Recommendations on a safe

Larrob37

I am looking for a in home safe to lock up coins. I need it to be fire and water resistant. Size should be close to two cubic feet. Just wondering what you guys are using. Thanks

JWP

I have a 40 gun safe that I bought at TSC when it was on sale in the fall a couple years ago. I had to modify the inside so I would have shelves to put all the coins on and organize things. Overall I'm happy with it okay.

Jzyskowski1

My 2 cents.
While tempted, most gun safes are really not the best for coins, the higher end ones, maybe. For the size you’re talking, be prepared to shell out some $.
It’s tough call. SDB’s can get pricey but provide good security. Having your collection at home is nice, too. Good luck. I’ve seen someone who stacked the little home security safes in their gun safe That’s where I landed. Works ok. 😉🙀
( the safes add a lot of weight to the gun safe)

Lakesammman

Check out NWsafe.com - they have a lot of good info in the blog section that might help you decide what to look for in your area. They won't sell anything that they haven't tried to destroy themselves.

Crusty

TL-30

ricko

Define your needs regarding fire, water, level of security. I would say that the fireproof safes have an inherent risk since the resistance to fire is achieved with a high moisture content interior... which can lead to issues with coins, documents and even firearms. Then go to a store and actually view units that meet your needs. They are not cheap, but quality and security comes with a price. Cheers, RickO

2ndCharter

When you go to a store, ask if they have any used or "trade-in" models. That's what I did and I got what I wanted for about half the price of a new one. It's not like a car - they don't wear out.

MarkKelley

I bought my three at various estate sales. If you find one without a combination, a locksmith can take care of it.

Nysoto

https://www.brownsafe.com/

Larrob37

@Ricko So are you saying that i need to stay away from fireproof safes. I think you guys have the right idea about just going to store and finding one i like. I like idea of scratch and dent buy and maybe a estate sale. I have two now. One is perfect for like a holding safe until i can move to a bigger safe. The other one i have is very very old and solid but is not really good for coins as it gets musty . I have looked on line but its hard to pick without looking at it in person. I dont want to go cheap and regret it later. Thanks for everybodys suggestions.

ricko

@Larrob37 ... The safe that gets musty is likely fire proof/resistant.... the fire proofing material holds moisture. Not good for storage of documents or other things prone to moisture harm. Cheers, RickO

Namvet69

@Larrob37 Fyi, TL -30 means it's a money safe that's rated to resist a tool attack for 30 minutes. Also important to secure a safe to or in a surface to prevent it from being hauled off.
On the other hand, a fire resistant document safe contains moisture that is released in the form of steam, when the safe is heated up.
Good luck. Peace Roy

moursund

@Jzyskowski1 said:
My 2 cents.
While tempted, most gun safes are really not the best for coins, the higher end ones, maybe. For the size you’re talking, be prepared to shell out some $.
It’s tough call. SDB’s can get pricey but provide good security. Having your collection at home is nice, too. Good luck. I’ve seen someone who stacked the little home security safes in their gun safe That’s where I landed. Works ok. 😉🙀
( the safes add a lot of weight to the gun safe)

Matryoshka safes! The smallest one in the center holds the key to the SDB...

Jzyskowski1

Yes sir. And my new first ever magnificent gold coins 😎

davidk

Very complicated topic, but if you want to narrow down the choices look for models that carry the UL RSC (residential security container) rating at a minimum (TL-15 and TL-30 are much better, but very expensive and heavy), and UL listed fire rating (not manufacturer fire rating). You also want a UL listed group 2 lock. Any 'safe' without these UL ratings is likely security theater.

Most 'safes' you will find in a store are thin metal boxes lined with drywall. Security theater for anyone determined to get into it.

AMSEC and Gardall make very good safes.

Safes should be mounted securely to your building structure, and camouflaged or hidden.

If you want to go down the rabbit hole you can start here: https://www.ar15.com/forums/Armory/Questions-for-AMSEC-TheSafeGuy/46-401046/?page=1

PapiNE

I recently acquired the Amazon 2.1 fire resistant safe. I elevated it 4 ft off the floor and secured it to solid metal shelving and backed against a stone wall. It's not the most insulated safe but I live in suburbia near fire stations and hydrants and have a hardwired alarm system so I don't expect a raging fire. Burglary is a very minor concern for me. The only disappointment is it's only 9.5 inches deep after closing the door. NGC slab holders don't fit lengthwise but PCGS do. Safe is solid. Keypad is a little cheap but sufficient given the price and has a key backup. The most valuable stuff will stay in my better insulated gun safe.

