Coin Collecting News » Coin Supplies

Wizard Coin Supply Chosen by Verdi-Chem™ as Exclusive Distributor

Wizard Coin Supply — Wed, 21 Jul 2010 10:28:48 +0000

Verdi-Chem has chosen Wizard Coin Supply as the exclusive distributor for its VERDI-CARE™ with ReAcT2™ coin conservation fluid product, a revolutionary coin care offering.

Verdi-Chem™ is proud to announce that it has selected Wizard Coin Supply, a global provider of coin collecting supplies, as the exclusive distributor of VERDI-CARE™ with ReAcT2™, a revolutionary new coin conservation fluid and protectant that is already changing the way coin collectors care for and protect their coins. Developed by professional chemists in conjunction with Verdi-Chem™, VERDI-CARE™ is a safe and water soluble coin conservation product that can be applied to all types of coinage, including gold, silver, nickel, copper, brass and more. VERDI-CARE™ contains no harsh chemicals and is designed to ensure that valuable coins are protected while maintaining and preserving surface integrity.

VERDI-CARE™ with ReAcT2™ is easy to use and can be almost entirely removed with water, if so desired. “This product was designed specifically for numismatists who understand the importance of protecting and preserving valuable coins,” noted Thad J. Meszaras, Verdi-Chem™ President. “VERDI-CARE™ is not a coin cleaning product and its gentle ingredients will effectively condition and preserve the natural subtleties of a coin’s surface.”

“VERDI-CARE™ with ReAcT2™ is an important breakthrough in coin conservation technology and we are very excited to offer it to our customers,” said Wayne Herndon, President of Wizard Coin Supply. “We believe VERDI-CARE™ is a major step forward for numismatics and we are happy to offer this product among the thousands of coin collecting supplies and accessories that are currently available at WizardCoinSupply.com.”

ReAcT2™ is a state of the art chemical compound that adheres to all metals, forming a transparent, anti-corrosive protective lower layer on the surface of valuable coins. It consists of the same chemical technology employed by the US Mint in protecting its coins. In addition to the lower layer of protection, a second, water soluble, polymeric layer is created that actively repels contaminants. Experienced numismatists will quickly realize just how effective VERDI-CARE™ with ReAcT2™ can be for conserving and rejuvenating the natural features of collectible coins.

VERDI-CARE™ with ReAcT2™ is recommended for coin collectors who have experience handling coin conservation and protective agents as well as various types of coin cleaning supplies. VERDI-CARE™ performs best when coins are properly prepared for application and when specific instructions are followed for drying and storage of coins. Although this product is completely non-toxic and contains no harsh chemicals, it is always recommended that users wear gloves and eye protection as a safety precaution.

About Verdi-Chem™:
Verdi-Chem™ is based in Cincinnati Ohio and is run by chemist and numismatist Thad J. Meszaras. The company is dedicated to the advancement of coin conservation science. Verdi-Chem™ uses the latest discoveries in chemical technology to develop its products.

About Wizard Coin Supply:
Wizard Coin Supply is a global provider of coin collection supplies and coin collection accessories, based in Chantilly, Virginia. Wizard is dedicated to providing its customers with the largest possible selection of coin supplies at deeply discounted prices and to promoting the hobby and enjoyment of numismatics.

HobbySoft Coin Collecting Software Closing It’s Business

CoinLink — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 13:13:00 +0000

The following is an announcement posted on the Compu-Quote web site by Marvin Mallon, President of HobbySoft.

“Thank you for your interest in HobbySoft programs for coin, stamp and currency collectors. Our business was founded in 1982 and over the last 27 years we have enjoyed distributing our software to thousands of serious customers such as you.

It is with much regret that we are closing our business at this time. The present state of the economy, the dwindling number of young people entering the hobby and the advanced age of others and myself here at Compu-Quote are the responsible reasons for this action. We can no longer accept new orders or requests for our annual update disks.

We will endeavor to honor our commitment of technical support to those who own our programs. We can, and will, do so by email communication for as long as we are reasonably able to provide that service. Your inquiries and comments will be answered if they are directed to support@compu-quote.net.

Vendors Supporting Compu-Quote Customers
Arrangements have been made with two of the leading competitors who, like ourselves, have sold thousands of copies of their coin, currency and stamp applications. They will be pleased to offer their services by providing a means for your personal records to be transferred into their programs that, I believe, they will offer to you at a discount. This will provide you with the means for continuing with the inventorying and evaluation of your collection.

