Getting Started

What is philately and numismatics?

Beginner’s Guide to Philately (Stamps): Care, Storage & Supplies

Handle like a conservator. Use stamp tongs (not household tweezers) and minimise direct handling. Keep a clean, well-lit workspace and avoid tape or glue, which will damage stamps and album pages.

Mounts vs. hinges. Hinges are inexpensive and fine for used stamps, but they disturb gum on mint NH stamps. Clear plastic mounts protect stamps from air, dust, and handling, and are preferred for mint material.

Environment matters. For long-term preservation, keep philatelic material cool and stable. Ideal storage conditions are below 18 °C and 55–60% relative humidity. Avoid high heat, dryness, or dampness that can crack gum, split perfs, or invite fungus. Use inert plastics (polyester/Mylar) and avoid PVC with chemical softeners.

Paper-safe practices. Controlled handling, rigid supports for delicate paper, and archival enclosures (buffered folders; inert PET/PP sleeves) reduce damage from handling, pollutants, and humidity swings.

Philately Books & References

“Get the book first – knowledge is as valuable as the stamps themselves.”

Canadian Stamp News – publishes 26 times a year, providing comprehensive coverage of Canadian and worldwide philately. Each issue features the latest hobby news, in-depth articles on stamps and postal history, auction reports, price trends, and expert columns. It also highlights upcoming shows, club activities, and resources for both new and experienced collectors, making it a trusted guide to the world of stamps.

The Canadian Philatelist – the official journal of the Royal Philatelic Society of Canada, published six times a year. It offers scholarly research, detailed studies of Canadian and worldwide philately, expert insights, and reports on society activities, making it an essential publication for serious collectors and researchers.

How to Collect Stamps (Seventh Edition, published by H.E. Harris & Co.) – a classic beginner’s guide that introduces readers to the basics of philately. It covers how to start and organize a collection, the tools collectors need, tips for handling and preserving stamps, and an overview of worldwide issues. Its straightforward explanations and illustrations make it an excellent entry point for new collectors of all ages.

Scott Catalogues – the worldwide reference for identifying and valuing stamps. These catalogues provide detailed listings, images, and market values for issues from virtually every country, making them an indispensable tool for identifying varieties and building a global collection.

Trajan Canada Specialized Stamp Catalogue – the definitive resource for Canadian stamps, varieties, and values. Edited by reknowned philatelist Robin Harris, it provides detailed listings of Canada’s issues, from classic to modern, with in-depth notes on errors, varieties, and specialized collecting fields.

Beginner’s Guide to Numismatics (Coins & Banknotes): Care, Storage & Supplies

Hands off the faces—always by the edges. Handle coins over a soft surface and use cotton or nitrile gloves to avoid fingerprints and corrosive skin oils.

Do not clean collectible coins—consult a professional first. Cleaning, even when well-intentioned, almost always diminishes a coin’s numismatic value by stripping patina or leaving micro-scratches. Professional graders can detect these changes and will often note coins as “Improperly Cleaned,” lowering their market appeal. The general rule: do not clean rare or valuable coins yourself.

When cleaning might be acceptable. There are some exceptions. Common or bullion coins, where value is tied to metal content, may tolerate light cleaning.Collectors who simply want coins for display, not resale, sometimes choose to improve the appearance of inexpensive pieces. Environmental issues—such as mildew, PVC residue, or tarnish caused by damp basements or hot attics—may also call for intervention. In these cases, purpose-made cleaners can help. We carry coin-cleaning products designed to address specific issues created by poor storage conditions. They can safely remove residues without harsh abrasion, but we always recommend consulting a professional before using them on coins of potential collectible value.

Professional conservation. For coins with significant value, consider professional conservation services that remove contaminants without damaging originality. This ensures preservation while protecting market value.

Use inert, PVC-free storage. PVC holders can outgas and leave sticky green residue. Choose non-PVC, acid-free flips or 2×2s, capsules, tubes, or albums. Vinyl can also be used safely in some cases, provided there are no chemical softeners present. For example, banknotes that are first encased in an inert sleeve can be stored within vinyl pages or binders without risk of damage. Likewise, 12-pocket and 20-pocket vinyl pages can be used for storing 2×2 holders and 2.5×2.5 holders when the vinyl is free of softeners, offering a convenient way to organise collections.

Banknote care. Keep notes flat in archival, acid-free, inert sleeves and away from light, heat, and humidity swings. Ideal conditions are 18–22 °C with about 45–50% relative humidity. Use PET/PP sleeves, rigid holders, or carefully selected vinyl pages (without chemical softeners) to minimise handling damage.

Numismatics Books & References

“Get the book first – knowledge is as valuable as the coins themselves.”

Canadian Coin News – publishes 26 times a year, providing in-depth coverage of Canadian and world numismatics. Each issue includes the latest hobby news, auction results, market reports, and educational columns written by leading experts. It also features detailed research articles by numismatists in specialized areas including errors, tokens, banknotes, money and more, with resources for collectors at all levels. A highlight is its Trends section, popular with both dealers and collectors, as it provides up-to-date Canadian coin price valuations that are refreshed regularly – unlike catalogues, which are only issued annually.

The Canadian Numismatic Journal – the official publication of the Royal Canadian Numismatic Association, issued ten times a year. It features scholarly research, articles on Canadian and worldwide numismatics, detailed studies of coins, banknotes, medals and tokens, plus reports on RCNA activities, awards, and educational initiatives.

Charlton Standard Catalogue series – the go-to reference for Canadian coins, banknotes, tokens, and medals. Updated regularly, the series provides detailed listings, history, and market values, making it indispensable for Canadian collectors.

Coin Collecting – An Introduction to the World of Numismatics (Kenneth Bressett) – a classic beginner’s guide written by a renowned collector and author. It introduces the fundamentals of coin collecting, explains grading, storage, and preservation, and provides a solid foundation for newcomers entering the hobby.

Standard Catalog of World Coins (Krause Publications) – the leading worldwide reference for identifying and valuing coins. Covering centuries of coinage, it includes images, mintages, and prices for issues from virtually every country.

Paper Money of the United States (Friedberg) – the definitive guide to U.S. banknotes, featuring history, illustrations, and market values, widely used by collectors and dealers alike.

Getting Started

Philately

Numismatics

Beginner’s Guide to Philately (Stamps): Care, Storage & Supplies

Supply Checklists for Philately

Basic tools

Intermediate tools

Advanced tools