crazyhounddog

My safe was rated to 2000 degrees and saved my collection in the (campfire) of 2018 that took out my town of, Paradise, Calif. I would highly recommend 2000 degrees or higher.
Edited to say it was an “EC Morris” safe .

winesteven

1. As noted above, you or a professional should drill a hole in the bottom of the inside and bolt it to a cement slab in the floor.
2. I suggest buying Eva-Dry, a reusable desiccant to keep inside the safe (Amazon charges $19.97 - see the hotlink below). So easy to use. I only need to plug it in for a couple of hours only once every two months or so. https://www.amazon.com/Improved-Eva-dry-500-Renewable-Dehumidifier/dp/B00BD0FN8A/ref=sr_1_2?crid=141AAMXT8MT2Y&keywords=Eva+dry&qid=1642218147&sprefix=eva+dry,aps,97&sr=8-2
3. Consider storing slabs in Lighthouse Intercept Box SL50, designed to hold 50 slabs, but I find each box easily holds 60 slabs. Uses Intercept Shield Technology. Brooklyngallery.com charges $17.47 each, but if you buy eight, the price is then only $15.37 each.
   

LanceNewmanOCC

i think if someone is going to have a costly safe (please support your floors), perhaps go just a bit further and do something like this.

a safe that is easy to find is only as safe as the owner(s) are willing to see one of their family members lives threatened if you don't open it so in that regard, a safe is mostly only good if you are gone and the thieves can't find a way into it or take it with them. (good points made in several safe threads over the years here)

SO, perhaps this is the logical combination for safes and perhaps can double as a safe-room (short-term)?

i LOVE the idea of well-hidden safe rooms. very good if you don't want to shoot someone or risk being shot/abducted and perhaps can't risk getting out of the house/garage or whatever. just go hide, safely, sit and wait for the cavalry?

(i've also watched some youtube vids (they are really starting to increase the amount of abducted people being hidden type vids from bodycam/etc footage). (generally youtube advertisers put a lot of pressure on them to avoid blood/cussing/nudity/extreme violence) but it seems like that is starting to change w/o demonetization.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VMXAaXTxETM

fiftysevener

@winesteven said:
1. As noted above, you or a professional should drill a hole in the bottom of the inside and bolt it to a cement slab in the floor.
2. I suggest buying Eva-Dry, a reusable desiccant to keep inside the safe (Amazon charges $19.97 - see the hotlink below). So easy to use. I only need to plug it in for a couple of hours only once every two months or so. https://www.amazon.com/Improved-Eva-dry-500-Renewable-Dehumidifier/dp/B00BD0FN8A/ref=sr_1_2?crid=141AAMXT8MT2Y&keywords=Eva+dry&qid=1642218147&sprefix=eva+dry,aps,97&sr=8-2
3. Consider storing slabs in Lighthouse Intercept Box SL50, designed to hold 50 slabs, but I find each box easily holds 60 slabs. Uses Intercept Shield Technology. Brooklyngallery.com charges $17.47 each, but if you buy eight, the price is then only $15.37 each.

Depending on the design most safes must be bolted down so it doesn't crush you when you open the door

Flatwoods

I think the main mistake people make is not securing them to the floor.
Even the best safes can be compromised in a fire by heat and water.
Buy the best you can afford. Safes are better protection against theft than fire and water damage.
Spend some time securing it well.
I don't care if you buy a 1500lb safe, two people can get it in the truck before the police arrive if it's not bolted down CORRECTLY.

alaura22

The very best safe you can buy is around the corner at the BANK
Had a freind that had the best safe in the world, but when the person that robbed him put a gun to his head guess what? HE OPENED THE SAFE

jesbroken

I believe @crazyhounddog could offer great advice on this question. JMO
Jim

Shrub68

American Security TL15 or TL30

jt88

@Jzyskowski1 said:
My 2 cents.
While tempted, most gun safes are really not the best for coins, the higher end ones, maybe. For the size you’re talking, be prepared to shell out some $.
It’s tough call. SDB’s can get pricey but provide good security. Having your collection at home is nice, too. Good luck. I’ve seen someone who stacked the little home security safes in their gun safe That’s where I landed. Works ok. 😉🙀
( the safes add a lot of weight to the gun safe)

I really agree with this. You need to buy a TL30 or above jewelry safe. It needs to be at least 4000 BLs that the thief can't move the safe and with two locks.

jt88

Try to shop for a used one. I saw some very nice used Tl30 or TL35 for 5K to 7K.

jt88

If you buy cheap safe you might be better off rent a safe box in the bank

derryb

most safes do not prevent theft, they only delay it.

jt88

You need to treat buying a safe as a long term investment. If you sell coins you can write it off as business expensive anyway. Why go for a cheap safe.