What do you think about the E&T Kointain flips? I was thinking about getting some since they make them in a 2.5 (the size grading services require) and also because they are touted as safe for long term storage. How would I seal them though to make them ait tite? Do I need a heat sealer? Are they safe?
If you mean Saflips they are the best flips available IMO. They are pure Mylar unlike some of the 'PVC free' flips out there. Many museums use them for long term storage. If you want them sealed then yes you need a heat sealer. I store all my Ancient, World & US coins in Saflips (unsealed) & am happy with them.
I suppose they might. Toning has a lot to do with storage environment (humidity, etc.) & I suppose sealing them would eliminate some of that. E&T Kointainer has their own store on VCoins. Barry Murphy (Vcoins Ancients) also has them in his store. I'm pretty sure there's an old thread floating around here somewhere that mentions a few other places that sell them.
i use them for all of my ancients, and a number of my moderns, too. store them in a container with a dessicant and you're good to go. the only downside to the kointainer flips -- with any rigid flip -- is possible scratching. if you're someone who likes to handle their coins regularly, pushing coins into and out of the flip can cause microabrasions. also, i've noticed that the flips don't handle repeated opening and closing well -- they tend to split along the top seam. that being said, they're inexpensive and inert. i've never sealed them, however, so i can't comment on how well that works. v.
