
Numismatic Tools Of The Trade #2
So as most of you have probably noticed last weeks Numismatic Tools Of The Trade is a little late. As the saying goes though better late than never. Without further ado here we go. This weeks subject is my Superior Master-25 Gun Safe or in my case coin safe. I spent a lot of time researching gun safes and that research led me to the champion and superior safe company (they are both the same company just diffenet product lines). If you have been in a sporting goods, hardware, or big box store recently you probably have seen a gun safe or at least a little home safe. After my research I found that just because they have a big name behind them, have nice plush interiors, or look very secure they aren’t necessarily the best choice. lets start with the small home safes first and foremost if you don’t bolt them down the thief will just carry them off with no real effort. The second issue is that the steel on them is usually so thin that I have seen people cut them open with a standard circular saw. With those kinds of draw backs and the fact that my collection is always growing I quickly moved on to looking at gun safes. Here is where things get tricky. So you are at your local sporting goods store and you see the gun safes. You think well today is the day that I pick one out. You take a good look at them all and with security on your mind you probably gravitate to the one with thickest door and while your brain is on the right track you have just been tricked. These company’s use the trick words composite door a lot. The company’s that make these trickery safes know that security is important for this product but people will always be enticed by a low price so they meet our brains halfway. They keep the metal content down to lower price while giving the illusion that there is more there then their really is. That is what a composite door is, it may look like it is 1” or maybe even 2” thick but in reality it is only a thin piece of sheet metal wrapped around some fire resistant sheet rock. The Problem with this illusion is that when a criminal starts to pry on a composite door that sheet metal will give with just a little bit of effort. This is one of the main reasons I went with the Superior safe master series because the door starts with a 3/8” steel plate. Then they add two sheets of fire resistant sheet rock and a 12 GA. Steel sheet to finish if off. The whole door edge is also increased in material and construction to help prevent pry attacks compared to the competition. The body at 10 GA. Steel is also above the average most box store gun safes. So remember always compare and do your research before making such a big investment. Also remember that if you have one of these composite door safes it is not the end of the world you just need to take extra steps to preventing the worst case scenario.
How I use it: store my collection
Brand name: Superior Safe Master Series
Where to buy: on line or a specialty dealer
Cost: around $1900
Comments
World_Coin_Nut
Level 5
I am in need of a larger safe but don't know where I can put it. I am probably stuck with the one I have as long as we are in this house. Weight is a big consideration when purchasing a new safe.
FortWorthCollector
Level 4
The weight and size can definitely be a big factor which one you choose.
Kepi
Level 6
Great information! I love my big safe. I can't imagine life without it. Enjoyed your blog!
FortWorthCollector
Level 4
Thanks Kepi.
It's Mokie
Level 6
My collection is not well protected right now, but then, I don't have any outstanding rarities in my collection. I would still be devastated if a burglary occurred. I have to start looking at some options, food for thought is only good if you eat of it. (:
FortWorthCollector
Level 4
Send me a privet message if you have any questions.
Big Nub Numismatics
Level 5
Every collection needs a secure place to be stored. Small safes, as you said, are completely able to be taken away, and broken into. Great blog, and I have a smaller model gun safe for mine, about 600 lbs.
FortWorthCollector
Level 4
Mine empty is running about 825 and let’s not talk about full.
Longstrider
Level 6
Excellent blog. I too did the same research. Mine started life as a gun safe and documents. Now it also is full of my coin collections .I paid special attention to the fire rating. Thanks for including it. I bought mine a a gun show along with a friend that also bought a bigger one. That really helped on the price. Keep in mind delivery. That can add up fast. These babies are HEAVY empty. If they need to be installed up any steps that is usually extra. Pay for delivery or have a lot of friends around. The company will set it up any way you require. If you are just doing coins there is no need to get the gun rack set up. Thanks for this important blog. I wouldn't go any other way if my collection is not in a bank.
FortWorthCollector
Level 4
That delivery price can be as much as the price of one of those cheaply made ones at the box store.
"SUN"
Level 6
A subject that needed to be highlighted.
FortWorthCollector
Level 4
Thanks Sun, I bearly scratched the surfac.
CoinLady
Level 6
Thank you for this. Don't see much info abt safes
FortWorthCollector
Level 4
I did a lot of studying on the issue and found things that the sales person just won’t or can’t tell you.
Mike
Level 7
There is nothing more needed than safe. It either stops them dead or they find away. Most of the time a safe like this there gone. I have one but smaller. Has a combination and a special keys five tungsten steel bars that lock into place. So even if you get the combination you still need that special key or she won't open. I hope your blog gets more collectors to buy one. I guess it depends on the coins you put in. But they are a necessity especially in today's world. Great blog and thanks for the research. Thanks Alot mike
FortWorthCollector
Level 4
I couldn’t agree more if you have a collection that is anything more than spare pocket change you need a safe.