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Hiding places
CaptHenway
Posts: 34,192 ✭✭✭✭✭
Professional Numismatist, Retired. 55 year member ANA. Former ANA Senior Authenticator. Winner of four ANA Heath Literary Awards; three Wayte and Olga Raymond Literary Awards; Numismatist of the Year Award 2009, and ANA Lifetime Achievement Award 2020. Winner of the PNG's 2026 Robert Friedberg Award for "The Enigmatic Lincoln Cents of 1922," Available now from Whitman or Amazon.
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U.S. Type Set
Hoard the keys.
It's fun to find things by chance, the problem is when you are TRYING to find them and you can't
<< <i>I have boatloads of association items buried inside books in my library.
It's fun to find things by chance, the problem is when you are TRYING to find them and you can't
I had a similar experience not too long ago when I was pitching out old auction catalogs. Had to check every last page to make sure there was nothing in them.
While more effort is required a decent combination bolt "fire" safe with a secondary security key lock costs less than $200.00 and maybe a couple hours of effort to buy, transport and install it the one time. Bolted to the floor it will take someone a couple of hours at best to gain entry if they even can? In an apartment it can be half filled with lead weights making it impossible to carry out.
The average opportunistic kick the door in criminal isn't prepared for a small safe and most don't carry a jaws of life tool and a pry bar won't help them. Perhaps a link chain wrapped around the safe then tied to a truck bumper might drag it outside?
My husband knows a watch collector who temporarily hid his collection in the slide out tray under the refrigerator when he had to travel on short notice, it worked great minus the apartment fire caused by the neighbor. The watch collection, well it basically melted. While jewelry can be insured against theft and fire, hidden cash is not insurable.
I do like the dirty laundry hamper thing, perhaps with a note attached that reads: return clothing cleaned after pillaging contents.
<< <i>I appreciate the article addressing the short term storage of cash. Hidden is better than nothing I suppose.
While more effort is required a decent combination bolt "fire" safe with a secondary security key lock costs less than $200.00 and maybe a couple hours of effort to buy, transport and install it the one time. Bolted to the floor it will take someone a couple of hours at best to gain entry if they even can? In an apartment it can be half filled with lead weights making it impossible to carry out.
The average opportunistic kick the door in criminal isn't prepared for a small safe and most don't carry a jaws of life tool and a pry bar won't help them. Perhaps a link chain wrapped around the safe then tied to a truck bumper might drag it outside?
My husband knows a watch collector who temporarily hid his collection in the slide out tray under the refrigerator when he had to travel on short notice, it worked great minus the apartment fire caused by the neighbor. The watch collection, well it basically melted. While jewelry can be insured against theft and fire, hidden cash is not insurable.
I do like the dirty laundry hamper thing, perhaps with a note attached that reads: return clothing cleaned after pillaging contents. >>
A $200 safe is not really a "safe" at all. Its simply a thin gauge metal box with a lock on it. If you want a real safe, you need to spend the cash and get a TL-15 or higher rated one. I wouldnt feel comfortable storing $200 in cash in a $200 safe if I was away for the weekend!!!
<< <i>
<< <i>I appreciate the article addressing the short term storage of cash. Hidden is better than nothing I suppose.
While more effort is required a decent combination bolt "fire" safe with a secondary security key lock costs less than $200.00 and maybe a couple hours of effort to buy, transport and install it the one time. Bolted to the floor it will take someone a couple of hours at best to gain entry if they even can? In an apartment it can be half filled with lead weights making it impossible to carry out.
The average opportunistic kick the door in criminal isn't prepared for a small safe and most don't carry a jaws of life tool and a pry bar won't help them. Perhaps a link chain wrapped around the safe then tied to a truck bumper might drag it outside?
My husband knows a watch collector who temporarily hid his collection in the slide out tray under the refrigerator when he had to travel on short notice, it worked great minus the apartment fire caused by the neighbor. The watch collection, well it basically melted. While jewelry can be insured against theft and fire, hidden cash is not insurable.
I do like the dirty laundry hamper thing, perhaps with a note attached that reads: return clothing cleaned after pillaging contents. >>
A $200 safe is not really a "safe" at all. Its simply a thin gauge metal box with a lock on it. If you want a real safe, you need to spend the cash and get a TL-15 or higher rated one. I wouldnt feel comfortable storing $200 in cash in a $200 safe if I was away for the weekend!!! >>
Here is a link on a $1000 safe see how long it takes them to get it open.
Hoard the keys.
<< <i>A secret coded treasure map that lists all the hiding places that you and just one other person whom you trust know the code to maybe..... >>
Or, include the location(s) and contents in your will/living trust instructions.
My mother-in-law purchased a belt at the flea market and found $100 in 20s neatly folded lengthwise in it. Which brings up the downside of hiding places - sometime they are too good and you forget
Problem with house safes in my opinion is that they are dangerous for the family. A gun to the head will open the largest safe. That is why I would not have one in the family house. I prefer SDBs.
For hiding places I prefer mason jars buried in the woods at the hunting cabin. Surround with bear traps. And dont forget to mix in plenty of beer tabs and nails in the cover soil to confound any potential metal detectors
<< <i>
<< <i>
<< <i>I appreciate the article addressing the short term storage of cash. Hidden is better than nothing I suppose.
While more effort is required a decent combination bolt "fire" safe with a secondary security key lock costs less than $200.00 and maybe a couple hours of effort to buy, transport and install it the one time. Bolted to the floor it will take someone a couple of hours at best to gain entry if they even can? In an apartment it can be half filled with lead weights making it impossible to carry out.
