Currency Sleeves and holders - the good and the bad

I have looked through a TON of threads via the search function here on CT on currency sleeves/holders. Here are some of the ones i have found. Maybe with a discussion on all these types in one place - future searchers might find this thread and have a few questions answered - and possibly a few more created

types of currency holders:
Mylar and Mylar-D
Vinyl
PVC
Plastic
paper Envelopes
Acetate


-Mylar and Mylar-D i think are the most popular and are considered the mast reliable for Archive quality when storing currency. the chemical name of Mylar is 'Polyethylene terephthalate' or PET. One thing i found was that Mylar-D was the only version of Mylar that WAS archive safe. Regular Mylar might or might not be. Here is a pretty good link on Mylar explaining the differences.

-Vinyl i am unsure about. Is it as safe as Mylar and Myalr-D for storing currency? Is it also considered Archive quality? Or is it very bad because of the chemicals that make up vinyl? One site i found said this about Vinyl - "Vinyl pages are made from polyvinyl chloride (PVC) which decomposes over a long period of time"

-I know using PVC for coins is not the best, but is PVC for currency safe? i see alot advertised PVC currency holders where all the 'bad' stuff was removed. Can these claims be trusted? From what is said about using Vinyl, is there a PVC that is safe?

-Plain plastic i would not think is good as it has added chemicals. Can a plain plastic holder be made that is safe?

-I read on one thread, that paper envelopes contain acids, and these acids can leech into the currency in the envelope unless the note is contained in a platic-type sleeve. Is this true? And if the note is in a sleeve, can the vapors given off by the acids in the paper envelope still be damaging to the notes.

- Acetate has been around a long time, from what i have heard. I dont know if it is true, but i was told it was Archive safe, but turned yellow and brittle after long periods of time.

Are there any 'other' types of currency holders that are safe and reliable? Also, are there other types of sleeves/holders that are not good for storing notes?

Now that there is a compiled list started with different ways to store notes, and a brief explanation of each (good and bad) Lets talk about how to tell the differance. I have several different types of holders in my collection. I can tell the differance because some of clear, some have a whitish tint, some have a light blueish tint. Alot of the holders also have different openings, some have a slight lip that helps to open the holder to inset the note. Some have both sides cut equaly at the same level. Some of my holders have one side thicker then the other, giving the holder more rigidity.

Is there a way to tell the chemical compisition of the holders if they do NOT display a brand name on the edge? I have had alot of my own holders for decades. So i know they might have been made with PVC or straight plastic.


Hopefully a discussion can be generated that will help other collectors (myself included) discover the best ways to store their valuable currency for years of worry free storage

thanks to everyone

 

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Daggarjon, I think this is an excellent topic for discussion and it has potential to become a sticky at the top of the forum.

 

There is such variations in the holders we entrust to keep our notes safe. I think its best to try to learn about them as well. I am by far a currency expert, and yet i know even less about the methods to 'safely' store my notes. A little education never hurt anyone right?

For example. In a thread a while back, Capital Holders was brought up as a means to keep more expensive notes safe. A good point was brought up about the holders possible flattening any embossing that might be present on the note. I had never even thought of that, so it was a good point IMHO. But a more suitable holder has of yet not been brought up, at least not to my attention.

Sites who sell holders might claim their holders are rigid, but i have found that even that claim is subjective. I would love to see the thickness of the holder listed on the site just as the size of the holder usually is. when the usual range of thickness in currency holders seem to range from 3mil for super thin, to 5mil for what i think might be standard, to from what i have seen as a high of 15mil, it is hard to choose the right holder without having to 'guess' at what size you really want. I am sure there might be thicker holders out there, not taking into account holders like the Capital plastics currency holders, i just havent come across any listed as such (yet). And that doesnt even touch upon how to tell the different chemiclly made holders apart from other types.

 

does safgard work i am looking to buy 500 count for my curreency collection dvis eis appreciated . thanks.

