Dansco or Whitman album?

NewParadigm · November 16, 2011 10:54AM

Hi, is there a difference in terms of keeping coins in its original condition (not toning) between a Dansco or Whitman album?

Thanks

amwldcoin · November 16, 2011 11:11AM

If you don't want your coins to tone then I would not put them in an album. Dansco is probably better but the 1 experience I haven't figured out is why all my proof Washington Quarters toned in a dansco. They actually were pretty and sold them as a group as they all matched well. All the mintstate coins remained untoned. The most affordable way to keep coins IMHO is a good 2X2 stored in a controlled environment. I have red pennies I carded over 40 years ago that are still red!

AMRC · November 16, 2011 11:16AM

Not really, both are equally a bad idea for coins you hope preserve for the long haul. I know people like to see an album full of matching coins, and many folks break out graded coins to put in albums. But not the best way to assure quality long term storage.

NewParadigm · November 16, 2011 11:25AM

Thanks. I was not sure if there was a measurable difference.

lordmarcovan · November 16, 2011 11:27AM

If you have a lot of Red copper, proofs, or high-dollar UNCs, then I suggest going the slab route and getting an album for slabs.

But if you collect circulated coins that are "crusty" or have good "skin" to 'em, they're not too likely to change up on you or get milk spots or whatever. Over the long term they might develop some additional toning, but sometimes that can be a good thing.

In my experience, though, it's usually the untoned pieces that pick up additional toning in an album- the aforementioned pieces that have already got "skin" or "crust" or "patina" to 'em tend to be pretty stable.

I usually use Dansco because I've traditionally been more of a type set guy than a date-and-mint set builder. And the Dansco 7070 album, despite its omissions or quirks, is the best type set album out there for the common man. The Whitman Classic type albums tended to include some real "stoppers" in the 19th century coins (at least as I remember them). The sort of coins that the average collector can't afford, and which really are better off in slabs anyway. The Dansco 7070 is perfect for a circulated "everyman" type set.

PS- In case I strayed away from the actual answer to the question posed, I'd say that I know of no appreciable difference between the Whitman and Dansco albums as far as causing toning and such. I never tried the Littleton or Intercept Shield albums.

Hotfootspin · November 16, 2011 4:42PM

I had a bunch of red Ireland coppers that got all spotted in a Dansco album. They
looked horrible afterward. I'm in the process of replacing them and putting them
in plastic holders. I like the Whitman 2x2 snap-together holders. I make sure to
spray them with compressed air to get all the dust out. I'm convinced the problem
with the Dansco albums was cardboard dust loose in the holes.

I haven't had this problem with coins that were already toned. It did happen with
a few bright silver coins but not as bad as the copper ones.

For appearance sake, I like to see copper coins in Dansco albums but silver coins
in Whitman albums. The colors coordinate better.

Mark

lordmarcovan · November 16, 2011 4:46PM

Ooh, so you had the three Irish Danscos, then?

I completed that set (except for the optional, uber-rare 1943 florin with the "plug" in the hole.)

Had plenty of red farthings and halfpennies and pennies, and didn't have a spotting problem.

johnny9434 · November 17, 2011 12:56AM

i wonder if there is a list somewhere on what album works best with what coin so there are no problems or minimum problems. just a passing thought is all

Dansco or Whitman album?

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