Hot Collectibles How-Tos

How To: Fold the American flag

The American flag is one of the most recognizable and influental symbols that this country has. Not only does it tell a story, but gives hope and strength to all those that are part of this great land. So in this tutorial learn how to properly fold an American flag of any size, and display or put in storage. Enjoy!

How To: Clean a penny using vinegar and salt

In this video, Do It Your Self Central demonstrates to viewers how to clean a dirty penny by using common household products, namely vinegar and iodized salt. He suggests to put 1/2 cup vinegar and 2 teaspoons of iodized salt into a cup. This solution will be used to clean the penny. He demonstrates the power of the solution by holding the penny into the mixture for a few seconds. After only a short time, he shows the dramatic change between the portion that was dipped in the solution and the...

How To: Clean dirty coins using multiple methods

Kevin demonstrates multiple methods to clean dirty coins.In the first method he takes some coke in a glass and hangs a dirty coin in it with the help of a string. This coke technique takes a few hours.In another faster technique which takes only 20 to 30 minutes he takes table salt and food vinegar. He takes the table salt and dissolves it in vinegar in a bowl. When most of it is dissolved he drops a dirty coin in it and waits about 20 minutes.Another method is to rub toothpaste on the coin f...

How To: Clean pennies with taco sauce

In this video, we learn how to clean pennies with taco sauce. To do this project, all you need are some dirty pennies and a paper plate! First, pick out some really dirty pennies and grab a taco sauce packet you have laying around the house. Grab a paper plate and pour the taco sauce onto the top of your pennies. The taco sauce has vinegar in it, so it can clean the pennies easily. Let it set for a few minutes and then rinse the pennies off in water. This will clean your dirty change and is a...

How To: Clean a penny with hot sauce

In this video, 305 Nicky shows the viewers how to clean up a penny by using Tabasco sauce. You will need a piece of sturdy paper towel, Tabasco sauce, and an old penny. Next, fold the paper towel into fourths and put the penny on top of the paper towel. Open the Tabasco sauce and put 4 or 5 drops onto the dirty penny. Make sure the penny is evenly coated by spreading it with your index finger. Wait for about 10 to 20 minutes after applying the sauce and using the paper towel, beginning to rub...

How To: Clean dirty pennies with ketchup

In this video, Josh shows us how to clean dirty pennies with ketchup. You will need, a timer, ketchup, a dirty penny and a penny. First, pour ketchup into your cup or dish. You don't need a lot of ketchup into the cup, just enough to cover the pennies. Next, push the penny into the ketchup so it's fully covered. Now, set your timer for 2 full minutes. When the timer goes off, take your penny out of the ketchup. Place the penny onto a paper towel and wipe it off until all the ketchup is gone. ...

How To: Pan for gold in ancient riverbeds and high benches

There's still a ton of gold to be had out there, you just need to know how to find it. There a certain spots to look for, like ancient riverbeds and high benches. This video will show you where and how to pan for gold in ancient riverbeds and high benches. Learn how to find them and what to look for.

How To: Decorate a shadow box for collectibles

Whether you want to commemorate a special event or just keep the dust off mementos, a shadow box is a great way to show off your treasures. Watch this howcast video to learn how to decorate a shadow box. You will need:

How To: Sculpt Your Spare Change into a Badass Miniature Jet Fighter Plane

What are you going to do with all of those Euro coins you still have from that trip to Barcelona with Grandma Margie? Instead of keeping them in a drawer and counting down the number of days until you can afford another trip, try something creative—take on this awesome miniature plane build.

How To: Clean Dirty Pennies Using Only 3 Things

Do you want your old, dirty pennies to be shiny and glistening again? This article will demonstrate how to return their lovely allure using only three items: salt, lemon juice, and a jar.

How To: Sell baseball cards

Tired of grandpa's baseball card collection rotting away in your attic? Well, unlike his pop bottle collection, baseball cards could yield a decent amount of income for you, if you know how to sell them. There are different outlets available for selling an individual baseball card or card collection. Know how to sell the fruits of your hobby and avoid getting ripped off.

How To: Grade and package a collectible coin

David Hall of Professional Coin Grading Service presents this tutorial on coin grading and authentication. How are coins graded and what kind of care goes into coin grading. This is an overview of the numismatic science and process.

How To: Collect antique binoculars

This is a short video about collecting old or antique binoculars. This binocular video is helpful if you are interested in buying, selling, collecting or just learning about these old scientific instruments. This can help with all kinds of binoculars like Ross, Barr and Stroud, prismatic, or Galilean types.

How To: Collect posters

Are you looking for a new way to cover your walls, start a hobby or make some money? Poster collecting might be right up your alley. Learn how to build and maintain a poster collection in this free hobby video series.