 

Well, yes they do work in that they are archive quality. But the ones i purchased i think are only 5mil. I found some Laminating sheets ihave that are 3mil each side, and the safeguard holders i bought are thinner. The thinner the holder, the more easily it is to bend the holder, possibly damaging a Gem Choice note. a 3 or 5mil holder might also be punctured with a pen accidentally. I found a site that manufactures there own sleeves, but they only offer a very thin 3mil sleeve. I emailed them moments ago asking if they carried a 10 or 15 mil sleeve or something that had some rigidity. The 100 i purchased i will be either posting on the open forum here, or possible Ebay.

 

I found a site that sells Mylar currency holders in a rigid format. The holders are 10mil on the back, and 5mil on the front, giving you an archive safe holder that wont easily bend! the site Is Here The have 2 types, the first type is 2x5mil for a total of 10mil called Standard, and then a heavy duty type that is 10milx5mil for a total of 15mil. The price is pretty decent when compared to alot of the super thin holders, alot of which cost more.

Also one point that i found during tonights research - the site has this to say about PVC- "Don't be fooled with phrases from PVC holder manufacturers like - free of chemical softeners and stearates. All holders made of PVC - even those that are softener free are not acceptable for storing valuable collectibles." I do not know if this is a claim to make the item he is selling more apealing or not. But i wouldnt think he would need to make up a claim since Mylar is already widely accepted as the best way to store cureency and other paper items.

 

thanks for the website. are these better than safgard? i am just concerned that its one guy screamingon his website and if there are quality problems few months or year slater it will be too late to repent? are you planning to buy from him?

 

I am planning on buying the heavey duty sleeves, yes. Please, do not take the info i am providing as a promotional advertisment for any sites. It just took me so darn long to find the differances between the different holders, and then find the quality of the type i wanted - i just thought others may have the same issue.

The Heavy Duty sleeves i will be getting are only better in MY eyes, because they are thicker, and 'may' privide an extra level of protection. It is only personal prefferance. Both the Safgard sleeves, and the heavy duty sleeves posted about above are made of Mylar. So in that sense, neither is better then the other.

I certainly understand your concerns!!! I have the same ones, and it is what prompted me to figure out what was better

Good luck

 

Daggarjon, I just wanted to thank you for posting your research. I've been to that website before and didn't realize he had such good prices on currency holders. He also has a wholesale pricelist for "dealers". I'm not sure what qualifies as a dealer, but it may be worth inquiring into if you buy a large enough quantity.

On a side note, their shipping address is literally down the road from me. I wonder if I placed a large enough order, they would let me pick it up to save on shipping (they don't have a storefront).

 

I was just recently been givien some info and a link (thanks ReickieB ) abotu acid in paper products. The link, Here will explain ALOT about acid in paper. With the reasons behind that link, i see nothing leading me to think that the inexpensive envelopes used for a variety of todays uses, would NOT contain acid. Therefore, i believe it is VERY safe to believe (in general), that the use of envelopes to store paper based collectibles is very, very bad.

This is not to say all envelopes are bad, more expensive envelopes could be acid free - but they MUST state this on the packaging, otherwise, they should be cinsidered to contain acid.

After clarifying this last night, i went out and bought 4 $12 lock boxes. These lock boxes will each hold a seperate denomination (mostly, i do not have alot of higher denoms lol), and all my current notes that are held in paper envelopes that i am sure must contain acid, will be moved out of the envelopes into these boxes. One note, alot of my notes (and very soon the rest) are also in mylar sleeves. I do not know if the acid in the envelopes can only be exchanged from direct contact, or if the acid can leech out and into my mylar sleeves if held in the envelope - i, for one, will not take that chance.

I hope this info is helpful to others it has certainly shed some light on the subject for me!!!

 

Just a note of importance on the link is this post!!!

The site talks about its holders being Myalr (or Mylar equivalent) and then lists the holders they have and the sizes. I just noticed this today: Further downthe page, there is a part that talks about the ACETATE holders, and then gives a spot to order?!?!? I sent en email asking if his holders were in fact Mylar (equivalent) or Acetate. I will re-post once i hear back.

I know nothing about Acetate or if it is safe for storing currency and other paper valuables. anyone with information on this, please post with any refferance links!

thanks!

