Will Wittman Folders Hurt Coins?

Well, I have some Wittmans laying around. I think that I'm going to have my nicer sets of Roosevelts in a book that offers better protection. I will probably use the Wittman folders for just pocket change that I find just to see if I can fill a complete set from change. Just out of curiousity.

for a cheap circulated set, theres nothing wrong with using a whitman folder. for the price of an album, you can replace the folder about 10 times. unfortunately you cant see both sides

These are the Whitman Classic Albums, not the folders. IMHO, they are probably as good as the Dansco. I have heard people say they do not hold up as well as the Dansco, but I cannot speak from personal experience since I have only ever used the Dansco.

When it comes to toning I agree that the Whitman folders do some nasty things.

I'll also agree that the problem with folders is that they only let you see one side of the coin.

I don't think they've been around long enough yet, BUT, I suspect that the Harris folders won't have the same effect as the Whitman ones. Harris Folders also have a reverse spot.

If you want natural toning that looks good, I've always been impressed with collections that I've seen come out of the old "Library of Coins" albums. The only problem I've seen with them is that the sleeves will nearly cement themselves to the coins in ~10 years.

I've also seen some crazy (but good) toning come from Whitman albums. This is kind of a crap shoot though as for every nicely toned coin that comes out there are 4 or 5 bad ones.

You might try looking at a dealer for one of these used albums. The dealer I go to sells used albums other than Dansco for $5. Used Dansco albums usually run a little more but are generally less than $10.

Long story short - Whitman Folders Bad / Other Folders Better / Albums Good

Wow! We have some Whitman Folder haters out there!

Personal experience. I collected as a child. I had whitman folders. I had 2 penny sets, a nickel set and a dime set (quarters were too much money back then!). This was in the late '60's, early '70s.

As most people, I left that childhood pursuit and came back to them over 30 years later.

Not one single toned coin. Plenty of bright red pennies still there. Don't know what you guys are talking about. Of course, these were not stored in a garage, but only in the back of a closet all those years.

Remember, folders don't tone coins, collectors do!

NONE of the "folders" or "albums" are airtight.....so it then boils down to "storage environment".
Whitmans folders will be just as good as anything else unless you store them in a bad spot....high humidity.....temperature fluctuations.....other "coin toxic" air conditions can and will eventually "affect" your coins if left exposed to these anti-hospitable coin conditions.
The best most expensive albums with protective sleeve sliders etc. etc......will NOT protect/prevent "bad environment" conditions from ruining coins.....
So, just wrap these Whitman folders in ziplock bags.....or some use aluminum foil....or pvc free containers....or safety deposit boxes at the bank.....or safes with humidity devices......whatever.......but some sort of "protection" beyond just the "folder" would be advised......even though the coins are reletively inexpensive "pocket change".......if they get ruined...then you've wasted a lot of time. Whoever inherits this collection/work of yours, will not like to see "spotted/corroded" coins in 40 years or or even next month......doesn't matter......protect them babies !!...

I agree that environment is a huge factor. If the albums perform better, I would say it has to do with their limiting (not preventing) air movement (since both sides of the coin are "protected" with the plastic slides). One cannot forget about materials; a lot can be said about the adhesives used in folders.

That said, I still have my old Whitman folders tucked away. I put a bunch of coins in them not long after I moved my good ones to Dansco albums. I got them out this weekend to take a look at them. They have fared much better than one might expect. I did not look at the backs though.