I'm looking for suggestions on ways to store very small coins that will allow access, viewing and a degree of security (dropping these on a rug is not good). For larger coins I use open trays which stack in my bank box or fit in carrying cases for transport. This is less than secure for coins under about 10mm. About 20 years ago I put some in snap shut plastic boxes on pads of plastic foam which seem to dry out and degrade/crumble to a point that I question their use touching coins. Some have toned but many other coins have toned in 20 years so I am not sure how much to attribute to the holders. I want to be able to see the coins and consider foam edge hiders as used in slabs as harmful to this end as laying the coin on a pad which requires turning it over to see the reverse. I am not interested in things that can not be opened and reclosed. I also dislike stapled or folded flips that make the coins hard to see or access. Air-Tites seemed like an idea but little coins rattle around a lot on the hard surfaces. Their smallest size is 10mm which would fit (and hide edges of only the larger coins in question. Locally I found small 'gem jars' that contain a foam plug topped with black or white flock which do a good job holding the coins in place but I have no idea about their long term effect on the coins. Most of these coins are very darkly toned already but I'd prefer not to make the matter worse faster than necessary. Does anyone have (long term) experience with these? I attach a photo of two with related coins (I like the idea of being able to combine similar coins without them rubbing on each other). The jars are about 36mm diameter and each coin is between 4 and 10mm. For the photo, the lid on the left jar was removed while the right was left in place creating glare. Does anyone have other ideas?
I guess these might be your best bet. One of the other members swears by them. http://www.colonialacres.com/numiscoinbriefcase.shtml Chris
Thanks. I once used Danscos for my Byzantine bronzes and had trouble with thin coins dropping between the cardboard and clear layers putting two coins in one hole with very little handling. In fairness, the Dansco and Whitman albums I tried were well used and had once contained US coins from collections sold to a dealer who sold the used ones cheap. New ones might be better.
Maybe with a lil customization/alteration a pill box would work. heres jsut a few, but there are so many kinds and style, maybe you'll find one. edit: I also belive there are some with smaller compartments as well
People sell small gold flakes in a small jar with removable lid, black felt background. I'll look for a pic...
Those jars with the foam you are using are made for jewelry. I have a nice looking display that has 30 of those in a tray. Looks good, but the foam made me nervous even though it has layer of some type of velvet material at top. I was thinking pvc damage so took all my cirulated silver dollars out of them.
Just curious why do you dislike safety flips? I agree if you put them in holders in pages you cannot see the reverse. I just store everything in them since then I can document price paid, details of the coin, attributions, etc. I had some pricier small coins, (johannes and scarcer late Roman AE8's etc), and used a soldering iron to fuse the plastic to make it harder for the coins to accidentally fall out. Basically, touch the soldering iron to make an opening just large enough in the plastic for it to come out if you want it to. |\ aaa/| | \aa / | | aaaaa| |_____| If that gives you an idea. Sorry if it is not clear.
I don't like safety flips because they crack easily trying to dig out little coins which stick inside (gravity does little to help remove .2g coins) and they are not clear enough to view small details without removing coins. They do not hold coins upright (staples 2x2's are better at this but dont open and close easily). They are large for the coins but still only allow one per unit. I was considering trying dime size Cointains and putting the little coins back in the trays with the larger coins but they are hard to open and I have no idea how many times they open before breaking. Another answer may be paper envelopes and photos of the coins. Rather few collectors look at their coins and handle them as much as I do and storage options emphasize protection over accessability.
Yes, I used the safety flips for long term storage. Doug, ok I understand about positioning. Just throwing something out there that I liked since it kept them relatively safe and still allowed access to the coin.
The hard plastic ones do? I have not experienced that. I have some mint state halves in them for the last 20 years or more, and they still look nice. You have me concerned now.
Saflips are made of PVC-free material and will not harm the coins. I've had coins in them for more than 10 years without a problem. Chris
They need to be archive quality or you get Verdies, especially with copper but with all coins. And once the chemical process starts, you have no reasonable means of stopping it. Ruben
