Hi all, I recently just got into coin collecting, partially to hedge and partially because I've always been into coins. I bought a gold american eagle and a few silver american eagle coins from APMEX. Looking at their coin supplies http://www.apmex.com/Category/509/C...upplies.aspx I'm a bit overwhelmed on storage options. It seems the "flips" would be good for the silver american eagles, but what should I do with my gold american eagle? If I'm only planning on having a few of those per year (I will probably buy one per quarter), would it be better to store them in individual mint cases? What about the air tight containers? Some research I've read shows that the non-plastic flips are the best for long term storage, but then they say they don't recommend them for proof coins... Also, what's a good scale and good magnifying glass to get? Thanks, Matt
A very warm ' WELCOME ' to CT. You're gonna' like it here. Now about storage. It all depends what your goals are. If you really want to keep your coins protected from the elements for the long run then you'll need a way evacuate air and moisture and protect them from being dinged by other coins too. Airtites aren't airtight. There is always that little bit of air&moisture inside. If you want to peruse through your coins every once in awhile then Dansco or similar types of holders is a way to go. They're not perfect either. Check out Wizard Coin Suppy. They may have want you want. I'm in it for the long run and I use 2X2's, then cover them , singly or in sets, with Food Save polyethlyene custom made by me bags that I vacuum out everything with the little 8in machine. It pays for itself too. I can still enjoy them visually and can reseal them over and over again. I do use a bank safety deposit box for the ones that I consider most valuable.--zeke
I personally use the direct fit air-tites for my eagles. No they are not 100% air tight, but they are as close as anything you can buy. Coins will tone quicker in an album than in an air-tite. An air-tite also allows you to handle the coin and see all surfaces including the edges with relative safety. Most will fit in a 2x2 folder page. I keep mine in a 2x2 box. Albums are your next best bet for storage. You have to be careful when installing the plastic slide though. If the coin in not inserted fully in the hole the plastic slide can scratch the high points on the coin. You need to store all your coins in a safe with enough dessicant to keep it dry. Keeping them away from the sun in a cool and dry place is the safest. A 5-10x magnifier is usually enough to do everything you need. The food vac. sounds like a good idea also.
If you're only buying a few a year, I would say go with the Airtites. They're cheap and secure and allow you to look at the coins without worrying about damaging them in the process. But, it's all in what you like. Look around and choose a system that fits your needs and tastes. Guy
Here is what I use when looking at my coins and also when roll searching. I'm pretty shaky so this desk model really fills my needs. For looking at coins more closely a few loupes of 10X, 5x, 3x will do nicely. This coin scale works great for me. Don't forget to buy the calibration weight too http://www.oldwillknottscales.com/jennings-jscale-js150v.aspx?engine=adwords!10654&keyword=%28JS+150v%29&match_type=&gclid=CODf7pqGs6QCFaVn5QodchQWzQ http://www.herrschners.com/Product/Magnifier+Organizer+Lamp.aspx
Hi folks, thanks for all of your recommendations! It sounds like airtites are the way to go. Which kind?: http://www.apmex.com/Category/704/Air_Tite_Holders.aspx http://www.apmex.com/Category/469/Snap_Tite_Coin_Holders.aspx Also, do I use these for both silver AND gold? What about flips?
Be sure to compare prices and shipping from some of the online sellers because they vary greatly! I just got back into coins and after some suggestions I chose www.coinsupplyexpress.com There is a thread on here about supplies dealers but I'm on my phone so I can't copy paste locate it.
If you are handy and like to keep your gold close, I like floor safes cemented in. Of course whatever option you choose for storing the coins themselves can be put in Ziplock storage bags then secreted in the safe. For the common circulated mint sets. I use the Dansco Books with the slides. Then you can show both sides of each coin for conversation. Better coins are slabbed and in storage boxes, stored in bank vaults. Mostly, I use magnifiers and am still looking for an optimum combo. I have a magnifying lamp 7x that I use in tandem with a triplet loupe 10x,20x,30x. Thin cotton gloves. Small bent needlenose pliers. Stapler. Large tupperware lids for sort trays. etc Tools are all about what and how you collect. I believe everyone has different ideas and tools that work best for them. Many error searchers today have USB microscopes along with cameras, light booths, etc. I would start with a basic loupe and work my way up from there. gary
Thanks for everyone's suggestions - sounds like the best thing to do is go with the airtight for my gold american eagle, or perhaps the flips.
Since were talking about storage let me ask this. Isn't gold a very inert metal not reactive to many enviromental conditions i. e. shipwreck coins. Understood, proof coins and such are very susceptable to all kinds of wear and tear mark so that maybe is the best reason for proper storage, correct? Oh, oh, I forgot moisture spotting----desicants.
I as well use direct fit air tites with my SAE's (Silver American Eagles). Personally, I don't like the thought of putting a SAE in an album for a few reasons. Unwanted toning, you can scratch the coin by placing it in there or removing it. I think direct fit air tites are the way to go for SAE's or Large Silver dollars. :smile
