I have been assembling my LMC and wheat cent collection, and rt now they're all in 2x2's instead of the whitmans they had been putting them lol most of the Memorials are AU or MS while most of the wheats are lower grades. I bought Whitman 2x2's which the package said are Mylar. My questions are: are these coins safe in their holders? I know that intercept shields would be better, but I'm not ready to spring for that many with lower grade inexpensive coins. Safe from corrosion and further wear? Second, rt now all my coins are loose (in the flips) in an empty bank box of cents. Is their an album that accepts 2x2's or will I need to buy a 3-ring binder and special pages and label them. An album seems like less work if such a think exists! Thanks for all the help. PS: to all newbs like me, CoinTalk is the best, stay here!
Well, since I'm up early this morning I'll take a stab and answer your question, though I'm sure many more experienced collectors here will add their opinions and correct me if I go astray. My coins were in mylar 2x2s and after reading several posts concerning coin storage and containment I decided as of recently to transfer them all over to Eagle 2x2s. From my understanding they have less variance to air exposure than a traditional stapled 2x2, that and they look more professionally displayed. Granted, as for now all my high grade coins are being transfered since I figured my lower grades can be lower priority. As for storage, I use sheets that can hold 20 2x2s at a time and stick them all in a binder. My sheets aren't labeled, but my 2x2s do have stickers that outline the grade, year and mint mark, what I paid, and estimated number produced. From there I simply insert them into the sheets in chronological and mint mark order making room for die varieties along the way. I hope this helps, and as I said I'm sure more seasoned collectors out ther will have better opinions than mine.
Since the bank charges for extra SDB's I try to keep it small so I use 2x2's and put them in the coin box's that should hold them fine as long as you put a dessicant and check them every once and awhile.
I use 1.5x1.5's where at all possible. Some exceptions that I come across are silver dollars and foreigns... in those cases I use 2x2's. I can get 30 per album sheet, and they take up even less room. I personally think 2x2's are a waste of space, because with 1.5x1.5's and they take up less room all around.
That is so true if you use those slotted setup like dealers at coin shows usually do. Most dealers I see at coin shows use those smaller sizes. Only 2x2's when the coin requires them. Myself, I use only the 2x2's since they all go into those Whitman Red two row cardboard boxes made for them. That way they all fit without any possible movement. As far as longevity, I've had some in those 2x2's for as long as there have been 2x2's
I recommend keeping your 2x2s in a sealed container (size dependent on how many you have), and placing a dessicant (silica gel is one option) inside the box to keep humidity low. This will help prevent toning. If you have only a few coins, the small packets of silica gel will work fine. If you have more, or use a larger box, consider buying a large box of it. It's available at many online coin supply stores, it's cheap, and most of them are rechargeable (throw them in the oven for a few hours.)
