collector as they were never issued for public use. They are only available at select federal and government museums for educational purposes.

$10,000 Bill

The $10,000 bill was the highest denomination bill issued by the Government for public use. This note features one of our country’s famous politicians, Salmon P Chase, and was printed in 1935. At that point in time, such a large bill was not very useful for the majority of Americans, leading to the government pulling it out of circulation in 1965. There are a few hundred of these notes which are still available with collectors and currency dealers.

$ 5,000 Bill

The government required funds to finance the American Revolutionary War, and it was at this time when the $5,000 notes featuring James Madison were issued. They were pulled out of circulation in 1965 along with the other large denomination notes. Money laundering and counterfeit money were on a high and the country was being flooded by the fake currency; this is what prompted President Richard Nixon’s ban on this bill.

Aluminium Pennies

By the year 1973 copper had become very expensive, and the printing of pennies in copper was turning out to be a costly affair. Aluminium was available in abundance and was cheaper than copper; the government started issuing cents made of aluminium. But as we all know the quality of aluminium is sub-standard, and the government had to withdraw these coins in 1974.

Treasury Notes

These notes were specially printed to pay off the Treasury, who sold their silver to the U.S. government following the Legal Tender Act passed on the 14th July in 1890. The government issued notes in denominations of $1, $5, $10, $20, $50, $100, and $1000 bills. The treasury notes are highly valued today and are a part of high-end collector’s exhibits.

Eagle Gold Coins

These $ 20 gold coins were issued between 1907 and 1932, and were removed from circulation by President Roosevelt in 1933. The President issued orders banning all American citizens from holding gold; in 1937 all these gold coins were melted into bullion and kept with the government.

These coins had an eagle on one side and the Lady Liberty on the opposite side. But even more rare and valuable is the misprinted Double Eagle, which looks just as the name would imply: it’s missing Lady Liberty and an eagle is printed on both sides. In 2002, a Double Eagle auctioned for $7,590,020!

Fractional Currency

The Civil War was a period when citizens were hoarding gold and silver coins; the government issued coins valued between 1 and 50 cents. This currency ended a few years later in 1876.

Demand Notes

The period of the Civil War saw high inflation in the country due to hoarding of gold and silver coins by the Americans. To combat this Secretary of Treasury Salmon P Chase issued the first paper currency against which the citizens were made to exchange their gold and silver coins. These demand notes were then replaced by the current dollar which cannot be exchanged for bullion.

If you are looking for a secure place to store your hard drives or other valuables, Safe Deposit Center can help. At Safe Deposit Center, we offer a variety of safe deposit box sizes as well as open vault storage to accommodate your secure storage needs. For more information about our secure, private storage facility please visit https://safedepositcenterwa.com/.

For centuries, people have kept treasures and valuables in safe deposit boxes for safekeeping. Banks and other secure facilities provide space where people can store items they don’t need on a daily basis. Being in a safe deposit box doesn’t mean what’s in there is inaccessible. Clients with safe deposit boxes can arrange to open their boxes in private so they can deposit or remove items as they wish.

When most people think of safe deposit boxes, they think of fancy banks where wealthy people store diamonds, jewelry and family heirlooms. However, these days, digital files are some of the most valuable goods in the world. A string of code for a software program can be worth billions of dollars. Likewise, many professionals keep their designs, portfolios, algorithms and other intellectual property that carries great value as digital files on hard drives. Even families store hard drives in safe deposit boxes to protect family photos, financial records, wills, and other critical information.

People are taking advantage of safe deposit boxes for good reason. The loss of important digital files that contain priceless or intellectual property can be devastating. The added protection of a secure storage facility helps people feel confident that no one will be able to view or take data without proper authorization. Here’s a breakdown of some of the key benefits of storing hard drives in safe deposit boxes.