Stamp Programs
Contact SoftPro 2010 Inc. at ezstamp.com or call them at 705-254-6201 to take advantage of this offer.

Coin Programs
Coin and currency collectors can get in touch with Carlisle Development Corporation at 800-219-0257 for a similar offer. Their web site is http://www.carlisledevelopment.com/.

A special offer for HobbySoft coin software customers is at http://www.carlisledevelopment.com/coinHobbysoftUpgrade.php

A special offer for HobbySoft currency software customers is at http://www.carlisledevelopment.com/coinHobbysoftPaperMoneyUpgrade.php

Thank you again for your loyalty and interest in our products.

Marvin Mallon
President, HobbySoft by Compu-Quote”

Selecting A Coin Album

Wizard Coin Supply — Mon, 16 Mar 2009 14:32:27 +0000

There are five major brands of coin albums that feature a large selection of titles. These album lines are Intercept Shield, Dansco, Whitman, US Mint and Littleton. While similar in many respects, each brand has some unique qualities that can impact a collector’s decision on which to select. In addition, there are numerous other brands with a more limited selection of titles (often limited to popular series like the State Quarters and Presidential Dollars). We provide a comparison of the major brands and more popular of the secondary brands below.

Intercept Shield

Our favorite line of albums is the Intercept Shield series. Thirty titles covering most of the major series from the late 1800s to date are currently available in this gradually expanding series. In addition, Intercept manufacturers a Type album that, in our opinion, is a better layout and mix of coins than that of any other manufacturer. As strong preservation proponents we are sold on the protective qualities of the Intercept Shield line. Intercept Shield albums go beyond just being constructed from archival quality materials. Each album is lined with Corrosion Intercept which traps and neutralizes corrosive gases before they reach the coins inside. The albums are sold with a matching slipcase that is also lined with Intercept Shield providing a second layer of protection. State Quarter and Presidential Dollar albums are available in multiple formats (Date Set, P&D, and P, D and S-proof). However, the other modern series are available in only in the with proofs format. We’d like to see Intercept continue to grow the number of titles available and offer a range of blank albums and pages so collectors could build their own custom albums so any collection could be protected in matching albums.

Dansco

Dansco albums are by far the most widely used albums in the hobby. Part of this is the amount of time they’ve been manufactured. More important though is the wide variety of titles that are offered and the versatility offered through the selection of blank pages and binders. With 83 titles for US coins, virtually any series can be housed in a Dansco album. For modern coin series, Dansco offers albums both with and without the proof only issues. In addition, there are 23 Dansco world coin album titles and fourteen more albums for currency, sports cards, silver bars and rounds, gaming tokens and other collectibles. Unlike Intercept Albums, Dansco albums are not sold with a slip case, however, Dansco does manufacture six sizes of archival slip cases. Six sizes of blank binders are also available that hold up to 8 pages in the largest size. Dansco is aggressive about making update pages available for developing series and also sells a series of 27 titled, but otherwise blank, extra pages and a series of 31 millimeter pages (with holes ranging in size from 16 mm to 55 mm). These pages can be mixed or matched in a blank binder to make a custom album or added to other albums for extra coins in the collection. While most manufacturers have now abandoned use of non-archival materials in their albums, only Dansco’s slip cases are advertised as being manufactured from archival materials. As a result, we frequently see coins stored in these albums developing toning around the rims.

Whitman

The Whitman Classic series of albums is made by the hobby’s supply powerhouse manufacturer and publisher, Whitman Publishing. At 43 album titles, this series exceeds that available in the Intercept Shield line but still falls short of Dansco’s breadth. The attractive deep blue albums are imprinted in gold and are made entirely of archival materials. Whitman offers a blank binder and a line of eight titled but otherwise blank pages and 31 completely blank pages with ports ranging in size from 16 mm to 55 mm. As a result, almost any collection can be housed in a custom combination of pages. Slipcases are not available for the series. While Whitman updates the new albums it sells with pages for the latest issues, update pages are not sold separately for collectors who have older version of the albums (note: Whitman does offer separate Territory quarter update pages for the State Quarter albums). This effectively builds obsolescence into albums for current series.

