I'm pretty new to collecting coins and as I live in Israel, I'm starting with Israeli ones, which come in varying sizes (practically anywhere from 16mm to 30mm) and have been trying to find a suitable storage for them. 2x2s caught my attention, though every website I visited offered 2x2 in specific sizes meant for U.S.A coins. Basically, I've a few questions Is it okay to store coins in 2x2 that aren't exactly the same size of the coin? (for example storing a 17mm coin in a 19mm 2x2) or perhaps if I use coin tubes, will it damage my coins if the tube isn't the exact size of the coin? Is there a website where I can find 2x2 in unconventional sizes? If not, can you suggest a website from which I can order decent equipment internationally without paying too much for shipping (I'm a bit low on budget)? Any other suggestions about storing these coins will be appreciated. Thanks for you help.
It's fine to put 17mm coins in 19mm 2x2 , A long as the coin does not slip out , And I would also make sure that the 2x2 is free of any dirt because if you put a dime sized coin in a crown sized 2x2 your coin will move around. I would try to keep a coin in a 2x2 that's intended for it ,or a few millimeters different 1-12mm ... You can buy them mostly everywhere. I would try ebay since many members offer them, so you can find them for a fairly low price.
There is nothing wrong with putting a coin in a slightly larger 2X2. In fact I tend to prefer the 2X2 be slightly larger so I can see the edge of the coin. Note the word SLIGHTLY. I would not put say a 16mm coin in a quarter size 2X2 (25 mm) but in a 19 mm cent 2X2 that would be fine. If you have coins larger than quarters but which would be "lost" in a half dollar holder it is possible to get 2X2's designed for the small dollars, but they are harder to find. I find there are a LOT of non-US coins that they work well for though.
WELCOME TO THE FORUM. Odd question though since so many people I know would never ever worry about the size of a coin verses the 2x2. One dealer I know puts all coins, regardless of size, in the dollar sized 2x2. For dimes and some cents he places 2 coins in each 2x2. Of course he is really an odd peson anyway. Many dealers now use the 1-1/2 x 1-1/2" sized flips for coin shows since they can place more coins out on display that way. Naturally the larger coins will not fit in those. One dealer at coin shows around me that sells coin collecting merchandise only carries 2x2's in certain sizes. He sells the cent/dime ones. The Nickel/quarter ones. Large dollar/half dollar ones. I've asked how come he doesn't carry the others and he says why? Use what I've got or order them on line for more money. I use his method on all my coins. I've noticed what you say about coins from other countries of different sizes since I have a pile of them and all in 2x2's except the ones that don't fit at all. And as noted if you use a slightly large 2x2, then you can see the edges.
If you buy an assortment of all US sized 2x2's you will have a great way to store your coins, unless there is a coin bigger than a US dollar, which I doubt. Tony
Going slightly off on a tangent. Curiosity. I know there's 1.5x1.5's. Are there 2.5x2.5's? I know there are flips of that size.
I like 2X2's because I have many old 35mm film storage containers. Kodachrome slides are the same size and the boxes can be archival quality....and they can be found for a penance for many types of containers. Metal/lockable old 35mm slide boxes have already leached out their toxic content or were made before toxic content had even been invented. Getting a specimen out of harms way, even if the 2X2 is not the ideal diameter for viewing does allow you to get it out, look at it and store it again without inflicting further .......IMHO
Although I know your answer is tongue in cheek, I'll will say that you only need three. I never staple the left side of the 2x2 or to be more specific the side that connects the front to the back. I staple at 12, 3, and 6 O'Clock. I have noticed that others staple on angles at 1:30, 4:30, 7:30, and 10:30. In my opinion, I'm saving a staple. Eventually, that staple will add up to another penny for my collection.
You dont just need a "good" stapler, I'd recommend that you look into getting a flat stapler instead of the normal paper staplers. http://www.wizardcoinsupply.com/product/max-flat-clinch-stapler-full-size.html The staples are clinched flat on the back reducing the risk of staple scratches on coins and avoiding the need for clinching the staples with pliers. Stapled paper (as well as flips) stacks flater with the staples clinched.
For my own stash I prefer to begin with (one) staple. That way I can shake out the victim for further evaluation at a later time and then add staples if I deem them worthy. I guess I evaluate my horde by how many stapes I've hammered around it. Does anyone know if archival/stainless steel staples are sold?
I like the flat staples but it costs $20 for the stapler and then you need to get the flat staples somewhere. I got a paper pro one touch stapler for $8 at Wally World. It seems to always push through the cardboard with no effort without the issues you mentioned above. Now, I have $12 to spend on my coins. I'm pretty cheap at heart if you haven't noticed.
It is very odd I just read this. There is actually a new discussion on the Facebook "Israel Coin and Stamp" group on a similar isssue. Would there be enough demand for folders to be created for Israeli coinage. If there is....Krause publications would be potentially interested. It is interesting to not that in 1968, R.P. Neilsen Company which was a division of Western Publishing company produced an Agora-Pound series folder for 1960-1968. This folder even includes slots for most of the varieties. Dansco also produced two Israel albums that I know about. One is for all of the issues from 1948-1949. The other album was just a type album. Does anyone know about any other Israeli albums? Does anyone out there have any unused albums to help Talon out?
Now that you bring that up I think, not sure, that I did see some larger than 2x2. If I remember I'll ask at tomorrows coin show. A dealer there sells only coin collecting stuff, no coins. And here is one more idea. I too use staples but If you have a Swingline brand, not all are that same, the plate that makes the staples bend in is rotatable. So you could change it to a flat plate of one that turns out. Or you could do as I have started to do and use clear tape on the edges.
I have put US cents (19.05 mm) and nickels (21.21 mm) in half dollar (30.61 mm) 2x2's with no ill effects. I like the extra space afforded these coins within the packaging and because the packaging is stapled tightly, the coins don't move around.
OK so at the coin show today I asked the dealer that deals with coin supplies. Odd that I asked that since he had a 100 pack supply of the 2-1/2 x 2-1/2 Inch size sitting right there. Even odder was a guy asking him for any plastic cases for the Silver Dollar Standing Liberty coin. Also, right there on the table were two different types. One a locking type and one a simple snap together type. Both were about 2-1/2" x 2-1/2" size also. He purchased one of each. He explained that the 2-1/2" ones were in reality 63mm. A true 2-1/2" type would be 63.5mm and these were only 63mm. All of his flips are $0.025 each and cheaper if purchased by the 100 packs and that is regardless of size. If you want just one, you would have to find a mill coin I guess.
