Paper is Perfect

For sometime I've been debating on whether or not to radically change my coin storage method. Up until now I have kept my coins in 2x2 cardboard holders stored in coin boxes. There are some drawbacks to this method: not enough room to write information on the holders, staples (enough said), a pain to open and once opened the holders had to be discarded, kind of cheap looking.

Well, after reading all the replies in Sallent's recent storage topic I have totally changed how I store my coins. I decided to use archival paper envelopes (Doug's post had something to do with it) for a few reasons: ease of access to the coins, lots of room to write attribution info, inexpensive, and there is a long tradition of them being used for ancient coin storage. So, out went the cardboard 2x2s after an exhaustive 5 day switch. It was fun but grueling! An added bonus, I can fit more envelopes in the coin boxes than I ever could with the old 2x2s!

I just completed the move tonight and must say I'm very pleased and relieved it's done.

If anyone else uses envelopes and has any neat tips please feel free to post.

 

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I have considered paper many times and might switch at some point.

In addition to the advantages you listed, envelopes can be opened and closed many times without damage. I look at my coins often. Saflips are so brittle that after only a few openings they crack. Large/thick coins tend to crack the flips even if not opened often.

I'd really love to use trays but I'd need a much larger safe.

 

I, also, use the 2 x 2s in trays, but for all of the reasons that Vespasian has said, I find the 2 x 2s 'annoying'. I not only write on the 2 x 2, but I also add a 'printed' 2 x 2 history/reference label to accompany it.
I like that thought of the paper envelopes so much, I have bought myself a quantity and I (too) am going to transfer my 'ancient' collection, (in part to start with), to the paper envelopes and see how I go. My only reservation is that compared to printed labels for the 2 x 2s, my writing may become illegible (even to me) after a while.



I, too, would like to hear from anyone who has tried this and has some constructive advice for us.

 

There are a couple of negatives which have held me back from paper envelopes.

I've purchased many old-collection coins which were in paper envelopes. The coins usually had a fair amount of loose paper fibers on them. This could cause abrasion if the boxes are moved around much or if the coins are riffled often. Sometimes the fibers weren't noticed until after I photographed the coins, leading to wasted time reshooting the images.

Those old-collection coins were in manilla envelopes. Maybe newer archival-quality envelopes wouldn't have that problem?

Secondly, I like to keep any and all old pedigree ephemera. With paper envelopes I'd have to store such items (usually paper) in the envelope. Since those items may not be made of archival paper or ink, it could be a problem.

 

The envelopes I ordered online are by Guardhouse and they come in a variety of colours. I got the white ones and did not notice any paper fibres. I think they are even advertised as 'dust free'.

I wouldn't store anything in the envelope next to the coin unless it is archival paper.

 

This is a problem you might want to consider as the collection grows. If your style requires you to own only 100 perfect coins and sell a coin before you buy a coin, trays are nice but when you have five cases each with ten trays, the appeal diminishes.

I had this trouble with trays. Perhaps it is worse because I had cheap trays but a camel hair brush used before photographing becomes a part of the process. I still recommend a good look with a stereomicroscope before shooting just to see if there is anything you want to remove before shooting. Considering the number of people who believe in waxing coins, the sticky surfaces can pick up dust that does not brush off easily.

 

I thought about saflips too, but for the very reasons you pointed out they are somewhat inconvenient. I'm always afraid of scratching the coins while getting them out of that type of holder.

 

I've been switching from Saflips to paper envelopes, but like TIF, have an issue with how to handle dealers' slips and old collectors' tags. I'm leary of keeping them in the same envelope as the coins, but at the same time I really don't like the idea of a separate storing/filing system for them. The flips were good for that. For the moment, I use envelopes for most coins, but flips for some others (those with tags I'd like to keep, or those I reckon are pretty enough for me to want to see everytie I'm browsing through my boxes without having to open an envelope). It's not ideal... my boxes look a mess.

 

I keep all my dealer tags in separate coin boxes, organised in the same order as the coins. The tag boxes stay at home, the coins go to the safe deposit box.

 

Well I bought 50 paper envelopes and have been putting some of my world coins in them, even my cartwheel pennies.

I have also been using them mainly for my byzantine Trachys since flips/albums is a nono for those.

For the most part I like them but the biggest negative I have right now is sometimes I will grab just 1 envelope and "whoops", coin drops onto the floor. Thankfully its carpet but still, don't like it for that reason but I have no choice for these extra large or oddly shaped coins.

I would love to put all my ancients in them but I have terrible handwriting. I also don't like the idea of my already made tags in with the envelopes due to possible scratching or faster toning. Even though the paper I print on is acid free.

Really there doesn't seem to be at "perfect" coin holder. They all have their good and bad.

So for now I continue to use the Forvm 2x2 flips. One has never broke in half like Saflips do nor do they get abrasions/scuffs on the flips themselves as fast as Saflips.

 

Everyone will find what works best for them. In many ways I like paper, as it was the standard when I started. It does have its disadvantages though. The coin cannot easily be viewed. Possibly the biggest problem (for me) is that heavy coins (sestertii, other bronzes) and even thin sharper coins, will cut through the bottom of the envelope, and the coin will fall out. True, it takes some time and handling before that happens, but it does.

I have said before I am a fan of trays, especially Abafil. I know they are expensive and likely wont be for everyone with a larger collection. But I have the benefit of a small select collection. Many have mentioned they dont like how they cant secure trays. I use a gun safe (which can be cheap: Costco has smaller ones for just a few hundred, the cost of a few coins, and such a safe can store thousands of coins). They can be bolted into concrete flooring (one would have to use a backhoe to get them out). In case there are any potential thieves out there, there is always someone home and I have specific 'protection' to be politically correct. I remember the old days when dealers almost always were packing a pistol to shows. They didnt get robbed often back then, but it is common now (and I dont know any dealer who carries a gun anymore).

 

As a side note: while doing online research into the various methods of coin storage, I came across this surprising method in the pages of The Numismatist from 1910 .




Today, I couldn't imagine anyone 'pasting' something on their coins. What a difference a hundred years makes.

 

Thank god for excel and word

 

I don't paste stuff on my coins, but when I first started my spreadsheet, like Mr. Krausz, I assigned a number to each reign in chronological order (ie., Hadrian was 14, Sabina 14.1 etc). I guess a hundred years doesn't change everything. Amusing article, thanks for sharing .

 

Nothing pasted on mine, but I have one that has a collectors reference number painted on the field.

 

I noticed many coins I get from the UK tend to come in 2x2 plastic envelopes but all but 1 have been the soft plastic.

I really like them & 1 ebay dealer has a listing for them that claims to be pvc/chemical free for long storage but they are over $10 for a pack of 50 & I need about 300.

Not spending $60 on envelope holders, that doesn't count shipping & not knowing if they really are chemical free despite the claim.

But they seem like a OK alternative over paper, at least you can see them and not worry about the flips cracking in half or staple issues.

 

One of the former owners of this Severus Alexander sestertius went one better and stamped the number "7" neatly in the obverse field.

 

LOL, OUCH!

 

...but is it 18 or 81?

At Natural Bridge VA, there is a carved GW on a cliff face from a 1750 visit there by George Washington. What possible good could come of a young vandal who would do that? They are so proud of it they painted a white box around it to make it easier to find.

 

8+1=9