Starting a coin collection is an exciting new adventure. However, some of the books, binders, and other supplies might deter beginners from getting started. If you want to find low-cost (or free) items for your coin collection, you’re in the right place! There are plenty of ways to penny-pinch while looking for your favorite coins.
If you’re looking for a free coin-collecting starter kit, you can check Craigslist and Facebook Marketplace for freebies. You can also use various card holders, binders, and airtight containers around your house. Fortunately, you don’t need too many supplies to maintain a coin collection.
Throughout this article, we’ll break down where you can look for free coin collecting kits, what you need for your free setup, and a few budget-friendly options to get your collection going. Enjoy!
Where to Get Free Coin Collecting Starter Kits
Jump directly to our recommended cheap coin collecting beginner supplies.
You can get free coin collecting starter kits from various online sources. Free online eBooks will help you sort your collection and know where to look. Another option is to look through your local newspaper for freebies since a lot of coin collectors don’t mind getting rid of their binders, coin books, etc.
Here’s a list of places to get free coin collecting starter kits:
- Facebook Marketplace: This website is a branch of one of the largest social media platforms in the world. Facebook Marketplace is like eBay for social media. You can find free and cheap items for your coin collection by using the search bar. Filter the parameters to your local area for the best results.
- Online eBooks and Guides: Coin World has a few free online books for you to read. Coin collection books help you know which coins are valuable, what items you need, and where to start. These free guides are invaluable and quite necessary for beginners. You’ll also find plenty of them on Amazon’s Kindle app.
- Craigslist: Craigslist is loaded with free and cheap items for almost anything you can think of. Whether you want a few coins to start your collection or slotted binders to protect them, Craiglist should always be on your list. You can filter them by your zipcode and keep the items within a designated distance.
- Newspaper Ads and Freebies: While newspapers aren’t as popular as they used to be, most of them have freebie sections. Find out if you can get ahold of any coins or collection items by checking this section regularly. You can also post an ad in the newspaper looking to take coin collection items off of people’s hands.
- Coin Collection Events: Coin Zip always provides a lengthy list of coin collection shows and events. You can visit these locations to check out some of the rarest coin collections worldwide. However, some people might want to get rid of a few of their coins if they buy replacements or want to restart their collection.
There are several places and websites to find free starter kits for your coin collection. The best part about collecting coins is that you can start with nothing. You don’t need anything other than the desired coins to collect. After that, you can try some of the methods and items found in the following sections.
What You Need for a Free Coin Collection Kit
If you’re making a free coin collection kit, you can place the coins in binders, card sleeves, and containers that prevent bugs from getting to them. Your coin collection should be protected from humidity, extreme temperatures, and moisture from spills. You can also use a magnifying glass to check the coin’s quality.
Review this list of the four things you need for your free coin collection kit:
- Coin collection software is the modern collector’s dream come true. The Spruce Crafts covers a handful of online coin collection software. These programs let you track your coins, monitor their values, and more. It’s an essential tool for beginners who don’t know which coins are worth collecting.
- You can use laminated sleeves to protect your collection. You can use the lamination from card collections, photo albums, and more. Thin plastic sheets are great because they keep unwanted abrasions away from your coins. You can also lay microfiber between the coins.
- Place your coins in airtight containers (including Tupperware) until you get a slotted coin book. While nothing beats slotted coin books, airtight containers are a close contender. Make sure the coins can’t move around in the container too much. These boxes prevent mold, mildew, and rust.
- Use microfiber cloths instead of paper towels. Paper towels leave small paper fibers on the coins. Microfiber prevents dust and debris from getting on the coins while also removing excess oils from your hands. Adding a few microfiber sheets can prevent the coins from shifting in the container.
While there aren’t any free online coin collection kits given away by companies, you can find them from various collectors who have items to give away. Nevertheless, you might have some of these supplies sitting around your house. Grab a cloth, clean the coins, and place thin sheets of laminated plastic between them to prevent scuff marks.
Cheap Beginner Coin Collecting Supplies
Cheap beginner coin collecting supplies include magnifying glasses, slotted coin books, and guides. You can use these supplies to protect your coin collection and prevent unwanted damage. You might also want to get a microfiber cloth to remove the dust and oil from the coins after handling them.
The following area available on Amazon.com!
While not all coin collection supplies are freebies, there are plenty of cheap options. Let’s explore some of them below.
- Slotted coin books: The MUDOR Coin Collection Holder has laminated slots to hold all of your favorite coins and bills. It has 240 slots and comes in multiple colors. Each slot has a protective flap to keep bugs, debris, and humidity out. It’s the perfect choice for people who want to protect their coins while keeping them on display.
- Cleaning cloths: You can use any microfiber cloth you can get your hands on, as long as it’s free. However, you can also use cleaning cloths designed for glasses, cotton sheets with ultra-fine thread counts, etc. Any cloth that can remove the oils from your hands is worth getting for your collection.
- Magnifying glasses: Magnifying glasses help you find scuff marks and determine your coin’s quality and condition. The BronaGrand Optics Loupes Magnifier is a handheld glass piece that zooms up to 30x. Place it over your coin collection and twist the glass to zoom in and out as needed.
- Coin collection capsules: If you live in a humid climate, we recommend coin collection capsules. The SPLF Coin Capsules hold each coin in an airtight space that keeps anything damaging away from the coins. You can hold a full collection within this 100-piece set or reserve them for your rarest coins.
Coin collection supplies can be as cheap or expensive as you desire. The only required part is that you collect as many coins as you see fit. This exciting hobby should have cleaning supplies and safe storage locations, but you don’t have to break the bank to find the right starter kit.
Final Thoughts
Coin collecting should be fun, not stressful or expensive. While many of the coins in your collection are worth more than their monetary value, you can save quite a bit on protecting them with items you already have lying around the house. Try some of the numerous websites and collection methods to spend as least money as possible while growing your collection.