US Mint

The US Mint brand of albums is also made by Whitman under license from the US Mint. The albums are similar in make although a different color. Fewer selections (38 titles) are available than for the Whitman Classic line and no slipcases, blank binders, or blank pages are available to customize the series to a particular collector’s needs. Still the line is broad enough to cover all the more popular series and would be sufficient for most collections. Whitman has not updated the US Mint albums to include a Presidential Dollar album which is the glaring omission for the series.

Littleton

The Littleton coin album series consists of 50 titles leaving it well short of the Dansco breadth but larger than the other major album lines. Slipcases and corrosion protection inserts are not sold with the albums but are available separately for collectors who want them. Titled but otherwise blank pages are available in eight of sizes and Littleton also offers Territory update pages for the state quarter albums. The most striking difference of the Littleton line is how the pages are held in the albums. Littleton utilizes a three ring system which effectively makes the pages “loose leaf” style in contrast to the other brands covered above which are held in place by pins and look more like a traditionally bound book. This allows the albums and pages to lay flat and makes it easier to study or enjoy the coins in the album. On the other hand, it makes the Littleton albums much thicker on the spin than the other brands of albums. This takes up more space on the book shelf or in the safe and gives the album a wedge shape that can be frustrating when trying to line them up on a shelf. We highly recommend the slip cases to help keep the albums in order on the shelf. In addition to the traditional albums, Littleton also offers a matching line of collection portfolios that hold US and world banknotes, certified coins and coins in the popular 2×2 cardboard holders.

Now that we have covered the pros and cons of the major album lines, we turn our attention to the secondary brands. While typically not for collectors that pursue multiple series and have a strong desire to house their collection in a series of matching albums, these albums still have their own appeal for many collectors.

HE Harris

HE Harris is another Whitman Publishing owned brand that has a pair of state quarter albums. While similar in construction to the Whitman and US Mint lines, the Harris coin albums are labeled as “deluxe” and indeed do have a luxurious look to them. For ten years the only album in the line was a 50 State Quarter Date Set album that is very popular with collectors of this series. With the introduction of the DC and Territory Quarters in 2009, Whitman added a second title for P&D versions of the 2009 quarters.

Lighthouse

Lighthouse, a German coin and stamp supply manufacturer, entered the US album market with a State Quarter album and followed with a Presidential Dollar album when that series was introduced. These high quality albums have a rich leather look and come with a matching slipcase. Lighthouse albums provide P and D slots for both series and a Territory page update is available for the state quarter album. The pages are held in place with rings (similar to the Littleton albums described above) so that the pages lie flat to view the coins.

SuperSafe

SuperSafe coin albums differ from all of the albums above by the construction of the page and mechanism to hold coins in the albums. The other albums described above use a heavy cardboard page with holes cut in it for the coins. Clear, acetate slides fit in each side of the page to protect the coins while still leaving both sides visible. SuperSafe albums, instead, utilize clear vinyl pages with pockets that hold the coins. The pages are completely clear allowing for viewing of both sides of the coin (and even the rim). This allows for a much more compact and inexpensive album. The line includes five titles consisting of Date Set and P&D versions for both the State Quarters and Presidential Dollars as well a Sacagawea album.

Armored Brand USA 360

Armored brand albums also differ even more from the broad album lines in the design of their pages. These molded pages have raised ports that hold the coins above the page so one can easily view the rim (making them ideal for rim lettered series). The completely clear pages have a front and back portion that snap together covering the coin from both sides while leaving both sides and the rim clearly visible. Armored Brand albums also differ from the other brands in the design of the outer holder. Rather than a traditional binder, the pages fit inside a plastic case that resembles the type of case used to hold VHS tapes. The series includes albums for the Presidential Dollars (date set, PD and PDS), Anthony Dollars, Sacagawea Dollars (PD and PDS), small dollars, $10 gold, ½ ounce gold eagles, ½ ounce platinum eagles, and gold presidential spouse coins (uncirculated and proof).

Autograph Festival by Wizard Coin Supply at Baltimore ANA

Wizard Coin Supply — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 12:17:38 +0000

Wizard Coin Supply is the official supply dealer for the American Numismatic Association’s World Fair of Money taking place in Baltimore from July 30th to August 3rd. Wizard plans a number of events during these five days to engage show attendees in the books and supplies side of numismatics. One such event is the Autograph Festival. Three separate programs will make up the Autograph Festival with the goal of connecting as many authors to as many readers for book autographs as possible. Wizard is sponsoring the Festival at no cost to authors or readers and the books need not be bought from Wizard to participate.

