Dansco problem... any hacks to fix it?

FredF

Ok this is a lame question

I started a merc dime collection back in 2008-2009. I was buying 90% junk lots, and then spent time sorting through them, looking for mercs to upgrade. Was a ton of fun. Bought a Dansco for them. Got a decently large chunk of a set including a 1917 that is plugged. However, as you can imagine, some of them are in really rough shape. I have 3 that must have worn down enough on the edges that the hole isn't small enough to secure the coin. The dimes "fall out" of their holes, and then get stuck in the groove where the plastic slides back and forth.

I actually bought a hole-filler the other day, which I hadn't done in forever. It took me 20 minutes to put that coin in because I kept losing the aforementioned 3 dimes. In some ways, this is a good thing, because it allowed me to spend more time on my coins and less time on work. But I'm wondering, given that these coins have no real value other than melt, so I don't have to be super careful with them, are there any hacks to keep them in place other than something grotesque like superglue? It just would feel wrong on so many levels to destroy the coins, even if they are already junk silver.

jmlanzaf

You could put a soft foam ring inside the whole and then put the coin inside of that.

braddick

Yep. Thanks, Dansco!
Same issues with the typeset, and I won't even add the half dimes and trimes to the albums as they slide behind the plastic and getting "lost. Also, one of the large cents holes isn't the right size.."

Namvet69

I'm thinking a very thin piece of masking tape on the edge of the hole would decrease the hole diameter. Peace Roy

FredF

@Namvet69 I'll try the masking tape - I have some super skinny tape from making scale models so that might work. Thanks

OliverDePlaise

Clip a sliver off the end of a slide. Curl it and ease it into the hole. Spring action will grip the coin.

Baley

Cut a long narrow shim from a safeflip about 1-2mm high and 4-10 mm long and squeeze it along the rim of the coin around part of the holes that are too big.

Baley

A very small drop of glue might secure the outer part of the page to the central cardboard, i have a few pages that could use this repair but am waiting until i need to change some coins anyway

ndeagles

I use small shims for my large cent album. Large cents varied in size and there is a lot of play in the album to accommodate the largest possible size. Like others mentioned, cut from saflip, fold in half. It works ok.

Snaps

Domed coins don't work in the albums either. I had a HOF domed half for the 7070 I wanted to use. But it made the Franklin above it slide down.

lkeigwin

This is a very common problem with large cents and their different diameters. My solution was to cut very thin strips of plastic from the window sleeves of old albums and coil them inside the album holes, effectively reducing the hole size.

Lots of room in the hole? Use longer strips. Adjust accordingly.
Lance.

Tom147

I actually had better luck putting glue around the edge in the empty hole. May take two applications. Works just fine. 10 - 12 years ago and hasn't affected the coins as far as toning. I tried the strips. Pain in the ass to get correct and for them to stay. Went with the glue after putting coins in the adjacent hole and noticed the strip start to come out.

rec78

I've had this problem with the smaller coins also, especially with the 3 cent silvers in the LOC albums. You could try repairing the pages with just a touch of a lesser glue, like Elmer's glue.

ricko

I have not worked with my albums for a long time... but that problem with Mercs was one I dealt with. I used a few light applications of glue along the inner diameter of the hole...let each application dry/absorb. Usually two or three and the Merc will fit and stay. Cheers, RickO

jesbroken

Early coppers in my 7070 are the only ones I truly have problems with. Probably had a silver coin or two do the same, but not enough to be a problem.
Jim

Mr_Spud

It might be possible to put the coins into Cointains before putting them into the albums if they are too small for the slot. I remember doing that a long time ago with some proof Jefferson nickels. Only I did it to avoid getting slide marks on the proofs. I remember having to ream out the slot a bit to get them to go in. But I’m not sure if they still make Cointains.

Mr_Spud

Cointains and Kointains are still around apparently https://www.wizardcoinsupply.com/products/kointains/
https://www.oldmint.com/cointains.htm

lkenefic

I've done the "shim" thing on my 7070 album in the past to prevent my Large Cents from rotating in their respective hole...

seanq

I came here to make the same Kointain recommendation as @MrSpud , they should fit securely and be invisible when you look at the set.

Sean Reynolds