The average opportunistic kick the door in criminal isn't prepared for a small safe and most don't carry a jaws of life tool and a pry bar won't help them. Perhaps a link chain wrapped around the safe then tied to a truck bumper might drag it outside?
My husband knows a watch collector who temporarily hid his collection in the slide out tray under the refrigerator when he had to travel on short notice, it worked great minus the apartment fire caused by the neighbor. The watch collection, well it basically melted. While jewelry can be insured against theft and fire, hidden cash is not insurable.
I do like the dirty laundry hamper thing, perhaps with a note attached that reads: return clothing cleaned after pillaging contents. >>
A $200 safe is not really a "safe" at all. Its simply a thin gauge metal box with a lock on it. If you want a real safe, you need to spend the cash and get a TL-15 or higher rated one. I wouldnt feel comfortable storing $200 in cash in a $200 safe if I was away for the weekend!!! >>
Here is a link on a $1000 safe see how long it takes them to get it open.
Again, thats not a "safe". Thats simply a fancy, flimsy metal box with a lock on it.
This is a safe:
<< <i>I use the cat. >>
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<< <i>I appreciate the article addressing the short term storage of cash. Hidden is better than nothing I suppose.
While more effort is required a decent combination bolt "fire" safe with a secondary security key lock costs less than $200.00 and maybe a couple hours of effort to buy, transport and install it the one time. Bolted to the floor it will take someone a couple of hours at best to gain entry if they even can? In an apartment it can be half filled with lead weights making it impossible to carry out.
The average opportunistic kick the door in criminal isn't prepared for a small safe and most don't carry a jaws of life tool and a pry bar won't help them. Perhaps a link chain wrapped around the safe then tied to a truck bumper might drag it outside?
My husband knows a watch collector who temporarily hid his collection in the slide out tray under the refrigerator when he had to travel on short notice, it worked great minus the apartment fire caused by the neighbor. The watch collection, well it basically melted. While jewelry can be insured against theft and fire, hidden cash is not insurable.
I do like the dirty laundry hamper thing, perhaps with a note attached that reads: return clothing cleaned after pillaging contents. >>
The KEY thing is making sure that no one knows that such a safe is there - esp. contractors, maids, etc. While some knuckleheads who do a random B&E won't be able to pry it up quickly, if it is targeted and the criminal has large pry bar and hammer it will be gone very, very quickly.
<< <i>
<< <i>
<< <i>I appreciate the article addressing the short term storage of cash. Hidden is better than nothing I suppose.
While more effort is required a decent combination bolt "fire" safe with a secondary security key lock costs less than $200.00 and maybe a couple hours of effort to buy, transport and install it the one time. Bolted to the floor it will take someone a couple of hours at best to gain entry if they even can? In an apartment it can be half filled with lead weights making it impossible to carry out.
The average opportunistic kick the door in criminal isn't prepared for a small safe and most don't carry a jaws of life tool and a pry bar won't help them. Perhaps a link chain wrapped around the safe then tied to a truck bumper might drag it outside?
My husband knows a watch collector who temporarily hid his collection in the slide out tray under the refrigerator when he had to travel on short notice, it worked great minus the apartment fire caused by the neighbor. The watch collection, well it basically melted. While jewelry can be insured against theft and fire, hidden cash is not insurable.
I do like the dirty laundry hamper thing, perhaps with a note attached that reads: return clothing cleaned after pillaging contents. >>
A $200 safe is not really a "safe" at all. Its simply a thin gauge metal box with a lock on it. If you want a real safe, you need to spend the cash and get a TL-15 or higher rated one. I wouldnt feel comfortable storing $200 in cash in a $200 safe if I was away for the weekend!!! >>
Here is a link on a $1000 safe see how long it takes them to get it open.
I agree!!
The bottom line with safes is that there are no really good, cheap safes. If you plan to store a lot of $ or money's worth of collectibles at home in a safe you'd better be prepared to shell out several to ten thousand dollars for a large, heavy, high-end safe such as the top models by Fort Knox (great web site). They can absolutely run nearly $10. BUT they are heavy, nearly impossible to pry, very hard to torch and carry top fire-resistance. The only way to really get into one of these is with a plasma cutter - which still takes time and is risky. Again, the only one(s) who will get into one of these is a prepared, professional criminal who knows that it's there.
These are SAFES:
http://www.ftknox.com/redesign/safes/legend.htm
Even in this instance, a very good alarm system - with cell/radio backup is a necessity. They need time to get into such a safe and you must not give them this time - this is where the alarm system comes in (not to mention high-quality commercial deadbolts w/high security cylinders, top and bottom latches on those beautiful but oh so easy to kick in double entry doors, security film on the windows, etc.).
The "gun-to-the-head" opens all safes is a very valid point. Yet another reason why you have to take extraordinary measures to be sure that no one knows that you have a safe.
If the safe is separately alarmed - which is should be, one should of course use a "distress code" to disarm the safe if at gun-point just as one would do for one's home. If one is armed and well trained one can also have a loaded gun in the safe for just such an occasion as action is faster than reaction, etc. Again that is IF one is armed and WELL TRAINED.
Most alarm companies also offer video cameras so that if something is stolen you may be able to get it back much faster.
Of course, as has been mentioned, a safe deposit box is a lot cheaper, a lot easier and works very well!!!!
All small and large safes are not the same.
And now with a tool most homes have, simple circular saw
Successful Trades: Swampboy,
Where did I hear this story? At his show table. I think he tells it to please his wife. Shrewd fella.