Some Files Are Too Important to Back Up

Advances in cloud technology have allowed companies to adapt and expand. They’re able to leverage a cloud provider’s resources to back up information and scale to meet customer needs without having to spend a ton of money on technology infrastructure themselves. On a simpler scale, the cloud lets people store information without having to keep them on their physical device. One of the best things about storing files in the cloud is that information can be accessed anywhere, anytime.

However, some things are too valuable to store in the cloud. Generally, cloud providers guarantee security, but people typically don’t want to risk handing over what they consider to be priceless information. Even tech companies that operate largely in the cloud don’t migrate what they call the “Crown Jewels” of the company into data centers. They keep the most valuable information like patents, copyrights, source code, and other items in locked down safe deposit boxes under tight control. Even consumer product companies safeguard secrets like product recipes or prototypes with physical security measures.

Safe deposit boxes provide the perfect solution for individuals and organizations who have information they consider critical or confidential. They measure the potential loss of losing the data or having it stolen and decide it’s worth the cost of an added layer of security around their property.

Safe Deposit Boxes Offer Security for Professionals

Professionals who rely on the use of hard drives commonly turn to safe deposit boxes for storage. Imagine a musician who creates beats or melodies for future use in songs by other artists. Producers and others in the music industry could suffer enormous financial and reputational cost if their music was picked up and stolen by someone else because it was laying around unsecure. Graphic designers use safe deposit boxes for hard drives full of sketches, rough design drafts and unreleased client designs that require discretion. Software developers love safe deposit boxes because coding and creating digital goods usually happens in stages. Video games and other software require massive amounts of code that can take years to complete. Work is often done in phases, and when one stage is complete developers prefer keeping dormant hard drives in safe deposit boxes to prevent leaks or theft.

Burglary is another reason professionals should consider safe deposit boxes. It’s important to remember that professionals frequently work with partners and hire employees who work with them in close proximity. A bad actor with any brains will be able to identify valuable assets that can be targeted when the owner is distracted or too relaxed. Safe deposit boxes help separate burglars from high value items they’re after.

High Security in a Controlled Environment

Digital files on hard drives require specific care. Even though they’ve come a long way and are much more resilient, it doesn’t take a lot to ruin one. A lot of hard drives are heat sensitive. They also can be ruined if they’re jostled around too much or something happens when they’re connected to a computer. Safe deposit boxes offer a great solution for hard drive storage. They’re often temperature controlled, and the structure of the box makes it impossible for it to be thrown around. Safe deposit box facilities are also usually in structurally sound buildings that can withstand natural disasters better than a house or office building. With data protected in a safe deposit box, there’s lower risk of loss in the event of a flood, hurricane, earthquake, fire or some other disaster.

Safe Deposits are Accessible and Affordable

A lot of professionals who crave security for their hard drives don’t have the resources of a large company. It doesn’t make sense for them to move their files into a private cloud that will be expensive to operate. One of the best benefits of keeping hard drives in safe deposit boxes is they are affordable. Most deposit boxes can be leased for a small monthly or annual fee. The low cost makes them accessible to anyone who needs somewhere safe to put their belongings. The prevalence of secure facilities means a safe deposit box can likely be found in close proximity if necessary. Depending on individual preference, valuables stored on a hard drive can be kept near or far.

Keeping hard drives in a safe deposit box protects digital goods from harm or theft. They’re easy to find and straightforward enough for anyone to use. Don’t take the security of your information for granted. Take advantage of the effective risk management safe deposit boxes offer.

If you are looking for a secure place to store your hard drives or other valuables, Safe Deposit Center can help. At Safe Deposit Center, we offer a variety of safe deposit box sizes as well as open vault storage to accommodate your secure storage needs. For more information about our secure, private storage facility please visit https://safedepositcenterwa.com/.

Running a business tends to generate a lot of documents and records, and storing them in the office can take up a lot of space. It can also take a lot of headspace wondering where to store old documents to make way for the new, or just how many more file cabinets you’ll need to buy – this year. Depending on the nature of your business and its clients, privacy and confidentiality can also play a factor in determining the security associated with documents and records. And for any business, there is a chance of these records getting destroyed in events of natural disaster like floods and fires.

