I'm curious as to opinions about folders. I have come by some partial sets of various coins in folders and am conflicted as to whether I want to place newly acquired coins in the set or keep them in the 2x2s that they are in when I get them. Not such an issue for circulated coins but what about the better grades? For instance, I'm working on a set of Roos. dimes. I'm going for the best quality I can get and what I have now are all in holders. I really like the looks of a particular album for the set (mylar panels over the holes) but wonder if the coins are better off staying in the holder. The album would certainly look and handle better but I don't want to diminish the value of the coins.
This issue comes up alot and until last week I was kind of in the dark about my IHC's and folders and what not. Tell us what type of coins you are talking about. If youre just starting out with Jeffersons, Lincolns, Washingtons etc.. get some whitman folders and then when you get close to finishing off the whole set just upgrade to Dansco albums. These Dansco albums are fantastic ways of presenting and storing your coins. ♣Peter♣
I prefer albums, the best, IMHO, are Dansco. Whitman are okay, but not for Barber Quarters, they fall into the middle.
I just put my 2x2's into 3-ring binder pages made to hold them. I used to keep them in the box the 2x2's came in which allowed them to be held standing like folders, but i felt it made it tough to look through them. I went with the 3-ring binder pages so i could see them more easily and display them for friends. I don't put my good coins in them however. I put my good stuff in Air-tite holders (if they aren't slabbed) and then use their storage box and cards to keep them. That way they are protected but i can easily show them off and it looks professional.
This subject depends on what is ment by folders. For example Whitman makes folders where you have slots and you press the coins into a slot. The slot is supposed to be shaped in such a way that the outer edge is smaller than the inside edge so once the coin is inserted it sort of snaps in place. Of course changing those coins will wear out the slots edges making it known that the coin may fall out. Not sure if still done but the process of manufacturing of these types of folders, and Whitman is not the only one, is to take a sheet of paper that is to be used as a backing, spread glue on the entire page, place the slotted sheet on that and you now have a folder. Many individuals utilize the glue in the back of the slot by wetting it in order to help hold worn coins in place. Obviously everyone has seen coins with sort of dark lines on the reverse caused by the glue. I too used to do this when I was a kid. However, note Dansco, Littleton, Whitman and several others today also make what is know as Abums. These are constructed with slotted pages so that the coins are visible on both sides and protected from falling out by the use of plastic slides. I've had Littleton albums and gave them away. Just didn't like them. Dansco is supposed to be made much more durable and sturdy. Whitman used to be made in Wisconsin and I've heard the product has gone downhill due to being made in China but put together in Wisconsin. Not sure itf that is true though. I use only Whitman Classic Albums due to availability here in the mid west and once started with one color I don't want to change. Also, Whitman makes so many blank pages, extra pages with info on them, sheets of gold leaf looking press on dates and things.
Thanks for the replies. I guess the definition of "is" is: both! I generically referred to book-like artifacts that have designated holes or slots designed to hold coins in an organized collection for easy storage and/or display as folders. I was in fact asking about folders and albums. I have some of each: Ikes and Lincolns in Dansco albums (which I think are ugly but serviceable) and IHCs in a very nice looking Whitman folder (green, with a copyright date of 1958). The IHC folder I bought partially filled. My original question was with this folder in mind AND with regards to another album that I have, intended for Roos. dimes. (Official U.S. Mint under license to Harris) The IHC folder is very nice in its own right. Obviously of higher quality and better made than modern folders; elegant almost. It folds out to four panels. As I'm looking at it now, I think I've made my decision to make this folder the final resting place, so to speak, for the IHCs that I feel represent the best that my hobby alotment will allow. I like the looks of the album for the dimes but wonder if the mylar panels over the holes will scratch coins are the panels are slid in and out to add or change coins?
