Coin storage?

I use paper labels underneath the coins in my trays. To the extent coins come with their own pre-existing square or round tags/labels from the seller inside the coin flips, I simply scan the labels onto my computer in pdf format, print them out at a reduced size (usually 50-60% of the original) to fit in the coins' tray compartments, and then cut them out and put them in the tray under the coins. If coins don't come with their own labels, I make them myself by typing them on my computer in either a square or round format (I find the former easier to get right, even using a template!), and then go through the same process of printing them out at an appropriately reduced size. I don't use handwritten labels, simply because my handwriting is awful and they always turn out looking very messy.

Lately, to prevent possible damage to my coins from the paper and ink on which they rest in the trays, I've been experimenting with putting the labels inside small plastic pockets which I place under the coins so that the paper and ink never directly touch the coins. By taking a single 2" x 2" double safety flip and folding and cutting it a few times, I can make 8 such pockets, each of which is pretty much the right size for holding my coin labels and fitting in the tray compartments. Here's what they look like so far, under a row of Greek coins and my few rows of Republican coins. (They're a bit messy-looking right now, because I haven't yet trimmed the plastic pockets to the exact size of each label.)

 

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I disagree with about 80% of the comments on this thread, and I've been collecting high end ancients since the 1980s.

I use trays (Abafils). Tray wear is kinda a myth unless you are shaking the trays like a gold prospector. Not only does handling ancients do them no harm, it's my belief that oils in hands actually protect and help patinate coins over time - just be careful not to fingerprint them. Trays are more beautiful for displaying coins and make handling them easier. Flip the coins once in a while so they patinate uniformly both sides. Collectors pay a LOT extra for so-called "cabinet tone". That implies trays.

 

I agree. I have been using Abafils as well for decades and there has been no untoward effects at all. Barring a sudden earthquake, there is no "shaking" of my coins at all!

 

I have completely changed my mind about storage. It is obvious that the only good place to store coins is in a jar. Not sorting by size will allow the tiny silver to fill in all those spaces between the big guys making the only limitation to number of coins what you can lift. I would go for 'natural' but ancient clothing did not have pockets (the best place for modern coins to be sure) and treasure chests are prone to attracting pirates./

Many years ago, I knew a collector (old then, no longer with us) who shared with me the story of how he got coins from Italy after WWII. Denarii were placed in jerrycans
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jerrycan
topped of with used motoroil being returned to the US for reprocessing. These were appropriately heavy and were never stolen while a box of silver stood little chance of making it through the gauntlet of criminals along the way. His coins were largely high grade Severans and quite attractive after they were washed off. I believe he bought them by weight back then since later denarii were not considered worth collecting back then by most of the highbrow community. I wish I could remember his name. Perhaps someday I will rediscover his letters in some box in the attic. The history of our hobby has many interesting side trips.

 

My uncle is a coin collector who also uses trays without any other protection. For about 10 years he had an appartment close to the tram lines. Every 15 minutes the tram would pass, making the house shake noticeably. He told me this had downgraded some of his heavy high grade coins, but we’re talking MS65->MS64 level damage here.

I have always used 2x2 coin flips and albums, but I’m transitioning to boxes and plastic capsules from Quadrum. I use paper for water color painting to make notes.

 

My storage does not come cheap, but I have had my first cassette with ten drawers for nearly forty years and it is still in perfect condition. Meanwhile I possess eighteen cassettes. The drawers can be easily taken out and for those who fear dust, there are plexi covers (which I do not use). As long as the coins are kept dry, not much can happen to them; as someone else pointed out: they are not mintstate coins and are usually made of stern(er) stuff!

Frans

 

@svessien How well do those Quadrum capsules fit ancients? Especially when a lot of ancients aren't perfectly round like modern coins? Are they easy to get coins out of when you want to hold them?

 

The black material inside is a kind of foam, which makes it flexible. I prefer using a size slightly smaller than the coin, which will hold the coin firm in place. 18 mm is good for most denarii, for example. This will stretch the foam where the diameter of the coin is «long», and tighten where it is short. If the coin is very odd shaped, you can of course cut the foam to fit better.
The problem is if coins are very thick. The inner dept of the holder is just around 4mm. So it will not work with a sestertius or a tetradrachm. I find them very suitable for a denarius, as, dupondius, drachm, etc.
I use both the 38x38mm holders and the 50x50mm holders. The largest ones for the most royal coins, of course. They need a little space. I think it creates a very nice visual effect to see them side by side on black background. It gives me a feeling that at least some things in my life is orderly and in place
It is easy to get the coins out, no problem. The holder will collect dust and finger marks, but they are easily removed with a cloth.
This is of course a more costly way to keep the collection. The box, which was better looking than I hoped for, costs 60-70€. A pack of 10 holders costs around 6€. That’s around 100€ for a box for 60 coins (50x50), or 120 for a box containing 90 coins (38x38). This is for the «Volterra trio» presentation case.
You can also buy a storage box for 100 holders, arranged more economically with regard to space. I use them for the bulk of my coins, which are stored in safe spaces.
Changing to this system has cost me a couple of denarii, but I feel it’s been a good upgrade of the collection in itself.

 

Those capsules look gorgeous on their own and even nicer in the wooden box. It is a very posh way to keep coins!

I was gonna ask you about the inner thickness, but you just answered that. It is unfortunate really... Tets would be a very tight fit at best, and wouldn't want to risk that... Also, when I researched them I found out that the smaller foam inner hole is 14mm (unless I am mistaken), which leaves out most hemidrachms and anything smaller. I wonder if the makers receive any feedback from ancient collectors to increase their inner space slightly and add some smaller foam sizes too.

