So, I'm in the process of moving my Washington Quarters into a Caps Album and I'm going to be using the direct fit airtites for the first time. In the past, I have always used foam ring airtites...but to save space I wanted to use the direct fit. I am finding them a really tight fit...like hard to get out tight fit. I suppose this makes sense that you don't want the coin rattling around inside the holder...but is this normal? I'm using the A24 which they say is designed for quarters. They have a 24.31mm internal diameter (and a quarter should be 24.3mm). They fit...just snug. Is this OK?
I have always used the foam ring Airtites because I feared that the direct fit might end up too direct. Have you tried removing a coin from a direct fit? How easy or difficult is that? If you have to pry it out with something then I'm not a fan.
I was able to get out the one I tried by just flexing the airtite. I will admit that I thought I might break it...but I did get it out.
I've had problems with direct fits where the plastic will "shrink" over time and be nearly impossible to open. I used a hammer to crack a morgan dollar out of one a while ago. This is why I prefer foam airtites as they don't squeeze the coin like direct fits do.
You might try putting it in a food quality zip lock and then in the freezer for some time. Silver has a much larger response than plastics, so after taking it our quickly try to remove it before the metal coin starts to warm up and expand. Worth a try, I use it to mainly get stuck lincolns or dimes out of those old plastic tubes. Jim
Yeah it's normal, and in some cases it's gonna be worse. Which is why I always recommend that direct fit Air-Tites not be used. Here's the issue. With modern machinery and manufacturing methods the Air-Tites themselves are made to a pretty precise spec, meaning they are all the same size. But the coins, that's just not true with the coins. It is extremely common for the coins to have slight variations in diameter and those variations are often big enough that not all coins will even fit in direct fit Air-Tites. And some of them, even though you can force them in, well, they aint coming out without some help. There's several different reasons for the diameter variations, different striking pressures, die misalignment, die and collar wear, etc. And with older coins especially the larger and more severe the diameter variations are going to be. And the very same problems exist with traditional coin albums, and for the same reasons. How may have you heard or read about collectors who either can't get a coin into the hole, or about how often the coins simply fall out of the hole ? Well, diameter variation is why. Now what Jim suggested about the freezer, that works, most of the time. But there are those times when it won't. And then you have to resort to risky methods to get the coins out. Best bet - don't use direct fit holders. That's the very reason why the rings exist.
Well...I thought I had this all planned out really clever. 2 Caps Albums for my set using A size direct fit holders. So...I need T sized ring ones as I don't like how tight these are. I think this is gonna waste about $100 but I think it's probably worth it.
In accounting, we use the term "sunk cost", which means that whatever you have spent is gone, and what you purchased may or may not have any value now. Based on all current information, what is the best solution? It sounds like the foam inserts will fit your needs, so go with them.
I agree with you. I’m annoyed that I didn’t get the capsules first but I didn’t. I think creating the proper albums in the front end is the way to go. It’s just annoying. That’s all.
Yes...I know. This isn't my first either. Still pisses me off though. The good news is I can use the non-returnable binder pages I bought for something else. I'll just turn the inserts around on write on them.
Have you tried the Lighthouse Quadrum capsules? According to their guide the 24mm capsules are made for quarters, but I remember buying the 25mm square capsules for Washington quarters: https://www.lighthouse.us/square-coin-capsules-quadrum.html PS: I just noticed you’re probably looking for another type of capsule. Maybe you can try a different product/brand?
I’m going to use the T24 foam rings. They work good. I was just trying to use A sized to fit 30 per caps album page. It’s ok though.
