Coin collection brings with it a number of early concerns and one of them is keep the coins safe. Coin storage can actually be tricky and it is important to know exactly how. You may have numerous questions about it but know that there are numerous coin storage methods! Beware though, because there are many hazards too. If you are not careful, you could end up damaging your collectibles.
Methods of storage and the hazards that accompany them go hand in hand. You can protect your coins against some of the hazards but know that replacing damaged pieces can be extremely difficult.
You have to protect your coins not just from handling but also from the surrounding contamination and pollution. Burglary, flood, fire, invasions, etc. are other hazards that can destroy your collection beyond repair. While you can take a few measures to keep your coin safe, there are things that can’t be avoided. Thus, there is always a risk. However, the best thing to do once you have a large collection [triple digit collection], is to store your coins in a bank inside a safety deposit.
Coins are actually comparable to humans in that they prefer low humidity and moderate temperature. This is the reason why the basement and the attic are NOT ideal coin storing places. Remember that not just your coins, even the media will suffer if you are careless. For example, if your coins are stored in PVC containing holders of flips, know that PVC will be damaged due to high heat.
This is the reason why you should steer clear of PVC. There are plastic flips as well as plastic-vinyl flips, which contain PVC and you should make sure you dispose both. PVC fumes won’t take much time before they seep through with ease and destroy your coins. You can differentiate in an easy way. PVC flips are softer while flips made out of safe plastics are hard and stiff. Don’t use PVC even if you are storing paper money. PVC is bad for both.
A closet shelf will not be able to take the coin weight and if you place them under the bed, your cat will find numerous reasons to play. Know that even a small box of coins can be very heavy. It’d be unwise to put the coins in the freezer because these days, crooks search there too. A safe is a good idea, either a floor safe or a wall safe. But make sure you buy a burglarproof safe and not a fireproof safe. This is because the latter comes with harmful chemicals that can be hazardous to your coin collection. It is quite difficult to store coins, as aforementioned. You have to come up with case-by-case solutions. You should try looking for a not-very-obvious storage place for your coins. Thus, the back of the closet is not an option. If you bury your box under old clothes, no one will notice. That is a good idea. Get creative and think of good solution. However, if you have a silver or gold coin collection, the safest place to store it would be in the bank.
Storage media is a topic of concern. The best thing to do would be to keep a track of your coin collection, as it gets larger. Once you have many coins, you can start the sorting process. You can choose a value and make sure that all coins over that value are treated well. Store them in good plastic storage cases. Use one made out of hard and inert plastic because such cases are the best. They are the ones used by grading companies. They are highly protective and thus are the ideal choices for uncirculated coins. Store the coins below the chosen value in a box or storage tube made out of inert plastic. It is important that the storage system you use is consistent. Keep a record of all your coins. Make a list and pen down the details such as the mintmark and date of each coin. You can also jot down the color of the coin and the unique appearance aspects, if any. Thus, you will have a clear idea of what you have and what you need to collect. Such a record will also come handy when you choose to sell coins from your collection or sell your entire collection all together.