I don't buy too many coins from ebay, but recently, I bought a couple of FDR Dimes. When I received them, they were in the cardboard 2X2's and had staples in them. I took time to flatten them to make sure the coin doesn't get scratched. I thought about it, and decided that I needed to double check my other 2x2s. Almost all of the 2x2's that had staples in them and they had not been flattened. I'm selective about my coin purchases (and many other things), and I want all of the staples flattened. This Forum is the venue that I learned about the dangers of raised staples. I now, have to go through my coins to make sure that I was practicing what I preach. Thanks to all of you for my education.
Suggest using 2x2 flips and forget a anything of staples...so much easier/less hassle, less risky, et al. I request in advance of buying/bidding on/from any eBay or other seller, etc, that if stapled in a 2x2 in photos, for the coin to be sent in a non-stapled holder like a 2x2 flip. Never had anyone refuse. Most of these carboard 2x2s had writing on them, anyway, that I didn't want/like, so would take/switch them out on arrival. To each their own.
You can buy staplers that flatten the staples automatically. Wal Mart and most office supply stores sell them. Personally I use non PVC flips. Just my preference.
Buy air tites and then get small ziploc bags to place the airtight in. That is what I have converted to. Then you can put any information on the ziploc about the coin. And you have double air tight protection from elements.
I ALWAYS take them out of the plastic without removing the staples. It WILL HAPPEN that you scratch a coin if you pull the staples. I use something sharp plastic and puncture the clear film to remove the coin.
Few post about long term of stapled storage. It is especially problematic if it is a keeper coin and you do not plan to remove it and you are in a high moisture area. I purchased these in a bulk deal and later they were all put into a normal TPG slab with no comments. Notice they are regular steel staples. Use Stainless steel staples if you wish to use these holders. Jim
It is something that we all had to learn. I have been using that practice since early 50's. I need to get one of those staplers @tibor mentioned.
The owner of my LCS can punch them out of the stapled flip right through the plastic. No tools. I've tried it multiple times. Never works. Tap edge of flip gently on table. Coin will drop just enough to pierce plastic window. Push coin out.
Many years ago I saw an ad for self-adhesive 2x2 flips and haven't seen them since. Anybody know if they're still made?
Fifty years of collecting and I didn’t learn that until I joined CT. So danged obvious and I battled staples unknowingly for fifty years.
Thanks for all of your input. I like the idea of putting the coins in the self-sealing 2X2s. However, I am now afraid to take them out of the stapled 2X2s to put them in the self-sealing 2X2s. I think that once you have them in the stapled 2X2s, you're taking a chance to scratch the coins. I do have one other question... Now that I have almost all of my RAW coins in stapled 2X2s, can the coin be damaged by the 2X2s from the cardboard, cellophane, or the air that was trapped inside the 2X2s?
If you stack flips in a box they can by raised staples. The staples from one flip have only a thin layer of cellophane for protection againsts a steel tiny staple head. It could happen. If you decide to change flips .... bring them out thru the cellophane.
