I have a collection of various world gold and bullion coins and am wondering if I could use airtites to store them. Can I get the foam pieces in many sizes to accomodate my coins? I'm also worried about the thickness of the holder, I don't want my coins banging around. Will airtites fit the bill or is there another solution?
I like the selection and prices at Mitchell's: http://www.mitchells-collectibles.com/ATringtype1.htm and I'd be surprised if there isn't a ring-type Air-Tite for each of your types. Note that the page I linked to is just the 10mm-19mm list; you have to click on the sizes half-way down to see the others (26-32, 33-42, 38-50). The letter (A-T-H-I) indicates the outside diameter, and the number represents the size of the coin to fit inside the ring inside the holder. Beware the X holders; they're larger than the I holders but have some of the same inner rings. Stick with the I for the big coins; I don't think there are as many albums and cases to work with the X.
While I cant tell you if they do or not because of the various sizes of world coins... I can tell you they have a wide selection of various sizes... and that if you click below it will bring up a chart of all the rings avaliable for airtites.... simply print it out and use it to find what size you need... to do it simply put your coin down on the paper and move it around to the different circles until you cant see anymore white between the coin and the black outline of the circles... if you find the openings to fit your coins then they will have the right size... the gap should not be a problem I would think aslong as you have the correct sized airtite for the coin the ring should hold it from jaring around... Ring Guage Mach
Actually, I think Mach's Ring Gauge is a handy tool. Some of the Air-Title catalogues list coins and their associated holder sizes, but they're mostly U.S. coins. You should probably double-check the gauge against a quarter or something to make sure your computer and printer are printing to scale.
Actually I remembered I had a guage chart in a book I have. From that guage chart I need 5 of every size ring between 21mm to 40mm. What size airtites should i buy?
I don't think I understand your question. The holder is the clear plastic case, which comes in two parts (front half and back half). The ring is the foam insert, like a rubber washer. You just insert the ring into one of the two holder halves, put the coin inside the ring against the back half of the holder, and then press the front half of the holder onto the back half of the holder. The ring keeps the coin from sliding around and striking the inside holder edges and I think probably also provides some additional air sealing. It's main purpose, though, is to provide a fit for dozens of different sizes of coins with just a few different outside holder sizes. The Direct-Fit holders omit the ring, but are not available for very many sizes yet, just the standard U.S. pocket change and Silver Eagles. If you mean does a proof get scratched by resting on the holder, I suppose in some very small way, but that is true of any other container you put it in (except maybe Kointains), including wrapping it in cotton.
After putting the ring in the holder, pick up the coin very carefully by the edges, wearing a white cotton glove, position it over the ring with proper orientation, and gently lower it. If the coin doesn't slip easily into the ring press gently on the rim at both sides.
I also recommend getting a catalog from these guys http://store.yahoo.com/airtiteholders/popgifit.html Their prices for the holders are more expensive than Mitchells, but they have a large variety of display and storage items that the Air-Tite holders fit into, including storage boxes, display cards, display albums, presentation cases, coin chests, etc. What I have found to be particularly unique about them is that they offer album cards with non-standard hole configurations.
