storing in 2 by 2s

Many of my coins, the not so rare ones, are stored in 2x2 cardboard holders, and I print the date in the back of the holder then place these in sheets. As a rule, how often should I change these holders to fresh ones?

 

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I would say change them out when they start falling apart

 

I've had some coins in a 2 x 2 in a 20 page sleeve for 10 plus years. No problems at all. Still looks like the day I put them in those holders.

 

That's good to know because I use those also.
Thanks.

 

I've gone through some collections from old-timers that were built in the 1950s. These guys had put brand new wheat cents in 2x2s when they came out. The cardboard was a bit yellowed with age, the mylar was brittle, but the 2x2s were still intact and the coins were in pristine condition.

I see no need to change out your 2x2s, unless you start to see a problem. Things to look for would be if you see any pinholes in the plastic, you want to change that because you'll get uneven toning around that hole. Also, inspect carefully to see if any foreign material was trapped in the 2x2 (a hair, a piece of dust or lint, etc). If you leave those in there, they will start to damage the coin. To avoid these problems, whenever I put a coin in a 2x2 I shoot a small shot of compressed air at the coin and holder to clear out any dust.

 

By print, do you really mean a printer or with a pen? If it's a printer, I would like to see what you have going on there! I'm toying with a bunch of stuff at the moment and printing is one of them!
On the other side, My dad has a bunch of Peace and Morgan dollars that my grandfather had placed in 2X2's at east probably 40 years ago. They look fine. Not even any discoloration on the 2X2's.

 

When you decide to replace the 2x2. Only use stainless steel staples. Since staples penetrate the mylar plastic , if a common steel staple microscopically rusts, it can affect the coins. Here are 3 coins I got out of an old sale maaaany years ago ( suspect moist living area) and you can see the Toning/corrosion emitted from the area of the staple. Jim

 

That is really interesting. I don't know that I've seen that before, but I haven't thought to look. Thanks for sharing.

 

Those photos make one of the best arguments against mylar 2x2s I think I've seen.

Several years ago I began transitioning all of my raw coins from mylar 2x2s to Air-Tites. I just decided that if a coin was worth keeping, it was worth protecting by the best means available.

That decision had a nice side effect: given that Air-Tites run about 60 cents each, it made me realize that some of my low-value modern world coins weren't really worth keeping, so it motivated me to thin the herd. Now I have a smaller, but nicer collection, all protected in Air-Tite capsules.

 

The longer I'm in this hobby, the more I am starting to think like you!

 

You make a valid point, but a lot has to do with the storage environment. I have lived primarily in the northeast and have 2x2s with generic staples that I did when I was a kid over 40 years ago with no signs of rust. I'm sure that if I lived in Florida, they wouldn't look like that.

the key is to check your collection regularly and correct any problems as soon as you see them. Stainless steel staples and airtight are excellent options, if needed

 

Can anyone actually point to stainless-steel staples for a standard stapler? This seems trickier to find than it should be. I've been using Swingline Optima staples and there's no mention of them being stainless-steel. Even Wizard Coin Supply doesn't make an indication of stainless or not.

 

They are a little difficult to find....and somewhat expensive

https://www.amazon.com/Stainless-Steel-Standard-Staples-STD1/dp/B001RMT8LM

 

Thanks. I saw those and completely ignored them because of the price
Guess I will bookmark it in case I can't find cheaper.

 

they do sell self adhesive holders, wizard coin supply sells different sizes and colors, (non pvc) has anyone here ever used them? I am wondering how safe the adhesive would be? it would eliminate staples all together. I would still use capsules for the more valuable coins.

 

I wouldn't spend your money on those. They don't adhere as well (or as long) as the staple flips. Plus, the fumes from the adhesives are far more detrimental than the potential for the staples. Self-adhesive 2x2s are a great idea in theory, but just aren't good in practice.

 

thanks for the info, I will stick with staples

 

There's also Saflips. I have not tried it, but quite intrigued by them. Seem like they would be good for using with binder sleeves if you can guarantee they won't ever slip out of the binder because there's no need for any adhesive or staples. Just insert coin and flip. I am kind of kicking myself for not picking up a pack in my last order...

https://www.wizardcoinsupply.com/product/saflips-2x2.html

 

in
yes, I have actually been looking at those also. it would look so much more attractive in binders.