So are you a 3 or 4 staple type of collector ?

Or, have you seen thinner coins slip out of the window towards the fold?

 

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Not quite. If a lightning bolt is coming right at the coin, and there is no other metal in the area, its a 100% chance of it getting struck.

 

Would that be considered a double struck coin then ? hmm ....

 

Yes, and that's why I use ASE-sized 2½ x 2½ holders for silver dollars. This puts little to no stress on the perforation.

I usually go a denomination up when I use these folding 2x2s for the same reason - to prevent the cardboard from bending.

So for dimes, I use the size intended for a cent. For cents, I use nickel. For nickels, I use quarter... and so on.

And they've never torn at their seam

 

Flips.

 

I don't like 2x2 that's just me, I wast my money on the Premier Coin holders, then put them in an Eagle Coin page

 

Really cool set man. Nice holders as well, I would never call them a waste of money.

Commonwealth coins just really depress me, having only one side that anyone can stand to view. Its too bad all of their coins are so limited, (not saying US circulating coins are any better ). You would think for collector coins they could drop the whole "queen" thing.

 

Four myself but I've noticed some sellers that I buy coins from attempt save staples by using three.

 

4 staples then squashed flat with pliers. Stretches the window over the rim edge and off the surface of the coin for me.

 

I use 4 staples + pliers.

 

Hmm. What if I put a rubber o-ring washer around the coin, then put it in the 2x2 ? That would protect the coin and keep it off the face of the coin.

 

I hate when people use four staples. I like to write across the top and the fourth staple gets in the way. Three is fine.
And I don't understand how staples are going to rust and damage the coin. Are you stapling right next to the coin?

 

I try to write on the 2x2 before stapling it and always use 4 "clinched" staples for each 2x2.

On 1 1/2 x 1 1/2's (which BTW are better for storing a LOT of coins), I use 3 "clinched" staples.

If I have a "special coin" or "variety", I use a 2 x 2 and then insert that into a 2 1/2 x 2 1/2 flip.

Years ago, I used 2 x 2's for everything from 25c down to 1c. After filling my safe and safety deposit box, I decided to switch to 1 1/2 x 1 1/2's. It was a long and tedious task which involved lot's and lots of hand cramps from adding the final clinch (with pliers) to all those staples.

 

Since we're on the subject of 2 x 2's and the use of staples to seal them shut, now is as good a time as any to cover the process of "removing" a coin from a 2 x 2 without scratching it!

Newbie's want to "tear" that 2 x 2 open which exposes the coin to the staples. Despite your best efforts, tearing open a 2 x 2 will "eventually" end up scratching some coin.

The best method to open a 2 x 2 is to poke a tiny hole between the coin and the opening in the 2 x 2 and then gently bend the 2 x 2 until the mylar tears. Forget about "saving" the 2 x 2 and instead "save" the coin. The mylar tears evenly and cleanly allowing you to carefully remove it from the mylar by grasping the edges of the coin. No muss, no fuss, and no scratching!

Poking the hole can be with a sharp toothpick or, if your adept enough, the tip of an X-acto knife (my tool of choice).

 

Imagine I have a 1909 s VDB MS65 RB in a 2qx2 I bought from a collector for a dollar and want to get it graded. I do a little pin all around the coin in the tiny space that is left from the coin, and drop it to my cotton gloves. Thats how you do it.

 

I use 3 flat staples in a triangle pattern on small coins and 4 flat staples on bigger coins. and always take the staples out first before getting your coin out.

 

I am personally a 4 staple kind of guy, but with large dollars, I'm an 8 staple person who then uses his multi-tool to squeeze the staples flat.

Now to the OP, if you're having troubles deciding what you like, here's my suggestion. Dig into your pocket and find one of the prettiest cents you can pull out. Next you put it in a 2x2 and fold it over. Start with three staples and take a look at it. Add a 4th and decide if you like it or not. If not, pump that sucker with 57 more staples, get angry and throw it away.

 

Maybe I should start with 3 staples. This way its alot less work when I want to crack them out and throw them on the floor so I can roll around on the pile of coins.

 

Don't throw them on the floor! I've had too many staples accidentally get lodged into my feet without warning.

 

Simple, precise and excellent advice.

The way to 'not' do it (my way ) is to employ a very sharp pen knife to pry up the cinched down staple ends. You run the risk of stabbing the coin or, heaven forbid, yourself.