Proof Sets and Mint Sets, how do you store them???

This is not a debate on if you collect them or think its a good idea or not....

IF you do collect them and have many many years of sets in their original boxes and envelopes how are you storing them all???

I mean if you are trying to do complete sets of each or either, that is a lot of sets to store...

 

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I have them in my safe (proof sets - original boxes) from 1957 - 2011 (including the 65 - 67 SMS) with the exception of the 1999 Silver proof set. (oh I dont have the 90s silver proof sets)
Dont collect mint sets...

 

good point, Doug. I have never given much thought to removing mine from the cardboard, but it makes perfect sense.

 

I store my proof and mint sets in zip lock bags and in a drawer. I'm extremely careful when I'm opening cardboard boxes to view the coins. It is so easy to damage the cardboard in this process. I guess I don't understand the potential from damage from the paper or cardboard but I do understand the reason for space in a safe.

 

I have a large number of US and world mint and proof sets and can not possibly store them all in my safety deposit boxes. The only solution for me gets rather complicated. First the packaging material is stored separately. Then any valuable or precious metal coins are removed and stored in the safety deposit boxes. Over time many of the other coins soar in value and have to be removed to the saftey deposit boxes as well. Storage conditions are not always ideal for the less valuable coins so I have to keep a close eye on these to be sure they don't go bad.

You learn a few things over the years like to toss any foam rubber as soon as you see it. Never let coins come in contact with PVC and avoid exposure to air. Keep the humidity and temperature as steady as practicable. Try to keep old boxes even if you get rid of the coins since boxes can have substantial value. If boxes or envelopes go bad you might as well throw them out. Watch the coins in your safety deposit boxes as well. They'll probably be OK but leave nothing to chance. Don't use dessicants unless you intend to monitor them. Soaked dessicants are worse than nothing at all.

Don't get too far behind these markets. A good set can become extremely valuable almost overnight now days and needs security. You can't just leave them in someone else's safe or a storage area. The biggest threat is corrosion but never forget security.

 

I just store them in boxes in my closet labeled "pictures". I keep the more valuable stuff in my safe.

 

Well Doug I'm gonna say it again but I'll keep it short.. Smullen asked so here goes. The only way I know to keep chemicals and air and moisture from harming mint sets, proof sets and coins and slabs is to put them in Food Saver baggies and vacuumize them. If a set has three groups of coins I take each group, such as state quarters, and make a baggie to just fit it. Then vacuumize it with a Food Saver machine. After doing the three groups I reinsert them into their box and make a baggie to fit that. When finished and sealed it is not much larger and will take up very little extra space. This will keep them for years. It won't stop toning though. This method works for me. zeke

 

Thanks for all the comments...

Speaking of Toning, I have a few mint sets that toned pretty well, I'm guessing (as other have mentioned) from the original envelopes that may have had sulfur in them...

So I left a few sets of newer Mint Sets in the envelopes and the envelopes in those plain brown boxes that the mint ships them in... I just wrote Mint Set 1990, 91,92,93 on them....

I just did a few that I had Triplicates or so of... I figure I'll give them 15-20 years then open them to see if they made any difference... Just for Grins...

 

Are you suggesting that the sulfur permeates through the plastic holder and onto the coin. I haven't noticed this on my proof sets or even my mint sets. I thought that the proof sets were air tight.

 

Doug,

FoodSaver bags are vacuum sealed. Not quasi-sealed, but vacuum sealed. Coins will not tone in them regardless of where they're stored. It creates a commercial quality vacuum sealed bag. They are indeed, air tight.

 

I guess the grading companies have been lying to us when they claim that the coins in the "air tight" holders are guaranteed forever. Remembering my Physical Chemistry classes in college and the painfully complex discussions of Heisenberg uncertainty principle, it is possible that sulfur or for that matter anything could appear or disappear in even a fully air tight container. According to the principle, it is even possible that the entire coin could leave the fully enclosed container. I guess my point was that the likelihood is extremely small of damage from sulfur or other elements damaging the proof or mint sets despite their proximity to the cardboard box. I place my sets with the cardboard in a zip lock bag and in a drawer more to protect the box than the coins. I also insert the mint mailers in the zip lock bag that often come with sets. I file the packing lists for proof of purchase from the mint.

 

Phil, I don't think that the Mint packaging claims to be air-tight. Is that what you're saying? That the original proof set plastics are air-tight?

 

I'm not saying that they are air tight. I'm saying that they are good enough for me. I've noticed virtually no degradation of my coins in the mint containers. I notice much more degradation of the packaging and some scratching of the plastic containers, especially if I'm not careful removing them from the cardboard containers.

 

Sad truth is they are not. They are a nice holder that protects them from physical damage. But mint sets are closer to air tight than proof sets, believe it or not.

 

I keep my proof sets in their original cardboard boxes and then those are stored in US Mint proof set holder boxes. As for my mint sets, I break them apart and put the coins into Dansco albums.