Reasons for Making the Change to Offsite Record Storage

Offsite record storage aids in clearing up a lot of space in office that allows better use of the total space while ensuring that all the documents are stored neatly at a safe location. Not only does offsite record storage help in creating more space, it helps in keeping the office space more organized and promotes overall productivity. Read on to learn more ways offsite record storage can benefit your business.

Better use of Office Space

When you shift your records from your office space to an offsite record storage facility, you free up a lot of space which can be used for increasing the overall productivity of the organization. In that space, you can set up new cubicles and hire more employees who will help in generating more revenue for your company. In this way, the cost that you will be spending on keeping your records safe and secure can be generated by the employees that you employ in that space.

Efficient Retrieval of Crucial Documents

Retaining company records dating back four or five years or more, especially for long-term clients, can lead to oversized files that may make it difficult to find a particular document when it is needed. This can lead to a loss of productive time for the person searching for the document, and potential frustration for the client.  Setting an in-office retention limit, and transferring older documents to offsite storage can help make room for newer information, and for easy and efficient retrieval of records.

It might seem that having all the records in the office will be a better choice as far as the retrieval of records is concerned. However, there a number of offsite record storage facilities which provide same day record retrieval facilities. They make use of barcode tracking systems which makes file retrieval extremely easy as well as efficient. Depending on how much you want to spend on record retrieval, there are a number of services such as standard service, emergency service and priority same-day service. You can choose the type of service that suits the requirements of your organization and client needs.

Increased Protection of Records from Accidental Destruction and Theft

When you store your records in-house, there is an increased chance of information theft as it becomes extremely difficult to keep a tab on each and every record that is being generated in-office. Also, most offices do not install state of the security features for protecting their records as it can be extremely costly to do so. Therefore, there are chances of these records getting destroyed in the event of a natural disaster like a flood, fire, or tornado.

Offsite record storage facilities provide you with high quality, state of the art security for storing your records where you can be sure that they will be protected from fire and floods. These facilities often have humidity and temperature controlled environments so that your records do not get damaged.

In addition to this, these storage facilities have round the clock CCTV surveillance as well as guarded premises so as to ensure that no unauthorized access of records take place. The cost of storing your documents at these facilities is much less than the time and labor cost of reproducing documents in the event of a loss.

Improved Workflow

While storing an organization’s records, it is important to index the files properly. This will help in easy and fast retrieval of files when and wherever required. There is no longer a need to employ any special staff to take care of your documents in this way. Consider utilizing the expert services of an offsite storage facility vendor who can store as well as manage your records effectively.

Effective Professional Assistance

Offsite records storage vendors are committed to providing the best customer service. They ensure that your transfer of records from office to their institute is completed without any glitch. This transfer can be a daunting task but with the right type of consultation, you can find a service that will tailor its services according to your needs. There are professionals involved in this whole process who make sure your documents are transferred safely, stored properly, and, when the time comes, are retrieved properly and delivered to you without any hassle.

Offsite record storage facilities are engineered to meet the requirements of a diverse array of sectors. It can be the best solution for organizations which are looking to expand their businesses, or simply expand their in-office space to gain some extra clarity and breathing room.

If you are looking for a secure place to store your documents or records, Safe Deposit Center can help. At Safe Deposit Center, we offer a variety of safe deposit box sizes as well as open vault storage to accommodate your secure storage needs. For more information about our secure, private storage facility please visit https://safedepositcenterwa.com/.

There are a number of reasons for gun ownership: for target practice, hunting, personal protection, collecting rare pieces that represent a certain time in history. Regardless of the reasons behind owning a gun, it is important to store it with utmost caution. Innocent gun owners too often make the news when a firearm from their collection has been mishandled, stolen, or accidentally accessed by a curious child.

