Best way to store Indian Head Cents

My husband's parents gave Preston two partially filled Whitman folders of IHP which were collected by Preston's great grandparents. I feel they would be better preserved if they were transferred to 2 x 2's to avoid contact to air and fingerprints. Should I move them or not?

 

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I personally would, however I don't know what is best for the coins themselves. My opinion is strictly based on what I think looks better presentation-wise.

 

Good point. Let's just consider the fact that they are now owned by a 9 year old

 

I would take them out, that way you could see the reverses. However, if the albums were full, I would leave them to get the completed collection look.

 

I would throw them in 2x2s.

 

I would agree 2x2s would be much safer

 

In this case I would suggest airtites. Old copper coins may discolor due to contact with air. The less air that is allowed, the less of a chance the coin will change color. Of course this is meant for the bright red ones, the red brown or brown ones are fine in 2x2 cardboard holders.

 

Put them in a Dansco album unless they are high grade coins.

 

I agree with the Dansco suggestion. You have what sounds like a (nearly) complete set in a condition that will not suffer from a coin album. Getting a Dansco will expose Preston to what coin albums have to offer in way of storage and display. Albums will allow the front and back to be viewed without having to touch the coins. I would not suggest Danscos or any album for very high grade coins, coins you don't want toned, or copper coins that are still red, but it sounds like the coin set you describe would be a good candidate.

Otherwise, 2x2s are nice because you can view both sides of the coins as though they are loose without touching them and they will be better protected from chemical reaction from the antique folder and the air.

 

Leave them in the album. By the way, what grades are we talking about and what dates are missing?

 

Thank you for those suggestions! I will look into the Dansco albums. The collection is far from complete. There are two books, one more filled in than the other (possibly was started as a back up) and it's maybe 1/3 of the way full. Nearly all of the coins are on the last fold of the Whitman folder... but nothing to sneeze at for sure.

I really just want to do what is best for the coins and the situation.

The problem is:

My husband's parents ended up with these coin books all partially filled in by his paternal grandparents. I want to take the cents out and probably archive them. My husband wants to leave them alone in the books because his deceased grandparents collected them and placed them in the books. I know how much his grandparents meant to him (and because their wills were contested) he ended up with very little to remember them by; which is why I want to properly preserve the coins. So we're still discussing it.

 

Can you post picks. You should leave them alone. What dates. The 1877 1909s and 1864 L are the key dates.

 

Here are photos from the four pages with cents in them. Some are better than others. These were stored in a basement. (I know, but don't blame me, I didn't do it)

 

You forgot 1908-s, and basically anything pre 1880 is a semi-key in decent shape.

 

I would get them out of the Whitman folders ASAP. Especially if they were stored in a basement. They are well known for absorbing moisture and ruining the reverses of coins. The cheapest and best method for storing these would be a simple coin tube or two. I like the square type. It keeps the collection safe and tidy, those tubes are easy to store. If you ever want to see them, just pour the tube out and handle the coins by the rims.....a good chance to teach those kids how to properly handle coins too.

 

Another good suggestion. I did pop a few of them out earlier just to look because I was curious of the same thing and the reverses are fine. Some of the wreaths are smooth, others have detail still.

 

You could also buy him a new one and let him fill up over several years. As far as keys go you could get him fillers which are coins in not good condition used to fill holes in a Whitman or dansco. The 1864 L in filler condition is around $50. 1877 is around $200. 1908 s is $60. The 1909 s is $300. Good luck Preston and prestons mom have tons of fun!!!!!

 

In that case, I think I side with your husband. These don't look like high-grade or rare coins; the sentimental value of the coins in their current album probably far exceeds the cost of any damage you risk by leaving the coins where they are. (I've got cents that I put in Whitman folders when I started collecting, some forty years ago; except for the ones that were bright red when I put them in, and now display very clear fingerprints, they're all pretty much unchanged over the decades.)

 

I agree with Doug. It would be best to remove them. If you put them in 2X2's then Preston will be able to "handle" them which is very important. Coins need to be looked at in a variety of angles and light conditions. This will help teach Preston a coins characteristics and grade/wear points. I know every collector/dealer on CT agree with one very important point: to learn you must "handle" many, many coins in every safe way possible.