Coin Storage

[Boomstick]

Hi all,

I'm new to the coin collecting game and was just wondering if anyone could give me some advice on storage. How good a grade coin is ok to be left in plastic wallets? What needs more specialised storage? Any particular metal types a problem? Apologies if this is all a bit basic - any texts you can point me towarda for further information would also be greatly appriciated.

Thanks in advance, BS

[azda]

Hi all,

I'm new to the coin collecting game and was just wondering if anyone could give me some advice on storage. How good a grade coin is ok to be left in plastic wallets? What needs more specialised storage? Any particular metal types a problem? Apologies if this is all a bit basic - any texts you can point me towarda for further information would also be greatly appriciated.

Thanks in advance, BS

Welcome boomstick. I think firstly you need to know what types of coins you want to collect, Gold, Silver or Bronze, or perhaps a mix of all. Also what grade you would like to collect these in, coin values will differ greatly at the grade you collect and storage will differ to what type of coins you will collect. Some coins come in graded plastic holders and so these have a different box to house those in.

personally i collect pennies mostly, i put those in coin capsules with a foam ring and am looking for a good case to display those in. Attached is a case i'm looking at buying for storing the capsules in. Just one last thing, it might be better to read a few books first on the subject as knowledge is power as they say

Edited November 9, 2010 by azda

[Red Riley]

Hi all,

I'm new to the coin collecting game and was just wondering if anyone could give me some advice on storage. How good a grade coin is ok to be left in plastic wallets? What needs more specialised storage? Any particular metal types a problem? Apologies if this is all a bit basic - any texts you can point me towarda for further information would also be greatly appriciated.

Thanks in advance, BS

Plastic wallets are fine for short term storage but should be avoided for the long term. Basically, they contain a chemical which can leach out onto the coin and produce an unpleasant sludge which is a nuisance to remove. More recently manufactured wallets are better as they are not made of PVC but would you want to take the risk? Broadly speaking the stiffer the wallet, the better it is for the coin but all plastic wallets have the disadvantage that they can cause the coin to sweat and in the case of copper/bronze this provides an ideal environment for verdigris to form. A safer alternative is inert paper which Colin Cooke's sell but of course you have the disadvantage that you have to remove the coin to actually see it.

I don't think there is any perfect system, although I have generally been quite happy with Lindner interlocking drawer sets. I do however worry about the bright red background colour having some effect on my coins. If you really want to go the whole hog, coin cabinets are the most elegant answer but they are very expensive - money which you could more profitably put towards er... coins.

Anyway, that's my opinion, others may have different views.

[Boomstick]

Thank you both for your sage advice. I'm looking at Victorian date runs as my starting point, then seeing how my interests digress. Glad I didn't just started throwing my collection in wallets - will have to do some more research. Any good books you guys can recommend for condition/maintainence? BS

[azda]

Thank you both for your sage advice. I'm looking at Victorian date runs as my starting point, then seeing how my interests digress. Glad I didn't just started throwing my collection in wallets - will have to do some more research. Any good books you guys can recommend for condition/maintainence? BS

2 books i would recommend is Michael Goubys Bronze pennies for dates and rarities, an excellent book, you can order direct from his website, cost is 50 quid but definately worth the money, this is for PENNIES only. The other for general coins spread over many years is the Spink book, but you should wait a month or so before buying as the 2011 edition is due out.

Its always better to read first and perhaps look at various gradings and how those are graded, as i said, a high graded coin doesn't always come cheap, especially bun head victoria pennies and the rarities that come with those bunheads. Maybe take a look also at colin cookes website, they are selling some pennies from one of our members son James workman, there is a link here in the forum under lots of british coins topic i think.

Here is part 2 of the workman sale

http://www.colincooke.com/coinpages/workman_superior_pt2.html

Edited November 9, 2010 by azda

[Accumulator]

Personally I use the Lighthouse product range, although they are not as nice as the large mahogany custom-made cabinets which are available. Koffer coin cabinets take 10 trays and have a carry handle for moving them around. The trays are available with inserts to take virtually any size of coin or coin/circular capsule combination. Also available are square quadrum capsules & trays which look really nice and I use for gold coins. It certainly keeps the collection neat. I keep silica gel sachets in the cabinets (they are supplied with the Koffers) too to keep them as dry as possible.

[1949threepence]

Peter Nichols mahogany coin cabinets are the best IMO. Very expensive to be sure, but probably the best medium of storage in order to avoid damage to your collection.

Peter Nichols website

Why Mahogany coin cabinets?

For the long-term storage and display of coins and medallions mahogany is the historically proven natural material without equal. Its lack of harmful oils or resin make it the timber specified by museums, professional numismatists and decerning collectors. Mahogany cabinets are entrusted to house the most important collections in the numismatic world. As specialist manufacturers I have selected Plantation Grown Honduras mahogany as a species noted for its even grain pattern and consequent stability. From this we have developed a range of cabinets in traditional design to suit the requirements of all collectors.

