Lighthouse or Air-tites?

A dealer in Gettysburg told me that "Leuchtturm" coin capsules were just as good but a lot cheaper. Is that true? Why or why not?

 

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Compared to what ?
Leuchtturm is Lighthouse, they originate from Germany.

 

@daveydempsey, as compared to air-tites.

 

Sorry I didn`t know Air_Tites was a brand name.
I use Lighthouse, I also use Lindner and I also use unbranded ones from China and don`t see any difference.

 

I love the Lighthouse holders. Use them exclusively for all my Cent collection.

 

I use Lighthouse/Leuchturm, and I also use some CoinSafe capsules. (http://www.coinsafeholders.com/)

I have never owned, and never used, nor cared to, even one single Air-Tite capsule. I don't like needing to use "rings". Neither L/L, nor CoinSafe make me need to in the sizes I use the most. (27mm and 39mm)

L/L capsules have a profile shape of [wide, narrower, wide], while the CoinSafe has a smooth single diameter edge.

 

I do have a couple of AT capsules but I've never put a coin in one. I'm with Kurt...the rings make me very nervous.

 

I have a variety of brands myself, and actually prefer the 2" x 2" square ones from Guardhouse. These come with a variety of insert sizes that allow you to put coins of many varieties into a single storage box.

Edit: Air-Tite makes a variety of capsules called direct fit that do not require the ring.

 

Yup, I have some of those too. Got them in a bulk supplies auction lot. I'm up to my ears in the "half cent / 2 cent" size.

 

This is a great thread, with a lot of useful comments. My greatest concern is with the inserts in these holders and the slab-like holders. Does anyone have information on the safety of the white foam inserts in the slab-like holders coming out of China? Also, is the paper on the inserts used in the Harris and Co. 2x2 capsules archival quality? I've looked on the internet for information on both these issues but can not find it. Any help will be appreciated.

 

I notice some brands do not fit the coin tightly, i.e., the coin moves around inside the air-tite. The rings eliminate the movement of the coin but I too wonder about the rings and what they may do to a coin over time. I prefer the coin capsules that fit the coin and eliminate coin movement. Am I being too particular since that should not be enough movement to cause damage?

 

Since MANY sizes exist in Leuchtturm, including some seldom seen in U.S. inventories, only patience stands between a willing purchaser and a near-perfect fit.

 

I have hundreds, literally, of the ring type that's being discussed, and some of the coins in those capsules have been there for five years or so. The lion's share of these are ASEs, and I confess that my original purchase of the ring type was a mistake. As it turns out, though, the 40MM version of the Air-Tite capsule used for coins such as ASEs is a perfect fit into the Guardhouse Tetra box, both single and double version. That means that not only can you fit their own 2" square Snaplocks, but you can use a competitor's product, too. I like the uniformity that the Tetra box affords, so I have been ordering these exclusively as of late.

I'll take a look at some of my older ASEs in the ring type capsules to see if there has been any effect on them caused by the ring. Anything negative will be reported here.

 

Mr. Bellman: What brand and mm size do you use for your Morgans?

Thank you in advance.

 

Thank you LA_Geezer. That would be useful to know.

 

I am not Mr. Bellman, but you should have a look here: https://www.lighthouse.us/square-coin-capsules-quadrum.html

Click on “US coins selection guide”: https://www.lighthouse.us/downloads/dl/file/id/268/us_capsule_selection_guide.pdf

Spoiler: You should get the 38mm quadrum holders to store Morgan dollars. I use quadrum holders for all my raw coins, it’s a quality product.

 

Thanks @micbraun it appears as if the Lighthouse brand of square coin holders may be slightly less expensive.

 

I don't want to scare anyone here, but the rings used in the airtite capsules are made of polyethylene and the capsule itself is made of polymethylene. Both are inert organic compounds. I have 100's of capsules with rings and I ain't skeerd.

Edit to add: If that scares you, I wouldn't use that tooth brush if I were you.

 

Neither am I, @Hommer , neither am I.

BTW I was wrong about pricing. Those Lighthouse square capsules are higher than the Guardhouse.

 

Not a good example. Ever notice how a new toothbrush tastes? Not so good, because of the mold release compounds and other stuff that is present on the surface of the bristles and the holder. I always heavily wash a new toothbrush in hot soapy water before putting it in my mouth. Are those compounds that wash off safe for coins? I've found that polycarbonates tend to be very clean, with very little if any release residues, so gravitate toward them.