Fair enough, I stand corrected on that part. But it doesn't change the rest of what I said, mylar flips, or non PVC flips, do have sharp edges that can scratch coins. NGC and PCGS both advise collectors that when they use these flips to make sure that they "drop" the coins into the flips rather than slide them over the surface in order to avoid scratches. Sherman advises collectors and dealers: “The best solution at this point is to use Mylar flips, and ensure that large coins are ‘dropped’ into the flip rather than slid over the surface.” And that's from a news release in 2004, in other words, it is nothing new. And additional wear will be imparted to the coins from rubbing against the flips. Both of which makes them a bad idea for long term storage of coins.
Yes, especially if they're going to be moved around. IF they're going to be STATIC and NOT moved much, mylar becomes far less an issue. Not a non-issue, LESS of an issue.
I bought some hard mylar flips about 25 years ago, and they sit unused in my cabinet. Never trusted them as they seem to be hard enough to scratch the coin surface.
I love the things. I put all my better pieces that will just sit long term in them. Stuff that might not again see the light of day until I'm at ambient temperature.
The bottom line is this: when it comes to proper coin storage the hard plastic holders beat all other storage methods hands down. They have no downsides or drawbacks and all other methods of storage do have them.
I've read that foam inserts (which only come with airtites, not lighthouse) can cause damage over time with the coin capsules. Also do you put your capsules loose in a container after that ? Doesn't seem practical ?
That's not true at all. The foam inserts in Air-Tite holders are 100% completely inert materials. They cannot damage coins in any way. There's many options available including several album designs and types. And there are several boxes made of inert materials that allow you to stand them on edge just like ya do with 2x2s. Or you can store loosely if ya wish. But whatever kind of container you choose to use, including all boxes and albums, you need to make sure they are made of inert materials.
Cool, thanks for that, did you have a box for capsules you recommend ? I probably wont be able to track it down over here in the UK or it will be expensive..... but at least I can compare. Cheers Odd
I myself used to use boxes similar to these - https://www.jpscorner.com/collectio...hthouse-single-row-intercept-slab-storage-box They are made for slabs, but they work perfectly well for Air-Tites as well. But instead of standing them on edge like you do with slabs, I simply used to lay the Air-Tites flat and stack them up. They also make these boxes in double size - https://www.jpscorner.com/collectio...ouse-single-row-intercept-slab-storage-box-en Both of those type of boxes have another advantage as well, they are lined with Intercept Shield material which doubly protects your coins from toning. Then there's boxes like these - https://www.jpscorner.com/collections/air-tite-coin-holder-boxes-display-cards All 3 of those box types I listed above are archival quality - inert materials. As for you living in the UK, the company I linked above ships worldwide.
On the same topic of the Ziplock bags, I brought some poly polyethylene 200 gauge 50 micro heavy duty ziplock bags from amazon but I noticed something that I wanted to check with you guys. When I clean my hands and touch the bags it feels like a waxy residue is left after handing them extensively is that normal?
Personally I've never experienced it and I use ziplocks all the time with wet hands - just not for coins.
Hmmm ok, I'm hesitant to use them in case they use some kind of powder in there packaging process or something.
Any ziplocks that are manufactured for use as food storage products are 100% safe to use for coins - and there will be absolutely nothing on them, inside or outside.