Storage of Coins - Advice

[Stockportjohn]

Only started collecting coins at the back end of 2012 and was after a little advice from the people in the know.

What is the best way of storing your coin collection?

I am currently using the Quadrum square coin capsules with the lighthouse trays.

I only registered as a member today and would like to thank everybody in advance.

Regards

John

[Coinery]

Hi John, and welcome!

You've probably realised already how diverse the storage options are! There are many here who use cabinets and capsules, I can only speak for myself! I really like the 2x2 adhesive flips, with the clear windows, and I keep these in little wallets, 6 per page. It really suits me for that quick flick through, which I do far FAR too often, I like the ease of viewing both sides!

All that remains is to keep them in a dry atmosphere, avoiding large temperature changes (which is my greatest difficulty at the moment)!

I'm sure there's more to come from other members but, in the mean time, there are loads of threads on here that have looked at storage...well worth a surf around!

Enjoy, enjoy, and welcome, once again!

[TomGoodheart]

Hi John. To be honest, it doesn't matter how you store coins so long as they are not going to be physically damaged from other coins (so a jam jar is not ideal!), they are dry and not exposed to noxious chemicals (some of the older pvc plastic envelopes can degrade, but modern ones should be safe). These steps ensure, as far as is possible, the coin will not change too much in appearance from when you get it.

Capsules are quite popular as they allow you to look at the coin without touching it. But some people use acid-free paper envelopes as an alternative.

I and some others here use traditional coin cabinets. They are made from seasoned wood (usually mahogany) and the coins are stored in recesses in trays. Which if you have any coins old enough to have belonged to a collector who wrote details about the coin on a 'ticket' (small paper disk) is nice, as the ticket fits under the felt cushion in the same recess as the relevant coin.

Here are some of mine in their tray:

You will see they they are toned (or as Americans sometimes say 'tarnished'!) so I'm not too worried about picking them up to inspect them. Perhaps if I collected modern coins, particularly proofs, or BU copper or bronze, I might be more inclined to use capsules ...

Oh, and welcome to Predecimal! What sort of coins do you collect?

Edited April 1, 2013 by TomGoodheart

[Stockportjohn]

Hi John. To be honest, it doesn't matter how you store coins so long as they are not going to be physically damaged from other coins (so a jam jar is not ideal!), they are dry and not exposed to noxious chemicals (some of the older pvc plastic envelopes can degrade, but modern ones should be safe). These steps ensure, as far as is possible, the coin will not change too much in appearance from when you get it.

Capsules are quite popular as they allow you to look at the coin without touching it. But some people use acid-free paper envelopes as an alternative.

I and some others here use traditional coin cabinets. They are made from seasoned wood (usually mahogany) and the coins are stored in recesses in trays. Which if you have any coins old enough to have belonged to a collector who wrote details about the coin on a 'ticket' (small paper disk) is nice, as the ticket fits under the felt cushion in the same recess as the relevant coin.

Here are some of mine in their tray:

You will see they they are toned (or as Americans sometimes say 'tarnished'!) so I'm not too worried about picking them up to inspect them. Perhaps if I collected modern coins, particularly proofs, or BU copper or bronze, I might be more inclined to use capsules ...

Oh, and welcome to Predecimal! What sort of coins do you collect?

Thanks Tom for the advice.

I have started collecting Half Crowns as i found one last year when i started metal detecting and they really interest me for some reason.

I have been reading a lot of the posts today and must say this forum seems excellent as there seems to be a wealth of knowledge.

Regards

John

[Nick]

Only started collecting coins at the back end of 2012 and was after a little advice from the people in the know.

What is the best way of storing your coin collection?

I am currently using the Quadrum square coin capsules with the lighthouse trays.

I only registered as a member today and would like to thank everybody in advance.

Regards

John

Hello John and welcome. Any type of capsule will I'm sure be adequate to protect the current condition of your coins. I have used capsules for a number of years and haven't seen any degradation.

[Stockportjohn]

Only started collecting coins at the back end of 2012 and was after a little advice from the people in the know.

What is the best way of storing your coin collection?

I am currently using the Quadrum square coin capsules with the lighthouse trays.

I only registered as a member today and would like to thank everybody in advance.

Regards

John

Hello John and welcome. Any type of capsule will I'm sure be adequate to protect the current condition of your coins. I have used capsules for a number of years and haven't seen any degradation.

Thanks Nick

[Prax]

Hi John, and welcome!

You've probably realised already how diverse the storage options are! There are many here who use cabinets and capsules, I can only speak for myself! I really like the 2x2 adhesive flips, with the clear windows, and I keep these in little wallets, 6 per page. It really suits me for that quick flick through, which I do far FAR too often, I like the ease of viewing both sides!

All that remains is to keep them in a dry atmosphere, avoiding large temperature changes (which is my greatest difficulty at the moment)!

