old gold storage ideas, please

ArgentumRex

I have a small but growing group of old gold coins, up through the Byzantine era. I don't how to store them properly to suit my needs. I don't need to display them. I want to be able to put them away compactly and take them out to "play with" whenever I want without undue fear of harming them.

I currently have them in soft, PVC flips. I have the usual fear about PVC flips, though I am not sure if this is as much of a concern for gold or not. When I handle the coins in the soft flip, they want to slide around inside. I am concerned that this could cause some rub on the coins. I don't want to cause the high points to get all shiny over time from rubbing against the inside of the flips. The coins lave lasted this long, and I don't want to be the guy to screw them up.

I have tried the non-PVC flips. The stiffness of the flip seems to prevent the sliding around inside that I've seen with the soft flips. But then, that's because the because the stiff flip is pressing harder against the coin to hold it in place. Maybe this could be harmful to the coin in the long run? Also, it's harder to move the coins in and out of the flips, another potential problem?

I guess cardboard 2X2's are an option, but I don't really care for the look and I don't like staples near my coins. Also, I don't know if I want to have to redo the 2X2 each time I look at the coin "raw."


I'm sure there are options that I haven't considered. Or maybe the flips are just fine and I'm worrying too much. Either way, I'd appreciate some input, as this is really bugging me lately


Thanks!

lordmarcovan

<< <i>old gold storage ideas, please >>

They'd look nice in MY albums.

I use inert flips. I like soft flips more for their flexibility and they don't scuff or become brittle or snap as easily as the inert ones do, but of course they're out of the question due to their PVC content. I currently use the Saflip brand (available in the 100-count red boxes, which can be reused for storage). They are better than the cheaper inert flips I used to use, which would invariably break in two along the fold over time. However, somebody recently sent me some ancient coins in a flip I really liked- it was probably inert but of a stiffer, slightly thicker plastic, and it had rounded corners. I need to ask him where he got those from, what brand they are, and whether they are safe or not.

You have faced some of the same dilemmas as I have, and I agree that flips are better than staple-type carboard holders, and they can look quite nice and professional, with typed or printed inserts.

This is the brand I use currently.

Of course, if you have a serious collection of gold, including ancient gold, as you hinted, you might wish to go with Airtites. Those are a handsome way to enjoy raw, unslabbed coins, and still get the "feel" of some of them. If you are like me, you like to fondle your historical treasures now and then without too much plastic in the way. This might be a nice compromise- classier than flips, but not as expensive and potentially frustrating as trying to slab everything. They also make some handsome wooden display cabinets and such for Airtites, I believe.

Good luck in your quest. Hope I helped a little.

MacCrimmon

Go nekkid, bare nekkid.


If you'd like the thrill of unwrapping gold presents from time to time, try this. For gold, you really don't need the Intercept boxes....but, they're handy if you have copper or silver coins which you'd prefer to stay stable.

ArgentumRex

Thanks for the ideas so far. Is that "special" paper or anything weird like that?

MacCrimmon

<< <i>Thanks for the ideas so far. Is that "special" paper or anything weird like that?

>>



They are watch papers which are used by watchmakers (pocket watches and such) to wrap tiny brass cogs, chains, etc. I use Vigor® brand as they are guaranteed non-tarnishable, and they are lint-free.

lordmarcovan

Too Old School for me, but I must admit, the sight of red Victorian copper and bronze, all wrapped up like presents, kinda stirs something.

Cruzi

Try Eagle Holders, they take up a little bit more room than 2x2's but provide a degree of protection to the coin by being much thicker.

You can open these up if you insist on looking at raw coins, but I don't think they would like it happening to many times.

There is a box that you can buy for them, from memory it holds 36 coins, added bonus is the box fits nicely into safety deposit box at bank.

Steve27

I like AirTites LINK

TwoKopeiki

I was going to suggest Eagle holders, as well - but Cruzi beat me to it.

coinpictures

<< <i>However, somebody recently sent me some ancient coins in a flip I really liked- it was probably inert but of a stiffer, slightly thicker plastic, and it had rounded corners. I need to ask him where he got those from, what brand they are, and whether they are safe or not. >>



Check out the flips that I sent you on that bulk lot. They have rounded edges like you refer to, although I don't know if the plastic is as heavy gauge as the ones you refer to above.

They're safe and inexpensive to boot:

Ebay Linky (this is the seller I purchased mine from).

ArgentumRex

No offense to anyone else's suggestions, but the wrapping idea seems to be exactly what I'm looking for. It's also very "retro-cool"

Now I just have to find some suitable paper and cute little coin envelopes. Do you think they need to be acid-free, archival quality, etc.? I looked on eBay last night, and there were a lot of coin envelopes, but they didn't say anything about their composition. I remember Kraft paper as being responsible for "envelope toning," so I guess it's not free of sulfur or whatever else causes toning on other coins. Maybe this isn't a concern for gold?

Any other good sources for the stuff I'm looking for? I looked at Brent Krueger, JP's Corner, and Brooklyn Gallery and they didn't seem to have exactly what I needed (assuming I need "archival" type material). Sorry to be so anal here. If I'm going overboard, please just let me know. I'd love to hear that it would be OK to wrap them in notebook paper and stuff them in any old envelope, believe me


Thanks again to everyone for the great input!

Hyperion

just putting in my .02: Airtites ROCK.

spoon

Airtites are the best solution for milled coinage... for that flimsy older stuff, Eagle 2x2 holders are the way to go.

But Mac's watchpaper, cotton(?) pouch, paper envelope solution is definitely cool. (The East India coins I got from Mac way back in his Inaugurata giveaway--still the best ever --are still wrapped as I received them.

With gold, though, you really don't have to worry about the toning aspect too much.

spoon

BTW JPs Corner is probably one of the best places to buy all this stuff that I've found so far.