Best storage for unslabbed coins

ya921

Wondering what's the best way to hold/store coins that are not slabbed. I've heard airtites are pretty good but wanted to hear pros/cons and any other feedback. I've been out of coin collecting for over 10 years and much has changed. My collection is all in 2x2 flip holders but none are anything really rare or highly valuable. I'm hoping that changes as I start collecting again :-) I'm still not sure if I want to collect slabs or not thus the question.

InternetJunky

Unless they are reaallly valuable I don't see why you'd need to change them from the 2x2's. Personally I like the organization of having a lot of my coins in 2x2's and in the flip pages to put into binders. The only thing I remember hearing though is copper doesn't do well in 2x2s. Something with the staples or the ink used to label? Someone correct me if I'm wrong please I'm not sure about that one.

leothelyon

How about kointainers? You can fill an old jar or box up with a couple hundred of them. And whenever you want to explore them over and over again, you simply pull them out one by one, study them up close with a glass. And if you want, you can place them back in order any way you like. Than after you done with them, back in they go until another time.


Leo

tychojoe

<< <i>Wondering what's the best way to hold/store coins that are not slabbed. I've heard airtites are pretty good but wanted to hear pros/cons and any other feedback. I've been out of coin collecting for over 10 years and much has changed. My collection is all in 2x2 flip holders but none are anything really rare or highly valuable. I'm hoping that changes as I start collecting again :-) I'm still not sure if I want to collect slabs or not thus the question. >>



I like the blue Whitman Classic albums. I find them used but in like-new or good condition, priced affordably or even cheap, and they're the most attractive albums I've seen. They don't seem to add any toning to the coins. I think they're so old that they're all toned out!

I think that for the coins you've described that aren't particularly rare or highly valuable, as long as you're not in a smoky or dusty environment, you can safely display them anyway you want. Stay away from the PVC, like the old Harco soft plastics.

Dansco albums, Littleton albums, and the "Official US Mint" albums (made by H.E. Harris) - all ones that can be found in Barnes & Nobles-type bookstores - are attractive and sturdy, but they inevitably add toning to the rims of white coins.

I like Air-tites for individual coins for passing around to show off a new purchase, or to hold until I can start an album with the coin. I haven't gotten the albums that are made for Air-tites, but that looks like a nice way to go. And of course Air-tites are great for preservation of the coin. I don't know any cons against use of Air-tites.

Have fun and welcome back! Five posts in six years is pretty impressive! --John

PerryHall

If you use a 2X2's, make sure you wipe off or blow off using compressed air the cardboard dust on the inside of the windows. Otherwise, you will get spotting on your coins.

coinkat

It depends on the condition- I like Airtites and even albums- if value and condition are significant considerations, have them graded

Hyperion

I like having a junk drawer filled with coins in airtites.. they can rattle around to their hearts content and never get hurt, and you can get to 'em easily enough if you need to...

Aberlight

This works on airtites up to half dollar size w/o rings. Any size smaller with or without rings too.

Cut one 2x2 portion of a vinyl flip (2x4 overall) on half and then taper both edges at 45 degrees and bend it over and you will have a vinyl flip that is now a vinyl envelope that you can place an airtite into nd the tuck in the lip and they will fit neatly into a 2x2 box w/o rolling around.

PerryHall

<< <i>This works on airtites up to half dollar size w/o rings. Any size smaller with or without rings too.

Cut one 2x2 portion of a vinyl flip (2x4 overall) on half and then taper both edges at 45 degrees and bend it over and you will have a vinyl flip that is now a vinyl envelope that you can place an airtite into nd the tuck in the lip and they will fit neatly into a 2x2 box w/o rolling around. >>



DO NOT USE A VINYL FLIP. Vinyl = Poly Vinyl Chloride = PVC
Use a mylar flip and you should be all right.
PVC gives off fumes and shouldn't be used in a closed box/container.

keets

How about kointainers? You can fill an old jar or box up with a couple hundred of them. And whenever you want to explore them over and over again, you simply pull them out one by one, study them up close with a glass. And if you want, you can place them back in order any way you like. Than after you done with them, back in they go until another time.

i would caution against using KoinTains in this fashion since they will shrink/swell over time and it's possible for the larger half to fall off and expose one side of the coin.

i use KoinTains myself. first i place the coin inside, then i place the encased coin inside of a 2x2 SaFlip which then goes into a 2-1/2x2-1/2 SaFlip. i know it sounds like overkill, but since the idea is to keep the coin safe for an extended period of time it only makes sense.

Spiff

Well the plastic in 2x2s are aparently "pvc" plastic which over time the plastic begins to tarnish because it doesn't hold up well over the elements in the air and I msyelf have seen ALOT of coins runde by these or things like it and the longer the coins stay in these the worse the coins seem to get. The only True best way to store your coins for ultimate longterm protection to keep them from tarnishing or dinged or whatever is by having them slabbed.. Hands downand personaly I think pcgs has the best slabs and graders, but as someone has said it can be VERY pricey to have coins slabbed. If you decide to give it a shot make sure you know the coins you consider, are very rare or does or can have a nice value to it. Or worth having them stay in its best condition from here out..

Me personally I feel like there is no other way in having a coin collections if you don't have a couple nice gems allready slabbed and graded. The slabbing alone without the grade is great on it's own just from the long term protection it offers your coins over time...

I've also had a couple silver coins tarnish while in airtight holders (similar to the ones the US mint uses for its coins) over time just from sitting on my desk in my home for 6 months or so. Thats why for me I won't own a fairly high valuble coin without it being slabbed now, And personally I think coins look awesome in pcgs slabs but an abomination in a ngc holder lol (jmo)..

crypto79

in a box headed to PCGS.:<D

mkman123

I enjoy raw coins in 2x2 flips and have them stored in a metal cookie container.

lathmach

Ball mason fruit jars are the best for long term storage. Sealed tight of course. No joke.

Ray

doh

The best storage for unslabbed coins are slabs.

yellowkid

Five posts in 6 years? Do we have an infrequent flyer award? I like your avatar.(a word I learned here) Any friend of Homer's is a friend of mine.

MorganChicken

I use 2 by 2 cardboard holders mainly, with some hard plastic 2 by 2's (look at hobby lobby). The mylar flips always seem to leave PVC.

PerryHall

<< <i>The mylar flips always seem to leave PVC. >>



Impossible. Mylar flips don't contain PVC. Don't confuse PVC flips with the Mylar flips. They may look the same but they are made with two different materials.

MORGANHUNTER2

depending on the year- leave em in the mint cello- sorted by denom/date/mm- place in a 2x2 plastic box with a silica pack - and store in your attic for as long as you live- or decide to send them in for slabbing...

works for me..

LindeDad

Pockets also work.