Putting coins into albums (without hurting the coin)

daOnlyBG

So, I recently bought this Roosevelt dime folder to store a bunch of mint state and toned Roosevelt dimes that I have. As they are made of silver, I don't want to ruin them as I press them into the folder, but they don't really slip in that well... I have to use a considerable amount of force. I've only put a couple in, but I had to put them in by pressing down really hard on them with a piece of paper. Will this ruin the luster? Is there some better way?

I'm pretty sure I'm not the first who has had this problem- any advice would be much appreciated. Thanks!

erwindoc

I used cotton gloves when pressing coins into albums like that.

daOnlyBG

Thanks. And you could use as much force as necessary to put them in, right?

magikbilly

Hi,
within reason, yes. Cotton gloves are great - I use them when handling negatives and prints. I find a micro-fiber type cloth made for wiping negatives good - perhaps for this purpose as well. I am not crazy about those folder for MS coins though for the obvious reasons though. No matter the $, all coins get my respect IMHO - to each his own

Best wishes,
Eric

BryceM

No harm in squishing them in tight as long as you don't abrade the surfaces doing it. It's pretty hard to bend a dime with your fingers.

I've also used a small wooden dowel with a clean piece of cloth between the coin and the dowel. It gives you a little bit more positive control and it isn't quite so hard on the fingers. Just be careful not to twist or turn it. The folder you mention doesn't seem to me to be the best in terms of quality, but that's my limited experience. I'm usually happier with a Whitman or Dansco.

daOnlyBG

<< <i>The folder you mention doesn't seem to me to be the best in terms of quality, but that's my limited experience. I'm usually happier with a Whitman or Dansco. >>


With my 5 minutes' worth of experience, I'd have to agree. I avoided the Whitman album because the reviews complained about needing to press too hard on the dime. Well, looks like I got unlucky anyway, haha. I will try Whitman next time anyway.

SeattleSlammer

I think about the millions of partial prints left via poor handling while moving coins into and out of albums....and it brings a tear to my eye.

noow

Put a tissue over the coin when it's over the slot, and you're ready to break your thumb.

AUandAG

No no no, just take an old dime and put it over the hole and put another old dime on top
of it an hit it gently with a hammer. Works every time and then just remove the one in
the hole and put the correct one in.

bob

agentjim007

Old dime first might not be a bad idea. That will stretch the hole a bit.

Jcarney

<< <i>So, I recently bought this Roosevelt dime folder to store a bunch of mint state and toned Roosevelt dimes that I have. As they are made of silver, I don't want to ruin them as I press them into the folder, but they don't really slip in that well... I have to use a considerable amount of force. I've only put a couple in, but I had to put them in by pressing down really hard on them with a piece of paper. Will this ruin the luster? Is there some better way?

I'm pretty sure I'm not the first who has had this problem- any advice would be much appreciated. Thanks! >>



You run the risk of causing small scratches on the surface of the coin using paper. I use soft cotton gloves or a soft cotton handkerchief (never used ). I use a slow, steady pressure and make sure the coin is well sub-flush to the surface of the album on both sides. If the coin is at the same level as the plastic slides, you may wind up with slide marks.

rec78

I would not put BU coins in a coin folder. Don't you want to see both sides? Use an Library of coins type album or similar coin album such as whitman classic, so you can see both sides.

Bob

daOnlyBG

<< <i>No no no, just take an old dime and put it over the hole and put another old dime on top
of it an hit it gently with a hammer. Works every time and then just remove the one in
the hole and put the correct one in.

bob >>


Clever! I might have to try that.
In response to some others' comments- yes, I do run that risk, using paper (however fine the paper is). I guess cotton gloves would be in order.
As for not being able to see both sides- true, I won't be able to see both sides. I might get another album.

coinman420

i grew up on whitmans but now only use dansco with slides. much easier to put the coins in and much better protected. they cost more but if you plan on keeping it its well worth it.


edit for typo

GotTheBug

I use a small plastic bag over my finger to push the coin in. That way I can see through the bag and get an idea how everything is progressing, with no chance of getting prints on the coin.

ambro51

My Grandmother taught me how to do this in the early sixties. Position the coin over the cutout, cover with a washcloth and use the top of an old fashioned clothespin to seat it

TwoSides2aCoin

Whatever does not have impurities on it, and which is softer than the metal and will not cause a transference of any impurities, or be used in such a way as to allow for scratches, hairline from wipes, dings or other unintended damages which could and more often do happen while inserting a coin in any album. Lots of damage can and does take place when there is a plastic window sleeve sliding across the page when covering the coin in the final moments of the completion of the "insertion". Ensure the coins are pressed deeply enough in, prior to that step.

So much to say, so little time to say it.
As far as pressing the coins in after situating them "evenly" over the hole, (being squared in a round hole is not easy) , then sometimes it takes force to get the coin in. Try wood (like a spatula), or cotton, or polyester or plastic to cover the coin before applying pressure.
In reality, you ain't gonna "hurt" it. It doesn't have feelings...we do. Don't hurt yourself now. These instructions do not come with safety glasses or hard hats.

How many people say to their coin, " This isn't going to hurt a bit " before they jackhammer it into the hole or slide the window right across it and suddenly , it's dead ?

ldhair

I lay half of a 2x2 over the coin and push it in.
On a dime I would use a quarter or half size.
That lets you see the coin but keeps your finger off the coin.

Unknown

This content has been removed.