Which coin and currency storage supplies are safe?

Since I seriously started collecting coins and bank notes a few months ago, I have been trying to select storage supplies that provide maximum protection from environment and more importantly don't damage collection themselves by emitting acids and PVC. There are many supplies on the market but it is hard to determine which of them are trully safe for the collection. It seems that the best way to make sure that supplies are safe is to use what expert numismats and museums use. Does anyone know which brand of supplies ( coin flips, currency holders, storage boxes ) are used by Smithsonian for its National Numismatic Collection and by other leading museums? Your help is greatly appreciated.

 

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What your looking for is archival quality holders. Another simple and inexpensive alternative is the safe flip.It looks like the holders that contain PVC but they are less soft(lacking the softener polyvinylchloride) but are very useful and effective. ~ Jim

 

I have 10 american eagle 1oz gold coins enclosed in 1.5 inch pvc pipe with end caps glued on and stored in my safety deposit box, do you think this is unsafe do to the pvc. Thanks for any help

 

Here's something (long) I put together earlier about this:

We buy coins to look at them, and the coin holder through which we look can greatly affect our viewing pleasure. It's common knowledge that there's no such thing as the perfect coin holder, but that's never stopped coin collectors from searching.

Much about coin holders is subjective. My preferences may be different from yours. The information below resulted from talking with coin collectors, coin supply dealers, coin holder wholesalers, and coin holder manufacturers as well as my own experiences in testing out or using each of these holder types.

Your choices in coin holders include but aren't limited to the following, in order of estimated popularity:

2x2s

These holders consist of white cardboard with a clear Mylar pocket to let you view the coin. You can attribute and describe coins on the cardboard with pen or pencil. These holders are called 2x2s because the holder's dimensions measure 2 inches by 2 inches, though most coin holders are this size as well. (In Europe larger and smaller sizes are used more commonly than they are in the U.S.)

One problem with 2x2s is that paper dust from the cardboard can cause spotting over time. Some holders, however, advertise that they're dust free. The staples on the staple-type holders can potentially scratch a coin if you're not careful when removing it or rust and leach chemicals onto coins. The adhesive on self-sealing 2x2s can potentially damage coins over time, and the adhesive can wear out as well, causing the holder to pop open.

2x2s are somewhat chintzy looking, but they're inexpensive, relatively safe, and popular. They're often used by coin dealers because of their low cost and because it's easy to write on them.

Safety flips

With these all-plastic two-part holders, you flip up the part of the holder holding the coin to view the coin's reverse. You can choose flips with one pocket (for the coin) or two pockets (one for the coin and the other for a paper insert on which you can attribute and describe coin, optionally using a computer). Unlike many other holders, safety flips let you view edge of the coin. They're called "safety flips" because they're relatively safe for long-term coin storage.

There are two kinds of safety flips, generic safety flips and Kointain Saflips. Generic safety flips are made from low-plasticizer PVC. They're often mistakenly called non-PVC flips, PVC-free flips, or unplasticized flips despite the fact that they do contain PVC, which is an abbreviation for the plastic with the name polyvinylchloride (or vinyl for short).

Generic safety flips are much safer than ordinary PVC flips for long-term coin storage because of their low levels of plasticizers. It's primarily the plasticizers used to soften the PVC, not the PVC itself, that can damage a coin's surfaces over time.

Generic safety flips aren't perfect. Their hard edges may scratch a coin when you insert or remove it if you're not careful. They may crack with repeated opening and closing, forcing you to replace the holder. They may turn pale color over time, also forcing you to replace them. Generic safety flips shouldn't be used with proof coins because they can outgas small quantities of hydrogen chloride gas (hydrochloric acid), which can cause microscopic pitting, leading to hazing. This outgassing probably occurs more if the holders are exposed to excessive heat, humidity, or sunlight.

There are several different kinds of generic safety flips. The Super Safe brand (sometimes called Madison coin flips since they're made by Frame-A-Coin of Madison, N.J.) are available at many coin shows and through Brent-Krueger Coin Supplies at http://www.brent-krueger.com. They come in sheets -- you tear off the individual flips.

Other generic safety flips are made by International Plastics of Altadena, Calif., and are available from Jake's Marketplace at http://www.jakesmp.net. They're thicker and sturdier than the Super Safe flips (and they consequently make nice mini-coin stands), but they crack more easily and are thus not as practical for large coins.

Still other generic safety flips are made by various manufacturers in China, including those sold by Brooklyn Gallery Coins & Stamps at http://www.brooklyngallery.com.

Generic safety flips are attractive, relatively inexpensive, and popular.

The other main type of safety flip is the Kointain Saflip. These flips are made from Mylar, which is one brand name for the plastic with the name polyethylene terephthalate. Mylar is thought to be somewhat safer over the long term than low-plasticizer vinyl. It's also not as prone to cracking.