Gun owners are increasingly electing to store all or part of their firearms collection in offsite storage. Read on for the top reasons to store your guns in private vault storage.

 

Safety & Liability

If you are a gun owner who keeps firearms at home, then you likely already know that the best thing that you can do is to store your firearms properly as well as securely in a top quality gun safe. You have to ensure that unauthorized access to your safe is not allowed so as to avoid unwanted injury and worse. Particularly because of the presence of young children in the home, many gun owners are opting for offsite firearm storage at private vaults or other gun-safe storage facilities when not in use.

You must remember that children are not the only ones who are inquisitive in nature and like to explore new things. Adults, too, have been known to let their curiosity get the better of them, leaving their better judgment behind. Therefore, it is important to store your guns in such a place which is away from the hands of curious wanderers.

Storing guns in a private vault also drastically reduces their potential theft and subsequent use in a gun crime. A recent study reports that lawful gun owners are responsible for less than one fifth of all gun crimes. Conducted in Pittsburgh, the study determined that in approximately 8 out of 10 cases, the perpetrator of the crime was not the legal owner of the weapon used to commit the crime.

Aside from security guards on staff, motion detectors, and 24 hour recorded surveillance, some facilities employ the use of a state-of-the-art biometric verification system ensures only verified clients can access the vault.

Protection & Preservation

Aside from protecting loved ones from potential danger, many gun owners store their guns in private vault storage to protect the guns themselves. Temperature and humidity are two of the most important factors when it comes to storing any gun, especially irreplaceable rare or antique collector’s pieces

Drastic and frequent temperature fluctuations can wreak havoc on wood stocks as they expand and contract. While wood is flexible, excessive flexion due to unstable temperature can lead to permanent cracks and degrade durability over time. The NRA recommends maintaining a year-round constant temperature of approximately 70 degrees Fahrenheit.

Most guns prefer a neutral humidity of around 50% to avoid corrosion (too humid) or cracking (too dry).

Your geographic location and personal comfort preferences of your household members can present a challenge in maintaining stable temperature and humidity for at home gun storage. How you will manage your home’s climate should you be away for any extended period of time must also be considered.

Storing guns in private vault storage eliminates the worry of home temperature and humidity control, and you can rest-assured that your firearms are secure and comfortable in a constantly monitored and maintained climate.

 

More Room at Home

If you own just one or two guns, private vault storage may not be for you… unless you’re looking to grow your collection. Storing your firearms in private vault storage means that the potential size of your collection is limited only by your budget and personal preferences, as most vault facilities offer unlimited open space in their secure vault area.

If you do have a gun safe at home, or if your collection is taking up needed storage space in a closet or basement, moving your firearms offsite can free up these areas. Determining the best use for your newly open space ahead of time can help you decide which guns (if any) to continue storing at home, and which to move into off-site storage.

If you’ve been considering moving your gun collection due to space constraints, safety concerns, or extra security to protect and preserve antiques or family heirlooms, private vault storage may be right for you.  Check your local area for a firearms storage facility that is convenient to your local shooting range or on the way to a favorite hunting spot, or just close to home. Visiting the facility and asking questions can help ensure their policies and technology meet your storage and personal privacy needs.

If you are looking for a secure place to store your documents or records, Safe Deposit Center can help. At Safe Deposit Center, we offer a variety of safe deposit box sizes as well as open vault storage to accommodate your secure storage needs. For more information about our secure, private storage facility please visit https://safedepositcenterwa.com/.

An individually secured container, usually made of metal, that is securely kept inside a federally insured credit union or a bank is known as safe deposit box. If this service is not provided by your bank, you can even rent from a private safe deposit facility. Safe deposit boxes are an excellent place for the safekeeping of important items including irreplaceable documents, valuables, and sentimental keepsakes.

