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How to select a coin holder -- periodic post



 
 
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Old November 9th 03, 12:05 AM
A.Gent
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Default How to select a coin holder -- periodic post


"Reid Goldsborough" wrote in message
...
What follows is a distillation of many people's opinions and
observations, including my own. Additions and corrections are
welcomed. This document is copyrighted -- please don't republish
elsewhere. HMTL version available he http://rg.ancients.info/guide.

How to select a coin holder -- periodic post

- - -
IN A NUTSHELL: With coin holders, it's largely, "To each, his own."
But each type of holder has its advantages and disadvantages. And you
should quickly remove any coin you buy that's in a soft vinyl flip to
avoid causing damage to it.
- - -

We buy coins to look at them, and the coin holder through which we
look can greatly affect our viewing pleasure. It's common knowledge
that there's no such thing as the perfect coin holder, but that's
never stopped coin collectors from searching.

Much about coin holders is subjective. My preferences may be different
from yours. The information below resulted from talking with coin
collectors, coin supply dealers, coin holder wholesalers, and coin
holder manufacturers as well as my own experiences in testing out or
using each of these holder types.

Your choices in coin holders include but aren't limited to the
following, in order of estimated popularity:

2x2s

These holders consist of white cardboard with a clear Mylar pocket to
let you view the coin. You can attribute and describe coins on the
cardboard with pen or pencil. These holders are called 2x2s because
the holder's dimensions measure 2 inches by 2 inches, though most coin
holders are this size as well. (In Europe larger and smaller sizes are
used more commonly than they are in the U.S.)

One problem with 2x2s is that paper dust from the cardboard can cause
spotting over time. Some holders, however, advertise that they're dust
free. The staples on the staple-type holders can potentially scratch a
coin if you're not careful when removing it or rust and leach
chemicals onto coins. You should also flatten the staples. The
adhesive on self-sealing 2x2s can potentially damage coins over time,
and the adhesive can wear out as well, causing the holder to pop open.

2x2s are somewhat chintzy looking, but they're inexpensive, relatively
safe, and popular. They're often used by coin dealers because of their
low cost and because it's easy to write on them.

Safety flips

With these all-plastic two-part holders, you flip up the part of the
holder holding the coin to view the coin's reverse. You can choose
flips with one pocket (for the coin) or two pockets (one for the coin
and the other for a paper insert on which you can attribute and
describe coin, optionally using a computer). Unlike many other
holders, safety flips let you view edge of the coin. They're called
"safety flips" because they're relatively safe for long-term coin
storage.

There are two kinds of safety flips, generic safety flips and Kointain
Saflips. Generic safety flips are made from low-plasticizer PVC.
They're often mistakenly called non-PVC flips or PVC-free flips, even
by some coin supply dealers, despite the fact that they're made of
PVC, which is an abbreviation for the plastic with the name
polyvinylchloride (or vinyl for short).

Generic safety flips are much safer than ordinary PVC flips for
long-term coin storage because of their low levels of plasticizers
(typically, phthalate esters). It's primarily the plasticizers used to
soften the PVC, not the PVC itself, that can damage a coin's surfaces
over time. Safety flips have as little as one-fifth the amount of
plasticizers as ordinary PVC flips. Sometimes low-plasticizer PVC
flips are mistakenly called unplasticized flips.

Generic low-plasticizer PVC safety flips aren't perfect. Their hard
edges may scratch a coin when you insert or remove it if you're not
careful. They may crack with repeated opening and closing, forcing you
to replace the holder. They may turn pale color over time, also
forcing you to replace them.

Generic safety flips shouldn't be used with proof coins because the
PVC itself can degrade over long periods of time, releasing small
quantities of gaseous chemicals, including hydrochloric acid,
chloroethylene epoxide, and formic acid. These chemicals, in turn, can
cause microscopic pitting on coins, leading to hazing on a proof
surface. This outgassing occurs more if the holders are exposed to
excessive humidity or sunlight. With circulated coins, these concerns
are minimal.

There are several different kinds of generic safety flips. The Super
Safe brand (sometimes called Madison coin flips since they're made by
Frame-A-Coin of Madison, N.J.) are available at many coin shows and
through Brent-Krueger Coin Supplies at http://www.brent-krueger.com.
They come in sheets -- you tear off the individual flips.

