Coin Collecting - How To Store Coins
There is a kind of Hippocratic Oath implicitly understood among coin collectors: First, above
all, do no harm. Strictures on cleaning coins are well-known in collecting
circles, even though there's continued debate about how and when.
Despite that, there's general agreement on how to store coins, with there being many different types of COIN HOLDERS available.
To avoid the damaging effects of exposure and oxidation, finger oil, scrapes and scratches, etc,
coins should, at a minimum, be stored in Mylar plastic containers, one coin
per compartment. These types of coin storage containers are available in a variety of styles.
Inexpensive, Mylar-lined coin holders can be purchased. The holders have a small, round cut-out for placing the coin so it can be held up and seen from either side. They come in several different forms, but the most common are sometimes called two-by-two's. They are often 2 inches by 2 inches, and are often stored in coin storage boxes.
Some holders are poly
sheets that will hold several coins, but each in its own separate area. Others are small, individual
sleeves that will hold one coin each. Several styles have holes punched
in the edge so that coins can be stored in a binder, but these are not
ideal. Coins should be displayed.
Cabinets, ranging from small, glass and wood cigar-box style holders to
large, floor-standing Chippendale types, can be bought to hold and show
off your collection. The more expensive types are nearly air-tight and
some even have archival-style dehumidifiers.
Aged mahogany or rosewood both make excellent wooden cabinets. You
should avoid any wooden cabinet, such as oak, that emits organic
compounds into the interior. Many types of tree, long after being
chopped down and even when not coated with varnish, will produce
volatile, organic compounds. Some of those compounds are harmful to
coins.
Many collectors, for that reason, will recommend a metal cabinet
instead. Several styles exist, some with a coating that helps to
prevent scratching and oxidation. Plastic or polystyrene containers are
also available, though they rarely display as nicely.
Whichever style of cabinet you get, apart from those with in-built dehumidifiers,
it's helpful to have a supply of silica gel packages or other
desiccant. They absorb moisture that contributes greatly to oxidation.
Some collectors will coat the coins with vegetable oil or wax before
storing, but these practices are controversial. Oil can attract
contaminants and wax may give a false sense of security, since it can
easily wear off or dull the view.
Beyond what to do or use, there are several things to avoid.
While avoiding exposure to air is good, it's not true that any kind of
packaging is better than none. PVC (polyvinyl chloride) sleeves are
generally not recommended. They can cause the coin's surface to become
coated with a greenish sludge that is harmful and difficult to remove
cleanly.
Though displaying coins is preferable, storing them away is sometimes
necessary. Paper envelopes can be used for this, but avoid standard
office supplies. Get envelopes specifically made for coin storage. The
sulfuric acid in ordinary paper can damage coins, especially ones
containing copper.
Another popular option for many coin collectors is the use of coin albums. These are generally small folders with cutouts to hold the coins. They work well for storing and displaying collections of specific coins, such as the Indian Head Nickel or the Roosevelt Dime.
Never store collectible coins in any kind of bulk container, such as
penny rolls, plastic tubes, etc. That leads to scratching and denting
and doesn't keep out harmful air.
Specially-made sealed containers that hold a collectible are best,
though they add to the up-front cost of the coin. In the long-run,
however, they will keep your coins in good condition for long term
storage and display.
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