So in the last week I've bought 1150 2x2s from amazon. ($39 for $1000, and $9 for 150 I'd bought a couple days earlier) I've stapled my best coins and put them in some plastic coin pages in my newly appointed 3 ring coin binder. As I'm sure you've surmised, i still have over 1000 2x2s left and I'm not really sure what to do with them until I need them. I also want to make sure the different sizes don't get mixed up. Should I go with a plastic bin? Are there ones with separators? I've also seen coin tubes for mass coin storage (wheat pennies, etc). Is it ok to use them? Or do they cause friction with the coins rubbing against each other? Thanks for the help!
Lol now my response makes no sense. And I look like a goober lol. Meh wouldn't be the first time. I'll keep it. Anyway, I'll dig out my rubber bands
Yup, rubber banded by size, and then just sitting in a cardboard box, or maybe they're in a shopping bag. They're around here somewhere. Really.
Coinwoman - There is a LOT to know ! More than you can ever imagine. And I'd literally have to write a book to explain it all. There's probably a gazillion different ways used by various collectors to store their coins. And almost all of them have good points and bad points, some of them more bad than good, and others more good than bad. Now good and bad can be thought of in many different ways. Some of them are bad for the coins, others are bad for you, and for various reasons. Examples of bad for the coins can be things like friction which increases wear, especially over time. Or unwanted and unsightly (read as ugly) toning, or the possibility of scratches, or the possibility of hits and dings because the coins are not protected properly. The list goes on. Examples of bad for you might be cost - this way cost more than that way. Or maybe you don't like this way because it doesn't "present" your coins the way you'd like to view your collection when you get ti out to look at it. That list goes on too. But as it is with most other things when push comes down to shove there's really only 1 "right way" of doing things when it comes to coin storage. However, then there is always the question of what is "right" for you ? In the end you're the only one who can answer that because you are YOU. And everybody's different. Everybody is going to have their own ideas of what is right for them. But me, yeah I'm different too. Ya see, I'm one of those who looks at it from the point of view of what is right for the coins ? Me, I don't matter, the coins are the only thing that matters. And when ya look at it like that, well, the whole world kinda changes. And it turns out there really is only 1 right way. To discover what that is, well you're gonna have to read some to do that. Like I said I'd have to write a book to explain it all. So here's a suggestion. Get on the main page of CT, this one - https://www.cointalk.com/forums/ Then go up and click in the little box that says Search. In that box type these words - proper storage. And in the box you see where it says - Posted By Member - type in my user name, GDJMSP, then click on the Search button at the bottom. The page comes up will give you a lot to read. And you'll read not only read my comments but comments from everybody else too. In the end you should have a pretty good idea of what your options are. And you'll have a pretty good idea of what storage method is truly best for the coins. Then you'll have to make a decision, you, or the coins ? But at least you'll be able to do it without spending a lot of money on something that you later find out you didn't want to spend that money on
Do NOT use rubber bands for long term storage. They will damage the coins as the chemicals in them seep through the plastic on the 2x2s. I can vouch for this first hand. If you have seen a coin with a toning band across the middle you will know what I mean. Instead, buy 2x2 storage boxes, which hold 60-75 coins depending how thick they are. http://www.brooklyngallery.com/cgi-bin/commerce.exe?search=action&category=0175
The actual reason as to why coins get rubber band lines on them is debatable. What is not debatable is that they most definitely do get the rubber band lines on them - without exception !
If I read @Coinwoman 's post correctly, she's asking what to do with all of her extra 2x2 flips that she hasn't used yet, not ones with coins in them. I certainly wouldn't staple my unused flips, or rubber band (permanently) flips with coins. The 2x2's with coins in them should be stapled, and then either put in coin album pages, or in 2x2 storage boxes.
I would recommend the following: You are trying to protect the coins and possibly have a way to add information to the coin by writing on the holder. Most flips are generally made from inert plastic, (no PVC), so you are good there. Before inserting the coin in the flip and stapling it shut, be sure to tap the flip and possibly wipe the flip with a lint free cloth to remove any cardboard dust. This will help to prevent future spots on the coins. Rubber bands should not be used, because they contain sulfur that will tone the coin. The bands also get sticky after a few years and will get stuck on the holders. Also be careful on the type of coin pages that you use in your binders. most contain PVC that eventually degrades and can leach onto the coins, even in the holders. The safe pages are usually are not soft and don't contain any PVC plasticizers. This is what causes the green slime on coins that can damage them. Last note: High quality flips are made from acid free cardboard. some cheap ones are not.
Exactly though I'm also open to general coin storage ideas, my question is mainly to do with my bulk left over supplies. I've rubber banded the extra 2x2s in the middle. I'm thinking of maybe getting a couple of those long boxes, but from what I've seen they're not for storing blank 2x2s. I'm going to upload a couple pics of my collection soon. Some of the regular coins that I'm just saving for posterity because they're old, but not really worth much, I have in ziplock bags. Though I'm not really a clean freak (sometimes I wish I was lol) I want my coins organized and looking neat. Both for the protection of the coins, and so my hubby doesn't get irritated with my hobby being spread everywhere ^.^
Lmao there's some good info anyway. Though I wasn't planning on using rubber bands on my coins, it's good to know what happens if I did.