Other generic safety flips are made by International Plastics of
Altadena, Calif., and are available from Jake's Marketplace at
http://www.jakesmp.net. They're thicker and sturdier than the Super
Safe flips (and they consequently make nice mini-coin stands), but
they crack more easily and are thus not as practical for large coins.

Still other generic safety flips are made by various manufacturers in
China, including those sold by Brooklyn Gallery Coins & Stamps at
http://www.brooklyngallery.com.

Generic safety flips are attractive, relatively inexpensive, and
popular. To reduce the chances of generic safety flips causing
problems in coins over long periods of time, you should store coins in
them away from excessive heat (less than 85 degrees F.) and humidity.

The other main type of safety flip is the Kointain Saflip. These flips
are made from Mylar, which is one brand name for the plastic with the
name polyethylene terephthalate. Mylar is thought to be somewhat safer
over the long term than low-plasticizer vinyl. It's also not as prone
to cracking.

One negative of Kointain Saflips are their horizontal striations,
which are unsightly and can interfere with viewing of the coin inside.
These flips also have sharp corners. Kointain Saflips are more
expensive than generic safety flips but can be a good choice for proof
coins and otherwise when safety is paramount.

Flips

Flips, also called soft vinyl flips or PVC flips, are commonly used by
dealers to sell coins and by some grading services when people submit
coins to them because they make it easy and safe to insert and remove
coins from them and because they're inexpensive. However, regular
flips are unsafe for long-term coin storage.

Flips consist of PVC (polyvinylchloride, also known as vinyl),
stabilizers (to prolong life), and plasticizers (to soften the
plastic). Plasticizers mixed with the PCV can damage coins over time,
causing "PVC damage," which looks like green goo. Damage occurs faster
when flips are exposed to excessive heat (above 85 degrees F.),
humidity, sunlight, and mechanical bending. Early PVC damage can be
removed with acetone. More severe PVC damage can corrode a coin's
surfaces, causing permanent damage. Theoretically, this damage can
also occur with low-plasticizer PVC flips as well, though I've heard
of only one instance of this happening, with a collector in Hawaii, a
state with a warm and humid climate. On the other hand, some
collectors have stored their coins in regular soft flips for decades
without damaging them.

Still, it's only smart to play the percentages. If you buy a coin in a
soft vinyl flip, you should remove it and place it in another storage
medium. One rule of thumb is that no coin should sit in a soft flip
for more than six months.

Air-Tites

Air-Tite holders are the most attractive coin holders next to slabs,
and depending on your views about slabs, you may find them more
attractive. You can choose various color combinations to best
highlight your coins, whether copper, nickel, silver, gold, or other
metal.

The Air-Tite system consists of a snap-together acrylic inner holder
that fits snugly around the coin; a polyethylene white or black ring
that fits around the inner holder; a black-, blue-, burgundy-, red-,
or green-colored velour-covered cardboard display card into which fits
the holder and ring; and a black polystyrene frame holder with a wood
finish and stamped with gold- or silver-colored lettering.

You can optionally use a host of other accessories, including storage
boxes, display easels, albums, display boxes, wall frames, and
presentation cases.

The Air-Tite system is relatively safe for long-term storage. The size
is nonstandard, with the 2-3/4 inch by 2-3/4 inch display cards being
larger than the 2 inch by 2 inch size of most other holders.
Air-Tites are considerably more expensive than most other holders, but
they may be worth it. You can find out more at
http://www.airtiteholders.com.

Intercept Shield holders

These relatively new holders are made with a material that's designed
to intercept and neutralize sulfur and other contaminants and thus
prevent toning. This can be beneficial or not. Many people regard
nicely toned silver coins as the ultimate in eye appeal. On the other
hand, coins that have toned unattractively just look tarnished or
stained, and brown copper coins are generally less attractive and
worth less than red ones.

Intercept Shield holders measuring 2 inches by 2 inches are made for
different sized coins as well as for coins that are already in slabs.
You can also buy different sized Intercept Shield boxes and albums.
You can optionally use the Intercept Shield boxes with other 2 inch by
2 inch coin holders.