So the train damage is not an urban myth after all? Well, I guess I could take them out of the cabinet every time the washing machine approaches the spin cycle and spend some quality coin time!

 

Actually, I just discovered it is possible to buy the square foam bits and cut them yourself to the desired coin size. I am not sure though if it is the same foam material that protects from tarnishing.

So the only remaining issue is the inner thickness!

 

It is a very posh way!
My coin collecting is probably the only poshness in my life, the rest is pretty much working class hero. When I pick up the big, beautiful presentation case, with all the nice coins inside, I get a feeling of wealth and luxury. The hobby of kings!

You get the small quadrum capsules in diameter 10-27mm. The depth of those is a little less than the 50x50; around 3,8 I think. Outer height is just above 6mm.
The 50x50 are from 14mm, but you can buy capsules with foam that is uncut, so that you can cut it yourself.

I think @NewStyleKing has sent up to several rants to Lighthouse publications concerning capsule depht, and gets no answer. He has also mentioned getting his hands on some quite exclusive deep capsules from Roma (?).
The only capsules deep enough for those coins, that I have found on the market, are circular 31mm wide and 9mm deep bottle cap capsules. I have ordered a pack to see if they can work with thick bronze coins. The big silver coins can stay free and work on their patina.

 

Nearly all of my better U.S. coins are slabbed. Some people think that slabs are perfect storage devices, but they are not. As with all plastic holders, you must be aware of temperature changes, humidity and moisture. If you store you coins in a place where the temperatures fluctuate all the time, moisture can condensate in the slab and cause damage.

Now that I have really gotten into hammered British and Roman imperial coinage, I am back to preferring raw coins. I store them in safety flips (no PVC) and keep them in 2 by 2 boxes.

I also prefer to have my tokens and medals raw and store in high quality flips in the appropriate sizes.

For many tokens that are coin size, I have used Eagle brand holders and albums. The Eagle albums did have quality issues years ago. They were too fragile. Over the past five years or so, they have improved. The trouble is, the product has reached the end of its life cycle, and it’s getting hard to buy them.

As for handling you coins, you are usually okay if you keep your fingers off the surface of the coins and handle them only by their edges. Proof coins are another matter. I handle them as little as possible.

 

Coin display capsules via ROMA fit exactly into a Quadrum capsules case. The capsules take the depth of ALL of my New Styles and other Tets, And upto c 38 mm diameter. The best looking solution IMHO.

 

LOL, chuckling... where are all the Moderns “Experts” after the one-time drive-by shooting comments???


ANCIENT SELLER PIC

Roman Imperial
Aelius Caesar b. 101CE, d. 138 CE
AE As, 26mm, 10.2g, 6h
Rome Mint 137 CE
Obv: L AELIVS CAESAR; Bare head r.
Rev: TR POT COS II, S-C, Fortuna-Spes holding cornucopia and rudder in left hand, flower in r.
Ref: RIC II 1065, pg 482 scarce
Ex: @John Anthony transient collection

 

@Alegandron

Sir, I grade your above coin PCGS MS 70+ DD Cameo Gem Superb 15/5 10/7. CAC

INHO, John

 

That's quite a juggling act, holding three objects in two hands!

 

LOL, I use the Historical Grading Standards:

- I like it
- Not interested at this time.
- Cool, yeah, not normally what I would look for, but I want it anyway!
- Etc.

 

LOL, yeah, funky-funny how they want t put as many devices together.

Yeah, and I just grabbed a RANDOM coin to post!

And, I actually like the ding at 12 o'clock on the reverse... somebody dropped it in ancient times! Very cool.

 

Agreed - when I see something, it's either for me or not and I'm reminded of Chester Beatty's standards and grading terms!

As background, there's a lovely museum in Dublin - The Chester Beatty Library - https://chesterbeatty.ie/ - it's small as museums go, but the collection just glows.

Alfred Chester Beatty was an American mining engineer who made a huge fortune, spent many years in the UK, eventually relocating to Ireland for tax purposes and became the first Honorary Irish Citizen, basically for donating his collection of mostly Eastern manuscripts to the State. He didn't collect coins, as far as I know.

Anyway, the normally fairly dull proceedings of Seanad Éireann have occasional interesting tidbits, including this debate:

https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/debate/seanad/1985-12-19/9/

"It is no good keeping things that are not first class, they simply keep the collection down." - this is absolutely true, but... who can resist that place-filler?

Its founder understood quality to mean, first and foremost, good condition and then other factors were considered; rarity, value, age, aesthetic or artistic merit.

and:

He had his own system of notetaking while visiting a dealer's shop. For example, if he did not wish to buy an item, he would write DCFI meaning "Don't care for it" or NFFC meaning "Not fit for collection". He categorised everything he bought as A, B or C. He rarely bought ‘C' material and if he did he would sell it again immediately. Only exceptionally would he allow ‘B' material to remain in the collection. The ‘A's were graded as ‘A+', ‘A' and ‘A-'.

I think much of my collection would merit a "DCFI" or "NFFC" rating!

ATB,
Aidan.

 

Excellent! Thank you. That is subliminally how I make decisions.

Tangent: I have always enjoyed your country (as well as the other Celtic Countries). As you probly know, I expatted to Wales for a few years, but holidayed several times in your country, and of course, conducted a lot of business there also.

My wife got me a DNA testing kit a few years ago. Americans are pretty much Mutts, but sometimes it is nice to know where our Cur bloodlines may be from.

LOL, I did find that the majority of my blood is Irish and Scot. I reckon I would be considered a Multi-Generational Irish Expat.

20% Germanic and 10% Finnish showed up.

It was fun to find out, but nothing changed in my life.