Storing coins

[Guest Jimmy]

Hi folks

As a new collecter can I ask what is the best way to store coins. I like the idea of albums as they are not expensive and readily viewed. Are they OK to protect coins or are certain materials for pages not suitable?

Any help gratefully received.

James

[£400 for a Penny ? 0]

Hi James and welcome.

How to store your coins is a personal preference and every collector probably does it differently.

Albums are ok as long as the pages aren't PVC.

Why don't you have a look at the Lindner coin trays ? I'm sure Chris can help you with these. There are some wonderful old coin cabinets around as well, or you could use acid free paper envelopes. Some of us use third party grading services which involve the coin being sealed into a 'slab'

There are many different ways to skin this particular cat.

What are you collecting ?

[Guest Jimmy]

Hi James and welcome.

How to store your coins is a personal preference and every collector probably does it differently.

Albums are ok as long as the pages aren't PVC.

Why don't you have a look at the Lindner coin trays ? I'm sure Chris can help you with these. There are some wonderful old coin cabinets around as well, or you could use acid free paper envelopes. Some of us use third party grading services which involve the coin being sealed into a 'slab'

There are many different ways to skin this particular cat.

What are you collecting ?

Thanks for that.

My favourite are crowns. I used to have quite a collection years ago but the minute I left my ex-wife she flooged them all before I could get back to pick them up! If any of you bought a nice collection of crowns and a UNC double florin for a song please don't tell me!

I'm guessing a lot of people collect crowns as a popular choice.

I have seen albums on the website and will make sure they are not PVC pages!

Regards

James

[£400 for a Penny ? 0]

Ah, ex-wives.

I forgot to mention the Lighthouse capsules. These are hard 'plastic' capsules that you might want to have a look at.

I've furiously dived into 'the drawer' and come up with a packet.

My time with these is past, but if you want them to experiment, pm me with your address and you can have them gratis.

[Peter 615]

If you like albums you can get sheets which house 2x2 coin flips.

I also like the aluminium coin case which can hold 6 trays....good value and can be bought from this site.

& welcome to the forum

[Red Riley 2]

Ah, ex-wives.

I forgot to mention the Lighthouse capsules. These are hard 'plastic' capsules that you might want to have a look at.

I've furiously dived into 'the drawer' and come up with a packet.

My time with these is past, but if you want them to experiment, pm me with your address and you can have them gratis.

Hi Jimmy, welcome to the forum.

Personally I use the Lindner sets, although some of mine are looking a bit dog-eared now. Squeezing coins out of sticky plastic envelopes never ranked terribly highly on my list of tactile experiences, so I abandoned that method a good many years ago. I guess it really comes down to your budget, with coin albums being at the lower end and coin cabinets at the upper. Lindner sets, for me, are a happy compromise.

[Guest Jimmy]

Many thanks for the advice and the welcome you have given to me.

I'm sure I will enjoy this forum.

James

[Peckris 579]

Many thanks for the advice and the welcome you have given to me.

I'm sure I will enjoy this forum.

James

Crowns are fine in albums - just make sure you check them a couple of times a year to make sure the plastic hasn't started to 'sweat' (keep them in a dry salt-free environment is the secret)

Albums are less good for copper - that and bronze needs very careful storage.

[Chris Perkins 224]

Most modern albums are Polypropylene which is ok for long term storage of all coins as long as they are kept in a stable, dry environment. PP is relatively new though so the coins should still be checked regularly in case the PP starts breaking down after 25 years!

[Gary D 76]

Most modern albums are Polypropylene which is ok for long term storage of all coins as long as they are kept in a stable, dry environment. PP is relatively new though so the coins should still be checked regularly in case the PP starts breaking down after 25 years!

I keep my collection in a mahogany cabinet and the copper is starting to tone. I have considdered keeping the inside of the cabinet dehumidified, is this a good idea and what is the ideal humidity for storing coins.

Gary

[VickySilver 806]

That would not just be humidity as with the mahogony there would likely be organics being emitted by the wood that may contain sulfa compounds or groups.Humidity and heat would be accelerants to the reactions at coin surfaces. I think this is a real issue for wood cabinet storage.

This reminds me that even with inert storage containers that the coin holders themselves can be a source of problem for the same reason, and I am thiinking of the common cardboard sandwiched 2x2s which are not unreactive.

[Gary D 76]

That would not just be humidity as with the mahogony there would likely be organics being emitted by the wood that may contain sulfa compounds or groups.Humidity and heat would be accelerants to the reactions at coin surfaces. I think this is a real issue for wood cabinet storage.

This reminds me that even with inert storage containers that the coin holders themselves can be a source of problem for the same reason, and I am thiinking of the common cardboard sandwiched 2x2s which are not unreactive.

The reason Mahogany is the wood of choice for coin cabinets is because it is supposed to not effect the coin contain within.

[Peckris 579]

That would not just be humidity as with the mahogony there would likely be organics being emitted by the wood that may contain sulfa compounds or groups.Humidity and heat would be accelerants to the reactions at coin surfaces. I think this is a real issue for wood cabinet storage.

This reminds me that even with inert storage containers that the coin holders themselves can be a source of problem for the same reason, and I am thiinking of the common cardboard sandwiched 2x2s which are not unreactive.

The reason Mahogany is the wood of choice for coin cabinets is because it is supposed to not effect the coin contain within.

You're right Gary - but I've noticed a similar effect. I have two mahogany cabinets - one with trays that have punched holes for each coin, where there is no toning, and one without punched holes, just open trays, and here there is toning to some coins. For bronze and copper, it may just be a thin film over the coin, which is gently removable with a micro-fibre cloth. With silver, it is what is generally referred to as "cabinet toning", but really that's not a problem either as this is usually attractive and in no way detracts from the value of the coin.

But, the storage conditions should be dry as possible, with even humidity.

[VickySilver 806]

This will not give off the amount of oxidants that pine will but still will, and your experience along with that just given by Peckris unsuprisingly support that. Wood = problems unless you have a well patinated coin.