Renting a Safe Deposit Box

The institution where you rent a safe deposit box will provide you with a key that matches a tandem key that will be held by the institution. The second key, also known as ‘guard key’ will be inserted in your safety box by the institution’s employee when you want to access it. If your institution uses a keyless system, then you will be asked to either scan your hand or finger in order to gain access. Anytime and every time you want to access your safety deposit box, you will be required to produce some kind of identification thing.

You have an option to either rent the safety box in your own name, or add other members to the lease. These people will have equal rights to access the contents of deposit box. Therefore, it is suggested to have at least one co-signer so that he/she can access the contents of the safety box in the event that you are unable to do it.

Safe deposit boxes are far safer than home vaults. This is because they are extremely difficult to break into and are well equipped with video camera, alarms and high quality locks. These safe areas are also equipped to survive natural disasters such as floods, tornadoes, hurricanes, and fires. However, this does not mean that you should store anything and everything inside the safe box.

Store Heirlooms, Collectibles and Important Papers

One of the best places to store hard-to-replace documents like bond certificates, military discharge papers, contracts, business deals etc. along with family heirlooms and collectibles is a safe deposit box. Some of the things that can be easily stored in a safe deposit box (and don’t typically require frequent access) are as follows:

1. Personal papers, like adoption papers, original birth certificates, citizenship papers and marriage licenses
2. Copies of wills and powers of attorney
3.  Military records and discharge papers
4. School diplomas and transcripts
5. Sensitive documents that you do not want your family members or roommates to stumble upon (like that stack of love letters from your 6^th grade crush)
6. Car titles and deed to your house
7. Bond certificates and paper stocks
8. An inventory of the contents of your home in case you need to file a claim with your home owner’s insurance policy
9. Important business records and papers
10. Important contracts
11. Hard drives and flash drives containing important data as well as backups
12. Sentimentally and financially valuable collectibles, jewellery, and family keepsakes
13. Other small items as well as documents that are either irreplaceable or difficult to replace

Although these safety boxes are designed in such a way to withstand natural disasters, it is recommended to store your valuables in a zip pouch or a waterproof container so that there is an added layer of protection against water. This will also help you in keeping all the contents of your safe deposit box organized and stacked neatly. Also, make sure that documents needed for quick reference are electronically copied before being stored in the safety deposit box.

What Not To Store In A Safety Deposit Box

Some things should not generally be stored in a safety deposit box. Most of the banks grant access to safety deposit boxes only on working days, and while many private facilities offer extended evening and weekend hours, you still may not have 24/7 access to the important items stored in your safe deposit box. Therefore, it is important not to save documents and items that you might require at a time of emergency in a safety box. Medical directives and original copies of wills and power of attorney are examples.

This may seem obvious, but is still worth mentioning: it is also suggested not to keep any illegal items in your safety deposit box. If you are truly uncertain, it is always best to consult with your safe deposit facility to ensure that the items you wish to store comply with their policies, as well as local and federal regulations.

Cost of Renting A Safety Deposit Box

The size of a safe deposit box determines its cost. There might be some other fees involved as well like late fees, lost key, drilling etc. You should know that these boxes are generally not covered by insurance.

Bottom Line

While the existence of safe deposit boxes goes back 150 years or so, there are less and less people opting to utilize them today. The younger generation today relies more on digital storage systems, and those that are newly living on their own tend to keep important papers at Mom and Dad’s house. This new trend can make it difficult for you to find a safety deposit box in your locality as there is a possibility that your bank might not be providing these services at all.

Still, safety deposit boxes are very helpful if you are not particularly a fan of digital storage system. If you want to rent a safe deposit box, you can check with your local bank or a credit union. If you require extended access hours and additional privacy or anonymity, a private safe deposit facility may be right for you.

If you are looking for a secure place to store your documents or records, Safe Deposit Center can help. At Safe Deposit Center, we offer a variety of safe deposit box sizes as well as open vault storage to accommodate your secure storage needs. For more information about our secure, private storage facility please visit https://safedepositcenterwa.com/.