How To: Collect Hallmark ornaments

Hallmark Christmas ornaments are a great collectible item for the whole family to enjoy. Learn how to maintain, store, repair, and buy Hallmark ornaments in this free video series about Christmas collectibles.

How To: Transform a toilet paper roll into a sling gun

Watch this tutorial to learn how to transform a toilet roll to the sling toy. You'll need a toilet paper roll, tape, scissors and a balloon. You can shoot anything out of this simple gun.

How To: Pan for gold

John Gailey of John Hall's Alaska shows us how to pan gold - it's all in the wrist!

How To: Pan for gold in rivers

How to use the new hex gold pan. Gold panning or gold prospecting is the hobby of finding gold in mud and rivers.

How To: Pan gold

This is a gold panning video showing the start of a mud filled pan to the little bits of gold that turn up in the muck.

How To: Find garage sale treasures

Jan Braunstein gives you tips for buying antiques and how to find garage sale treasurers. Part 1 of 15 - How to Find garage sale treasures.

How To: Collect vinyl records

Antique store owner Jan Braunstein has seen her share of rare records. In this series, she shows you her very own copy of one of the rarest, the infamous “butcher cover” of the Beatles’ “Yesterday and Today” album. She gives you an overview of record collecting in general and talks about some albums by Bob Dylan, Elvis and the Beach Boys which you should snatch up whenever you see them.

How To: Buy and sell rare books

In this series of internet commerce videos, our bookselling professional gives you expert advice on how to sell your old books. She tells you how to determine their value using the esoteric language of the rare book world.

How To: Collect Majolica pottery

In this series of videos on collecting Majolica pottery, our antiquing expert discusses the history of Majolica and explains the basis for the broad range of colors and hues.

How To: Collect Ruby Flash glass

In this video series, our expert antique collector will offer tips and advice for collecting Ruby Flash glass pieces.

How To: Collect copper luster

So, if you are interested in buying copper luster, you should take some time to watch this video series. Sue Shea offers her expertise in the world of antique collecting. Sue shows you the different types and colors of copper luster. She also warns you of the signs of discoloration and restoration. Collect copper luster - Part 1 of 17.

How To: Find gold in rivers and streams

This film is about gold. Gold diving. Use of the hookah rig to find gold. Gold flakes, nuggets, and platinum nuggets are shown. Gold and platinum are 15-19 times heavier than other streambed materials and concentrate in low pressure areas and cracks that run across rivers and streams. You look for a crack on the bank, and follow it out until you meet the "gold line" and there you suck it out with your dredge. Gold will be on the outside edge of a river gravel bar, at the head of the bar (larg...

How To: Find gold and sapphires

Do not discount the "pretty" rocks found along with gold. The sapphires you see are worth many times more than gold. Sapphire (& Ruby, (corundum), is like garnet, a relatively high specific gravity that will catch in a sluice readily. These gems act as gold, they will drop behind a boulder, in bedrock cracks, and set up in the stratiform layers of a bar on the inside bend of a stream. In a perfect (laboratory world) a river bar sets up from front to back: Gold, Platinum, Lead, Iron Ore (black...

How To: Clean coins and make them shine like new

Is your money looking a little dirty? With this video tutorial you can clean your act right up. Find out how to clean coins and make them shine like new in under 5 minutes. Clean coins and make them shine like new.

How To: Collect Barbie dolls

In this video series, Sonja Fischer shares her passion of collecting Barbie dolls with you. Sonja gives you the history of the Barbie doll, and she gives you pointers for collecting unique and priceless dolls. She offers advice for storing and displaying your Barbie doll collection.

How To: Collect oil lamps

Watch these series of antique collecting videos to find out just what qualities make these oil lamps valuable. Our antiquing expert discusses the rarity of different patterns and chimneys and how to determine the ways condition affects their value. She also tells you how to use your prize lamp safely and even the best way to display them. You may not get your three wishes, but you can still have a satisfying collection of lamps.

How To: Collect Christmas tree ornaments

In this video series, learn all about collecting those treasured Christmas tree ornaments. These unique objects remind us of some of the best times we have all year; and they come in so many colors, shapes, and sizes that they offer a world of collecting potential to the ornament connoisseur. Our expert will show you how to get your collection started, and she’ll talk about a few things you need to know when choosing pieces, including determining value, age, how to display, and how to store y...

How To: Collect antique crock pots

If you've never collected crock pots before, or even if you've started and just need some pointers, this is a good series to watch. It goes over what to look for, where to go and how to choose antique crock pots for a collection.

How To: Shop at junk and thrift stores

In this series of informative videos, you will learn how to find flea market finds to use in home decoration. Flea market events are often crowded with people and crafts, so knowing what to look for is imperative. In the video titled “About Flea Markets,” you will learn more about the general idea and practices included in the flea market experience. Learn how to and whether bartering is appropriate in different flea market situations. Get tips on dealing with vendors and finding the right pr...