One negative of Kointain Saflips are their horizontal striations, which are unsightly and can interfere with viewing of the coin inside. These flips also have sharp corners. Kointain Saflips are more expensive than generic safety flips but can be a good choice for proof coins.

Flips

Flips, also called soft vinyl flips or PVC flips, are commonly used by dealers to sell coins and by grading services when people submit coins to them because they make it easy and safe to insert and remove coins from them and because they're inexpensive. However, regular flips are unsafe for long-term coin storage.

Flips consist of PVC (polyvinylchloride, also known as vinyl), stabilizers (to prolong life), and plasticizers (to soften the plastic). Plasticizers mixed with the PCV can damage coins over time, causing "PVC damage," which looks like green goo. Damage occurs faster when flips are exposed to excessive heat, humidity, or sunlight. Early PVC damage can be removed with acetone. More severe PVC damage can corrode a coin's surfaces, causing permanent damage.

If you buy a coin in a soft vinyl flip, you should remove it and place it in another storage medium. One rule of thumb is that no coin should sit in a soft flip for more than six months.

Air-Tites

Air-Tite holders are the most attractive coin holders next to slabs, and depending on your views about slabs, you may find them more attractive. You can choose various color combinations to best highlight your coins, whether copper, nickel, silver, gold, or other metal.

The Air-Tite system consists of a snap-together acrylic inner holder that fits snugly around the coin; a polyethylene white or black ring that fits around the inner holder; a black-, blue-, burgundy-, red-, or green-colored velour-covered cardboard display card into which fits the holder and ring; and a black polystyrene frame holder with a wood finish and stamped with gold- or silver-colored lettering.

You can optionally use a host of other accessories, including storage boxes, display easels, albums, display boxes, wall frames, and presentation cases.

The Air-Tite system is relatively safe for long-term storage. The size is nonstandard, with the 2-3/4 inch by 2-3/4 inch display cards being larger than the 2 inch by 2 inch size of most other holders. Air-Tites are considerably more expensive than most other holders, but they may be worth it. You can find out more at http://www.airtiteholders.com.

Intercept Shield holders

These relatively new holders are made with a material that's designed to intercept and neutralize sulfur and other contaminants and thus prevent toning. This can be beneficial or not. Many people regard nicely toned silver coins as the ultimate in eye appeal. On the other hand, coins that have toned unattractively just look tarnished or stained, and brown copper coins are generally less attractive and worth less than red ones.

Intercept Shield holders measuring 2 inches by 2 inches are made for different sized coins as well as for coins that are already in slabs. You can also buy different sized Intercept Shield boxes and albums. You can optionally use the Intercept Shield boxes with other 2 inch by 2 inch coin holders.

On the negative side, it can sometimes be difficult to place coins inside the flexible gasket of the Intercept Shield holders. The holders are also relatively expensive. Check out http://www.interceptshield.com/products.html for more information.

CoinEdge holders

Formerly called CoinSafe holders, these all-plastic holders let you view the often neglected third side a coin, the edge. Whether lettered, reeded, or flat, a coin's edge can tell you a lot about a coin, including whether it may be a cast or electrotype counterfeit or whether it was once used in jewelry.

CoinEdge holders are made from Mylar (polyethylene terephthalate) and are safe for long-term storage. They're not the most impressive-looking coin holders but not the least impressive either. You can buy optional accessories, including albums and boxes. To find out more, go to http://www.coinedge.com.

Whitman (or Gallery) holders

These all-plastic holders consist of polystyrene, a relatively safe plastic for coin storage. Made by either Whitman or Gallery, these snap-together holders are an inexpensive way to store you coins. The downside is that coins can slide and bang around inside the holders, potentially causing damage over time.

Whitman or Gallery holders are widely available at coin shows and coin stores and through coin supply dealers.

Eagle holders

Made of polystyrene encasing with Mylar (polyethylene terephthalate) windows, these holders are relatively safe for long-term storage. They're attractive, with the encasing available in white or black. They also come with optional accessories, including attractive display boxes and albums.

On the negative side, it's time consuming to insert coins into these holders. Small coins don't always remain in position within the holder. Large coins can cause the holder to pop open. The company recommends that you glue shut the large holders to keep them from popping open with large coins, though this is stop-gap rather than permanent solution, as there's the possibility that the glue can damage the coin over time. Check out http://www.eaglecoinholders.com for more.

Capital holders

These plastic (Lucite) holders come in two varieties, one that you screw together, one that you snap together. They're similar to Whitman (or Gallery) holders but are both more impressive looking and more expensive.

Inserting and removing coins, however, can be labor intensive. Coins can also slide or bang around inside, potentially causing damage. You can find out more at http://www.capitalplastics.com/coins.

Kointain holders

These holders consist of just a round shell that fits snugly around the coin. They're similar to the Air-Tite inner holders. They're made of non-PVC plastic and are relatively safe for long-term storage. The company advertises that some museums use these holders for coin storage. Kointain holders can be used alone or inside other holders or albums.

