OK, so I have a couple small containers full of foreign coins and such that I have been waiting on to organize. I would like to put them in 2x2's and maybe eventually into mylar pages and a binder. So, I guess I need to know what kind of supplies to get and where to get them. So, the first thing I need is a bunch of 2x2s in all sizes. I know I want to get the mylar 2x2's, but I don't know of a good supplier. Is there a supplier that you guys recommend online for good prices and service? Next, a stamper to staple the 2x2's. What is the best design of stapler to staple a 2x2 without damaging the coin. It seems that a "normal" stapler has a bit of an overhang that could hit the coin when you squeeze it. I was thinking of something like this, but I don't know if this is the best thing to use: http://www.officedepot.com/a/products/149633/Rapid-Classic-Plier-Stapler-Chrome/ Finally, where is a good supplier to get the mylar pages? Also, is it OK to just use a normal D-ring binder or should I use something else? Many of these are just common circulated foreign coins...but I think it would be fun to have them displayed in a book so I can see them.
Before buying from office depot, I would check ebay. They have a lot of good sellers of coin storage stuff. I've purchased a lot of stuff from suppliers on ebay. If you can hit a coin show, they always have plenty of coin supplies at rather good prices. They only have one a year in my area, but it is a good show to get coins and coin supplies.
one of the topic i like best. coin supplies. the supplies keep moving up and never come down. sometimes the thing even expensive than the coins. i always think by using those money for coin supplies. i buy more coins.
Oh, I just googled stapler for an example...I haven't given any thought to where I would buy it. I just wanted to know if there was a specific style that works best for stapling 2x2s without damaging the coin (specifically 2x2s for larger coins).
Brooklyn Gallery Coins and Stamps. Their postage is high but quality and service are superb. You might consider 1 1/2 x 1 1/2 for smaller coins if you don't intend to display them. Vinyl pages are expensive but an excellent way to display coins and tokens.
i just got a flat stapler (makes the staples flat, not the stapler its self...) a couple weeks ago and love it. cost about $13 at office depot. might have been cheaper on ebay, but having it in my hands instantly made up for the price difference.... as for the flips, I get those at my local shop, 3 cents apiece in bundles of 100. never ordered them online (that whole in my hands now thing again.... ) but I have had good luck with wizard coin supply on some other stuff. as for not damaging the coin, just take your time and make sure that you can see some of the white of the flip between the coin and the stapler... been working for me for a year now. good luck supply hunting!!!!
Are vinyl pages safe to use? I don't want to use anything that will harm the coins. Also, is there anything wrong with just using a standard D-ring binder...none of these coins are valuable, I just want a way to look at them so I don't need anything "super extremely ultra archival safe."
There are LOADS of suggestions in a myriad of CT threads at your disposal as for supply recommends... tool: SEARCH, keyword: "supplies" The same holds true for the archival qualities of materials the pages, binders, albums, et al. things are made from, especially for the plastics. Seen lots of discussions on this in just the last few months alone. Just gotta do some reading to get the details. Also, PennyGuy posted this very useful set of links from a Collectors Universe forum not too long ago...just scroll down the list for a section of links to coin suppliers online.
not sure about the pages, but as for the binder, a regular one will work fine. for a bit more money though they have cool ones with a magnetic clasp and a bit fancier outside. might look a bit better sitting on a shelf so it can be pulled out as a conversation starter....
I have done searches, trouble is a lot of the information posted here is contradictory and old. For both of those reasons, I felt that I should start a new post in order to get the latest information. I have read your post before...but it was good to freshen up on it when I was thinking about doing this so thank you. I have some 2x2s that I am going to use...but I guess the hang up is that I want to use pages in a binder. I didn't see a lot of specific information pertaining to pages in your post. I want to use pages that I can slide a 2x2 into and have seen many like it before...but who knows what those are made of. It seems like a common way to house coins so there must be a safe version of them out there. I have been looking online but have yet to find a place that sells them. Any help would be appreciated. Also, what are the risks with the binders? I assume that normal store bought binders aren't the best option...but for a book of coins that aren't worth much, is there much of a risk?
