I've decided to jump into collecting the America The Beautiful silver proof quarters; I'm buying 8 sets each, so I end up with a roll per year. I'm trying to figure out an economical way to safely store the coins. I have a weakness for wanting to touch the coins and examine them outside of any holder, it's what makes the hobby enjoyable to me so I don't want to give it up. Is it feasible to store the coins in Coinsafe tubes? If I'm careful not to drop them into the tubes, and to keep the tubes in a good environment? What other alternatives do I have that let me access the coins easily? The 2x2 clear Saflips? I'd prefer not to use Air-tites if possible, they take a lot of room up per coin because of their thickness, and for someone who chews their nails (guilty...) they can be difficult to open back up. I'm a bit of a space and neat freak, which is why the coin tubes are so appealing to me. I want to enjoy this and at the same time maintain the coins in the best condition I can.
Tubes are a terrible idea for Proofs. Proofs must be stored individually for they are too susceptible to damage from contact, even minor contact. Hard plastic holders for each Proof are your best bet. They make many different kinds and sizes.
Are there any good priced places online to get some hard non-pvc type holders? Problem for me is I don't have lots of any one denomination.
Hi Jamesta. I'm sorry I dont have much of an answer for you. I myself would go for the 2X2s especially if youre looking for an economical solution. Something new collectors aren't always aware of is stay away from storeing your coins in PVC. If it smells like a shower curtain avoid it. I mention this because often the PVC stuff seems like a super deal (affordable), but its only safe for your coins for a while.
I always looked at like this - any coin in my collection was worth 50 cents to store it and protect it properly, and that's about all an Air-Tite cost. Most are less than that. Best place I ever found was JP's Corner - www.jpscorner.com
Another good place to look for storage material that are archival safe is Wizard Coin Supply. http://www.wizardcoinsupply.com/?gclid=CPyjtffy2asCFcsZQgod-V15RA
Thanks for the information and I agree about the cost of the coin versus the cost to store it...will check that out..
