Hi all, First time post but long-time reader. I've been collecting coins for over 30 years but back in the early 2000's, I decided to take a break. After about 15 years of not paying attention to the numismatic world, I decided to jump back in this year. One thing that I had always done in the past was to purchase the yearly mint sets. Prior to my temporary retirement, the mint sets were shipped in two individual mylar(?) envelopes with a post-card for each. I would purchase the vinyl sheets that are designed to hold post cards (3 to a page) and this would easily hold both P, D, and postcards for a single year in a single page. But now that I've gotten back into things, I just purchased the 2016 and 2017 mint sets to start backfilling my missing years. And I've discovered that the format that they are shipping them in does not lend itself to easy storage. So that leads to my question: Do you collect AND display your mint sets and, if so, how do you deal with the new formats? Honestly, at this point, I can't come up with a easy solution and I'm thinking (just thinking at this point) to simply break everything out, store them in 2x2's, and put them in my regular 5x5 vinyl sheets. I would love to hear what the rest of you use for storing/holding/displaying mint sets.
Welcome to the neighborhood @midtncoin ! JP's Corner carries storage boxes specifically for the Mint Sets. I've used them and they are sturdy and last forever. http://www.jpscorner.com/proof-and-mint-set-coin-storage-boxes.html Chris
American coin sets are probably the most stable in terms of packaging, particularly by size, style, type, even texture and color, for long, long periods. I have expanded my collection greatly in the past seven years with many world sets and individual coins, the vast majority in original government packaging. Display has never been possible and the diversity of packaging in world coins would never lend itself to a one-size-fits-all or standardized display. If I want to look at a specific part of my collection, I just haul out that box for hours of enjoyment. I prefer archival acid-free boxes from University Products with lids that are very strong, durable, flexible, adaptable and can be stacked easily. I organize by country or another collection subgroup like euro mint sets, Australian proof commemoratives, South African proof sets (must lie flat), ASEs or "pucks."
You're not using these for the post 2007 Mint Sets are you? If so, how? I can't seem to fit them in that. I had to break down and actually buy a box from Littleton to put them in. I'd love to know how you get them in there if you do. Thanks!
I used them for everything through the 2008 Mint Sets. After that, I cancelled all of my subscriptions from the Mint. FWIW, in the past, whenever I had a question about any product from JP's Corner, I just got on the phone and talked to Jerry. I understand that he has since sold the company, but I don't see why the same couldn't be done with the new owner. Chris
Thank you for all the replies! So the consensus seems to be the boxes from JP Corner for the pre-2008 stuff but beyond that, I'm on my own. I tend to be a completist in my collecting habits so it will probably bug me for a bit to have a part of my sets in one form and part in another. But I'll get over it I look forward to some good conversations. Before I "retired" from collecting, I had a fairly extensive collection but sold a lot of it off. So now that I've got a little less going on in life, I'm basically starting over from scratch. I'm looking forward to getting back into the habit of searching rolls.
Littleton has the boxes for the current mint sets, but they are a little pricey and they aren't as snug as I would like. But...until someone makes one for the new ones that JP and other's sell, I have to make due. I'd like someone else to chime in that is still collecting these like me and has found a sound solution for the size problem. Thanks
That came through 'snarky', and I apologize. What was going through my mind (at the time) was that many German elements during the second world war could not survive as a unit if they lost their Sargent. The discipline to follow orders was instilled, and when the one barking orders ceased to exist, the troops were at a lose as to how to proceed. Not the same with American troops. When one commander or Sargent went down the unit found a way to carry on.........As I know you will, my friend.
As a Navy vet I understand the ingenuity you reference and that we possess in the US Armed Forces. I accept your apology as any Christian should. From my OP you can see that I ordered a box from Littleton and modified it for my needs. I was just hoping someone had another suggestion that worked well for them.
Wow, going back to my very first post from nearly 6 months ago but I FINALLY found a solution to storing the current sets. It took a little elbow grease to custom build something. The current mint sets are bigger than the boxes that JP sells. So I've been searching for the past 6 months for a box that would fit. Problem is -- it is next to impossible to find a box to fit those specific dimensions: 6 1/4" wide and 5" tall. But since the new sets are very close in size to a normal 5x7 photo, I started looking for photo storage boxes. But again, no such luck. Searching on amazon and other retail sites showed a plethora of 4x6 photo boxes but nothing for the next size up. Then I stumbled across a site a few weeks ago that sold specialty photo supplies and they had a box for 5x7's: Lineco.com. I ordered the box and, once I got it, found that it would hold the mint sets with about a half inch of space to spare on the sides and the top. In other words, just a bit TOO wide/deep. So I found some 1/2" soft foam and lined the insides of the box and now the modern sets fit down in it very snuggly with just a fraction of inch on each side. I also cut down some thick-stock 5x8 index card tabs to fit as separaters for each of the years. This should work for at least the next 15 years or until the mint decides to go with yet a different format.
Okay. So now we expect pictures of what they look like. I've been looking for something as well and ended up having to go with a picture box that is just a temporary holder until something is made for me.
