Hi I'm new to the forum, though I have been reading posts here for a while. I started collecting a few years back, and liked the Whitman album format for storing and viewing my coins. It helps me plan out my purchases and helps me make sure they are all of the same grade when buying raw coins as I can look at them as a set. The word "slider" scares me though, as all of my coins are mint state. I am very careful about placing them in the book correctly, using cotton gloves and sliding the mylar film over the coins as few times as possible, then keep the books (Franklin halfs, Washington quarters, Roosevelt dimes, Jefferson nickels, and Lincoln cents) in my safety deposit box. Is this a good long term storage decision? I can't afford to grade all of these coins. I suppose 2x2s are an option but I am less fond of them from a viewing and enjoyment perspective. Are there better albums than Whitman? Should I consider capital plastic holders if I want my coins to stay mint state for at least the next 20-30 years or so. How best can I avoid my mind state coins from becoming sliders? As of now, none of my coins have any hairline scratches. But I want to keep it that way.
"Slider" is a coin, and a mylar film. Its is also a derogatory or descriptive term for the hairline scratches that appear on mint state coins when a coin album's Mylar film rubs against a coin, making it AU or worse. I am wondering if other Whitman users have had this issue with long term storage. What can I do to avoid these scratches, or if my collection is actually safe and I should not worry about it as long as they are placed in the album correctly, and I minimize moving the film over the coins much.
A slider is a coin (raw) that a dealer (unscrupulous?) might try to pass off as an mint state example. It's usually a high AU coin. Quite frankly, it's not a problem unless you're paying MS money for the lesser grade coin. I like high AU coins though. As for the storage OP? I have albums that I like to populate with various coins of my choosing and am quite happy doing so, but others here abouts (Doug?) would disagree with my doing so. You may incur hairlines when you move the slides out of the album to insert another coin. When I insert the coins in the album I always push them down below the region that supports the slide so that it never comes into contact with the coin. [edit to add] Welcome to the forum Evan........
Thanks, I do try to be careful with placing them. The dimes have more clearance than the thicker half dollars and quarters, but they are all in there correctly, and I am almost done with the books (except the cents, I am stopping at 1934). Once I complete a book I have no reason to move the Mylar. Are the Intercept Shield albums better?
People swear by 'em but I think the company is out of business. [edit] Actually the product line is available at Wizard Coin Supply and other sources. Wonder why I thought they were out of business?
Because they are out of business. The supply shops are merely selling the product they still have in stock. And your right about something else green, my opinion of coin albums. Albums are the single worst thing that has ever happened to the hobby of coin collecting. And they are both directly and indirectly responsible for turning more problem free coins into problem coins than anything else.
I've probably said it a thousand times Dave - individual hard plastic holders. All other methods of coin storage have at least one problem that can and do harm coins, and many of them have several problems that can and do harm coins.
I was wondering this earlier today as well, would individual hard plastic holders also include capital holders? Other than the somewhat freer flow of air around them I think they are about as good as anything else out there unless im missing something
They'll work, but there is a lot more to proper storage than just the kind of coin holder you use. The holder is just 1 step, and you have to follow them all !
Of course you just string us along on this one Doug, so whats the next few steps? I am sure environment control is another HUGE factor to consider, but besides keeping humidity low and the coins in a non reactive holder, what are the most sound methods for storing coins. For now, most of my better value stuff are in slabs, in a slab box, in a safe, with desiccants all around. More common stuff like AU/BU sets of Jeffies, Franklins, ASEs, Libertads, and Silver Peso Coins are being kept in Danscos on a book shelf, of which i check every few weeks to make sure nothing crazy is happening. Any specific advice to tweak my habits when storing?
Trey I've written it out so many times I can't even count that high. Do a search, use storage as your key word and my user name in the Posted BY Member box. You'll find everything you could even want to know about coin storage.
Aw, shoot! Now I'm hungry again. First Illini's Long Beach thread and now White Castle Sliders.........
