Devices for use with systems and methods for authentication of collectable objects

Abstract

Provided is a system and method for authentication of collectable objects. A hi-resolution digital camera in communication with a nonvolatile data storage device having a data partition capable of being made immutable is provided. The nonvolatile data storage device is compatible with a computerized device, and the hi-resolution digital camera is operated to record at least one hi-resolution digital image of at least one unique appearance characteristic of a collectable object at an image resolution of at least 300 pixel dots per inch at 1:1 image scale. The at least one hi-resolution digital image is stored in the data partition of the nonvolatile data storage device, together with additional image data. A tamper-resistant marking associated with the collectable object is placed on the nonvolatile data storage device

1 . A protection, authentication, identification device for a coin, said device comprising:
 a holder formed for assembly with said coin to provide protection and preservation of said coin, said holder housing further being formed so as to be nondetachably secured to said coin to resist disassembly and separation with said coin; and   an electronic data storage device containing at least one predetermined external database link to an external database comprising at least one digital image of at least one unique appearance characteristic of said coin, selected from the group including strike, luster, defects, and abrasions for authentication and identification of said digital image with said coin, and   said electronic data storage device being nondetachably secured to said holder housing and configured to store at least one digital image of said coin, said at least one digital image including sufficient detail to record at least one unique characteristic of the appearance of said coin; wherein said electronic data storage device is a solid-state flash memory storage device configured and having sufficient storage capacity to record unique characteristics of the appearance of said coin, and at least one digital image is readable and displayable by a standard computer system connectable to said electronic storage system.   
     
     
         2 . The protection, authentication, identification device of  claim 1 , wherein said electronic data storage device containing at least one predetermined external database link to an external database comprising at least one digital image of at least one unique appearance characteristic comprises at least one hi-resolution digital image of said at least one unique appearance characteristic of said coin at an image resolution of at least 300 pixel dots per inch at 1:1 image scale. 
     
     
         3 . The protection, authentication, identification device of  claim 1 , wherein said at least one digital image includes at least one unique characteristic of said coin selected from the group including color, centering, date, mintmarks, and die variations. 
     
     
         4 . The protection, authentication, identification device of  claim 1 , wherein said predetermined external database may also provide other predetermined characteristics of said collectable object. 
     
     
         5 . The protection, authentication, identification device of  claim 1 , wherein said predetermined external database comprises other predetermined characteristics of said coin including at least its date, condition, mintage, population and valuation. 
     
     
         6 . The protection, authentication, identification device of  claim 1 , wherein the electronic data storage device is readable by a standard computer system via a wireless device. 
     
     
         7 . The protection, authentication, identification device of  claim 6 , wherein the wireless device comprises a radio device. 
     
     
         8 . The protection, authentication, identification device of  claim 1 , wherein the electronic data storage device is readable by a standard computer system via a data storage reader device. 
     
     
         9 . The protection, authentication, identification device of  claim 3 , wherein said predetermined external database may also provide other predetermined characteristics of said collectable object. 
     
     
         10 . The protection, authentication, identification device of  claim 1 , wherein the electronic data storage device is readable by a standard computer system via a wireless device. 
     
     
         11 . The protection, authentication, identification device of  claim 1 , wherein the electronic data storage device is readable by a standard computer system via a data storage reader device. 
     
     
         12 . The protection, authentication, identification device of  claim 1 , wherein said further comprises at least one object descriptor associated with said holder housing to provide authenticity protection of said holder with said associated coin. 
     
     
         13 . The protection, authentication, identification device of  claim 1 , wherein said further comprises at least one object descriptor associated with said holder housing to provide authenticity protection of said holder with said associated coin. 
     
     
         14 . A protection, authentication, identification device for a coin, said device comprising:
 a holder formed for assembly with said coin to provide protection and preservation of said coin, said holder housing further being formed so as to be nondetachably secured to said coin to resist disassembly and separation with said coin; and   
       an electronic data storage device containing at least one predetermined external database link to an external database comprising at least one digital image of at least one unique appearance characteristic of said coin, selected from the group including strike, luster, defects, and abrasions for authentication identification of said digital image with said coin, and wherein said external database comprises at least one digital image of at least one unique appearance characteristic comprises at least one hi-resolution digital image of said at least one unique appearance characteristic of said coin at an image resolution of at least 300 pixel dots per inch at 1:1 image scale.