[Peckris2]

Peter Nichols mahogany coin cabinets are the best IMO. Very expensive to be sure, but probably the best medium of storage in order to avoid damage to your collection.

Peter Nichols website

Why Mahogany coin cabinets?

For the long-term storage and display of coins and medallions mahogany is the historically proven natural material without equal. Its lack of harmful oils or resin make it the timber specified by museums, professional numismatists and decerning collectors. Mahogany cabinets are entrusted to house the most important collections in the numismatic world. As specialist manufacturers I have selected Plantation Grown Honduras mahogany as a species noted for its even grain pattern and consequent stability. From this we have developed a range of cabinets in traditional design to suit the requirements of all collectors.

Do bear in mind that even mahogany CAN cause what is called "cabinet toning". I have two Peter Nichols cabinets, and the smaller one (with punched coin recesses) causes no toning. The larger one with flat felt-lined trays (no recesses) causes some toning on silver.

[1949threepence]

Peter Nichols mahogany coin cabinets are the best IMO. Very expensive to be sure, but probably the best medium of storage in order to avoid damage to your collection.

Peter Nichols website

Why Mahogany coin cabinets?

For the long-term storage and display of coins and medallions mahogany is the historically proven natural material without equal. Its lack of harmful oils or resin make it the timber specified by museums, professional numismatists and decerning collectors. Mahogany cabinets are entrusted to house the most important collections in the numismatic world. As specialist manufacturers I have selected Plantation Grown Honduras mahogany as a species noted for its even grain pattern and consequent stability. From this we have developed a range of cabinets in traditional design to suit the requirements of all collectors.

Do bear in mind that even mahogany CAN cause what is called "cabinet toning". I have two Peter Nichols cabinets, and the smaller one (with punched coin recesses) causes no toning. The larger one with flat felt-lined trays (no recesses) causes some toning on silver.

Which ones are they from the range he provides, Peck ?

[Gary D]

Peter Nichols mahogany coin cabinets are the best IMO. Very expensive to be sure, but probably the best medium of storage in order to avoid damage to your collection.

Peter Nichols website

Why Mahogany coin cabinets?

For the long-term storage and display of coins and medallions mahogany is the historically proven natural material without equal. Its lack of harmful oils or resin make it the timber specified by museums, professional numismatists and decerning collectors. Mahogany cabinets are entrusted to house the most important collections in the numismatic world. As specialist manufacturers I have selected Plantation Grown Honduras mahogany as a species noted for its even grain pattern and consequent stability. From this we have developed a range of cabinets in traditional design to suit the requirements of all collectors.

Do bear in mind that even mahogany CAN cause what is called "cabinet toning". I have two Peter Nichols cabinets, and the smaller one (with punched coin recesses) causes no toning. The larger one with flat felt-lined trays (no recesses) causes some toning on silver.

Which ones are they from the range he provides, Peck ?

I find my Peter Nichols is toning my copper. I have just installed a dehumidifier pack to see if that helps. By the way Peter has just sold his cabinet business.

Gary

[Gary D]

Peter Nichols mahogany coin cabinets are the best IMO. Very expensive to be sure, but probably the best medium of storage in order to avoid damage to your collection.

Peter Nichols website

Why Mahogany coin cabinets?

For the long-term storage and display of coins and medallions mahogany is the historically proven natural material without equal. Its lack of harmful oils or resin make it the timber specified by museums, professional numismatists and decerning collectors. Mahogany cabinets are entrusted to house the most important collections in the numismatic world. As specialist manufacturers I have selected Plantation Grown Honduras mahogany as a species noted for its even grain pattern and consequent stability. From this we have developed a range of cabinets in traditional design to suit the requirements of all collectors.

Do bear in mind that even mahogany CAN cause what is called "cabinet toning". I have two Peter Nichols cabinets, and the smaller one (with punched coin recesses) causes no toning. The larger one with flat felt-lined trays (no recesses) causes some toning on silver.

Which ones are they from the range he provides, Peck ?

I find my Peter Nichols is toning my copper. I have just installed a dehumidifier pack to see if that helps. By the way Peter has just sold his cabinet business.

Gary

I know I shouldn't do this everytime someone mentions coin storage, but hay.

[davidrj]

I know I shouldn't do this everytime someone mentions coin storage, but hay.

Hmm, this is one of those times I need a green smiley for envy

David

[Boomstick]

Wow, you chaps have some serious peices of kit. Not sure any collection I put together will be worthy of such a cabinet for a while (just got married and bought a house!)

[Rob]

I know I shouldn't do this everytime someone mentions coin storage, but hay.