I'm sure there's more to come from other members but, in the mean time, there are loads of threads on here that have looked at storage...well worth a surf around!

Enjoy, enjoy, and welcome, once again!

I have a similar problem with temperature changes. My house in winter is like a sauna and does not really help by buns. I have tried various options on storing my coins long term but few have helped. The option that I find worked best for me is wrapping the coin in fine paper (thin translucent trace paper – the sort that JD Sports use to cover sneakers) and putting them in airtight plastic capsules.

I have seen that some collectors use a transparent plastic flip to house the coin, which is then held inside a pvc coin flip. Most of Freeman’s coins which we see in auction houses seem to be protected this way. I have also seen the same transparent plastic flips protecting the coins with some 1950 and 1951 proofsets. Arguably the sets which contain this protection mechanism seem to house better coins with very little toning or scratches.

Is anyone aware of any better mechanisms to protect bronze please? I want to photograph the coin once and leave it in a locker for dog’s years. The only thing is I don’t want to see is green clomps around the coin when the time is due. Also if anyone knows where I can find these plastic sleeves I would be very grateful. I have already purchased acid free coin flips to act as the outer layer. Thanks in advance.

Prax

[jaggy]

I live in Arizona where the air tends to be very dry. And, as our house is built into the side of a hill, where the coins are stored tend to remain a pretty constant - and not too high - temperature. This is how I store them:

[Prax]

I live in Arizona where the air tends to be very dry. And, as our house is built into the side of a hill, where the coins are stored tend to remain a pretty constant - and not too high - temperature. This is how I store them:

Really neat

[Johnshan]

Hi you may already be aware that I am new to collecting coins and I'm looking for some advice/help. I have a double florin which I was examining today and i can see evidence (under high magnification) what looks like a type of fungal growth. The coin has a beautiful colour/ toning, (in my opinion), but is being spoilt by these unpleasant marks. I am storing the coin in a coin cabinet draw but not under any other protective cover. Is there anything that I can do to remove this growth and to halt any more from developing? I would like to maintain the current coins patina if possible.
See pics

Thanks in advance John

[Rob]

Do you mean the red blob on her forehead? Are the coins stored on felt? Is the red 'fungus' actually felt fibres?

[Paulus]

Do you mean the red blob on her forehead? Are the coins stored on felt? Is the red 'fungus' actually felt fibres?

That was my thought too, take it out and examine it in hand, I suspect all may be ok

[Coinery]

If it's the green, acetone on a cotton bud would probably ease that away?

[Peter]

Or a tiny bit of goddards silver dip.

[Coinery]

Or a tiny bit of goddards silver dip.

At risk of putting a silver moon in that dark night, though?

[Paulus]

Or a tiny bit of goddards silver dip.

At risk of putting a silver moon in that dark night, though?

Leave well alone until you have sussed what the reds and greens may be, tis a nice coin

[Peter]

I live in Arizona where the air tends to be very dry. And, as our house is built into the side of a hill, where the coins are stored tend to remain a pretty constant - and not too high - temperature. This is how I store them:

I have 5 of those trays ,a mahogany cabinet,2 aluminium cases with 6 trays in each,4 large albums,4 Numis small albums,3 x coin boxes for 2x2 flips,2x separate trays,a banknote album,a cheque album and 2 separate trays with my daughters coins (they don't take so much interest now)

I'm not at all a coin greedy.

[Johnshan]

Do you mean the red blob on her forehead? Are the coins stored on felt? Is the red 'fungus' actually felt fibres?

That was my thought too, take it out and examine it in hand, I suspect all may be ok

Thanks all but its not the red blob. don't know what that is its only on the picture not on the coin. Its the beige almost creeping substance!!

I`m posting these pics as well, maybe these show what in more detail the creerper,

Anyway thanks for all your help.

Cheers.

[Johnshan]

By the way the coin is stored in a wooden cabinet on silk!

[Coinery]

I can't open the images as I'm out at the moment with a poor connection. However, for further clarification, when you say creeping, do you mean in a malign way? I mean, have you watched these develop? If not, it's likely the result of old, old, grease on the coin, which has protected the surfaces from taking a tone? That's my first guess, at least?

[Rob]

Lunch?

[Coinery]

Lunch?

At the pub on the longest village green in England! A fabulous place, surrounded by tudor properties...so lucky to be a scamp within walking distance of this lovely location!

Edit: disclaimer...none of my coins are stored at my registered address!

Edited December 12, 2014 by Coinery

[Johnshan]

I can't open the images as I'm out at the moment with a poor connection. However, for further clarification, when you say creeping, do you mean in a malign way? I mean, have you watched these develop? If not, it's likely the result of old, old, grease on the coin, which has protected the surfaces from taking a tone? That's my first guess, at least?

No I've only just noticed them whilst studying my enlarged photos. The old old grease theory of yours sounds plausible but its the fibrous threads that make it appear like its growing but I think very slowly.

Thanks