STAPLES OR TAPE?

What do you recommend on sealing a cardboard holder onto a coin? I was using
staples but it was just undo - able if you wanted to place the coins in a coin book
which has plastic windows for the cardboard coin holders. The staples, especially
after the first few pages, will pierce through the plastic holders on the book's pages.
Any advise would be appreciated.

 

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After I put coins in 2x2 flips and staple them shut, then flatten the staples with a pair of pliers.

 

Two solutions for this: first, they make square crimping staplers. These shape the prongs so that they lay flat, and won't damage the plastic pages. This would be easiest, but requires you purchase a new stapler.

Second, as Islander mentioned, you can flatten the staples with pliers. This is what I do, and it has worked well for me.

I would highly advise against using tape for a long term storage, because the plastic and glue of tape will give off gasses. You can purchase archival tape, which won't offgas, but I'm not sure how expensive that is. If you go the tape route, you absolutely must invest in archival quality tape.

 

I had forgotten about that. I assume this would be true even if the tape is completely—100%—confined from the coin. I had never heard of archival tape either.

 

@SmokinJoe I use a flat clinch stapler they are available on Amazon or other sites for less than $20. Here is the one I use;
https://www.amazon.com/Max-Flat-Cli...ocphy=9033267&hvtargid=pla-309571556852&psc=1

Reed.

 

Personally, I don't like the flat staples. They still have a tendency to stick out above the cardboard. I like the curved staples + pliers. When I flatten the staple perfectly with pliers, the ends become embedded in the cardboard and the whole staple is below cardboard level.

Tape also allows the coin to move around in the holder.

 

Pictures are always helpful on this forum. Some before and after..

 

Staple and crimp method! It will do well by you!

 

Even if you don't put the 2X2's in the plastic storage sheet the staples may still damage adjacent coins when stored in any manner. Always flatten the staples with a plier, always.

 

What most ignore is that most likely you are putting a corrosion magnet close to a coin. The one below I bought raw in a paper 2x2 and had it in it for several years, in a 2x2x8 dealer box, after 10years, I took out some to sell, and noticed that where the staples were, there was toning ( corrosion) on the coin. I sent one in to see how it would be graded, and it did OK, but the others I removed the tone/corrosion with a week dip before and still no problem with grading.

The way to eliminate it is to use stainless steel staples. They cost more, but they will not corrode like the cheap steel. I live in a desert, so this might be more of a problem in a more moist environment. Remember the fiberboard is not sealed except by pressure and moisture can corrode them and into the inside of the 2x2. Jim

 

Thanks for that post. Good information.

 

You can buy self adhesive 2x2 coin holders. They come in various sizes.

 

Well I had not thought about doing that....Islander do you or can you put the coins in a coin book without causing any damage to the clear plastic coin holder?

 

You don't mean the coin book, correct? You mean the clear plastic 8x10 sheets that go in a 3 ring binder type album, correct?

To answer your question, I think the answer is yes. You can put those 2x2 stapled shut flips in a clear plastic sheet (the ones with the slats), without damaging it.

When I squeeze the staples tight with the pliers, the staples down into the cardboard. No sharp edges are sticking up.

I hope that explains it and answers your question.

 

Ooh....That looks nice....Think I'm gonna go an get it right now! Thanks 352sdeer!

 

Yes Islander, that's exactly what I meant, Thanks!

 

Thanks Thomas, appreciate your help!

 

Thanks Inspector, I had not thought about flattening the staples but that's what everyone's telling me!....I sure do appreciate your, and everyone else's help!

 

By the way, is that your dune buggy in your avatar?

 

Thanks Bambam, that's what everyone is telling me soooo that's what I am gonna do!