The CT Search feature shows the dates on the threads so you can pick the ones from just "last few months" as I mentioned. The info and links are not going to be too old unless a given web site isn't being maintained or went out of business. These redundant topics that keep starting up are partly to blame for the contradictory nature of these threads, that and not having a data base of approved links maintained on CT where members keep looking for such suggestions. Even if there was such a list of links I bet it would get as much use as the Search feature. Oh well.
there are more 'options' for storage, then info about those 'options'. Everyone will have differing opinions about this, but IMHO, if the product doesnt say what its made from - they possibly have somethign to hide - meaning vinyl. In that post i wrote, (i dont remember all the technical terms, so i actually have to read it from time to time to remember which chemicals i am looking for lol) it lists alot of the more common chemicals in use, and which are considered bad or unsafe, and which are considered safe. For pages, 2x2's (or the 1.5x1.5's that were mentioned) only use the products that are made from the chemicals mentioned as safe in that post. If they say vinyl, or say safe PVC (of which there is no safe pvc), or if they dont mention the material, walk away! After looking for a while, you will start to see the same brands popping up, and you wil wuickly start to see which ones are safe, and where to buy them. Something to consider for binders and storage books. If you look at the companies that sell books in which to store your copins ... alot of them are VERY popular with collectors. If they are made from paper, they contain acid. Those acids will leech out of the paper and onto your coins. This is why museums dont use whittman ect. Some products use a sacrificial chemical vapor that coats your coins for protection... you be the judge on that - me, im weary of it! For store bought binders... they are all vinyl (there are some recycled binders that are made from paper products, paper contains acids too). There is a chance, that if your coin is in a 2x2, airtight or whatever, and then placed in the coin page ... yes, there is a chance the sulphiric acid fromt he PVC will gasify and possibly reach your coins! But there are not alot of options for safe binders, unless you make your own out of metal rings, and lexan sheets as front and back cover. If the pvc in the binder gasifies, it will have to get past the page, then the 2x2 or capsule and then to your coins. Yes, its possible, but you do have layers of protection. Not foolproof by any means .. but like i said.. not alot of options! Please dont take any of my comments in a way that makes you think i know it all i surely dont!!! I have done alot of research on this.. but i have not researched every product or material. So there might be products out there that i do not know about that are a safe alternative to store bought vinyl binders! if not now.. i hope in the near future! If you have any questions on a product or material.. please feel free to post, or send me a PM. I dont use coin pages, but i do use 4" store bought binders for my currency books. But i will always try to answer the best i can Good luck!
Keep in mind, posts are made by folks offerign opinions... like mine above. I dont like vinyl, some folks have used it for decades with no issues and so they swear by it. We all offer our own opinions. While some are outright wrong, so many others can go either way depending on each individual, like the vinyl issue. The best we can ever do is to educate ourselves the best we can, so as we learn, we can form our own informed opinions
Just so the information is available here, I did find a place that carries coin pages made from polyester (not vinyl) as recommended by Daggerjon's great post. I'm sure that others carry these, but here is where I got them. They are Supersafe Archival Pages -- 20 Pocket (2x2) pages (model P90). Supersafe also makes "Supersafe Vinyl Pages" which are a little bit cheaper...but the contain vinyl which as has been said before is PVC and should be avoided. Here is the page where I bought them. Shipping seemed a bit high (I bought 100 pages and 700 2x2 flips...total cost was a little over $90 plus $15 shipping on top with the cheapest option). Anyway, here is the page: http://www.wizardcoinsupply.com/supersafe-archival-pages-20-pocket-2x2.html
I'm not sure how detailed you want to get but I started using these binders for my coins about 4 years ago. They are designed to hold slides and negatives but normal 3 ring pages fit as well. The benefit of using these is that the coins are essentiall in a box and protected from dust and the binders from warping. I'm sure you all know that a binder full of coins doesn't stand upright very well and when you lay them down, they don't stack to well either. Enter my solution !!!! http://www.calumetphoto.com/1/1/3288-safekeeper-storage-box-calumet.html
Being a cheap skate, I just purchased a PaperPro stapler from Wallyworld. I like it because it requires a single finger and almost always goes through both pieces of the cardboard. I hate to remove the staple and then staple again. I've learned with time to always staple in three places. I've seen the flat staples and I like the look. If they have one that is a "single finger" version than I would upgrade to it.
