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Coin collecting is a fascinating hobby, but to maintain the value of your collection, you must know how to preserve coins properly. Although coins can endure throughout thousands of years, faulty storage can cause their value to drop significantly. 

People frequently ask me about the ideal method of storing rare and precious coins. They want to know if coin albums, envelopes, and Ziploc bags are as good as many claim them to be and whether there are other efficient methods to safely yet effectively showcase their collections. 

So, this is the post where I will address all these queries regarding coin storage, plus some other burning questions related to the proper handling and maintenance of coins. Let’s start. 

Storage-Related Factors That Can Damage Coins:

Before jumping on to the methods of storing coins, it’s imperative to know the storage-related issues that might cause harm to your coins. This way, you can prevent any damage to your collection by avoiding the wrong storage conditions and activities related to the task.

Various environmental conditions, such as aging, humidity, and temperature fluctuations, can cause coin deterioration. However, negligent handling, particular chemicals, and a wrong coin storage setting – all can do equally serious damage. 

The following are the major risks to be aware of before you choose a method to store your coins: 

Moist And Humid Environment: 

Metal has the propensity to draw condensation-forming moisture. Long-term exposure to moisture can severely harm a coin’s overall condition. Specifically, silver and copper surfaces corrode and tarnish when exposed to moisture or water because of chemical reactions. 

You may think that gold is free from this humidity issue since it’s one of those metals that are chemically the least reactive, but this is not the case. Avoid leaving gold coins exposed to moisture as well because it can cause problems. 

Flexible/ Soft PVC-Based Plastic Storage Materials: 

Polyvinyl chlorides (PVCs), a common type of plastic, can discolor coins and should be avoided for long-term storage. Such damage is triggered by inappropriately putting coins in PVC-containing plastic coin holders and soft plastic flips.

The coin’s metal reacts with the Polyvinyl chloride chemicals in the holders in a somewhat acidic manner, resulting in the formation of residue deposits on coins. This is particularly true for flexible PVC-based polymers.

Coins made of copper are most vulnerable to PVC reaction, then comes silver, followed by gold and platinum.

To tackle this issue, avoid preserving your coins in flexible PVC-based plastic holders/containers, and plastic bags. If you need to use plastic, then go for rigid plastic storage containers instead. 

Extreme Temperatures: 

Extremely high and low and constantly fluctuating, unstable temperatures can also deteriorate the quality of your coins. Heat alone doesn’t do much harm, but it can produce more toxic conditions such as acids, humidity, and bad air quality. 

On the other hand, low temperatures might result in moisture damage and condensation. Coins should be kept in a climate-controlled area for the highest level of protection. Avoid areas with toxins or air pollution that could harm over a long period.  

Acidic Paper, Cardboard Holders, And Atmosphere: 

It’s important to store your coin collection in an acid-free environment. Acid should never be used since it severely damages metals physically. 

A lot of collectors are unaware that acid damage is frequently caused by cardboard and paper storage materials. Toning, tarnishing, and discoloration of coins can be caused by using cardboard boxes or paper envelopes that have been stapled shut.  

Regular cardboard contains sulfur, which will speed up tarnishing. Silver coins should not be stored this way because silver is particularly susceptible to sulfur-containing cardboard. 

To ensure an acid-free setting, don’t use coin holders made of paper or regular cardboard. Instead, search for cardboard that is low in sulfur and created specifically for holding coins.

Also, make sure to keep household cleaning products away from the coin storage area. 

Allowing The Coins To Frequently Collide With Each Other:  

Coins should not be put loose randomly in a container or bag. If you do, then the coins will rub against one another, producing wear. Abrasive contact among the coins can damage their edges and rims and create scratches on the surfaces of the coins, causing their value to decrease.

Each coin should instead have its designated, tight-fitting space in a container, album, envelope, box, or flip so that they don’t get to rub against each other. Also, it’s best to put coins of the same metal together.

Touching Your Coins Carelessly: 

One needs to touch and hold the coins in order to arrange or store them in the collection. But do you know that merely touching your coins in an improper manner can cause damage to them? 

Simply touching them with your bare fingers may cause harm to them. Rare, high-grade coins are particularly vulnerable to damage from finger contact. If your fingers get into contact with Proof and mint state coins, you run the risk of harming them. 

The oils, acids, and tiny grit on your fingers will stick to the coins’ surfaces and create discoloration or microscopic scratches. To eliminate this risk, wear gloves made of cotton, latex, or Nitrile while handling coins, and only hold the edges. 

Additionally, dropping your coins on a hard surface also has the risk of damaging them. Therefore, when working with coins, place them on a soft towel or pad. 

