More Questions About Flips

I searched the forums before starting this thread, and I found some interesting information, but not everything I hoped to get. So, here it goes.....

I have several coins that I store in flips. They are nice coins but not ones I ever plan to send off for certification and encapsulation. Flips seem to be the best way to keep them. I like to take them out once in a while and handle them carefully, then they go back into their flips. I know that some flips contain PVC, and exposure to PVC can/will damage silver coins. I've read in this forum that "soft" flips are made with PVC, "hard" ones are not. Mine are soft compared to others I've had, but I have no idea if they contain PVC or not. I've continued to use them because they are flexible and seem to be easier to get the coins out of and back into with a minimum of fuss and potential damage to the coin.

1) Some flips are advertised as being made of vinyl- are these the ones I want to use? Are they in fact the "hard" ones to which people refer, and the soft ones PVC?

2) What about gold coins stored in PCV flips? What can happen to them?

3) Can anyone recommend a brand name of flip to buy or maybe a Web site where the seller clearly states that the flips being offered do NOT contain PVC and are safe for long-term coin storage?

4) What other options have you guys used for easy, safe and reusable storage of your coins, something similar to flips?

Thanks in advance for any thoughts, help, and ideas.

 

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I think this covers it better than I could in a post...

http://rg.ancients.info/guide/holders.html

 

Don't get anything vinyl as it has PVC and will damage any coins.
SaFlips are chemically inert mylar and are good for long term storage. Many dealers online have them, or check at local area coin shops.
Cardboard 2x2's (with the round mylar windows) are very good long term storage items, but make sure to flatten all the staples, or use a "flat clinch" stapler, or the "bump" parts of the staples could scratch adjacent coins.
I'd also suggest being VERY careful sliding coins in and out of flips. Sometimes you will have a rough edge on the hard flips which might also scratch the coins.

 

The biggest clue, IMO, is that PVC or vinyl flips typically cost around $2.50-$4.00 for 100 pcs. They often come in sheets that have to be broken apart. They also have a funky smell to them like a new shower curtain. The next biggest clue is if they don't say Polyethylene Terephthalate on them.

Mylar is not a material it is a product or industry name for the material Polyethylene Terephthalate used in the auto and aerospace industry. We just call it Mylar because we're special . SAFLIPs are made from this material we call Mylar. They cost around $15-17 per 100. They are hard not soft and they are also hard to work with as opposed to soft flips. And so there is, IMO, a risk of rubs. It's not a problem for me as I like circulated coins and tokens--mostly small tokens.

I would never try to put an MS-68 coin in a flip assuming that I would even buy an MS-68 coin. Nor would I try to put a proof in one either. Just take an old JFK half of little value and coat it with nail polish. Then put it in a flip. You'll see where the nail polish peeled away around the rims.

 

So, Air-tites sound like the way to go. I visited the Web site you recommended and see that they don't contain any PVC. Do you ever open them, handle the coin, then reuse the Air-Tite without any problems?

 

Sorry, I edited my post- didn't think you'd answer so fast!

Thank you for the help. I really appreciate it. Think I'll order some tonight.

 

Are you familiar with "Coin Safe" tubes? Think they are safe for my rolls?

 

I've never found anything that comes even close to air-tites for safe coin storage. They are the best by test and inexpensive enough to use for almost any coin that is valuable enough for the collector to be concerned about preserving the value. I've also made several purchases from JPs Corner and found them to be very reliable.

 

I took GDJMSP’s advice a while back and ordered some Air-Tites. It’s a good alternative to slabing and I can still hold them in my as I would the row coin. They make me happy.

 

JP's Corner

I too have ordered from JP's Corner, and found them a very good company to work with. I am going to order some Air-Tites from them today.

Jim

 

This is why I like Air-Tites...


When my daughter wants to play with my coins and "feed them to her Ducky" as in this photo, I don't mind. The coin in question here is a 1967 Kennedy Half that I pulled from circulation. It is MS63/64 with spectacular gold/rose/green toning on all 3 sides. When I first saw the coin (by its edge only) my thought was that it was gold plated until I looked at it and saw the toning on the front and back.


edit:Looking at that photo, I can't see the toning, and now that I've tried a couple of times, I can't seem to get a good picture to show the toning. I'll have to keep trying.

 

That's why I love how they wrap candy is plastic... ALl the kids who 'want' candy in my toy store (KB Toys) simply must put it in their mouth before the parents decide they dont want it.

 

I let my baby play with my graded coins ( well, the "cheap" ones ) he is so interested in what i am doing, but no way would i let him play with raw coins

I guess the slabs would be considered "safe" since they have no moving parts

 

That is an awesome picture. Excellent example on why you should use airtites. I feel for you, I have a three year old daughter who is interested in coin collecting...I'm in deep trouble now!

 

The only thing I don't like about the airtites is... what do you do with them after they're in 'em? They basically become (protected) loose change, and I have to say that I'm much more organized now that I've gotten some of the 2x2 paper/mylar flips and pages that hold them (holds 20). I just don't know what I'd do with all of them once they were in the airtites and how I'd show them.

Also, if there is something interesting (for example: edge lettering), then the airtite (with ring) would pretty much cover that up (what a waste!). I know they make the non-ring variety, so I suppose that is what you'd choose for those coins.

I thought of fake slabbing some (slabbing them, but not through a service, just buying blank slab containers), and I know they make containers for slabs, but I'm not sure that's much better.

I'm guessing someone has already thought of and made an airtight that is square and fits in the 20 pocket pages, but I have to go looking...