- Keep them cool and dry. Sharp changes in temperature and moisture—as are natural in most attics and basements—promote tarnish and spots that devalue your coins.
- Use original holders. All modern proof sets and commemoratives should be bought and sold in their original cases and capsules.
- Save documentation. A Certificate of Authenticity and an information card that come with United States Mint proof, uncirculated, and commemorative sets. If these are missing, your coins will be harder to sell.
- Keep them safe. There’s no safety like a safe-deposit box at a bank. If you keep your collection at home, check that your home insurance covers it for the full replacement cost.
Plastic Tubes
Foldout Albums
2"x2" Cardboard Holders
Coin Slab
Storage Options
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Flips have two pockets—one for a coin, the other for a label. Flips made of Mylar® and
the like are good but can be a little stiff and brittle. When inserting or removing a coin,
"bow" it by pressing opposite sides inward to avoid scratching the coin.
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Soft plastic holders aren't always better. You definitely want to avoid those that contain polyvinyl
chloride (PVC), a chemical that softens plastics. PVC can eventually coat a valuable coin with a
sticky green slime, which eats into the coin’s surface and ruins it.
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2"x2" cardboard holders.
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Plastic tubes (ideal for rolls of coins).
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Hard plastic holders (preferable for more valuable coins) are available for individual coins and small sets.
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Polyethylene sleeves are good for short-term storage.
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Paper envelopes are okay for circulating coins, if the envelopes are made for holding coins.
Other envelopes could contain chemicals that cause your coins to change color over time.
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Foldout albums can protect coins from wear and handling, but not from air-borne chemicals that cause toning.
These albums are not a good choice for long-term storage of higher-grade coins.
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Slabs (sonically sealed hard plastic holders for individual coins)
offer good protection, but slabbing is an expensive process, so it's best to use it for more valuable coins.
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