Hello all. As many of you may know, I'm a novice when it comes to coin collecting. I have found a few Indian Head Cents in my grandmothers house, which really sparked my new hobby. I don't really have anywhere to put them at the moment so I have put them in some plastic baggies. So what my real question is, How do I protect my coins? And what products will be able to hold my coins for long periods of time without damaging the coin. As far as my researching goes, I've learned that the cardboard flips are not used for long term storage. I've heard of Coin Slabs but I think those would be for more important items. Any help would be great!
I use airtites for my collection. They are a type of plastic capsule. You can buy them at your local dealer or online like eBay. I collect Morgan dollars and the airtites for those run anywhere from $.50 to $1.50 each depending on how many I buy at a time. You would need to find the correct size for the coins you have. They come in two styles. First is a direct fit airtite and it fits snugly around the coin. I prefer the second type that are a little larger than the coin and have an inert foam ring that you place around the coin before putting it into the airtites case. I find the coins are easier to remove from this type if you ever intend to do so. Hope this helps. Coinsnake
CBD, in my humble opinion there is nothing wrong with using 2x2 cardboard flips. If the flip is well stapled to try and prevent air and humidity from penetrating the coin/s should keep well for maybe 5-10 years if not longer depending that you store them in a dry place. The flip material is susceptable to absorbing moisture so DRY is a must A decent place to by coin supplies is , Wizard Coin Supply. They sell the flips with mylar plastic which will not hurt the coin/s at all. If long term storage is what you desire too then vacuum pack them with a food saver system. It is polypropylene and won't out gas with destructive chemicals. I use it for everything: coins, coin folders, mint sets , etc. Take your time, look things over and make it a fun time. Also pick up The Official Red Book, A guide book of United States coins. It is a basic starter book and then some. zeke
Air Tites are great but not needed for coins of a lesser value. 2x2 cardboard flips is what most starting person's should use. If you go to a coin store it's the white cardboard that their coins are usually in. As stated above you can get them from many places. Good luck with the new hobby.
coin tubes? What about coin tubes I have Whitman coin tubes and H.E Harris coin tubes are these good for storing coins along with air tites and 2X2 flips?. I keep my coins in my safe which is inside my closet, In the safe I have 5 or 6 packages of silica gel. Is there anything else I can do to keep my coins safer then that?
Cardboard 2x2s are fine for lower cost coins. Put them in a zip lock food baggie. If you want, put that baggie into a larger freezer baggie. Rolling circulated coins in paper and then putting them in a baggie is okay too. Tupperware food storage containers are also good. Any container for food will be PVC free.
A lot depends on the coin itself, ie proof or unc, to one plucked from circulation. Recently, I rescued some proofs someone had removed from the OGP. He had Kennedy and Washington proofs in a ziplock bag. I picked the whole bag up for $5 from him. In the bag were the following: 1967 SMS DMPL Kennedy half 1968 - 1981 Kennedy Proofs 1967 SMS DMPL Washing Quarter 1968-1981 Washington Proofs All are in snap lock airtights to protect them. I also received in change 2 years ago, a 1954 Franklin half, and several 1965-1970 silver clad Kennedys, all circulated, and those are in 2x2 cardboard flips.
