Proper Storage Of Your Coin Collection

It is important how you store your collection, because sharp changes in moisture or temperature are natural in attics and basements and they promote tarnish and spots that can devalue your collections.

You should always keep your collection safe, whether they are stored in a safety deposit box at your local bank or at home in a private safe or safety box. It is of vital importance if you are leaving your collection at home that you check with your home owners insurance to be sure that it will cover the full replacement cost of your collection if stolen or damaged. If not, then make sure that you find a policy that will cover your collection.

The most important part of your collection should be your storage system and how it works with when you are handling your coins. Of course, less handling is always better, but you will probably want to examine your coins every now and then, but with the right storage system you should have no problem. The majority of any coin holder will protect your collection against normal handling, so it is important how you store your collection.

When handling your coins directly it is always important to use a pair of plain white cotton gloves, which will prevent the chance of transferring any oil from your skin or moisture onto the surfaces of your collection. Disposable cotton gloves are extremely inexpensive and an excellent choice with any collector. However, if you plan to reuse your gloves, then wash them in a very mild detergent, possibly one made for babies, and ensure they are rinsed thoroughly.

To be practical it is of vital importance to first select a storage system before purchasing any coins in order to ensure your investments will remain in their original condition. Your coins also need to be kept in a place that has a moderate, consistent temperature and minimum humidity, plus the right type of storage container. There are a variety of different styles of holders for each grade of coins, which range from plastic baggies for coins that have been circulated to hard plastic capsules for keeping those high quality and valuable coins safe.

The most common type of storage holder consists of two simple squares of mylar-lined cardboard with a window in the center, which is sometimes called a "2x2" in the world of coin collecting. This is a very basic and simple storage unit where your coin is placed between the two halves, which are stapled or glued together to protect your coins from handling. While it is not as secure as a plastic capsule, it is definitely acceptable for most coins.

Flips are made of Mylars, which can be a little stiff but are great for storing your collection. They have two pockets, which are designed for a coin and the other for a label. When inserting or removing a coin from a flip be sure to bow it by pressing the opposite sides inward to avoid scratching the coin. Soft plastic holders are not always the best choice, however, hard plastic holders are available for individual coins and small sets. Any storage container that contains polyvinyl chloride or PVC should be avoided, because this is a chemical that softens plastics and can eventually coat your valuable coins with a sticky green slime that eats through the surface of a coin and ultimately ruins it.

Other storage units that have been used are polyethylene sleeves, which are decent for any short term storage idea. Circulating coins have been known to be stored in paper envelopes, but some envelopes can contain chemicals that cause your coins to change their color over time. Albums, such as foldout albums, can protect your collection from any wear, but not from air borne chemicals that cause color toning. Again, these albums are not an excellent choice for storage over long term of your higher grade coins.

Sonically sealed hard plastic holders for any individual coins, which are also known as slabs, are an expensive process but it is the best thing to use for valuable coins. If you purchase a proof set or a commemorative set, then they should come in their original cases or capsules and this is how they should be stored. These cases and capsules have be specially designed for these particular coins for their safe protection and storage, and should never be removed from them.

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