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 Replies: 14 / Views: 3,618 |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1205 Posts |
I would like to know the best way people store bulk pennies and nickels. I searched the forums but could not find a definite answer. I've heard about people using PVC pipes, ammo boxes, jars, etc. the problem I have with jars is all the lost space. A jar might be a foot or two high and then you can't stack anything on it so you lose a ton of space. The ammo cans seem great but I saw one .30 caliber case selling for $28 on Amazon. That's way too much if you had to buy a bunch of them. What is the best way for long term storage? How could you store in a basement without humidity/moisture ruining the coins? I'd prefer to not use this thread to debate if hoarding coins is a good or bad investment. I simply would like to know how others handle storage. Thanks!! |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1132 Posts |
Pelican® cases. Similar to ammo boxes but watertight & exceptionally durable. I keep my silver in these with a dessicant pack for good measure. They are kind of pricey ($18-$200). If your going bulk, I suggest rolling them up & putting them back in a bank-issue box (holds 2500 pennies & 2000 nickels respectively). Wrap in a bag & duct tape the seam. Viola!
(you can buy ammo boxes @ Harbor Frieght for $6.99) Go on-line & print off one of their 20% off coupon for even more savings.
Edited by CopperCastle
03/21/2015 12:22 pm
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Pillar of the Community
 United States
1205 Posts |
Thanks for the tips CopperCastle! I don't have a whole lot but am just considering options. I've heard it's best to store on a cement floor (aka basement most likely) rather than hardwood since it could damage the floor if the weight was too much. I'm just really concerned with something happening in the basement that would ruin everything. Once mine flooded and I had like 6 inches of water in the floor, that would be a nightmare! Garage might be an option but I don't know about moisture out there. I don't think I'd go for the Pelican cases for copper, although they do look nice. Just wouldn't be worth it as the box might be worth more than the coins! Those Harbor Freight ones don't look bad but from my understanding if a "flood" happened they probably wouldn't offer much protection. Something worth considering for sure as I get those 20% off coupons frequently in the mail. Maybe the bank-issued boxes is the best most cost efficient way though. Decisions, decisions.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
9796 Posts |
I use pelican cases myself, left over from my days as a professional photographer. A cheap storage idea is Tupperware or plastic ammo cans. Pretty much anything made for food is going to be safe, remember to put in a desiccant pack too, especially if you live in an area with humidity.
"Buy the Book Before You Buy the Coin" - Aaron R. Feldman - "And read it" - Me 2013! ANA Life Member #3288 in good standing since 1981, ANS, Early American Coppers Member (EAC), Colonial Coin Collectors Club member (C4), Conder Token Collector Club member (CTCC), Civil War Token Society (CWTS) member, Liberty Seated Collectors Club (LSCC) & Numismatic Bibliomania Society member (NBS), USMex, Member in good standing, 2¢ variety collector. See my want page: http://goccf.com/t/140440Edited by westcoin
03/21/2015 4:50 pm
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Rest in Peace
United States
18456 Posts |
I'm assuming your going to have a lot of coins if your worried about damaging a wooden floor. I don't recommend the garage to much climate fluctuations . I quess the basement would be ok if no other area is available. you would want to keep your cents and nickels in plastic tubes. then put those tubes in plastic totes. keep the totes off he floor in case of flood. main thing, if your basement is damp or humid do everything to keep your coins as dry as possible .
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
20753 Posts |
Just use food grade plastic containers such as those you see all the time. If safe for food, should be OK for coins. Maybe.
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Moderator
 United States
190135 Posts |
I use cheap plastic containers (Tupperware knock-off) for my hoard of bronze cents and nickels. This hoard is not that big though.  |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1205 Posts |
So if I'm storing my pennies in paper rolls in bank cardboard boxes in the closet what else do I need to do? I don't know that I have humidity on my main floor but do I need to put those silica gel packs in these boxes? Do I need to tape them shut? It would be awful if I got in them many years from now only to find they turned green!! I also have some coins in glass jars, are these ok? Thanks in advance!
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Moderator
United States
190135 Posts |
Quote:
...do I need to put those silica gel packs in these boxes? I would. Quote:
Do I need to tape them shut? I would not. Quote:
I also have some coins in glass jars, are these ok? More than likely, assuming they were cleaned and dried first. I would add a desiccant to them as well. |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1205 Posts |
Thanks jbuck. Maybe this is a dumb question but do I just put 1 pack in each box on top of the rolls? Do I need to swap them yearly or what? Is one pack enough? Would this work? http://www.amazon.com/Gram-Silica-P...s=silica+gelDo I run any Risk of ruining the coins by doing this? Sorry for all the questions but after reading of another members coins turning green I don't want mine to get ruined! Thanks! |
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Moderator
United States
190135 Posts |
Yes, those would work.
How many to use and how often you need to swap them out depends on several things, like how often you open the container and how humid your area is.
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Bedrock of the Community
 United States
12869 Posts |
Quote:
Is one pack enough? Not sure there is an upper limit on how much desiccant to put in, except for, of course, how much space you want to devote to silica gel vs. coins.  Also recall that gel packs lose potency over time as they absorb moisture, so consider your refresh strategy (either replacement or cooking). |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1205 Posts |
Hey guys - just wanted to stop in and say thanks for the info! I really appreciate all the good information and support from this site. I ended up going with a 100 pack of the 3 gram packets. Way more than I need for my coins but I did some reading and found I can toss them in some other items I have as well (family photos, video game cases, tool box, gym bag!). I don't even know that I get too much moisture on my ground level floor but I'm not risking it. I pull a lot out of the air with my dehumidifier in the basement (bucket a day in the summer time). That would be devastating to collect a bunch of coins and then have them ruined due to improper storage. Thanks again everyone I appreciate it!!
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1314 Posts |
I really like the ammo boxes. They are sturdy enough to hold the weight, very stackable, have convenient handles, are available in a variety of sizes, easy to label and come in several attractive shades of green. But you are correct about the price. I used to sell the new surplus .50 cal. cans (6" x 7" x 12") for $5 each. Then our government declared them high capacity magazines and stopped making them available to citizens. As our government is busy destroying tax funded property, the Chinese are making them for the American market. At my local hardware store, they sell for about $17. For a selection in sizes, and competitive pricing, I would check Fleet & Farm or any local gun show. They are in demand because they are good. Not for everyone, but they have a place in my collection.  |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
840 Posts |
I do not recommend the basement, To damp and musty. The attic would be better, Less humidity.
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Replies: 14 / Views: 3,618 |
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Posted 03/21/2015 2:17 pm