Coin World holders

This is a new type of coin holder from Amos Press, the publisher of Coin World, too new to fairly be ranked in terms of popularity. These are slab-like holders, the size of ANACS slabs but easy to open and close, which lets you to insert coins yourself. Coin World holders are made of clear acrylic, the black inserts of inert polyethylene. Both are safe for long-term coin storage.

Like slabs, these make handsome holders. Twenty different size holders are available, which fit most U.S. coins. You can write descriptive information on the supplied coin labels, which like the holders are fairly conspicuously imprinted with the Coin World logo. Also available are Coin World coin cases that hold 25 Coin World or ANACS coin holders.

The above aren't your only options for coin storage. Others include slabs, coin albums, coin folders, paper envelopes, poly bags, coin cabinets, coin cases, coin frames, coin tubes ... and pockets and purses.

 

Great post Reid, I'm going to have to bookmark that one.

 

Great info... What's the consensus on Eagle holders??

I've put all of my non-slabbed Washingtons and Roosevelts in Eagle holders, and I need to get them for my Kennedys as well. They seem to be very good, and while they don't "seal" completely, they're pretty tightly closed. The inserts are a pain in the backside, but they're mylar, so that's good for the long term.

I wish the grading services could standardize on the sizes of the slabs used. It would make putting them into albums a lot easier.

Tks!

Butch

 

Safe Storage

Nice response!
I still have a question-what is Not Safe?
I have been collecting only a short time ( almost a year ) and have a lot of coins in 2x2's now(2000?2500?not quite sure) that I want to seperate,catalog and store for the future.
I do not like the cardboard or plastic storage boxes commonly used and am looking for a smaller,stackable box to keep the 2x2's in.
I see boxes at the local plastic store that are 2-1/8" x 2-1/8" and hold about 20 2x2's,the material is Polypropylene , and that is my question: is this a safe material to put coins already in 2x2 holders into for longer term storage?(2-5-10+ years?)

Any help would be appreciated
-Jim-

 

Polypropylene is safe, from all I've heard. What is not safe is soft PVC.

 

Here is a thread from rec.collecting.coins that addresses Tupperware and Rubbermaid type plastics (actually the recycle codes found on the bottom):

http://tinyurl.com/t9uq


" If you're storing coins in a larger plastic container, check the bottom for these letters inside the recycling symbol, they are all safe: PP, PE, HDPP, HDPE, LDPP, LDPE."

I have my bulk stuff in big Sterilite or some such Rubbermaid type containers and they have a safe 'code' on the bottom and have had zero problems.

One thing to remember, though, is you still have to control humidity (you can get silica gell) and anything else in the environment that might not be safe (exposure to sulfur or other chemicals, etc).

"Rechargeable" Silica Gel that I use for bulk coin storage:
http://www.brent-krueger.com/silica.html

 

I am thinking about using Polypropylene 2X3 bags from ULine and then heat sealing them for an airtight cheep container. The Heat Sealer is over $100, but I found that $59 Vac Sealer works great.
The other thing i like about the Vac (Vac300) is that it will suck out all the air in the bag. The bags them selves cost $65 for 10,000!! Which come to $0.0065 per bag. I believe that the ""bonus" coins (small value) from some major coin houses are sending in Polypropylene. I'd like to know what all of you think about my idea?
Thanks Kurt Schroeder (a.k.a. CyberPunk)
CyberPunk@BKSCoins.com

 

Sounds like it would be safe enough, though perhaps not a very attractive way to store coins? I've heard you can do the heal sealing with safety flips too.

 

Thank's for the reply. I'm intending to us this system for coins with a low price. I have a lot of inventory and the only holders I trust are the snap-air tight's, but they are too high for f-12 - VF Washington quarters

 

Thanks for taking the time to describe all the different methods of individual coin storage.

I have two questions:

1) You use the phrase "relatively safe" when describing several of the storage devices; for example, the Air-Tites. Does this mean you have reservations about them, or is there another device type that is significantly safer ?

2) Does anyone know if the coin tubes that the U.S. Mint ships its Silver Eagles in contain PVC ? I might buy a 20-coin roll of SE as a hedge against rising silver prices, and it would be convenient and compact to leave them in the tube the Mint ships them in, but I don't want to do that if they're going to deteriorate in the Mint's tube.

Thanks !

 

I just meant that nothing is completely safe in terms of preventing toning, except perhaps for the Intercept Shield holders, which are designed to neutralize the chemicals that can cause it.

 

That method would be bad for silver coins, but gold coins are unaffected by the acid byproducts of PVC deterioration. Gold is not a reactive metal, which is one of the qualities which makes it precious. Also, PVC pipe isn't going to break down the way soft PVC sheet does. Your coins are safe in the pipe. They're safer in the bank box than at home if you're worried about burglars, too.

 

GD and Reid: Thank you for your replies. I did a lot of Google-ing on the web trying to find info on the Mint tubes.

I'm glad to see I found the right coin forum !

 

this one been a great help to me!!