Cardboard 2x2s Or Mylar Saflips?

What can I say? It was late. I wasn't really awake.

I like cardboard 2x2s with the mylar window. I use these for a number of reasons:
1. They are cheap at around $3.50 per 100 at a LCS
2. They are easy to use, I would recommend a flat clinch stapler if storing in an album page
3. Easy to organize and label. There is more room to write on the cardboard with a fine tip marker
4. Gives a great view in an album
5. You can easily remove it from an album page if/when you want to replace it with a higher grade.
6. Easy to ship in if you ever sell.
7. Minimal movement of the coin, I found that the flips allow some movement

All of this is, of course, just my opinion. I have found that this system works for me. Find what works for you!

NON PVC flips are fine for decades long storage.

As a UK collector I find this thread interesting.

I see some people have mentioned writing on 2x2s or putting a slip into the flip with details of your coins.

I wondered whether you all also keep details of where you bought/found your coin and, if bought, who owned it previously? And if so, what form does the record take?

I ask because several of my coins have come from earlier collections and I always like to record details of these. Sadly not all dealers or auction houses (all my coins went out of circulation many years ago so I have to buy them) keep or pass on such information.

In the 'old days' collectors here often used to keep a record of their coins on what are conventionally called 'tickets'. Small paper disks a bit bigger than the coin itself. That's because many collections were stored in cabinets, with the coins sitting in recesses in a tray like drawer. The ticket could be tucked under the coin (which usually sat on a felt disk to protect it from friction) for easy access. Like this:



Fewer collectors use tickets (or coin cabinets) these days and I guess many records are now electronic. But I like the traditional approach myself!

So what records do you keep and how?

(Oh, and if not in my cabinet, I store coins in small acid-free paper envelopes I buy from a dealer. I used to use hard plastic versions of 2x2s, but I like to be able to pick up my coins without viewing them through plastic!)

Like Tom, I'm also a cabinet / tray guy and use tickets (I also refer to them as roundles - which I picked up when I worked in the numismatics section of a museum).

I also keep an electronic record which is portable and useful for insurance purposes

Here's a pic of some "in action"

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Safe flips are usually brittle and will crack if flexed or bent. Soft flips usually contain the ingredigents for making PVC soup. If you have used flips just dump them, and get new ones, you never know what was in there before you got them, coins I would assume could be cross contaminated by PVC residue that gets on the inside of a safe flip and transfer onto a coin. Flips are cheap, don't take chances.

I stick to cardboard 2x2's.