Pros and Cons of 2x2's, Folders, and Albums

Discussion in 'US Coins Forum' started by lovecoinswalkingliberty, Apr 27, 2018.

  1. lovecoinswalkingliberty

    lovecoinswalkingliberty Well-Known Member

    2x2's
    Pros: great for storage. Look nice on display in a jeweler's case. They are fairly sealed. Coin is protected
    Cons: Hard to take coins out of sometimes.

    Folders
    Pros: Look very nice on display
    Cons: Coins a lot of times fall out, and they are not protected, and they can get artificially toned if in there too long

    Albums
    Pros: Protected, both sides on display, great for display.
    Cons: Might get artificially toned in there


    Please help me add more information about this!!!
     
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  3. tommyc03

    tommyc03 Senior Member

    Nothing is great for storage unless it is of archival quality. Coins will tone in both folders and albums.
     
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  4. kanga

    kanga 65 Year Collector

    Heck, coins will tone in slabs too.
    I don't know of any reasonable holder that will protect coins 100%.
     
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  5. gronnh20

    gronnh20 Well-Known Member

    Controlling the environment, in which the coins are stored, plays a big part in a coins life. Heat and humidity will ruin cardboard folders and holders. Hot to cold fluctuations will do damage to plastics. Storing coins in the tool shed out back is not a good option.

    With certain storage items there are added layers of protection. Albums can be bought with a slip cover. 2 x 2 holders can be stored in boxes made for these holders. Slabs have boxes for them also. There are several aftermarket products like Intercept for that added layer.

    Does anyone have any experience with Capitol Plastics? What kind of coin protection is afforded there? They look nice, but, do they protect a coin at all?
     
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  6. JPeace$

    JPeace$ Coinaholic

    I have 2 WWII Nickel sets in Capitol Plastic holders. It's my understanding that these holders also will impart toning on the coins.
     
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  7. GDJMSP

    GDJMSP Numismatist Moderator

    It's not that the plastic imparts toning to the coins, it's merely that it does not prevent it, it still allows it to happen. In other words, the plastic isn't doing anything except reducing the amount of air flow that can get to the coins.

    There's kind of a caveat that goes along with this one though - what I said above is true of the clear plastic. But the colored plastic variants of these holders, whether it be black or white or red or whatever, those are known for causing toning.

    Now that's not to say that they will absolutely cause it every single time, but merely that it happens a whole lot more often than it ever does with the clear ones.
     
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  8. JPeace$

    JPeace$ Coinaholic

    I was thinking of the black and white capitol plastic holders when posting. Thanks for the additional information.
     
  9. GDJMSP

    GDJMSP Numismatist Moderator

    Pros - they're cheap.
    Cons - they provide almost no protection at all, hits and contact marks can occur right through the thin mylar covering - and the potential for staple scratches, which can also occur right through the mylar. Cardboard dust, it can cause spots and or scratches on the coins. Regular 2x2s are notorious for causing unsightly toning due to the sulfur in the cardboard.

    Pros - they're cheap. They do allow an organized way of keeping your coins.
    Cons - Fingerprints get on the coins when you put them in. Cardboard dust, it can cause spots and or scratches on the coins. The cardboard is laden with sulfur and known to cause unsightly toning. The reverse of the coin rest directly against a layer of glue, also known to cause unsightly toning. They provide almost no protection at all, and the coins are prone to falling out.

    Pros - Make a nice looking display and both sides of the coin is visible. Provide minimal protection. Provide an organized storage method.
    Cons - Fingerprints get on the coins when you put them in, or take them out. Cardboard dust, it can cause spots and or scratches on the coins. The cardboard is laden with sulfur and known to cause unsightly toning. The outer covers are also known for causing unsightly toning. The plastic slide covers are notorious for scratching the coins. Provide minimal protection. They are expensive.

    Note - none of the toning caused by any of these storage methods is artificial, it is 100% natural. Except of course when the coins are placed in the 2x2s, folders, or albums in order to intentionally cause toning.

    Now for the storage method you left out.

    Individual, hard plastic coin holders.
    Pros - Provide the best protection against contact marks, scratches, etc etc you can get for your coins. Expense is minimal with some types. Are 100% inert, and greatly reduce the air flow that can get to the coins and thus help reduce toning as much as possible. Allow you to see both sides of the coin, and some even the edge. Can easily be placed in archival quality organizational pages and albums. The slab type can be placed in protective (against toning) slab boxes.
    Cons - some types are expensive on a per coin basis. Organization and or nice looking display requires an extra step and cost.
     
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