Air Tite Holders

The problem with albums and folders is that they can potentially tone coins, something that you may or may not want to happen. (I'm talking about the cheap cardboard folders here, not sure about albums)

As far as folders - the cheapie $3 folders from Whitman and Harris.

As far as the albums - Whitman, Dansco, Intercept.

Am just wondering if over the long term if it wouldn't be better to invest in airtites for the whole collection (this would be expensive but I plan on keeping this collection for at least another 20-25 years, maybe more if I am so lucky).

I was even thinking of those self sealing 2x2 cardboard flips. I don't like the staple kind as one of my really neat brass tokens got a big old hairy scratch from those.

I am glad Christina brought this subject up because I keep hearing so much about how coins get damaged by the method they are stored in. I work so hard on keeping my collection nice and would hate for it to be ruined by the storage devices I am thinking are keeping them safe.

Well, hindsight is 20/20 as they say. After reading more about this in my PCGS grading and counterfeit book and other things I have found online I am think I am going about storing my coins in a newbie way I think. Folders, Albums, plastic coin flips (which I just bought 100 of yesterday and I am pretty sure they have pvc in them because they are soft).

I think I have decided to go 1 of 2 ways:

1. Self sealing 2x2 cardboard flips and put these in the vinyl pages just in catalog type albums.

2. Airtites and put them in tubes then in storage boxes.

I like to look at my coins, not just hide them away, so I think I am going to go with option #1.

I will buy the new supplies next payday (so, no coins next payday) and transfer everything over. Then sell the albums, folders, etc. on ebay to recoup some of the cost.

Just a plan, might take lots of time to do this as I have close to 200 coins now.

What about keeping unopened bank rolls inside small sealed plastic bags? Is this a no-no? Is it safe from toning? If not how should unopened bank rolls be kept?

I've got a few 2006-P bank rolls, and the ends of them are toning like crazy. It probably would've been a good idea to put them into plastic tubes in retrospect, but I didn't have any. The coins tone because of the sulfer present in the paper that makes up the bank rolls.

I get mine from my dealer. If he doesn't have them in stock (rare) then he orders them for me. I also get a discount if I buy a case at a time. For example 100 Cent Tubes for .25 each. I'm sure there are web sites, perhaps someone else will know of one. If you can get them cheaper than that then it would be worth the shipping costs too.

fengk: That looks like a Sale on their quarter tubes and a good deal at that. Have you purchased from them? I would assume that you have since you suggested them. Thanks!

fyi, the round full box of tubes come in a box with the tubes slipping into a little round styrofoam type slot. I can only assume that the square tubes have something similar however, they fit together better into boxes. Be forewarned - when the tubes are full (especially by the case) they are extremely heavy.[:0]

Thanks again! I checked out JP's and I'll be ordering from them. Members have recommended this site before but I hadn't paid too much attention.