Hey everybody, I'm new here to this forum and was wondering if someone could give me some advice. I've been collecting proof sets on and off for years from the mint, but lately I want to start making it a habit to collect complete sets every year in pretty good condition. I'm not too concerned if the coins are uncirculated but would like to preserve some nice specimens for years to come. I have a '99 clad proof set and the penny has a nasty looking tarnish blotch on the back and I'm pretty sure it's due to the lack of airtightness ( if thats a word) and the card board holder. I still want to collect proof sets and maybe start pickin up the mint sets as well, but would also to make my own set from some nice lookin coins from my pocket change. Does anyone know if those 2x6 (whitman i think) snap locks are any good. I'd like to start this project with the state quarters and I've seen the ones with the 5 quarter slots. If anyone has had any experience with them I'd like to know A. How airtight these are? B. If you can open and close them? and C. If you think these will do a decent job protecting near uncirculated coins for years to come? I love coin collecting but never was in it for the monetary value. Any help would be greatly appreciated...thx!
Howdy coincamel - Welcome to the Forum !! We had countless discussions about various ways to store coins and what works best - do a search for Storage or Coin Storage and you'll find lots of answers. As for Proof sets and mint sets, I'd suggest leaving them in the orignal mint packaging. But you kind got me confused when you mentioned a Proof cent in a holder with a cardboard back - they don't come from the mint that way. My personal preference for holders are sold by the brand name Air-Tite - you can find them here - JP's Corner But no holder you can buy is actually airtight.
Some people use these (entire year set): The key to proofs is where they are stored. Low humidity and room temperature are the key. Be careful not to exhale as you handle these coins. Water vapor from exhaling, cough, etc. WILL cause havoc on any proof coin...especially Lincolns.
Well if you placed the coin in a holder first to protect it and then placed that in a vac bag - yeah it would probably work.
gdjmsp... I meant the blue cardboard (or whatever it is) surrounding the coins in the clad proof set. I just was wondering if those cheap snap lock holders would be acceptable for decent storage, I really dont want to go all out on this project since the coins will be of little value.
sorry for not linking but was wondering if these were decent http://www.whitmanbooks.com/default.aspx?page=81&productid=0307480070
hey spider...can you open em up once you seal them in order to add more coins, and how well do they preserve quarters?
I used these as well for individual coins and they are easily opened as there is a notch in one of the corners. They are NOT air tight, but do form a double layer around the coin and around the perimeter of the holder itself. But...remember, where are they stored and what conditions (i.e, humidity and temperature) are the key variables. These intercept shields are the best (my opinion) for individual 2x2's.
with the plastic 2 x 2s u can, i have the 5 quarter ones but i never tried, but im sure u could, and ive had coins in them for years now (over 4) and they r fine, or atleast nothing i see
Those Whitman holders work fine. I have a 1964 Proof Set that I got in one and I know the guy had it in their for at least 5+ years and all the coins are fine. The Capital Plastic holders are real nice though. They are a lot more $ though. Your choice.
The original mint packaging ( there is no cardboard that's hard plastic ) for the modern Proof sets is as good as any coin holder - with the possible exception of Intercept Shield. It should also be remembered that removing the coins from the original packaging will lower resale value. But if that doesn't matter ..........