Removing Or Breaking The Coins’ Mint-Issued Boxes/Holders: 

If you take your commemorative coins, Proof set, mint set, or encapsulated coins out of the officially issued holders or boxes the mint has provided for them, you will significantly reduce their value. The holders, the box, and any writing/ paper/ document that comes with them – all are considered parts of the ‘set’ and should be preserved in perfect condition.

Likewise, coins slabbed by third-party grading services have a higher value in their protective cases. Unless there is a justified reason that would permit detaching a coin from its slab, don’t ever remove your coins from such permanent holders. 

However, certain early sets were issued in paper or cardboard envelopes that contained polymers or acids that degrade with age. You should take these coins out of their original holders/cases before they suffer any deterioration. 

8 Best Strategies To Store Coins At Home: 

Storing coins at home is practically the most common approach by collectors, despite its lack of adequate security. If security isn’t a concern for you, and instead you want convenient access to your collection any moment you wish, you may opt for storing coins at your home (I’m sure that most of whom are reading this article are going to do this). 

In this case, you need to know that investors who have bullion coins through the precious metals IRA are not legally allowed to keep their coins in their households. Only numismatic collections or direct bullion investments can be stored at home. 

Let’s take a look at some of the most popular and efficient methods of storing coins at home – 

1. Acid-Free Coin Flips: 

Due to their affordability and reliability, coin flips are quite a popular method of coin storage. Go for coin flips that contain a thin piece of polyester, Mylar, on the part covering the circular die-cut hole. 

Mylar used in these good-quality coin flips is an acid-free, lignin-free, archival-safe material. There are several types of Mylar-based coin flips based on the closure technique, such as – traditional paper flip, Peel-n-Seal paper flip, etc. 

2. Coin Snaps: 

Coin Snaps are a thicker alternative to paper flips for coin protection. Choose snaps made of inert polystyrene that will not harm your coins. These are composed of two crystal-clear polystyrene layers that are pressed together. 

To put the coin, a foam insert is positioned in the center between the plastic. The foam generally has a paper/label attached to one side, so you may write on it if you’d like. 

3. Coin Tubes: 

Coin tubes are yet another popular option for storing a stack of coins. These are made of clear plastic and have screw-on caps. These tubes store the same number of coins for each sort of coin as coin roll wrappers do.

Rolls of coins can be kept in coin tubes to make them accessible and protected from environmental elements and other potential pollutants. They work well for a few other stuff in your house or workshop as well.

High-grade coin tubes are made from sturdy PVC-free materials, making them safe for long-term exposure with your coins. They also make practical storage containers for numerous household items and tiny hardware components. 

4. Coin Albums And Ring Binders: 

Coin albums constructed from reliable, good-quality, non-toxic materials can help avoid damage to coinage from environmental pollutants or poor storage, besides offering an efficient way to showcase and safely monitor your collection. Easy-to-expand or lighten coin collection albums or binders provide you the flexibility to quickly customize them for displays or just rearrange a group of coins. 

You can select between several coin album brands in terms of the materials, color, and design of the albums adding to these fundamental needs. Several manufacturers even offer a slipcase made of cardboard to shield the edge and the cover of the coin album for an added cost. 

5. Coin Sheets/ Pages: 

You will need coin sheets if you have traditional coin albums or any type of ring binders to organize your collection. Coin sheets are made to fit into all standard binders. Good-grade coin protector pages offer an easy and palatable way to display your collection in addition to protecting your coins. 

There are several variants, including the regular 20-pocket coin sheets. You may even purchase a starter kit for a coin collector that includes an album or binder and numerous coin sheets. 

6. Coin Folders: 

Using cardboard coin folders is one of the simplest and most affordable ways to safeguard and manage your coin collection. This choice offers aspiring coin collectors a low-cost means of getting started. Their simple layout and basic design give beginner collectors an easy way to map out their coin-collecting quest. 

Publishers built their folders by drilling precisely sized circular holes in the cardboard that would hold the coin in place. Each hole includes a label with a date or a short description of the coinage that is meant to go in that slot. This information aids you in route-planning for coin collecting as you compile a complete set of coins within the folder.

Note: One drawback of the design of these folders is that they only let you view one side of the coin. Additionally, you will require protective covers/ sheets to shield your collection from deterioration brought on by exposure to the environment and potential human fingerprint contamination. 

7. Wooden Cabinet With A Display Tray: 

A fine rosewood or mahogany cabinet will work if you wish to gaze at your coins frequently. This cabinet will include a tray where the coins will be placed. I’d suggest making the cabinet compact enough to fit inside a safe. These should also be kept at a stable room temperature in a low-humid environment. 

