Perhaps I should know this, but I don't. If I store unc/proof coins in a tube (specifically, Lincoln pennies, Jefferson nickles, Roosevelt dimes, Washington quarters, and Franklin halves), do I run the risk of doing damage to the relief via coin-to-coin contact? I would think that the rims of each of these coins would be the high points and the design relief wouldn't come into contact...but is that right? Thanks!
I have done so for decades, and have had no face to face damage in tubes. I use the plastic tubes for proofs and Unc. Also the paper tubes can react with humidity and transfer it to the coins, whereas plastic doesn't. Jim
Thanks Jim, the reason I asked is that I recently purchased a roll of 1954d Washington quarters. The coins that were placed in the tube Head-to-Head had some abrasions on the high points. It sounds like that must have been caused by something else.
Not necessarily. Roll friction, that's friction marks on the face of the coin due to the coins rubbing against each other while they are in the roll, does occur. But that does not mean that it has to occur every single time. With most coins the high point on either side is not the rim, but some part of the devices. And if you think about it, the positioning of the coins insode the roll plays a major part in whether roll friction develops or not. For the high points on the one coin can correspond to the low points on the coin against it. If this were the case, then roll friction is less likely to occur. Conversely, high points against high points is almost certainly to cause some roll friction. Also, how much and how often the stored rolls are moved around matters as well. The more movement, then the more roll friction occurs.
There is always that possibility of coins scratching each other in those plastic rolls. However, this would be due to several reasons. Mostly a none full roll where the coins can be jiggled around due to excessive space. This could be solve by just placing some cotton balls in with the coins to act as a filler. I've done that with hundreds of rolls for a long, long time and no problems. You just have to make sure the cotton is not chemically treated. Another thing is not all manufacturers make those plastic rolls the same. I've found that the ones that have the slip on tops are made rather on the smaller sizes and coins tend to not go in easily. Others with the screw on tops appear to have more tolerances on the inside and some so much coins tend to move a little. Of course all depends too on how many times you move the rolls around. I've got some rolls from possilby 30 or 40 years now and they really haven't moved at all. Not sure how long but sure seams like that long.
Thank you so much! Perhaps I'm not crazy afterall...(at least not on this subject). Like Just Carl, I try to fill the ends of my Unc/Proof tubes with something that will keep the coins from moving about. I'm reluctant to use cotton balls because I'm afraid they may leave hairline marks on the coin it touches. I've been using packing peanuts, but I'm not sure what damaging chemicals they may contain. Sometimes I get them pretty tight and, as I twist on the cap, I can see coins moving against each other. I was thinking that was just RIM to RIM friction, but it sounds like I could be doing some damage to the devices. I'll have to reconsider my methods.
