Rethinking about folders.

Folders, albums, coin boards - all share the same problems. That was the point I was making. As for framing, it's not much different, and in fact can even be worse.

Now some of the other folks have posted pics of what may be considered pretty coins that are a result of having been stored in albums. And I'll be the first to admit that yes it most happens that way sometimes. I have seen many absolutely gorgeous coins that got that way from being stored in albums.

What they don't tell you is that those gorgeous coins are the exception, not the rule. They also don't tell you that they are the result of special and sometimes unique conditions being present where those coins were stored. The proof of this is the price that these "pretty coins" bring at sale. That's because there aren't all that many of them and people like them.

What is far more likely to happen often looks like these coins -












Now those are just a few examples of what can and often does happen when coins are stored in albums, folders, or coin boards. And you see results that are similar to how these coins look far, far, more often than you do the pretty ones.

Now some will question that statement, even try to refute it. Saying I never saw any, or my coins didn't that ! The problem is not many people take pictures of their ugly coins and share them on forums and the like. But if you've been around coins and coin collectors for 50 plus years like I have, or if you are a coin dealer and thus see lots of coins, then those folks will tell you yeah I've seen lots of them. Lots and lots !

Toning quite darkly, like the first picture I posted, or even turning black is the norm. It is what usually happens when coins are stored in or around paper storage products like albums, folders, coin boards, and yes even the beloved cardboard 2x2s.

And if you take the time to look you'll find plenty of thread quite similar to this one right here on this forum, as well as any other coin forum -

https://www.cointalk.com/threads/why-do-coins-turn-black.257216/

 

The company went out of business some years ago. But yes, it was a good product, used it myself.

 

Proper coin storage is simple, but at the same time there can all kinds of complications. But the basic principles, the basic things you have to do, those are simple. But you do have to follow all of them, ignoring or leaving even one out - can result in ugly and even damaged coins.

The first thing ya need for proper coin storage is a good quality holder for each individual coin. And yes, I have always recommended Air-Tites. But any hard plastic holder will work just as well. Air-Tites merely happen to be the least expensive. And you can use ring type, or direct fit, either work just as well to protect the coin. But ring type are quite often the best choice because of fitting issues with direct fit. Some coins are just a tiny bit too big and they don't want to go into the direct fit type. But they always will the ring type.

After holders, you need a container you can close up. The container can be a safe, or it can be as simple as a large Tupperware container. But the container needs to be made of inert material. In other words you can't use a cardboard box or a wood box because they harm coins. And that is what you are trying to avoid.

Then when you put your coins in the container you need to make sure to avoid putting any paper or cardboard materials in there with the coins. And no soft plastic flips either because of PVC contamination.

Then you need to put a rechargeable desiccant pack in the container. And check it as often as need be, and recharge it.

Then you need to store your container in a cool, dry, place where the temperature remains fairly constant, such as a closet in your home that has no walls that bear on the exterior. In other words all 4 walls should be interior walls, no exterior walls.

That's about it.

As for Air-Tite albums, I never used any myself so I can't speak about them. The one thing you need to make sure of before using them is that they are made of inert or archival quality materials. For if they are not then you will be defeating everything else you do to protect your coins. If they are inert or archival quality, then they will be just fine.