Storage tips needed

[Mat]

I have been stockpiling many coins in UNC with near or full mint lustre which are present are worth about £2-£5 and not really worth the while selling them individually at present. The coins consist of things like 1935-6 pennies, GEV half pennies and farthings, GEVI silver and brass threepences, mint Edward VIII British Africa mint pennies etc... basically all mint UNC with lustre that are worth more than peanuts but not quite worth selling individually.

The last two years I have been putting them all in 2x2 inch plastic grip seal pouches (the kind that screws come in when you buy flat packed furniture) and then putting them in ice-cream containers. Then putting the ice-cream containers in Royal Mail silver special delivery bags (as they are strong and FREE from the PO and air tight) I am not sure how this might affect the lustre as it’s not the horrid pvc plastic that we all know usually destroys the lustre.

Would you think the lustre should be ok in their present storage conditions or should I remove all the plastic grip seal pouches and put the coins in a container loose so they have contact with each other to try and preserve the lustre better? Or any other advice? I have been buying the grip seal pouches for £2.99 for 1000. I do not want the expense of buying the acid free paper pouches are they are considerably more expensive unless someone tells me that’s really what I need for this solution.

I intend to store these until the value goes up enough to make individual sales really worthwhile which could be 5-20 years??

Thanks in advance.

Mat

[Peckris]

I have been stockpiling many coins in UNC with near or full mint lustre which are present are worth about £2-£5 and not really worth the while selling them individually at present. The coins consist of things like 1935-6 pennies, GEV half pennies and farthings, GEVI silver and brass threepences, mint Edward VIII British Africa mint pennies etc... basically all mint UNC with lustre that are worth more than peanuts but not quite worth selling individually.

The last two years I have been putting them all in 2x2 inch plastic grip seal pouches (the kind that screws come in when you buy flat packed furniture) and then putting them in ice-cream containers. Then putting the ice-cream containers in Royal Mail silver special delivery bags (as they are strong and FREE from the PO and air tight) I am not sure how this might affect the lustre as it’s not the horrid pvc plastic that we all know usually destroys the lustre.

Would you think the lustre should be ok in their present storage conditions or should I remove all the plastic grip seal pouches and put the coins in a container loose so they have contact with each other to try and preserve the lustre better? Or any other advice? I have been buying the grip seal pouches for £2.99 for 1000. I do not want the expense of buying the acid free paper pouches are they are considerably more expensive unless someone tells me that’s really what I need for this solution.

I intend to store these until the value goes up enough to make individual sales really worthwhile which could be 5-20 years??

Thanks in advance.

Mat

If these are mainly for investment rather than frequent taking out and loving, then acid-free paper envelopes would be ideal (they are sold specially for coins). The first, last and most important thing ever at all times with no exceptions is - KEEP THEM DRY!!! Temperature doesn't matter too much for silver, copper and bronze (and gold), but a dry humidity-free atmosphere is paramount. The second thing is to keep them free from pollutants - PVC, coastal salt in the air, acids, fumes, dyes, fingers etc.

Lustre may fade somewhat over the years but it won't disappear if the coins are stored with care.

[Paulus]

I have been stockpiling many coins in UNC with near or full mint lustre which are present are worth about £2-£5 and not really worth the while selling them individually at present. The coins consist of things like 1935-6 pennies, GEV half pennies and farthings, GEVI silver and brass threepences, mint Edward VIII British Africa mint pennies etc... basically all mint UNC with lustre that are worth more than peanuts but not quite worth selling individually.

The last two years I have been putting them all in 2x2 inch plastic grip seal pouches (the kind that screws come in when you buy flat packed furniture) and then putting them in ice-cream containers. Then putting the ice-cream containers in Royal Mail silver special delivery bags (as they are strong and FREE from the PO and air tight) I am not sure how this might affect the lustre as it’s not the horrid pvc plastic that we all know usually destroys the lustre.