On the negative side, it can sometimes be difficult to place coins
inside the flexible gasket of the Intercept Shield holders. The
holders are also relatively expensive. Check out
http://www.interceptshield.com/products.html for more information.

CoinEdge holders

Formerly called CoinSafe holders, these all-plastic holders let you
view the often neglected third side a coin, the edge. Whether
lettered, reeded, or flat, a coin's edge can tell you a lot about a
coin, including whether it may be a cast or electrotype counterfeit or
whether it was once used in jewelry.

CoinEdge holders are made from Mylar (polyethylene terephthalate) and
are safe for long-term storage. They're not the most
impressive-looking coin holders but not the least impressive either.
You can buy optional accessories, including albums and boxes. To find
out more, go to http://www.coinedge.com.

Whitman (or Gallery) holders

These all-plastic holders consist of polystyrene, a relatively safe
plastic for coin storage. Made by either Whitman or Gallery, these
snap-together holders are an inexpensive way to store you coins. The
downside is that coins can slide and bang around inside the holders,
potentially causing damage over time.

Whitman or Gallery holders are widely available at coin shows and coin
stores and through coin supply dealers.

Eagle holders

Made of polystyrene encasing with Mylar (polyethylene terephthalate)
windows, these holders are relatively safe for long-term storage.
They're attractive, with the encasing available in white or black.
They also come with optional accessories, including attractive display
boxes and albums.

On the negative side, it can be time consuming to insert coins into
these holders. The smallest coins, such as silver three-cent pieces,
don't always remain in position within the holder, even when you
follow the directions for small coins. Large coins such as American
Silver Eagles and Bust dollars can sometimes cause the holder to pop
open. The company has recommended that you glue shut the holders to
keep these very large coins from causing the holder to pop open,
though this is stop-gap rather than permanent solution, as there's the
possibility that the glue can damage the coin over time. Check out
http://www.eaglecoinholders.com for more.

Capital holders

These plastic (Lucite) holders come in two varieties, one that you
screw together, one that you snap together. They're similar to Whitman
(or Gallery) holders but are both more impressive looking and more
expensive.

Inserting and removing coins, however, can be labor intensive. Coins
can also slide or bang around inside, potentially causing damage. You
can find out more at http://www.capitalplastics.com/coins.

Kointain holders

These holders consist of just a round shell that fits snugly around
the coin. They're similar to the Air-Tite inner holders. They're made
of non-PVC plastic and are relatively safe for long-term storage. The
company advertises that some museums use these holders for coin
storage. Kointain holders can be used alone or inside other holders or
albums.

Coin World holders

This is a new type of coin holder from Amos Press, the publisher of
Coin World, too new to fairly be ranked in terms of popularity. These
are slab-like holders but are easy to open and close, which lets you
to insert coins yourself. Coin World holders are made of clear
acrylic, the black inserts of inert polyethylene. Both are safe for
long-term coin storage.

Like slabs, these make handsome holders. Twenty different size holders
are available, which fit most U.S. coins. You can write descriptive
information on the supplied coin labels, which like the holders are
fairly conspicuously imprinted with the Coin World logo. You have two
choices in holder sizes: Premier, which are the size of PCGS slabs,
and Standard, which are the size of ANACS slabs. Also available are
Coin World coin cases that hold the Coin World coin holders.

The above aren't your only options for coin storage. Others include
slabs, coin albums, coin folders, paper envelopes, poly bags, coin
cabinets, coin cases, coin frames, coin tubes ... and pockets and
purses.

Recommended coin supply dealers:

Brooklyn Gallery Coins & Stamps
http://www.brooklyngallery.com

Jake's Marketplace
http://www.jakesmp.net

Brent-Krueger Coin Supplies
http://www.brent-krueger.com

Stanton Books & Supplies
http://www.stantonbooks.com

Roy Reynolds Coins
http://www.royreynoldscoins.com


--

Email: (delete "remove this")

Coin Collecting: Consumer Protection Guide:
http://rg.ancients.info/guide
Glomming: Coin Connoisseurship: http://rg.ancients.info/glom
Bogos: Counterfeit Coins: http://rg.ancients.info/bogos



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