8. Coin Boxes: 

Maybe you have a lot of stacked coin flips or snaps. Wouldn’t it be nice to be able to organize them in a practical and affordable way? Go for a coin box. 

To begin with, you can get a standard 2x2x9 coin box. Or, you might prefer a double-row 2×2 box if you have a larger collection. There is also a slotted display slab box if you have many valuable coins contained in coin slabs. 

Coin Storage Strategies Based On Metal Content: 

It’s crucial to understand how to preserve coins according to their metal content, regardless of your level of experience with the hobby. You can protect the value and appeal of your collection by selecting the appropriate materials and storage arrangement. Let’s get into it – 

Copper, Brass, And Bronze: 

If you have a bulk of copper, bronze, or brass coins, store them in good-grade, toxic-PVC-free, rigid polyethylene boxes. To improve moisture-free conditions, put little packages of silica gel in the containers. According to your preference, you can place the more valuable coins in tubes or 2 x 2′ envelopes in the boxes. 

Always remember to keep the coins that have undergone oxidation or verdigris separate from the good ones in quarantine. The condition known as verdigris is a contagious copper and bronze disease. 

Silver Coins:

Put the silver coins in an acid-free tissue paper or flannel bag. Keep humidity and temperature fluctuation to a minimum. Never store silver close to acids, sulfur, and halogens. 

Gold Coins:

Gold should be kept in a place with stable temperatures and low humidity. To prevent corrosion, refrain from packaging gold in paper or cardboard boxes.

Never keep gold coins in storage elements such as Halogens, Cyanides, Ammonium compounds, Peroxide, and Aqua Regia. 

Platinum:

To store platinum coins, use acid-free tissue paper or coin flips. The ideal environment is dry, cool, and with low humidity. Avoid using incompatible materials such as acids, alkalis, oxidizing agents, and halogenated compounds.

Palladium

The best storage for palladium is in a cool, dry, and climate-controlled environment. Eliminate humidity and exposure to acids and strong oxidizing agents. 

Storing Coins In Precious Metals Depositories: 

One of the most secure and safest ways to store coins is these depositories. Such modern facilities provide climate-controlled storage spaces, 24-hour surveillance, professional security personnel, and insurance. 

Some even offer streaming video so that you may check on your coins online from a faraway. People who invest in rare and precious metal coins frequently opt for this storage solution.

Should Precious Coins Be Stored In Bank Vaults And Similar Facilities? 

Storing precious coins in regular third-party storage facilities, including safe deposit vaults at banks, is a choice that quite a few people make. Even though it’s a very secure option, there are a couple of issues with this approach. A bank vault, for instance, can only be accessed within regular banking hours. So you can not access it on weekends or holidays. 

Furthermore, a component found in bank vault walls may release water vapor during the occurrence of a fire, creating a humid climate that could harm your investment. 

Bottom Line:

You may confidently maintain your coin collection now that you are aware of the best strategies for coin storage to preserve its quality and value. Choose the approaches you deem the most appropriate according to the type and volume of your collection and the environmental condition of the geographical region you live in. 

FAQs:

What Is A Good Coin Holder?

One of the finest ways to protect your coins is by using rigid plastic coin holders. Most are composed of inert polymers like polystyrene.  

Each rigid plastic coin holder is designed to hold a specific coin size. They can store single coins, proof coins, uncirculated sets, and entire collections. They are available in a wide range of designs and varieties. 

Numerous reliable brands produce a wide range of high-quality plastic coin holders such as Guardhouse, Whitman, MUDOR, BCW, Air-Tite, Lighthouse, etc. Also, Capital Plastics is the leading manufacturer of custom holders. 

Do Coin Albums Damage Coins?

Although safer than some alternative storage methods, albums are not always perfect. While less reactive than PVC, the plastic covering the coins most of the time allows access to air and moisture if not entirely inert. Additionally, while sliding the plastic in and out, there is a risk of harming the coins.

However, some high-grade coin album choices are free of sulfur, acids, and toxic polymers, and constructed of inert materials. They are deemed quite reliable for regular coin storage. 

Where Should Coins Be Stored At Home?

You should store your coin collection in a place with moderate humidity and temperature when storing it at home. The safest location is typically a bedroom or a study because of the comforting temperature and humidity in these spaces. 

Make sure to store your coins in an area that is adequately distanced from the bathroom and kitchen to prevent damage from moisture, heat, household cleaning agents, cooking oils, and grease.