I like the 30 tray size too. A good chunky cabinet that is in no danger of being knocked over or off a surface.

[Gary D]

I had Peter make the stand for it at the same time. I've also installed a steel cable to an eye in the wall just to slow them down, mind you it's about 30kg which would make the average scrote bend at the knees.

Gary

[argentumandcoins]

I had Peter make the stand for it at the same time. I've also installed a steel cable to an eye in the wall just to slow them down, mind you it's about 30kg which would make the average scrote bend at the knees.

Gary

I found the only things that made scrotes bend at the knees were;

A) A kick in bollocks

A punch to the solar plexus

C) Compression of the trachea

D) A red dot on the chest coupled with the word "tazer"

[1949threepence]

I had Peter make the stand for it at the same time. I've also installed a steel cable to an eye in the wall just to slow them down, mind you it's about 30kg which would make the average scrote bend at the knees.

Gary

I found the only things that made scrotes bend at the knees were;

A) A kick in bollocks

A punch to the solar plexus

C) Compression of the trachea

D) A red dot on the chest coupled with the word "tazer"

Tony Martin had the right idea as far as thieving toerags are concerned.

The thought that something I have worked, saved and scraped for over many years, could be taken by low life criminal chavs, really makes my blood boil.

[declanwmagee]

Blimey. Don't we all live in different worlds!

[Accumulator]

Definitely not up to Peter Nichols standard, but this is what I use:

[Accumulator]

Closed:

[Peckris2]

Peter Nichols mahogany coin cabinets are the best IMO. Very expensive to be sure, but probably the best medium of storage in order to avoid damage to your collection.

Peter Nichols website

Why Mahogany coin cabinets?

For the long-term storage and display of coins and medallions mahogany is the historically proven natural material without equal. Its lack of harmful oils or resin make it the timber specified by museums, professional numismatists and decerning collectors. Mahogany cabinets are entrusted to house the most important collections in the numismatic world. As specialist manufacturers I have selected Plantation Grown Honduras mahogany as a species noted for its even grain pattern and consequent stability. From this we have developed a range of cabinets in traditional design to suit the requirements of all collectors.

Do bear in mind that even mahogany CAN cause what is called "cabinet toning". I have two Peter Nichols cabinets, and the smaller one (with punched coin recesses) causes no toning. The larger one with flat felt-lined trays (no recesses) causes some toning on silver.

Which ones are they from the range he provides, Peck ?

Phew, now you're asking. The one I bought new (the smaller one) is about a ten inch? cube and has about 10 or so trays, I can't remember its name. The larger one with the flat-bottomed trays is about a fifteen inch cube, but approx the same number of trays. I got that one second-hand at an auction.

I had Peter make the stand for it at the same time. I've also installed a steel cable to an eye in the wall just to slow them down, mind you it's about 30kg which would make the average scrote bend at the knees.

Gary

I found the only things that made scrotes bend at the knees were;

A) A kick in bollocks

A punch to the solar plexus

C) Compression of the trachea

D) A red dot on the chest coupled with the word "tazer"

Tony Martin had the right idea as far as thieving toerags are concerned.

The thought that something I have worked, saved and scraped for over many years, could be taken by low life criminal chavs, really makes my blood boil.

You and I are about to fall out for the first time, 1949! A violent man who has made previous threats, and then proceeds to kill a boy burglar by shooting him in the back as he was trying to run away, is not my idea of a hero. Don't get me wrong - I do want there to be a householder who tests the law on 'reasonable' levels of violence in protecting their own property, but to me, a low-life like Tony Martin is not that person.

[Boomstick]

Nice cases Accumulator. Are they the Lighthouse ones you mentioned earlier?

[Boomstick]

Ok, found them. Bought Spinks and got a copy of Grading Britsh Coins on order, so hopefully should soon be ready to launch myself into the market armed with the relevant knowledge!

[declanwmagee]

Ok, found them. Bought Spinks and got a copy of Grading Britsh Coins on order, so hopefully should soon be ready to launch myself into the market armed with the relevant knowledge!

Good luck Boomstick! It never stops you know, once you get the bug

[Peckris2]

Ok, found them. Bought Spinks and got a copy of Grading Britsh Coins on order, so hopefully should soon be ready to launch myself into the market armed with the relevant knowledge!

Word up (if you're ok with this?) :

1. Regard Spinks as merely a guide. They overestimate the values of modern coins quite severely, and underestimate others. Treat it as a 'rough and ready' guide and if youre about to take the plunge, do some more research into what your target coins are selling for.

2. A few high grade 'type' coins of Victoria beats low-grade date runs hands down, and will prove a good investment in the long run. It's always good advice to buy the highest grade you can afford, and one EF item will always trounce 5 or 6 F items, unless you're talking major rarities.

Good luck collecting!