Would you think the lustre should be ok in their present storage conditions or should I remove all the plastic grip seal pouches and put the coins in a container loose so they have contact with each other to try and preserve the lustre better? Or any other advice? I have been buying the grip seal pouches for £2.99 for 1000. I do not want the expense of buying the acid free paper pouches are they are considerably more expensive unless someone tells me that’s really what I need for this solution.

I intend to store these until the value goes up enough to make individual sales really worthwhile which could be 5-20 years??

Thanks in advance.

Mat

If these are mainly for investment rather than frequent taking out and loving, then acid-free paper envelopes would be ideal (they are sold specially for coins). The first, last and most important thing ever at all times with no exceptions is - KEEP THEM DRY!!! Temperature doesn't matter too much for silver, copper and bronze (and gold), but a dry humidity-free atmosphere is paramount. The second thing is to keep them free from pollutants - PVC, coastal salt in the air, acids, fumes, dyes, fingers etc.

Lustre may fade somewhat over the years but it won't disappear if the coins are stored with care.

I use the Lighthouse self-adhesive 2x2 coin holders, are these then less than ideal for top condition coins? If so I had no idea and am a bit shocked (although I am a naive and ignorant relative newbie!)

Paul

[ski]

put the coins in a container loose so they have contact with each other to try and preserve the lustre better?

i think individual storage will be a better option, i like the 2x2 envelopes mentioned by peckris , i then store them in 2x2 coin boxes, can be purchased cheap enough on ebay

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2-coin-storage-boxes-coin-holders-2-x-2-envelope-/390162868770?pt=UK_Coins_Supplies_RL&hash=item5ad784ea22

ski

[Accumulator]

For general storage I use the Lindner acid free envelopes. I bought mine ages ago and still have some left, but am sure they are available through this site. For presentation I use the (ahem....) Lighthouse Quadram (50mm x 50mm) square capsules with black inserts to fit the various coin sizes. These fit in standard 50mm trays. Having spent money on lustred coins I'm a bit fanatical about not losing the lustre so I keep lots of silica gel sachets around the coin cabinet.

[Mat]

Thanks for the tips so far. These coins are to be stored and not to be looked at until they are ready for eventual sale. So, the general consensus summarised:

Keep them free of pollutants

Stored separately so no contact - (Thanks was not sure on this one specifically in regards to lustre preservation)

Dry atmosphere

Use of silica gel

Before I consider a switch to acid free paper pouches, can anyone offer an opinion in regards to lustre preservation in keeping the coins in:

1) Air tight atmosphere – detrimental or not?

2) The pouches I am currently using:

http://www.ebay.co.u...=item43a3ecc159

Cheers

Mat

Edited January 1, 2012 by Mat

[Gollum]

2) The pouches I am currently using:

http://www.ebay.co.u...=item43a3ecc159

Cheers

Mat

Link does not work !.

[ski]

I do not want the expense of buying the acid free paper pouches are they are considerably more expensive

i buy mine from colin cooke coins.........

£3-60 for 100 inc vat......ie 3.6p each

£22-80 for 1000inc vat.....ie 2.2p each

thats not so expensive for someone looking at making a long term investment.

[Mat]

2) The pouches I am currently using:

http://www.ebay.co.u...=item43a3ecc159

Cheers

Mat

Link does not work !.

Ah, sorry here is the item number for one instead: 170724759421

[Gollum]

2) The pouches I am currently using:

http://www.ebay.co.u...=item43a3ecc159

Cheers

Mat

Link does not work !.

Ah, sorry here is the item number for one instead: 170724759421

I don't know what the others will say because I am new to this but I wouldn't put my coins in those or anything like them, I don't trust such things made of plastic after hearing horror stories about them, I use paper wallets.

[ski]

I don't know what the others will say because I am new to this but I wouldn't put my coins in those or anything like them, I don't trust such things made of plastic after hearing horror stories about them, I use paper wallets.

im with you gollum