How can you get the coins out of these things without touching them. I have aquirers some cooper penny type coins in a folder and they are mostly nice and red. I really don't want to thumb them and the obverse are hidden from inspection
The backing of each hole is just paper. If you press hard enough from the back side, you can get the coins out. Sometimes, you might tear the backing, but that is an unavoidable risk that you must take.
Do you mean the old cardboard folders? If so, place your thumb on the back of the folder (the thick paper/thin cardboard that is the back of the page) and gently press the area behind the coin. The coin will pop out without you having to touch it. Be careful not to press too hard, or you could punch through the paper.
even as a kid I disliked Whitman folders. they always left a dark color around the rim area for me. if I buy one partially full first thing I do is remove coins and toss the folder
And yes, the coins will pop out easily. Just place a soft towel down, then turn over the folder and carefully push on the back side where the coins are and they will drop out onto the towel.
Don't know if they'll ALL "pop out" completely, but indeed they should come out partially...enough to get a finger on the edge and ease them the rest of the way out without touching the surfaces. Done it thousands of times.