Free coins

I've been on Numista about a year now, and what I find most impressive is the willingness of veteran members helping out younger and less experienced members. This often involves considerable time and effort.

I've long debated the possibility of offering coins for free. This would be to young, beginning, and other collectors, including foreign, who would have difficulty obtaining them. I'm not the only one in this position; that is having coins to pass on, without needing anything in return.

I welcome any advice or direction. For myself, I plan to offer some Lincoln cents through the swaps forum, and see what happens.

 Hi spauldingph

    And welcome to numista. I have given away hundreds of free coins here. All in all, very good and satisfying experience. Things i have learned, In your post make sure you have all the information in it. Were you will mail them, US only or everywhere. Postage will add up very fast. Who you would like to get them, a new collector. Or whoever, then wind it gone let everyone know in your post. Enjoy yourself and have fun.

yours darly

 I hope to start again next year after i stop working.

Well, I have done this before, just a few times, and I must say that some of these people do not deserve freebies. I once sent 3 casino chips worth $25 as a gift for a collector (Washington State) and some used stamps to a collector who told me that his daughter collects postage stamps in Puerto Rico. Both of them did not even bother to reply when my mails arrived and I only got confirmation when I emailed them to follow up. 

Thanks for the input, which will be heeded. ALLRED1950, as a long time member, you likely knew something of the members you were sending to. My biggest worry is the scammers, and less than honest dealers and sellers who would take advantage.

Akhai, I haven't yet encountered any ingratitude, but expect I will.

I'm thinking the best way to do it is to offer a specific list, but not leave it open ended; that is I would honor x-number of requests until the next post.

I've been working on a system to send everything at first class letter rate. Seems to work, but input regarding the length of time and condition received, should also be requested.

I've been experimenting with a method for mailing coins (more or less) reliably by first class mail. So far, I have two prototypes. First is a custom envelope I can make from scrap for one ounce rate. Second is a standard #6 ½ for the two ounce rate.

At the core is foam packing material which should protect the coins from processing equipment and remain flexible. The next challenge is to be able to reuse the core.

I've had two successful trials in the US. History Nerd has a venue for passing coins to young collectors, and will be the next trial recipient.

Impressive! How did you cut the holes?

I'm asking because I'm thinking of creating my own albums by year sets. I think I could do it with acid-free cardboard of the right thickness, but cutting clean holes could be a challenge.

Camerinvs, for the foam, I had to make a punch and die for the Lincoln cent size. Even then, I had to use a sacrificial cover, as the foam was too soft for a clean cut.

Cardboard is much easier, and I made an adjustable cutter, much like a milling fly cutter. I use it for making flips. Once set up, it goes fairly rapidly, and has the advantage of being adjustable, instead of making dies for each size.

Thx very much for the explanation, spauldingph. Is your adjustable cutter mounted on something like a drill?

Olfa makes a compass cutter. Works well on foam once you have the size set.

https://store.abovegroundartsupplies.com/products/olfa-compass-circle-cutter-19817.html

This is the cutter I use in my small milling machine.

But the Olfa compass seems much more practical. In fact, I'll probably redesign my cutter to take a skew knife blade.

Thank you both. This is exactly the kind of tools I'm looking for.