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 Replies: 8 / Views: 1,461 |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2600 Posts |
First, hope I have the forum for this.
I buy coins at estate auction. Many time when I get home and can better study the Lincolns I will find signs of hairlines. These are nice coins but the lines hurt it naturally. I noticed that:
1. They typically have been in 2X2s for a prolonged period of time as the staples are rusted.
2. More often than not, it cent is in either a dime or nickel 2X2.
3. They have moved around. Upside down, to one side or what ever.
So, do you think that a copper cent can be rubbed enough moving around in an old 2X2 with extra room cause these random hairlines. I am starting to worry about using them.
Thx, Jim
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Moderator
 United States
23522 Posts |
Quote:
So, do you think that a copper cent can be rubbed enough moving around in an old 2X2 with extra room cause these random hairlines. Yes. |
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
12437 Posts |
You also have to keep in mind how the coin may have been handled before it was placed in a 2x2. Did an old collector keep his coins loose in a shoe box or even an old wooden cigar box? Did the previous owner give the coins a light wiping with a soft cloth before placing in the 2x2? I also have to agree with SuperDave that prolonged excess movement in a 2x2 could also cause hairlines especially if there is cardboard debris from the 2x2 floating about.
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Moderator
United States
23522 Posts |
Yeah, suppose I should elaborate.  Any available movement in a 2x2 will eventually scratch the coin - they're not airtight, cardboard deteriorates and starts flaking as biokemist said, and one never knows how long a dealer shlepped the coin from show to show, moving it all the time. Not to mention how many prospective customers have handled it over the years. |
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Pillar of the Community
 United States
2600 Posts |
Thank you, fellas. I had never given it much consideration but it makes sense. I have always used properly sized 2x2s but I am rethink how I am going to use them going forward.
Jim
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Pillar of the Community
United States
613 Posts |
Oh yes, they will shift, but not as much as a hard plastic 2x2. Certain coins I will store in the hard plastic 2x2's. I always insert the coins heads up. May not look at them for a couple months and they're rotated in the 2x2. I guess its because of the earths rotation and/or something to do with gravity.
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
20753 Posts |
So much really depends on how they are handled and how often. If you place a Dime in a Dollar 2x2 and just let it sit for a thousand years, not much will happen to that coin. Possilbly an Earthquake may create some movement in that 2x2, but otherwise, not much can happen. I place all my coins in basically a few sizes of 2x2's. All Dimes and Cents go in one size. Nickels and Quarters in the next size. Halves and Dollars in the Dollar ones. I don't staple them, I use clear tape on the opening type sides. I've looked at some of my coins that have been in those 2x2's for possibly 20 to 30 years now. Not sure since I don't write down when I do what with a 2x2. But all coins appear the same as the day they were placed there. Of course no Earthquakes yet.
Naturally if you place a Dime in a Quarter sized 2x2 and constantly shake it or throw it around, the coin inside will eventually show that. But I just can't imagine a coin just sitting in a box in a 2x2 moving all over the place.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2600 Posts |
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Valued Member
United States
60 Posts |
Interestingly, I overheard a discussion between a coin dealer and a buyer at a show this weekend. The buyer had purchased an early Lincoln that was in a 2x2. He went to release the coin, and the "window" of the 2x2 had stuck to the the coin! Not sure how the conversation ended, though, as I decided to move along.
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Replies: 8 / Views: 1,461 |
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Posted 03/03/2010 10:55 am
