I collected sets of most circulating coinage (cents through quarters) in Whitman folders when I was a kid (ten years ago or so), and now I'm getting around to upgrading the folders to Danscos. Also, lately I've been upgrading the coins themselves (cents and nickels primarily to uncirculated versions). I put the cents and nickels into Dansco folders first; didn't really notice a problem with them (although I wasn't looking particularly closely). Then, I started on dimes and quarters. On the clad coins, I'm noticing that about half of them have spots of verdigris developing along the rims. Of course, all of these coins are pretty much pocket change, so it's not much of a loss to simply spend the clads and replace em with new ones. I'm suspecting that the verdigris was caused by improper storage (in a thin wooden chest, near a window, with no humidity regulation). I've already bought a plastic, Tupperware-type container to keep the coins in and I have silica canisters on order. My question is, is this enough to prevent catastrophic damage like verdigris? I'm aware of the fact that toning occurs in albums, but I'm not particularly concerned about that (except for the cents, and I plan on 2x2'ing the keepers shortly). What sort of experience have you had storing coins long-term in albums such as those made by Dansco, or folders such as those made by Whitman? None of the coins I'm keeping in the albums will have a value of over ten dollars or so, but if I keep upgrading (especially for my Jefferson nickel set), then it'll build up some value which I'd most certainly want to preserve. One more note: the Jeffersons' Dansco album I have has slots for proof-only issues. Is it acceptable to store a proof coin (assuming delicacy and care is used placing the coin in the holder) long-term in an album?
I store my albums in plastic bins ( with lids ) and include a silica tin in each one, I am also investing in dansco slip-covers to further protest my coins, no problems so far ( cross fingers )
Could somebody post some links to some of these plastic bins you use and silica tin you are talking about. I'd like to get some, but don't know which are right and where to get them. Thank you!
You can find the silica packs - Click Here You want this one - As for the plastic bins - just go to WalMart, KMart, a grocery store - anyplace like that - and buy the Tupperware containers. Shape & size your choice, but I'd go for the large ones.
Yeah -- that's the exact silica canister I have on order from Brent-Krueger. Actually, I put in an order for both the 40 and the 200.
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