Damage from slide in album?

Shoedog · November 22, 2003 10:56AM

Has anyone had any damage from albums like the Dansco?Any secrets other than being careful?
I'm working on a Dansco US type album.I'd like to go XF/AU on alot of these coins,some of them will be pretty pricey so I don't want to damage them.
I bought an 1804 half Cent at a local show and noticed a skuff on the cheek after I had it in the album.Not sure if I missed it in my inexperience at purchase or did it because it had to take it out about twenty times to look at it.Still a really nice piece in my opioin and looks great in the album with an AU 1853 half cent.
Been out of collecting for 20 plus years and am really enjoying working on this album.Was inspired like some others by the excellent postings by Baley.Thanks Baley.
Steve

dougwtx · November 22, 2003 11:00AM

I've heard proofs can be damaged easily in the "window" type of albums so I only use them for business strike coins. If you push the coin all the down in the slot then the top window should not touch the coin when you slide it back in. If you want to remove the coin, remove the top slide first and then push gently on the back slide to push the coin slightly forward and then remove the back slide so you can remove the coin. I'd like to hear other ways too.

mojorizn · November 22, 2003 11:07AM

Ditto on the business strike only post. I've got a partial set of XF/AU Buffalo Nickels in a Dansco album but wouldn't trust my clumsy self to store coins with delicate surfaces in such a way.

Doug's method works well. That's how I've always done it.

Mojo

lordmarcovan · November 22, 2003 4:15PM

Yep, no proofs. Also, make sure the coin is straight in the page (not tilted in anyway, but flat, if you know what I mean- it should be close to an even distance from the slides on all sides, as much as possible.)

And watch out for dust. Some dust is grainy- like superfine sand. Amazing how abrasive the stuff that floats around the room can be, particularly if you live on a dirt or gravel road or similarly dusty place. Get a piece of that dust between your slide and your coin, and you have yourself a tiny hairline.

I live in an area with a lot of paper mills belching sulfuric fumes into the air, and we're on the seacoast, to boot. Proof coin hazing and milkspots, and to a lesser degree, red copper coins gave me headaches when I kept them in a Dansco that is one reason I switched to slabs (besides the obvious other advantages). However, if I were to collect circulated coins that were worth less than $50-100 apiece, I would still use the albums- they are awfully fun to fill holes in. I am wondering what I am going to play with next. Maybe VG-F Barber halves. Maybe the Dansco 7070 set like Baley has (which I have completed two and a half times over in the past, myself, but not as nicely as Baley.) Who knows?

smprfi · November 22, 2003 4:49PM

Store your albums laying flat.This way you don't have to use the top slide.

Barry · November 22, 2003 10:28PM

<< <i>Store your albums laying flat.This way you don't have to use the top slide. >>

How do you view your coins and turn the pages without coins falling out?

Gilbert · November 23, 2003 1:15AM

Once you put them in, don't take them out, especially repeatedly. If you want "hands on" go with 2 x 2s or kointains, or something similar.

I recently acquired a nicely toned, supposedly mint state, coin that apparently had been retained in probably a Dansco album, and obviously viewed up close multiple times, based on the number and direction of the album slide marks (hairlines). The previous owner apparently didn't notice or describe the damage; needless to say I was a tad disappointed upon getting and viewing what I thought would be another addition to my birth year mint set.

billboat · November 23, 2003 4:09AM

I agree with what has been said about Dansco storage--they make a great display but once your coins are in--LEAVE THEM ALONE. Also, I used to try to put in a row at a time--that way you take the top slide out once. (But, since I love to pull an individual coin to look at die cracks, recut letters, or to just tilt it back and forth in the light of my halogen lamp--I use individual Eagle 2x2 plastic holders). I really believe the key to avoiding slide damage is to not move the slide--also bigger, heavier coins tend to shift around in the holes-or at least my Morgan and Peace dollars did--which meant I had to move the slide to straighten them (I'm obsessive).

SDCollector · November 23, 2003 6:31AM

I'm going to start a Baley Dansco type set fan club.

jdimmick · November 23, 2003 6:40AM

I think the above advice is the secret.

First youll want to save em up and put the coins in all at one time. The fewer times you have to open and close the better off youll be.
With the Bottom slide in, place the coin down into the slot from the top well below the top slide point. Close the window carefully and leave em alone.

jim

Just realized, this is post 1000 finally made it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

wallstreetman · November 23, 2003 6:41AM

Thats why I dont like Dansco Albums!

Shoedog · November 23, 2003 12:19PM

Thanks for the input.I guess its best to just be as careful as possible and minimize the amount of times I take 'em out and put 'em in.Maybe I'll wait a while after purchase to put 'em in to enjoy them in hand.
Thanks all,
Steve

CarlWohlforth · November 23, 2003 11:30PM

You might try all the suggestions above with one twist. Put the coin in from the back. That way if you mess up and scratch the coin you "only" scratch the reverse.

I have a marvelous proof set that would have been gem except for the slide marks on the high points of the coins. The biggest coin (the half) is the worst, here is the quarter.

Baley · November 24, 2003 12:37AM

Isn't it ironic that the same album that imparted that fantastic color, the album that otherwise protected those coins for many many years, that album and collector perhaps left a few slide marks, and that those minor slide marks (part of the storage history of the coin) are what made the coins [more] affordable for you to own?

I agree, you have to be careful with slides: push the coin all the way away from a slide you're going to move, keep sliding to a minimum, and once the coin is in, leave it alone!! Also, there is an upper limit to how nice a coin I will put in an album, whether grade or expensive, some coins are far better off left in a slab.

Damage from slide in album?

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