I have looked through a TON of threads via the search function here on CT on currency sleeves/holders. Here are some of the ones i have found. Maybe with a discussion on all these types in one place - future searchers might find this thread and have a few questions answered - and possibly a few more created
types of currency holders:
Mylar and Mylar-D
Vinyl
PVC
Plastic
paper Envelopes
Acetate
-Mylar and Mylar-D i think are the most popular and are considered the mast reliable for Archive quality when storing currency. the chemical name of Mylar is 'Polyethylene terephthalate' or PET. One thing i found was that Mylar-D was the only version of Mylar that WAS archive safe. Regular Mylar might or might not be.
Here is a pretty good link on Mylar explaining the differences.
-Vinyl i am unsure about. Is it as safe as Mylar and Myalr-D for storing currency? Is it also considered Archive quality? Or is it very bad because of the chemicals that make up vinyl? One site i found said this about Vinyl - "Vinyl pages are made from polyvinyl chloride (PVC) which decomposes over a long period of time"
-I know using PVC for coins is not the best, but is PVC for currency safe? i see alot advertised PVC currency holders where all the 'bad' stuff was removed. Can these claims be trusted? From what is said about using Vinyl, is there a PVC that is safe?
-Plain plastic i would not think is good as it has added chemicals. Can a plain plastic holder be made that is safe?
-I read on one thread, that paper envelopes contain acids, and these acids can leech into the currency in the envelope unless the note is contained in a platic-type sleeve. Is this true? And if the note is in a sleeve, can the vapors given off by the acids in the paper envelope still be damaging to the notes.
- Acetate has been around a long time, from what i have heard. I dont know if it is true, but i was told it was Archive safe, but turned yellow and brittle after long periods of time.
Are there any 'other' types of currency holders that are safe and reliable? Also, are there other types of sleeves/holders that are not good for storing notes?
Now that there is a compiled list started with different ways to store notes, and a brief explanation of each (good and bad) Lets talk about how to tell the differance. I have several different types of holders in my collection. I can tell the differance because some of clear, some have a whitish tint, some have a light blueish tint. Alot of the holders also have different openings, some have a slight lip that helps to open the holder to inset the note. Some have both sides cut equaly at the same level. Some of my holders have one side thicker then the other, giving the holder more rigidity.
Is there a way to tell the chemical compisition of the holders if they do NOT display a brand name on the edge? I have had alot of my own holders for decades. So i know they might have been made with PVC or straight plastic.
Hopefully a discussion can be generated that will help other collectors (myself included) discover the best ways to store their valuable currency for years of worry free storage
thanks to everyone
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