 

I receved my currency pages today. I ordered a box of 100 4 pocket pages. The bad news - i ordered these prior to my research into all the different types. And they are Vinyl

One question i have - and i hope someone would be able to fill me in - we know PVC is bad. PVC is what is reffered to as Vinyl. Polyvinyl chloride is PVC. So i have to ask, how does PVC react with the coins and/or currency inside? Does it leech chemicals that then react with the collectible inside? or does it leech vapors that in turn react with the item inside? I ask becuase if it ONLY leeches a chemical, a Mylar sleeve can suround the note and keep it safe from the Vinyl page. If it is a vapor, no amount of protection would be suitable.

as i can see from the number of responses thus far, i am meerly using cointalk to talk to myself, and it keeps my notes handy for me

anyone have any information to share?

 

daggarjon all paper contains acid without exception there is no paper anywhere inthewworld that does not containa cid during th emfg process althoguh the good ones take the acid out a spart of the process so you get a stable product if one is looking for envelopes to store currency then you should get intercept shield. as far as your pvc question goes whether is liquid film or vapors it doesnt matter coz it will seep in eat the loss but for heavens sake dont knowingly put your coin/currency in pvc also a lot of times threads get burried under other threads so if you dont hear anything keep talkign to yourslef and eventually i will see it and jump in

 

Daggarjon,

for me at least, the fact is, that everything I think I know, is second hand, verbal information. I can't be sure if it is anything more than opinion. I personally have not seen anything one way or the other that proves/disproves the efficacy of vinyl pages that are NOT in contact with the notes.

Sure, I've used vinyl pages for years and haven't had a problem, but so did some people who used PVC holders for their coins. Just because my neighbor wins the lottery, doesn't mean I will.

Personally, I appreciate you posting your research because I never realized that there was a difference between Mylar and Mylar-D.

 

Daggarjon,

An excellent thread and one I have not looked into real closely.

I generally get my holders from 2 favorite coin dealers that do carry "safe" holders but never looked beyond that.

One of my online dealers sells holders so I just checked and his are Mylar-D. That could tell me a lot.

Thanks for the thread.

clembo

 

Ok, so here is an update. I emailed the site master over at This link about the mention of Acetate near the center of the page, where at the top it says the sleeves are all similar to Myalr. This is his response:

"Holy smokes.... I have to slightly chuckle. We have been online for 10 years now (in business for some 40+ years), there has been some product changes and updates over the years... but this is a edit that has been over looked.

At one time all currency holders like this were made of Acetate...and well that page once held a series of this type material currency holders, a material safe and well suited for currency... but one that turns brittle and yellow over the decades ....

The page now sells the Supersafe Mylar sleeves that are the polyester Mylar called Prolar.

Thanks for the link and additional details!
Michael "

So basicaly, the sleeves ARE made from a Mylar type material. Its basically Mylar, but since Mylar is a registered trademark of Dupont, this Prolar is from a competing company.

 

I must admit, after re-reading alot of the posts in this thread - i still get confused One thing i will need to clarify with the above site (hope he doesnt mind a reply lol) is that if the SuperSafe sleeves he is selling are compatible with Mylar, Mylar (Archive quality) or Mylar-D (always Archive quality).

to me at least, it can get confusing when not all mylar is archive quality, but all Mylar-D is. So for my own peace of mind, if it isnt Mylar-D, i might not buy them.

One other thign i have not been able to find ANY information on - how to tell the different materials apart. If i have a PVC, an Acetate, and a Mylar sleeve next to each other - how can i tell which is which. I cannot be the only one who is unsure what type of sleeve i bought 15 years ago. Do i throw out all the sleeves i am unsure of, and from this point on, mark all my Mylar sleeves as such? Do i leave the notes in my uncertain sleeves, and hope, pray and pay the reaper they do not harm my notes?

at least to this point, in my mind, the is NO question as to the type of sleeve to get, and at least for me a place to get them now to find Mylar (archive quality) rigid, 4-pocket pages - i know, i know .. i am picky

 

There is nothing wrong with being picky. Afterall, if anything happens to your notes, nobody is going to reimburse you. Personally, I can't believe how ignorant I was about the sleeves when I was a kid.

 

Iam not sure what type of plastic holders PCGS and PMG use Mylar?
But i would think they would be safe for long term storage.

 

yes, they use Myalr or similar - but take a look at the top edge of the holder (under the sticker) ... how safe is a slabbed note that isnt sealed on all sides?