Program 1-Autograph Sessions at the Wizard booth. Wizard will organize and promote autograph sessions at our booth for authors willing to join us for a session (or two) during the course of the show. Authors can reserve their preferred half hour or hour time slot(s) with Wizard. Wizard will include the session in our promotional materials and dedicate space at the booth for authors to meet the public, sign autographs and chat with fellow numismatists.

Program 2-Autographs at Author’s Booths. We recognize that many authors will be otherwise involved at the show and may prefer to autograph books at their own booths (either instead of or in addition to a session at the Wizard booth). For authors that advise us of their availability and willingness to participate in this manner, Wizard will include the author’s name and booth number in Autograph Festival publicity.

Program 3-Drop Off Program. Wizard will also accept drop-off books for autographing by the author and then return them to their owners later in the show or via mail after the show. This program is ideal both for authors who would like to participate but prefer not to or unable to have an autograph session and also for authors who participate in Program 1 and want to have an option available for customers who are unable to be present for the session (due to auction or seminar attendance, not present at the show that day, etc.).

The three programs are not mutually exclusive. Authors are welcome to participate in any one, two or all three programs. Wizard will also offer a program to our mail order customers wherein books can be ordered before the show, autographed at the show through one of the programs described above and then shipped to the customer after the show.

Authors interested in participating in the Autograph Festival should contact Wizard Coin Supply at 703-738-4485 or info@WizardCoinSupply.com.

Wizard Coin Supply Partners with Seneca Mill Press to Distribute Coinage Books

Wizard Coin Supply — Thu, 03 Jul 2008 09:55:28 +0000

Wizard Coin Supply and Seneca Mill Press LLC proudly announce the appointment of Wizard Coin Supply as the exclusive distributor for the Renaissance of American Coinage books by Roger W. Burdette.

Chantilly, Virginia (PRWEB) July 2, 2008 — Wizard Coin Supply and Seneca Mill Press LLC proudly announce the appointment of Wizard Coin Supply as the exclusive distributor for the Renaissance of American Coinage books by Roger W. Burdette. All three deluxe, hard cover research books have been the recipients of acclaim from numismatic professionals and collectors nationwide. The Renaissance of American Coinage series consists of: Renaissance of American Coinage 1905-1908 (Saint-Gaudens/Theodore Roosevelt collaboration and new gold coinage designs); Renaissance of American Coinage 1909-1915 (Lincoln Cent, Buffalo Nickel and Panama Pacific commemoratives); and, Renaissance of American Coinage 1916-1921(Mercury Dime, Standing Liberty Quarter, Walking Liberty Half Dollar and Peace dollar).

Currently boasting one of the largest selections of coin books and coin collection supplies in the numismatics industry, Wizard Coin Supply adds to its already impeccable reputation with the addition of the Renaissance series.

“This is an important advance in the distribution of these ground breaking research books,” commented author Roger Burdette. “Wizard Coin Supply brings a wealth of talent and distribution access to the numismatic community that will increase the availability of these works to collectors.”

The Renaissance series, printed in the United States, is recognized by savvy collectors as a landmark compilation of numismatic research. The 1916-1921 and 1905-1908 volumes in the series were awarded with Numismatic Literary Guild Book of the Year Awards in 2006 and 2007 respectively, while the 1909-1915 volume will be considered for the same accolade later this summer. The early twentieth century coin era explored in the books is generally considered to be one of the most exciting in the history of United States coinage.

“The degree of exhaustive research and original analysis that defines the Renaissance series is unique among numismatic literature,” notes Sir Wayne Herndon (Wizard eschews traditional titles in favor of thematic ones) responsible for production selection at Wizard Coin Supply. “Roger was particularly careful to avoid merely regurgitating prior works which, in many instances, serves to perpetuate misinformation and popular myths within numismatics.”

“Becoming the official and exclusive distributor of the Renaissance series is yet another way that we are delivering the very best in numismatics literature to our discerning customers,” said Wizard’s Lady Karin Herndon. “We believe the books of the Renaissance series thoroughly capture the excitement of the coin design and artistry of the early twentieth century – perhaps the most significant period of coin design in U.S. history.” Beginning on July 1, 2008, all orders for books in the Renaissance series should be made directly through Wizard Coin Supply.