Like many people, you’ve probably started collecting coins at some point. Coins can be a fun hobby, and they can also be a great investment. However, your coin collection can easily get damaged or lost if you’re not careful. This blog post will discuss storage ideas for coin collections that will help keep your coins safe!
Storage of a Coin Collection
The environment of a collection of coins is very important. You need to think about the temperature, humidity, and light. A moderate to low temperature and low humidity is good for storing coins for a long time. Putting packets of silica gel in the coin storage area will help control the humidity. The less light there is, the better. That’s why a safe or vault is the best place to store coins – it controls the temperature, light, and humidity and is very safe.
You can store groups of coins or collections in plastic coin boxes. These boxes are sold by PCGS, NGC, and Whitman. The boxes will hold 20 coins that are “slabbed.” A slab is a coin that is put in a protective case. You can also store coins in cardboard coin storage boxes. These boxes stack easily on top of each other. There are different sizes available for slabs, as well as Vinyl and Cardboard Flips.
Storage of Individual Coins
If you want to keep your coins in good condition, it is important to put them in holders. This is especially important for coins that are in good condition (“BU” or “MS60”) or better. Coins not in as good of condition are considered “circulated.” They can typically be found in pocket change or rolls of coins from a local bank.
Many collectors enjoy trying to find circulated coins. However, more serious Coin Collectors concentrate on finding uncirculated coins in better condition because they have a higher value and look nicer.
Types of Containers or Holders
Almost anything can be used for coins with small or no numismatic value. Coins that are only worth the face value usually don’t have much numismatic value. While nearly airtight holders made of inert materials are a better idea for valuable coins.
- Bags, jars, and boxes are adequate for loose change and circulated coins.
- Some people still use paper envelopes or paper flips to store coins. Make sure you use envelopes made for holding coins; otherwise, your coins may change color over time. Paper flips are less popular with collectors because you can’t see the coin.
- Folders and Albums are sold to protect series and type sets of coins. They offer moderate protection from wear and handling. Still, over time the coins may tone due to reaction with sulfur or other chemicals. They are not a good choice for the long-term storage of high-grade coins because they are still exposed to light, air, chemicals, and human contact. Plastic Flips come in various materials and can leave unwanted marks on the coin if not used properly.
- “Soft” flips used to be made from polyvinyl chloride (PVC). PVC can break down over time and ruin coins. This is no longer the case because flips are now made from Mylar, vinyl, or acetate. While not airtight, these materials are reasonable choices for moderate-value coins that will be left alone for a few years.
- Vinyl pages (8 ½ x 11), which fit into a 3-ring binder, are good for displaying coins. They have a clear view of the coin’s front and back. This is a popular way to show coins to others.
- Mylar-lined cardboard Flips, also called “2x2s” or cardboard flips, are a common way to store coins. They are similar to plastic flips, but they are made of cardboard. A coin is placed between the two halves, then folded and stapled together. The boxes that they come in can be used to store multiple coins.
- Tubes are plastic containers that are designed to hold a lot of coins. They come in different sizes for different types of coins. They are good for storing circulated coins, and they are also good for storing high-quality uncirculated BU+ and MS60+ coins. However, the disadvantage is that you can’t see the coins without taking them out of the tube.
- Hard plastic holders are the best way to protect valuable coins. They are self-sealing and don’t contain any harmful materials that could damage the coins. They also offer protection against scratches, touching and handling, air and chemicals, and other physical damage. They come in different sizes for individual or small sets of coins.
- Slabs are hard plastic holders that keep coins safe. They offer excellent protection from damage and are often used for more valuable coins. However, because they can be expensive to use, they are not suitable for every coin. You will often see a slab with a professionally certified and graded coin inside it. This offers many advantages. When you buy a coin on the Internet or by phone, you know exactly what you are getting. Certified and graded coins from one of the “Top Four” companies give you reliability, assurance, and security. This is a big advantage over scam sellers of raw coins.
Read more: Caring for Your Coin Collection
Frequently Asked Questions About Storage For Coin Collections
You can store your coins in plastic coin boxes. PCGS, NGC, and Whitman all sell these boxes. The box will hold 20 coins, no matter what size they are. Another option is a cardboard coin storage box. These boxes stack easily on top of each other.
If you have a lot of coins and some of them are valuable, you may want to store them in an album. Albums for coins have slide-down plastic or Mylar windows that show both sides of the coin. They are more expensive than folders, but they protect the coins better.
Some materials, like soft PVC and cardboard, contain sulfur and other acidic or oxidizing materials. For expensive coins that can be tarnished, collectors should avoid using these materials to store their coins. This includes cardboard folders, paper or plastic bags, certain plastic tubes, and any other storage container that isn’t chemically inert.
Coin tubes are a great way to store your coins. This is helpful because it keeps them safe from the weather and other things that could damage them. You can also easily get the coins out when you need them. Coin collector tubes have been used by collectors for a long time because they are a very efficient way to store coins.
Feng Shui Coins must be placed near the entrance of a home to capture the positive energy. The coins have a magnetic spiritual capacity to draw the moderately flowing Qui towards itself. This will help keep your family healthy and beautiful.
If you store your coins in paper envelopes or cardboard boxes, the acid in the paper will damage them over time. It’s important to use acid-free paper materials to avoid this. The chemicals from the paper will get into the air around your coins and can make them less valuable.
