How Do I Store My Coins?

Coin collectors always seem to have difficulty in deciding how to store their coins.
Ideally, coin storage should preserve the coin from damage by humidity and chemicals, yet allow the collector to easily organise and view the coins.
The methods vary in cost and effectiveness; anything from a shoebox or a glass jar to cardboard albums, clear plastic pages with pockets that fit in a ring binder to individual snap-on air-tight containers such as capsules or individual and multi coin cases.

Containers

Many people start out with some sort of box or jar with a lid. While this keeps them all in one place, it doesn't stop the coins from scraping against each other and tarnishing each other. There are many ways of storing coins to protect them from damage.

Albums

Can be both a cheap and cheerful way of displaying your coins or an expensive one. You can easily puchase clear plastic pages with pockets that fit into a specific ring binder. You can secure the coins further with either cardboard inserts or coin envelopes that will hold the coin securely in the pocket.

Coin Envelopes

These come in various sizes, but are normally 2" square (5cm). They may also come as paper envelopes or clear plastic wallets. These are fine for short term storage, but are not airtight and after a number of years the top of the coin near the opening may tarnish faster than the rest of the coin. Great and inexpensive for initial storage whilst you organise and sort your collection.

Capsules - Individual Snap-on or Screw-on Containers

These are normally round containers, which come in two halves and can have either a push-fit snap-on or screw-on fitting. You should check the interior dimension of the capsule before buying, as they come in various sizes and it's best to get one with a snug fit for the particular coin you have. They are usually made from glass-clear Perspex and are great for storage of individual coins, enabling them to be visible on both sides and prevent direct handling. They can also be used in conjunction with coin trays.

Individual Coin Hard Plastic Display Cases

These are normally square case in two sections, which can be opened by sliding them apart. Normally 2.5" (6.5cm) square, they may come in different sizes, and generally come with either a card or plastic insert with a pre cut hole to secure your coin within the case. These inserts can either be pre-printed or blank and will have different holes for different sized coins to enable a variety of coins to fit the same sized outer case. These are great for organising and displaying individual coins with their details, enabling them to be visible on both sides and also preventing direct handling.

Multi Coin Hard Plastic Cases

Normally larger oblong cases in two sections, which can be opened by gently priing them apart. A good average size is 6.75" x 4.75" (173mm x 121mm). They can come in different sizes and generally contain either a card or plastic insert with pre-cut holes to secure your coins within the case. These inserts can either be pr-printed or plain and will have different hole sizes for different coins, enabling multiple sized coins to fit into the same case. These are great for displaying coin sets with their details, enabling them to be visible on both sides and also preventing direct handling.

Coin Storage Trays

One excellent way of storing coins is to use a specially produced storage tray, these may consist of a velvet like tray with holes for a number of coins and usually a Perspex cover, they may also be stacking drawers. These are great and will not cause any damage to your coins, particularly if used in conjunction with capsules.

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