2 x 2 Cardboard holders and STAPLES!

MICHAELDIXON

When you place a coin in ANY holder and use a staple, please, please, do yourself a favor and use a pair of pliers to crimp the backs of the staples. If the staple has not gone all the way through the holder, take it out and use another staple, then crimp it. This seems like common sense to most of us, but every so often I receive a shipment of coins and one coin is damaged by the staple on the holder in front of it. When the staples are sticking out, it will cut through the plastic and scratch the coin it is against. This little hint will save you money and heartache!
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This week, I received a fantastic 1920 Choice AU Standing Liberty Quarter. Unfortunately, the coin in front of it had a staple sticking out and put a major gouge in the coin. So, the sender was very disappointed when I called and informed him of the situation and didn't offer AU money.
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I've posted a similar thread before, but couldn't find it.

JrGMan2004

Yeah, I was warned about that when I bought my first 2x2s and now make sure to crimp them all the way, sometimes going around and doing all the staples again to make sure they are completely flat againest the cardboard, and I usually try to do it in a way where the end of the staple digs back down into the cardboard a little bit...

LovethoseIndians

OUCH !!!!

ScarsdaleCoin

shame on you guys.....here is my own plug...go to my web site www.coinhelp.com go to coin offerings.....under section dealer products...you shall see a very special stapler that crimps a special way....you will never have to use pliers nor ruin any more coins...plus since they are tighter you can put more flips in the same space.... here is the link for it....
PS: yes it costs a few bucks...but read the original post.....how much did that cost????

baccaruda

No need to even crimp it. Keep a screwdriver with a rounded plastic end handy. after you staple it, flip it over and use the butt end to smash those staples flat - only takes a few seconds.

poptopsRus

There are also self crimping staplers out there to save you the trouble and are made just for this. The brand name is MAX and if you do a search on Ebay for Max flat clinch stapler you'll save yourself the hastle of crimping staples.

Pushkin

Stapled holders have damaged countless coins and caused immeasurable heartbreak, pain, and minor infections. These devilish devices should be outlawed from the numismatic community once and for all. I once saw an elderly gentlemen ruin a beautiful AU 55/58 Indian Head cent by accidentally scratching it when he attempted to remove the coin from one of these nefarious holders - a BIG, UGLY scratch right across the cheek. Stapled holders are one of the great evils of numismatics - a true product of the devil.

END STAPLED HOLDER TYRANNY NOW!.

Thank you for your attention.

hughesm1

One could use the self-sealing flips, thus eliminating the need for staples. But I understand some adhesive may remain on the window portion and affect the surface of a coin in long-term storage. I like the ones sold here, but with the dollar being so weak these are getting quite expensive.

jonesy

Real collectors don't use 2 X 2's!!

LovethoseIndians

Ruined an Indian! Shame on the old guy

agentjim007

possibly more important than crimping is proper removal. NEVER pull the 2X2 apart and roll the coin out past the staples, your asking for trouble. Pop a little hole in the cellophane petween the coin and cardboard and pop it out without ever exposing the staple. If the coin fits right up against the cardboard then wiggle the coin a little bit to the side, pushing one side of the coin behind cardboard temporarily and pop the little hole. It only takes a pin hole to make the coin pop out through the cellophane when pressed against the cellophane.

MRK

I'd like to offer another suggestion when stapling 2x2's. I see many 2X2's with staples very close to the plastic window. Depending on the style of stapler being used, the coin can be squeezed by the stapler itself causing damage to the coin. I try to staple 2x2's toward the outer edges of the cardboard. I don't believe there is any problem with coins sliding in the holder, assuming the correct size holder is being used for the coin being holdered.

solid

agentjim has good info there...NEVER pull apart stapled 2x2's as you are asking for trouble.

I use either an exacto-knife to quickly cut the celophane around the coin, or even a pair of
scissors, cutting inside the staples to free the coin.

Ken

Pushkin

Just use a toothpick to separate the cellophane. Make a small puncture around the edge and then tear the outside diameter of the cellophane circle with the pick. At most you just touch the rim of the coin and the wood is softer than metal (such as a knife) and safer.

Cladiator

I like using those Daymount self sealing flips. Work great and no staples

AJ2525

I recently spent the extra $1.20 and got better staples. I'm surprised how much better they staple the 2X2's together than the $0.98 staples, bought at Staples.

I also agree with the above: cut the cellophane to remove the coin. It's simple.

Neptune

and staple removers work great - except you have to dig one prong into the cardboard a bit, first to get a grip.

Skipper53

Thanks for the Heads-Up , Mike.
There have been some great ideas here and, hopefully
there will be fewer damaged coins in the future.

Skipper

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solid

Pushkin - That toothpick sounds like a good idea...the exacto is sure and
precise, but can definately cause damage to the coin or person if there is
a slip! I'll give it a shot next time.

hamiltonjh

i crimp staples with needle nose pliers.
had a coin scratched when I first started collecting...I learned my lesson.

wingedliberty

I store raw coins temporarily in ET Kointainer 2x2 flips. I find them to be the very best for the money.

nwcs

Great reminder, Mike. I've gone back and fixed some of mine. Thankfully I've never had an "oops" with my 2x2s but it's better to be safe than lazy.