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 Replies: 7 / Views: 782 |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2630 Posts |
I recently started acquiring some world banknotes as a fun and inexpensive facet of my collection. I'm limiting myself to notes that cost $10 or less. For simplicity and consistency across a variety of banknote sizes, I've decided on using 5x8 currency sleeves. My question is regarding sleeve thickness. Wizard has Supersafe sleeves in 4 mils, 5 mils, and 5-10 mils. Any thoughts or recommendations?
Also, what storage boxes fit 5x8 sleeves that are safe for your collection? Wizard doesn't offer currency boxes for that size.
Edited by CollegeBarbers
11/13/2025 2:40 pm
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Pillar of the Community
United Kingdom
2135 Posts |
The thicker the card sleeves, the more rigid, and the more rigid, the better protected.
I've used archival rigid post card sleeves for more valuable bank notes and I keep the sleeves on pages on a 2 ring binder.
Unfortunately, I've run out of sleeves and I can't remember where they came from!
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Pillar of the Community
 United States
2630 Posts |
Thanks for the feedback, Pertinax! Thicker is definitely better, but is it worth the added expense for low value notes? For a pack of 100 at Wizard: 4 mil sleeves are $0.52 each, 5 mil sleeves are $0.69 each, and 5-10 mil sleeves are $1.04 each. I'm leaning toward 5 mil as a good middle ground. What about a storage box for 5x8 sleeves?  The closest thing I can find on Wizard is the Lighthouse Logik Archive Storage Box for $46.69, which seems a little overkill. Edited by CollegeBarbers
11/15/2025 4:56 pm
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Pillar of the Community
 United States
5029 Posts |
For low value notes I would not use the more expensive sleeves. I have a simple red currency storage box for my low value notes that I have sleeved.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2630 Posts |
So you would recommend going with the 4 mil sleeves?
Unfortunately I haven't found a simple box that holds 5x8 sleeves, but I'll keep looking.
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Pillar of the Community
Canada
2578 Posts |
Quote:
For a pack of 100 at Wizard: 4 mil sleeves are $0.52 each, - I have some $100.00+ notes & some $1.00 notes & I have always bought/used top-loader sleeves that cost around $0.50 each. They all go in envelopes (according to Continent/nation) & the envelopes sit upright in shoeboxes. I put desiccant in the drawer where I keep them. I have never found them to be too flimsy but just right. I have also bought notes that came in 5 X 8 Supersafe Museum grade sleeves from Allens. These open up really nice so you can lay your note in them & the sleeve closes up around it but there are no sides. They're great for older, larger European (& expensive) notes but a bit overkill for some of the cheaper North American currency I have. These have to be put in a separate envelope & that's probably the only thing I don't like about them but they're fantastic for placing note (or taking note out) of a sleeve compared to the top-loaders (which can be a bit more tricky/involve more handling). I also have got a few cheap, flimsy, top-loader sleeves (from a purchase) & I have placed those aside (or reserved for them for cheaper/current notes or polymer). While the sleeves are important, I also think you need to be aware that moisture is a killer & it would be wise to keep a desiccant (of some kind) in your storage box or drawer. |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2630 Posts |
Good to know, thanks walk2dwater!  Given the low value of these notes, it sounds like 4 mil is the way to go to keep down costs. I've debated about getting different size holders, because 5x8 is definitely overkill for some notes, but I think the convenience outweighs the negatives. I'd rather buy one size fits all than have to buy a bunch of different sizes. I found a plastic storage container that would fit 5x8 sleeves on Amazon. I called the company and confirmed it's made of polypropylene. Quote:
While the sleeves are important, I also think you need to be aware that moisture is a killer & it would be wise to keep a desiccant (of some kind) in your storage box or drawer.  I keep renewable desiccant (Eva-Dry) with my collection and use wireless hygrometers to monitor humidity and temperature. |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2630 Posts |
After much back and forth, I changed my mind.  I purchased a pack each of 100 modern currency sleeves and 100 large currency sleeves from Wizard, along with their corresponding regular duty storage boxes. The sleeves are 5 mil and are much cheaper than the thinner 4 mil 5x8" sleeves. It also boiled down to the storage boxes, which were less than $5 each vs. $15 for a larger 5x8" box. The smaller boxes will fit easier with my existing storage system. |
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Replies: 7 / Views: 782 |
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Posted 11/15/2025 1:58 pm
